Three Essential Skills

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Fran Watson

Three Essential Skills by Sina Marasco DTM
Eastern Division Director, District 73

I came across a post by Sina Marasco tonight and it caught my attention – Three Essential Skills – all of which can be learned in Toastmasters.  Effective communication, Evaluation and Planning.

“Here are three essential skills I wish I had learnt at school – effective communication, evaluation and action planning.

Yes.  I wish I had learnt these skills a lot sooner.

Without effective communication it can be difficult achieving the results you want out of life. I highly recommend teaching these skills to children.”

“Words have power. I see so many people taken advantage of because they don’t know the power of effective communication.  To actually think through the results of their words.  To actually guide the conversation rather than reacting to it and ‘losing out’.”

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Each week at Toastmasters meetings we learn new words to help us build our vocabulary, and we practice impromptu speaking which teaches us how to compose a mini speech, only one to two minutes in length on a topic we have just been presented with.  It’s amazing how quickly you can think on your feet when you practice this weekly.

There are many more things you can learn at a Toastmasters meeting.  To find a club near you, wherever you are, just go to the Toastmasters International website to Find A Club.

Perhaps we may meet up at a virtual meeting someday!

Fran Watson

P.S.  If you have any questions about Toastmasters, please feel free to message me.

Posted in communication, howto, public speaking, Self-Development, speaking, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Body Language

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Fran Watson

Body Language (Non-Verbal) vs. Verbal Communication

Communicating with others is one of those basic life skills we all have. But if you want to communicate effectively with others, a good starting point is to understand the importance of not only verbal communication but nonverbal as well.

Some researchers have claimed that somewhere between 60 to 90 percent of all communication is done nonverbally.

Let that sink in for a minute.

 That’s astounding! And pretty hard to believe, considering that there about 4,000 words added to the English dictionary every year. With all those words available how could body language outweigh the spoken word?

What is Non-Verbal Communication?

 You use nonverbal communication methods every single day and probably don’t even realize it. The tone of your voice, your posture and the expression on your face are just part of the equation.

Other nonverbal cues are eye contact, how close you are in proximity to whom you are communicating, and any gestures you might use to get your point across.

Nonverbal communication can be used alone or in combination with speaking to others and still be effective. A baby can nonverbally tell her mother she’s hungry, she’s sleepy, or she’s in pain with three distinct cries.

Now add in the rest of the body parts and just imagine how many thoughts and feelings can be revealed without uttering a single word!

What is Verbal Communication?

 There are two main types of verbal communication: Personal and Public.

Personal communication is one-on-one or even a small group of people. These are people you are familiar with and know on a personal level. Your friends, family, coworkers, etc., are all people you communicate with personally.

Maybe you’re talking to your best mate, at the dinner table with your family talking about your day, or in the breakroom chatting it up with a couple coworkers.

No matter the audience, you are comfortable with these people and the conversation is on a more personal level than if you were addressing a crowd.

Public communication is on a bigger scale, and the majority of the audience isn’t on your Christmas card list. It could be you are delivering speech, offering a congratulatory wedding toast, or heading a presentation at work in front of the entire staff.

Either way, there are going to be unfamiliar faces in the crowd, and your verbal communication skills are going to be challenged much more so than when speaking on a personal level.

Words. Verbal communication is all about using your words to get the point across to one or more people. Of course, you can talk to yourself, in which case you are the audience. Your choice of words is your biggest asset when you are verbally communicating.

Decoding the Message

 Nonverbal and verbal communication work together to effectively communicate with others. Humans use nonverbal actions in conjunction with the spoken word, and their audience is left to decode the message.

Deciphering the true meaning is fairly easy when the two complement each other. It’s natural for our actions to place emphasis on what we are saying.

For instance, if you say your birthday is next week in a normal tone with a flat affect, devoid of excitement or physical activity, your audience is most likely going to interpret that your birthday isn’t a big deal to you.

However, the opposite is true if you are smiling from ear-to-ear, your eyes get big, your arms are outstretched with palms facing up and your pitch gets higher when you say, “Tomorrow is my birthday!”

When nonverbal cues contradict what’s being said, you might be dealing with someone who is not telling the truth or trying to fake enthusiasm. Some people tend to look up and to the right when they are telling a lie, and others look down and fidget or maybe touch their mouth or face while they are speaking.

It’s likely that everyone has tried to fake a smile at one point or another, but the rest of the body language usually tells the truth.

Here’s why correctly decoding the message matters. Your personal and professional relationships are built on trust and integrity. Misinterpreting sarcasm can be the difference between laughing or the start of an argument.

More importantly, as you read another’s body language, you can determine if now is even the time for humor, sarcasm, empathy or no words at all. Effective communication begins and ends with using both nonverbal and verbal to your advantage.

To more effective communication

Fran

P.S.  Be sure to come back for more tips

Posted in communication, healhy body, howto, presentation, public speaking, Self-Development, speaking | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Shy When It Comes to Public Speaking?

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Fran Watson

Today I have the opportunity to bring you a special treat.  A guest post from my friend Rachel Youngson of UsePLR.com.  I have purchased her products and her training and she is amazing.    Thanks Rachel for the post

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The Shy Girls Tips for Public Speaking

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Hi There, my name is Rachel Youngson and I run UsePLR.com. I also run a Facebook group, do coaching calls, and hold weekly trainings for my community. As if this weren’t enough, I run a team to help me manage my products and I regularly take meetings when someone in my community needs me. Oh yes, and I should also mention that I am starting a podcast.

Wow, to see it all written out like that it sounds like I must be pretty darn confident in myself to accomplish it all doesn’t it? Honestly if I were to read this I would think that this lady has really got her stuff together. But honestly I don’t. I mean I do…but I don’t. I take my business really seriously and I love helping my community but owning who I was in this business took me a long time.

A Very Long Time

Things like reaching out to strangers, putting myself on camera, and coaching clients did not come easily or naturally for me. I wish it did, because I imagine I would be much further along in my business if I knew how to be confident with my voice from the start. But it is what it is and I am just thankful that I finally figured out how to be a voice for my business.

Be A Voice for YOUR business

My goal today is to help you be a voice for your business, and yourself, as well. But before I tell you what I did to get here I wanted to let you know a bit about my journey. People don’t know how to explain what I do for a living…and I don’t know how to explain it to them. On the surface it is as easy as ‘I have clients and I give them what they ask for’, but exactly how I go about that really depends on what is needed at that time. Because I didn’t know how to explain my business I was very shy about talking about my business. Even online I went by the name ‘Rachel Young’ when I was creating PLR and my Facebook page was a completely closed, completely personal page.

You see, I tried to keep my business and separate from who I was but the truth is that my business is part of who I am. And when my business coach pointed that out to me she asked me to do something that I was really nervous about…she asked me to use my legal name for my PLR site and broadcast who I was on Facebook. She said that she should be able to Google my name and see exactly who I am in business.

This terrified me. I thought people in my personal life would ask me questions…maybe even make comments on my social posts, I thought this would embarrass me in front of the audience. And because I went by a fake name on my PLR site I now had to get those audience members to connect with me and my real name (which I know doesn’t sound like much but it was to me).

Who I am Today

That person was a long way from who I am today. Today I proudly showcase all of my new products all through my social media. Today I show my face on camera multiple times a week and even lead meetings for entire groups of people. And believe it or not I am entirely comfortable with it.

So how did this transformation happen? How was I able to find my voice and help my business? Here are some of my tricks.

  1. Do it on your terms. The more control you have of your speaking situation the more confident you will be. While I can easily jump on someone’s call and talk to their audience, I am much more confident when I schedule the meeting, I know what I want to say, and I am in my own Zoom room. When I lead a meeting I automatically have a bit more power than I do when I am not the meeting host, and that helps me to be more confident.
  2. Find a buddy. The first time I ran a meeting I had NO idea what I was doing. I didn’t know how to lead a meeting, how to get people into the meeting, how to share my screen, nothing. So the first meeting I spoke at was one that was hosted by someone I was JV’ing with at the time. She met with me before the meeting, we went over the technical stuff, and she helped me to know what to expect. During the meeting itself she handled all of the technical stuff and i was able to see how she was doing things. For the audience, they were none the wiser, they only knew we were both teaching and training on the meeting. But behind the scenes I was taking my cues from her and learning all I could. My second meeting was one that I hosted but had a guest on and then by the third meeting I was more than comfortable doing it all on my own.
  3. Plan ahead. When I speak on my Power Hours I don’t make these elaborate Powerpoint slides to present but I do have topics to present, (unless we are doing a QnA). Before the meeting I will open a text file and make notes of everything that I want to talk about. I will also pull up any links that I want to share with the audience and take notes as the meeting is going on so that I can make show notes after the call. We also have a formula that my audience has grown accustomed to. The meeting starts with my intro, then we go into training, then questions, and we wrap up by sharing our wins. Because I know ahead of time what I am getting into for each call I am able to speak with more confidence to my audience.
  4. Figure out your worst case scenario. This one took me a bit longer. For the longest time I was just plain afraid of doing certain things. For speaking, one of my biggest fears was that I would have someone ask me something that I couldn’t answer. Or even worse, that I would be speaking on something that my audience already knew everything about. This really held me back. So before I had to do something scary I started sitting down and thinking about what the absolute worst case scenario would be. And then I prepared for that scenario. Those ‘worst cases’ never happened but just being prepared for them seemed to make my confidence soar. For example, when I started doing my Power Hours I was really afraid of someone asking me something that I didn’t know the answer to. My plan for that was to get their email and let them know I would research their answer and get back to them. And it worked. I was able to get through those meetings, when I hit a bump I knew exactly what I was going to do, and my audience was more than happy that I was really going to bat for them instead of just dismissing their question.

There are my best tricks for public speaking, and they have totally changed the way that I do business. I hope they help you as well!

By the way, you can learn more about me at: UsePLR.com.

Rachel Youngson

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So you see folks, if Rachel can overcome all those problems to become a speaker, so can you.

Fran Watson

P.S.  You can pick up 50 quick tips for public speaking by leaving a comment.

 

Posted in advice, communication, help, howto, presentation, public speaking, Self-Development, speaking, tips | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Post Event Tasks

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Fran Watson

Going Out on a High Note: What to Do After a Speaking Event

Most event speakers spend most of their time before an event preparing for it. Then when they arrive, they do their speech, hang out with other speakers, form connections, and put on their own speeches.

But that’s only half the process. Just as you would have a packing checklist to ensure take everything you need, you also want an “after-care” checklist for events. Here’s what you want to do following a conference or seminar…

Write a Note

Take the time to thank your host. This will make you stand out in a positive way in your host’s mind. Remember, this host may organize other events in the future or may know other conference hosts who are looking for a speaker.

If possible, try to hand-write this note. It doesn’t have to be long or detailed. Simply thank them for the opportunity. Then mention one or two aspects of the conference that you enjoyed. Sign your name and pop it in your mailbox.

Follow Up with Speakers & Leaders

The wonderful thing about conferences and events is that it gives you the opportunity to connect with other speakers and thought leaders in your industry. If you made any promises, you want to follow up right away.

For example, if you agree to write the foreword for someone’s new book, reach out via email or text message. Let them know you’re looking forward to reading their book.

Schedule Meetings

Attendees from the event may have wanted to speak with you about a topic in-depth. Perhaps they wanted a discovery session from you or maybe they were interested in a one-on-one consultation package you offer.

Once you’re back in your office, be sure to follow up. Let the attendee know that you hope to connect soon and give them a link to your favorite calendar scheduling tool so they can book a slot with you.

Sort Your Ideas

Conferences and events can be a great place to find new ideas. Perhaps you thought of the perfect title for the book you’re writing or maybe you heard about an income stream that would be an excellent fit for your business.

If you’re like most people, you probably scribbled this idea down or took a quick note on your smart device. The problem is that if you had a lot of ideas, then you may have difficulty acting on all of them.

Don’t let the overwhelm of new ideas keep you from taking action. Instead, sit down and sort through your ideas as soon as possible. You might want to create a list of ideas you want to implement now and those you want to act on later.

Speaking events are fun and energizing. But they can also be tiring, too. Make sure that you plan for a day or two of recovery time. You can use that time to do the tasks above and squeeze in an extra nap or two if you need it!

CTA: Be choosy about your speaking events—learn more when you download your free workbook!

Fran Watson

What if you could boost the visibility of your business? What if you could easily connect with potential clients in person? What if you got clarity around your message and influenced even more people with it?

With the So, You Want to Get Speaking Gigs? Workbook, you’ll discover how speaking benefits your business, what you need to get started, and how you can begin finding speaking events today. Here’s a peek at what you’ll see in your workbook…

  • The 4 Big Benefits of Becoming a Speaker
  • Create a Message You’re Proud to Share
  • Talking Money: What to Expect as a First-Time Speaker
  • Speaking Gigs Are Right Under Your Nose! Here’s How to Find Them…
  • Why Every Speaker Needs a Media Page (& What to Put on Yours!)

Kickstart your speaking adventure now! Just sign up below:

 

 

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Product Sales

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Fran Watson

Selling Your Product from the Stage

Katrina had been speaking for a few months because she’d heard it would help her grow her business. But despite speaking, nothing was changing. She wasn’t getting more clients or selling more products. So, Katrina reached out to a mentor who had several years of experience speaking.

Her mentor said, “If you’re getting paid to speak and the speaking itself is the end game, that’s awesome. But even if you’re not getting paid money, you still can leverage your speaking to benefit your business if you plan well.”

Here’s what Katrina’s mentor told her to do…

Develop Funnel Vision

Think of your speaking opportunity as the top of a marketing funnel. The content you share is going to have an impact and will teach your audience something valuable. As you plan it out, always be thinking, “What is the next step?”

When you speak, you almost always have a chance to make a call to action. This might be a specific spoken call to action to sign up for something free or to buy something.

Be Subtle If Needed

Not every event host wants speakers making a pitch from the stage. In these cases, you’ll want to make a subtle offer. For example, you might invite audience members to follow up with you at the event. If you have a table to invite them to, that’s wonderful. Then have materials ready to share.

You might say something simple like, “After the event, come find me. I have a gift for you.” Once members show up, the gift could be a postcard with details on how to claim a free digital resource.

Shout It from the Stage

Some event hosts may encourage you to make an offer in the final moments of your presentation. You can use a cool tool like LeadDigits from LeadPages to do this. When an audience member texts a certain address, they’ll be automatically subscribed to your mailing list

You could say something simple like, “Text the word SAMPLE to 44222”. Doing this automates and simplifies the opt-in process.

Talk with Your Host

If paid offers are welcome at the event, then it’s important that you know your audience and their comfortable spending level. Ask the host or organizers for their best insights. They might tell you that products for a certain price point sell best or that you’ll earn more if you bundle two products together.

Making an offer at an event is only half the process. You may want a way to secure the sale right away. Some speakers have a multi-part form for taking orders and credit card information right at the event. You can even purchase a credit card chip readerthat attaches to your smartphone or other device.

Not all speaking opportunities allow for offers to be made but don’t let that discourage you. You will have an impact and you have the entire event to continue to connect with your audience. Then you can invite them to learn more about you, your product or your services.

CTA: Learn how to leave your speaking event on a high note when you download your free workbook!

Fran Watson

 

What if you could boost the visibility of your business? What if you could easily connect with potential clients in person? What if you got clarity around your message and influenced even more people with it?

With the So, You Want to Get Speaking Gigs? Workbook, you’ll discover how speaking benefits your business, what you need to get started, and how you can begin finding speaking events today. Here’s a peek at what you’ll see in your workbook…

  • The 4 Big Benefits of Becoming a Speaker
  • Create a Message You’re Proud to Share
  • Talking Money: What to Expect as a First-Time Speaker
  • Speaking Gigs Are Right Under Your Nose! Here’s How to Find Them…
  • Why Every Speaker Needs a Media Page (& What to Put on Yours!)

Kickstart your speaking adventure now! Just sign up below:

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Attract High Paying Clients

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Fran Watson

Using Your Presentation to Attract High-Paying Clients

Sally was excited to begin offering her services as a business coach. She had spoken at a few events in the past and was booked for several in the coming months. She asked her mastermind group how she could use these opportunities to fill her coaching business with high-paying clients. Here’s what they shared…

Skip the Pitch

“Some speakers use their entire speech just to pitch their products or services and that annoys the audience quickly,” Jamie pointed out.

There’s nothing wrong with making an offer to a roomful of event attendees, provided you have the host’s blessing. But before you do this, you want to show the audience that you care about their problems and genuinely want to help.

Give Value

Use your presentation as a chance to provide value to the community that paid to show up. This means you want to include actual substance to your content. Don’t promise “15 ways to market your business on social media” then spend forty-five minutes talking about yourself.

You want to include so much value in your speech that when attendees to go to leave, they say, “Wow! That alone was worth the admission ticket I paid!”

Be Relatable

“Sometimes, speakers come on the stage and they have such an air of self-importance that it totally turns me off,” Shannon confessed. “I like it when speakers are real and honest rather than arrogant.”

You want to be professional on stage but also want to remain relatable. When your audience feels connected to you, they’re more willing to listen to you, take your advice, and even buy from you.

You can help your audience see you as human by sharing a story from your own life, making a funny joke (be sure it’s appropriate), or using a metaphor that will speak to them (choose one that isn’t overdone).

Be Consistent with Your Brand

When it is time to make an offer, be mindful of your branding. If your brand is laid-back and casual, then a hard-sell approach made in a loud manner is going to confuse your audience and may even turn them off.

Regardless of what you’re selling, you want the brand experience to be consistent with your community. When your audience feels comfortable with your brand and knows what to expect, they’ll be more likely to make a purchase.

Nurture Your Community

“I’ve been speaking for several years,” Katie shared, “I’ve worked with some wonderful clients as a result of my events. But for the most part, they didn’t sign up at the conference we were attending. I had to cultivate the seed.”

You may not get clients right away from speaking at an event. Don’t let this get you down. Events can lead to connections that eventually become some of your best (and most fun!) clients.

But this process does take time. You’ll need to be patient and carefully follow up with your attendees regularly. You never know who might end up hiring you from an event!

CTA: Learn what you should do before and during an event when you download your free workbook!

Fran Watson

What if you could boost the visibility of your business? What if you could easily connect with potential clients in person? What if you got clarity around your message and influenced even more people with it?

With the So, You Want to Get Speaking Gigs? Workbook, you’ll discover how speaking benefits your business, what you need to get started, and how you can begin finding speaking events today. Here’s a peek at what you’ll see in your workbook…

  • The 4 Big Benefits of Becoming a Speaker
  • Create a Message You’re Proud to Share
  • Talking Money: What to Expect as a First-Time Speaker
  • Speaking Gigs Are Right Under Your Nose! Here’s How to Find Them…
  • Why Every Speaker Needs a Media Page (& What to Put on Yours!)

Kickstart your speaking adventure now! Just sign up below:

 

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Using Social Media for Speaking Gigs

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Fran Watson

4 Things Smart Speakers Do Before & During Events

Elisa was attending her first conference as a speaker. She was excited and nervous. Since she’d never done this before, she reached out to one of her Facebook groups with experienced speakers. She asked them for advice and this is what some members suggested she do….

Harness Social Media

“Use social media to make a big deal about your speaking gigs,” Sarah advised her. She said, “Make sure everyone knows you’ve been booked to speak and share your excitement in prepping for the event.”

Doing this accomplishes two things at once: first, it makes you look great and second, it promotes the event. Hosts love to see their speakers talking up the conference or event. It makes them feel like you’re a team player and they’re more likely to recommend you to others who might need a speaker.

Find the Event Hashtag

Before you post, look around online. Try to find the event hashtag as most hosts to create one. This hashtag will be useful both before, during, and after the event. It’s also a terrific way to get to know other attendees.

Next, look for the other speakers on social media. If you’re not already following them, start now. If they follow you back, you can send a brief message that says, “I see you’re attending Conference ABC on DATE. I’ll be there too and can’t wait to meet you!”

Post Photos

“During the event, try to ask for photos and share them proudly,” Jennifer recommended. She says, “When you do this, you build connections and help people remember who you were at the event.”

You may want to grab photos with other speakers and industry leaders as well as audience members. If the event host or organizer is there, get a shot together, too! Don’t forget to use the event hashtag when posting your photos.

Put Your Phone Away

“Don’t forget to put down your phone at the event,” Marla cautioned. “If you’re not careful, it’s easy to spend the whole conference or event absorbed in the virtual aspect of it.”

For many speakers, attending the event is about making connections as much as it is the speaking aspect. This means that you want to take the time to unplug and be present with those around you.

Remember that speaking at the event is awesome and can be an amazing confidence-builder. But the buzz you get before and after is the most valuable part of the whole experience.

CTA: Use your presentation to attract high-paying clients—find out how when you download your free workbook!

 

Fran Watson

What if you could boost the visibility of your business? What if you could easily connect with potential clients in person? What if you got clarity around your message and influenced even more people with it?

With the So, You Want to Get Speaking Gigs? Workbook, you’ll discover how speaking benefits your business, what you need to get started, and how you can begin finding speaking events today. Here’s a peek at what you’ll see in your workbook…

  • The 4 Big Benefits of Becoming a Speaker
  • Create a Message You’re Proud to Share
  • Talking Money: What to Expect as a First-Time Speaker
  • Speaking Gigs Are Right Under Your Nose! Here’s How to Find Them…
  • Why Every Speaker Needs a Media Page (& What to Put on Yours!)

Kickstart your speaking adventure now! Just sign up below:

 

Posted in advice, communication, howto, presentation, public speaking, speaking, tips | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Virtual Meetings

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Fran Watson

Virtual Meetings

Being able to participate in meetings from your living room is a huge advantage in unprecedented situations like a pandemic. However, virtual meetings are not an excuse to forget basic etiquette. Everyone involved needs to respect each other’s time, and laying down some ground rules is an excellent way to ensure meetings don’t devolve into everyone talking over each other.

As a Toastmaster I have recently participated in quite a few virtual meetings, most have not gone off without at least a little hiccup.  That’s why I was pleased to find an article giving the top 5 Meeting Etiquette Tips   for remote meetings.

Have you attended any remote meetings lately?  Have you had any disasters?

What have you learned that would help others?

Fran

 

Posted in advice, communication, FAQ, presentation, public speaking, speaking, tips | Tagged | Leave a comment

Speaking Events

Posted on April 29, 2020 by Fran Watson

Be Choosy about Your Speaking Events

Natasha had been running her digital business for five years. When she was attending a business conference, she shared her story with the audience in a brief feedback session. She received a warm response from the audience and from that day forward, she was hooked. She started looking for more events to speak at and within a year, she was speaking regularly.

But the more she spoke, the more opportunities that came her way. She loved that she had her pick of events to speak at but she also knew she had to guard against burnout. So, Natasha became more selective about conferences she said, “yes!” to.

Like Natasha, you can’t agree to every event that comes your way. Not only will you never have time for your business or personal life, you’ll also lose your effectiveness as you become tired and overwhelmed from the constant travel. Here’s how to pick and choose which events you agree to…

Does It Align with Your Goals?

Think about what is that you’re looking for from your speaking. Are you trying to get clients through in-person meetings? Do you want to connect with others in your industry and grow your list of connections? Are your promoting your own product line?

When you know what your goals are, it makes it easier to pick the best conferences for your needs. If a particular conference won’t bring you closer to reaching your goals, you likely need to turn it down.

Will It Broaden Your Network?

The wonderful thing about speaking is that it gives you the chance to befriend other speakers, industry leaders, and event hosts. These friendships can be valuable to you and may even be worth attending the conference.

Is It a Good Fit for Your Niche?

Making connections is a fantastic reason to attend events. But you want to build your network by filling it with people who are in your niche. If you speak on topics like investing in stocks and the conference is for knitters, then you aren’t likely to make valuable contacts there.

However, you can speak to a group when there’s overlap potential. Using the example above, investing in stocks won’t be interesting to knitters. But you may find an event for established entrepreneurs that would be a good fit for you.

Does It Excite You?

If you’ve already answered the first three questions with a resounding “yes”, then you need to consider this final one. Is it something that you think would be fun and enjoyable or personally enriching?

It’s hard to attend an event if you’re not excited to be there. That’s why it’s smart to stop and check-in with yourself before you agree to travel to a conference or location. Pay attention to how you feel about saying “yes”.

Does the idea make you want to start packing right now or does it fill you with dread? Do you instantly want to calculate how many days until the event or are you thinking about how good you’ll feel once the pressure of the event is gone?

Don’t feel like you have to say “yes” to every event you’re invited to. Being selective about your speaking opportunities means that you can give the best of your time and energy to the people you’re with.

Fran Watson

 

What if you could boost the visibility of your business? What if you could easily connect with potential clients in person? What if you got clarity around your message and influenced even more people with it?

With the So, You Want to Get Speaking Gigs? Workbook, you’ll discover how speaking benefits your business, what you need to get started, and how you can begin finding speaking events today. Here’s a peek at what you’ll see in your workbook…

  • The 4 Big Benefits of Becoming a Speaker
  • Create a Message You’re Proud to Share
  • Talking Money: What to Expect as a First-Time Speaker
  • Speaking Gigs Are Right Under Your Nose! Here’s How to Find Them…
  • Why Every Speaker Needs a Media Page (& What to Put on Yours!)

Kickstart your speaking adventure now! Just sign up below:

 

Posted in communication, howto, presentation, public speaking, speaking, tips | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Media Pages

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Fran Watson

What Speakers Should Put on Their Media Pages

Sasha was asked to speak at a local event. She happily said, “Yes!” But when she saw the promotional flyer for the event, she cringed. The event coordinator had used an old photo of her that was low-resolution. It distorted and looked terrible. The bio that the coordinator had included was horribly out of date, too.

Things like this happen when speakers don’t keep their information updated. Every speaker looking to land work should have a “media” or “promotional” page on their website. Here’s what to include on yours…

Your Bio

You want both a short biography (2-3 paragraphs) as well as a longer one (4-5 paragraphs). Ideally, you want to mention your mission statement, what you focus on, as well as any important credentials.

For example, if you’ve written a book that went on to become a New York Times Best-Seller that information should be included in your bio. If you speak at conferences for marriage therapists, then mention that you’ve been a licensed marriage counselor for the past two decades.

Your Headshot

These should be full-resolution photos that would look good if they were printed in a magazine. You need a minimum of 2-3 headshots that you feel confident about and wouldn’t mind seeing plastered everywhere.

Keep in mind that you may need several headshots for different audiences. For example, you might speak at tech conferences and parenting ones, too. You’d have some headshots featuring you at work or on your laptop. But you’d also want a second set of images that show you relaxed and smiling at home with your kids.

An Audio (or Video) Clip

Your media page might be the first time an event coordinator has heard of you. You want their first impression to be that you’re capable and professional. So if you have some clips where you’re speaking, be sure to add them here.

You only need 1-2 videos or audio files and they can be short (think less than five minutes). Make sure this content plays in the browser as the coordinator may not want to download your big files.

Your Contact Information

Finally, you want to make it easy for hosts to book you. That means including relevant contact information on your media page. An email address is best for this task. If you’re worried about spam, try a special email like inquiries @ yourwebsite.com or speaking @ your website.com.

You may also want to add a contact number here as well. This helps coordinators who want to talk with you on the phone to get a feel for your personality. If you don’t have a dedicated phone line for this, try getting a Google Voice number. They’re free and they can be forwarded to your regular cellphone.

Designing your media page doesn’t have to be difficult. Just make sure to include the information listed above. Remember that you can always update this page as often as you need.

Fran Watson

 

What if you could boost the visibility of your business? What if you could easily connect with potential clients in person? What if you got clarity around your message and influenced even more people with it?

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  • The 4 Big Benefits of Becoming a Speaker
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  • Why Every Speaker Needs a Media Page (& What to Put on Yours!)

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