Attending the National Speakers Association 2015 Convention in Washington, D.C. I learned a lot a lot! To be exact - 47 tips on marketing your speech, youtube presence, SEO, and even what kind of camera to buy.
47 Tips on how to have a career as a professional speaker:
1. If you don’t have passion, you will give up. The speakers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that persevere are the ones that keep going when things get tough. -- Vern Harnish
2. Statistics show that our most productive time is when we’re over 50 years old. (I guess not having sex as much gives us time to get things done).
3. Have a short phrase (two to three words) that describes your business – a clear and concise tagline that will make you easily findable on Google. (Note to self – Nobody is looking for “hot whiny girls”). – Heather Lutze
4. Have a “Think Week.” Turn off your wifi, read, reflect, and take some time to think and brainstorm about your business. - Niels Brabandt
5. Write from 5:00-7:00 AM. After you’ve had your Think Week, you’ll be better prepared to focus on solving what is inhibiting your business from growing.
6. Mentor others. We learn when we teach.
7. Leaders are readers. Always be reading a book to improve yourself.
8. When networking, a good conversation starter is, “What’s on your reading list?”
9. Make a list of the top twenty five people you need to know to help further your career and reach out to them.
10. Never eat alone in front of the computer. Use mealtimes to go out and connect with people on your list ala Don Draper.
11. Figure out what makes you an expert in your field and own it. Lead with your strengths, and others will follow.
12. When going to speak for a client – text them a video from the airport about how excited you are to speak to them. They love this!
13. A professional speaker can’t speak to every sector. Figure out who is your target audience and market to them. (I.e. techies, nurses, engineers, bankers, farmers…).
14. Be conscious of your marketing success/failures— keep a whiteboard in your office and track your daily sales numbers.
15. Know your Message. If you don’t know it now, keep a journal of the lessons you’ve learned in life that play over and over again— And that’s The Message of You. (See Number 5 on developing your Heart Story).
16. Before telling clients what your speaking fee is, get them to tell you about their event. Then, email them with information on what you can do for them with three different pricing options.
17. Have three options for your price offerings: Basic, Deluxe and Premium. Direct them to the sweet spot in the middle.
18. Make the Premium Package crazy expensive. If they want it, but can’t afford it, ask them what element they want from the Premium Package and add a fee to the Deluxe Package.
19. Create at least five videos per month for your YouTube channel. Make sure to provide plenty of great information for your followers.
20. When making a YouTube video, adjust your voice as if you are speaking to just one person.
21. Your website should contain your core message.
22. Use Google Keyword Planner to figure out how people are searching for your website.
23. Everyone needs a career coach – reach out to an influencer.
24. Label your images with your keywords (i.e. HealthcareHumorist.jpg) so they have a higher chance of showing up in a Google search.
25. Phrases where only thirty people a month are searching for with low competition are good because they have a high conversion rate.
26. Find out which keywords your competitors are using. That’s right – spy on them.
27. Keywords should be in the first sentence and last sentences of your website, blogs, and bio.
28. Hire people slowly and fire them quickly.
29. Happiness levels at work increase profitability.
31. Gather the stories of your family. Once they die, the library of your life is closed.
32. The average viewer only spends 36 seconds watching a YouTube video, so your video should have a compelling beginning.
33. But, the first three seconds are most important. Make sure your audience knows what they are going to get out of watching your video. This is your CALL TO ACTION— be sure to remind your viewers to comment, share, and subscribe.
34. Rather than your phone, use this camera to record videos as it has great sound and picture.
35. Always carry a portable tripod with you for gigs.
36. A good marketing strategy is to send out four different emails to see which one gets the best response.
37. When sending out a demo reel, give clients choices: a short, five-minute promo and, if they want to see your entire speech, provide a full one-hour reel.
38. Establish yourself as an expert by hosting online training courses. You can set that up via Udemy.
39. Use music in your YouTube videos. (MorgueFile.com is a great site for copyright-free music).
40. Bring your camera everywhere— conduct interviews with experts as you meet them and add the videos to your YouTube channel.
41. Always end your YouTube videos with a teaser for your next video.
42. Create title templates using Flixpress.
43. Video testimonials are essential for business (and remember to always get a release form!)
44. Video proposals are awesome.
45. Prior to speaking, film a YouTube trailer to promote your upcoming speech or program.
46. Be sure to add SEO phrases in the description of every YouTube video (i.e. sales technology speaker).
47. Rather than just providing a YouTube link, upload videos directly to Facebook so it plays instantly— people like that better.
47. Rather than just providing a YouTube link, upload videos directly to Facebook so it plays instantly— people like that better.
Thanks you fro sharing those outstanding speaking tips!
ReplyDeleteI always take my camera and tripod where ever I speak. Now, I am going to start interviewing interesting people as well, as you suggest.
A story is a great way to get your speech going. Not only does it have the potential to peak initial interest, but it can also help set your audience in time, place and mood.
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