Want to know one of the best ways to stand out in your arena as an author? Speaking gigs!
In the video below, We’ll explore a few reasons why you should be speaking as an author. Now, before we dig into those reasons, let's consider maybe you're a new author.
You might not feel as experienced, or you might be a little bit nervous about becoming a speaker. One thing I want to reassure you is that:
you are capable
you're qualified
you can do this.
Also, you have a book which means you are an expert in something. Tap into that expertise, and use it to help you speak. Now let's dig into the tips.
Your audience is already there.
Whether it's a virtual summit, a podcast, in-person/virtual events, or something else they're all places where you can find your ideal reader. As an author, one of the best ways to sell books is to make sure that you are talking to “your people”. If you are picking events that already have your ideal reader in mind, the likelihood that you're going to be able to sell more books, or to be able to sell products and services before or after during your speaking event is going to increase dramatically.
2. Speaking positions you as an expert.
Now, remember what I said earlier about feeling nervous about speaking. Part of that is because automatically as a speaker, people look up to you, they see that you have distinguished yourself from others and that you have something to share that's important.
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Hopefully, that “thing” is something that can help change their lives or impact them in a positive way. Being a speaker and focusing on a few areas of expertise is something that can skyrocket your book sales as well.
3. You can repurpose your content!
If you are speaking in person or virtually, you can repost that content, you can take a pic, or split it up into different types of content. All of that continues to expand your reach as a speaker. For example, let's say you're doing a virtual summit, and it's your turn to speak. You want to make sure you do things like take a screenshot of yourself talking or have a tripod set up next to you. That way you can get kind of an over-the-shoulder view of your speaking experience. Also, take screenshots of what the people in the chat are saying and the things they're commenting on. If you're doing an in-person sync kind of thing but in person. Have someone take pictures. If the event has a photographer, be sure to get copies of your photos or anything that you can use to be able to repurpose, reuse that later, and help position you is fantastic. Next, I have a tip for my folks who are new speakers and scared.
4. Remember you don't have to do it alone
Speaking on a panel, a virtual summit, or even a podcast is a good way to kind of dip your toe into the water of speaking.
It won't be something where you are the central focus for the entire event. If you’re nervous, that’s a good thing! For podcast, which invite guests, you would be the guest to come and speak, but the host would either send you the questions ahead of time or you could talk through those before you record it. This is a great way to kind of get those butterflies out, not be as nervous and be able to still share your message.
Comment below and let me know what’s stopping you from landing your first speaking gig. If you need help finding speaking gigs, check out my Book Partner + Influencer Bundle to help you find places to speak and brands that will let you come and speak often for free.
