Are you ready to be the speaker who gets invited back year after year? Let’s dive into the strategies that will make you unforgettable and ensure your spot on big stages is always secure.
Preparing for Success
You’ve landed your first paid speaking gig and the excitement is palpable! Now, it’s time to move into the pre-production phase of growing your speaker platform. Here are several steps you can take to make an amazing impression before the event even starts, guaranteeing you get asked back again and again.
1. Immediate Follow-Up:
The moment you sign that contract, send a thank-you note to the organizer. Accompany this with a copy of your book or another tangible gift. This small gesture will distinguish you from other speakers and start your relationship on a positive note.
2. Build a Community:
Connect with the other speakers on LinkedIn and social media platforms. This networking not only helps you but also impresses the event organizers by showing your dedication to fostering a collaborative environment.
3. Social Media Engagement:
Start posting about the event on social media. Tag the event and other speakers to build excitement. Schedule regular alerts in your calendar to remind you to stay engaged on social and collect all necessary details ahead of time to share. Being organized ensures you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
4. Day-of Planning:
Plan your event day meticulously. Allocate time for social media updates and interactions with organizers. Ensure you have everything prepared so you can focus on delivering your best performance without any distractions.
Making an Impact at the Event
1. Captivate with a Powerful Opening:
Hook your audience from the moment you step onto the stage with an opening that draws them in and keeps them mesmerized throughout your entire talk.
2. Stay and Socialize:
After your speech, don’t rush off. Stick around to connect with the audience, take photos, and offer your support. Your presence and willingness to engage will leave a lasting impression on attendees and organizers alike.
3. Follow-Up with Gratitude:
A few days after the event, send another thoughtful gift as a token of appreciation. This reinforces the positive experience you’ve already created.
4. Seek Feedback:
Contact the organizers to ask for feedback on your performance. Inquire about areas for improvement and express your eagerness to speak at future events. This demonstrates your commitment to growth and your appreciation for their input.
Building Long-Term Relationships
Following these steps positions you as a professional, thoughtful, and dedicated speaker. Here’s a deeper dive into why each step is crucial:
– Immediate Follow-Up: This shows your gratitude and professionalism right from the start. Organizers deal with many speakers, and standing out early with a personalized gesture sets a positive tone.
– Building a Community: Networking with fellow speakers helps you create a supportive environment and increases your visibility within the speaking community. This can lead to more opportunities and collaborations in the future.
– Social Media Engagement: By actively promoting the event and engaging with potential attendees, you increase your visibility and demonstrate your commitment to the event’s success. This proactive approach is highly valued by organizers.
– Planning and Organization: Being well-prepared ensures that you can focus on delivering an exceptional performance. It also shows the organizers that you are reliable and take your speaking engagements seriously.
– Staying and Socializing: This extra effort to connect with the audience and organizers after your speech can create memorable interactions that resonate long after the event ends. It shows that you value the opportunity and the people involved.
– Thoughtful Follow-Up: A post-event gift and request for feedback underscore your appreciation and willingness to improve. This continuous engagement builds a strong, professional relationship with the organizers.
– Seeking Feedback: Actively seeking constructive criticism shows your commitment to excellence and your respect for the organizer’s opinion. It also opens the door for future invitations by expressing your desire to participate again.
By following these steps, you can transform yourself into the speaker who is not only remembered but also repeatedly invited back. This strategy involves more than just delivering a great speech; it’s about building relationships, showcasing professionalism, and demonstrating genuine appreciation.
Are you ready to become the speaker who gets asked back over and over again? Start implementing these strategies today and watch as your invitations grow.
Remember, it all starts during those first crucial seconds you are on stage. This is your moment to captivate your audience. And because I know that so many speakers struggle with this, I’m hosting a live, 1-hour training on “The Art of the Hook: Creating Captivating Opening for Unforgettable Keynotes.”
It’s happening on August 27, 2024 and you can join us HERE.
