Calling All Speakers: 10 Ways To Build An Effective Online Presence
If you want more speaking gigs, make sure you are accessible, relevant, and engaging online as well as on-stage.
While you may have the on-stage presence down pat – many charismatic entrepreneurs do not put as much emphasis on the same presence online.
With an increasing number of professional speakers in the field and the rise of platforms on which to market yourself, event and meeting planners you need an online presence that will draw people’s attention and keep it. Here are a few tips to keep yourself relevant and accessible.
- Make Yourself Easy To Contact
We are constantly surprised by the number of speakers who do not make their contact information accessible on their website or social media platforms. Don’t even get us started on the number of speakers who don’t even have a site.
Seriously, if you don’t have a website, stop reading this blog post and reach out to us immediately! BTW, it shouldn’t take more than 10 seconds and 2 clicks to figure out how to get in touch.
- Have A Really Great Video (or two)
A visual sample of your speaking is the best way for potential event planners to understand your niche and see how well you present it. Ideally your clip is well filmed and edited, perhaps “wrapped” with a professional into and outro slide (we can help with that as well). It should be just long enough to give potential clients a taste of your work without giving everything away. This is your chance to demonstrate that charisma and talent we already mentioned.
- Post Your Videos To YouTube
We’ve already established the importance of showcasing your abilities on your website. You want to get those video snippets in front of as many eyeballs as possible and YouTube is the way. Create an account, build an awesome profile (don’t forget your contact info) and link back to your website (a little SEO top for you – see further down the list). As you have more videos in your library, add them to YouTube.
- Don’t Forget The Audio
Audio recordings of some of your shorter presentations can be just as impactful as video. Including these in your mix will not only keep fans and clients updated on your latest work it will provide them with an alternate way to get to know you (not everyone connects with video). Remember to add a little audio blurb in each audio program telling your audience how to book you for their next event!
- Promote Yourself On The Right Social Channels
Your potential clients are not searching for you on Facebook or Instagram. While those channels have their purpose and you need to be sharing content there, you cannot beat a rocking LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is the networking and information sharing platform for businesses and professionals and where event planners can be found. As we touch on below, join LinkedIn Groups within your niche and be of service!
- Be Social
It is not enough to have a website, have created social media profiles, post awesome content on your blog. You also have to build relationships in and around those platforms. Participate in these communities and ask a question, answer a question, provide a piece of feedback or guidance, be of service.
- Use Each Form Of Social Media To Strengthen The Others
Despite how it may seem, social media platforms are not islands unto themselves. Cross post. Use Twitter to get more Facebook likes. Post the YouTube videos that you have uploaded to Facebook and LinkedIn. And ask your follower to share if you have added value.
- Update Your Content
If you are speaking, then you should be posting. We don’t just mean of social media – you should be there as well. We are specifically talking about your website (the one we know you have because you did not stop reading after our first point).
You should be updating your website with video clips and professional photos of you in action. You should be updating you calendar of speaking gigs, posting thank-yous to those who have hired you.
On social media, make sure to be direct and impactful in your communications. No one is going to read paragraphs of sales-speak about why people should book you. It it about them … and they have short attention spans.
- Don’t Forget to SEO
How would you search for you on the internet? What keywords would you use? This is a powerful way to ensure that your online presence is one of the first that comes up when your prospects are searching for your area of expertise – what topics you talk about.
For this reason, it’s important that you use specific keywords (with respect) related to your expertise throughout your profile, particularly in sections like your summary and job descriptions, in your posts, and on your blog. You are blogging, right?
- Ask For Recommendations
After each speaking engagement, ask the organizer of the event if you may send them a recommendation request through LinkedIn. Now when visitors look at your profile, one of the first things they’ll see are your recommendations.
So, will this take a little time and practice? Absolutely. But we promise you it will pay off exponentially when you start receiving more invitations to speak at events within your industry.
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