Latest / The Confident Entrepreneur With Jennifer Ann Johnson / The Business-Boosting Power of Professional Speaking
Transcript
- 0:37Jennifer Johnson: Today we're diving into a powerful tool that can transform your business professional speaking.
- 0:42Jennifer Johnson: Whether you're an entrepreneur, a seasoned executive or an emerging thought leader, mastering the art of professional speaking can open doors that you never knew existed.
- 0:51Jennifer Johnson: We'll explore how you can leverage speaking engagements to establish thought leadership, expand your network, enhance your brand and generate valuable leads for your business.
- 1:01Jennifer Johnson: Let's start by talking about thought leadership.
- 1:04Jennifer Johnson: In today's competitive business landscape, being seen as an authority in your field is more crucial than ever, and I realized this recently.
- 1:13Jennifer Johnson: It's so important and professional speaking is one of the most effective ways to actually establish that for yourself.
- 1:20Jennifer Johnson: As a thought leader, when you step onto a stage or join a panel, you're not just sharing your information, but you're showcasing that you're an expert at your field.
- 1:29Jennifer Johnson: You're sharing your unique insights and your ability to articulate your ideas and this position this is what really positions you as a go-to expert in your industry.
- 1:42Jennifer Johnson: Think about somebody like Gary Vaynerchuk.
- 1:44Jennifer Johnson: He built his personal brand and his business empire really through his engaging and insightful talks that he does on digital marketing and entrepreneurship.
- 1:53Jennifer Johnson: He's always doing podcasts and he's always doing interviews.
- 1:55Jennifer Johnson: But the question I get often asked is how do I get started?
- 1:59Jennifer Johnson: But the question I get often asked is how do I get started?
- 2:03Jennifer Johnson: Well, you begin by identifying what your area of expertise actually is and the unique perspectives that you have on that topic, and then what you can actually offer.
- 2:12Jennifer Johnson: Look for local business groups and industry conferences or maybe webinars where you can share that knowledge.
- 2:18Jennifer Johnson: And remember that every single speaking opportunity, no matter how big, no matter how small, is a chance to refine your message and build your reputation.
- 2:30Jennifer Johnson: Now, one of the most valuable aspects of professional speaking is networking.
- 2:34Jennifer Johnson: When you speak at an event, you're not just connecting with your audience during the talk, you're opening the door for countless interactions before and after your presentation.
- 2:44Jennifer Johnson: These events, I gotta tell you, are gold mines for meeting potential clients.
- 2:48Jennifer Johnson: Even if you're looking for a partner or mentors, they are a gold mine.
- 5:19Jennifer Johnson: The key is to approach these interactions with a real, genuine interest and a spirit of mutual benefit.
- 5:25Jennifer Johnson: Don't just hand out business cards, but engage in meaningful conversations, listen actively and look for ways a real, genuine interest and a spirit of mutual benefit.
- 5:29Jennifer Johnson: Don't just hand out business cards, but engage in meaningful conversations, listen actively and look for ways that you can actually provide value to others.
- 5:34Jennifer Johnson: And my pro tip is to arrive early and stay late, because some of the most valuable connections are made during those informal moments, and don't forget to follow up with those contacts.
- 5:45Jennifer Johnson: A simple email or LinkedIn message can be the start of a really fruitful business relationship.
- 5:53Jennifer Johnson: Now let's talk a little bit about how professional speaking can supercharge your brand visibility and your credibility.
- 5:59Jennifer Johnson: Every time you speak, you're putting your personal and business brand in the spotlight.
- 6:03Jennifer Johnson: Your name, your company's name, are always in the event program and on their website and sometimes their press material.
- 6:11Jennifer Johnson: This exposure can be worth its weight in gold, but it's not always about that visibility.
- 6:16Jennifer Johnson: It's about credibility.
- 6:17Jennifer Johnson: Being selected as a speaker implicitly positions you as an authority can be worth its weight in gold, but it's not always about that visibility.
- 6:23Jennifer Johnson: It's about credibility.
- 6:24Jennifer Johnson: Being selected as a speaker implicitly positions you as an authority.
- 6:26Jennifer Johnson: It's a third-party endorsement per se of your expertise.
- 6:29Jennifer Johnson: You can leverage this by including your speaking engagements in your marketing materials and on your website and your social media, and creating a highlight reel of your best speaking moments and I call it a sizzle reel can be really powerful in addition to your website and social media, because you can put that on your website.
- 6:43Jennifer Johnson: You can put it on your social media, and it showcases your expertise and your stage presence, and anybody that will see that will know exactly who you are.
- 6:55Jennifer Johnson: And let's talk about one more thing.
- 6:57Jennifer Johnson: The most tangible benefit of professional speaking is lead generation.
- 7:01Jennifer Johnson: The talks that you give aren't just about sharing knowledge.
- 7:04Jennifer Johnson: They're opportunities to attract potential clients and customers.
- 7:07Jennifer Johnson: The key, though, is to provide immense value to your presentation, because you want to give them so much that they're wondering at the end well my gosh, if she's giving me this or he's giving me this for free, what are they going to give me if I actually work with them?
- 7:22Jennifer Johnson: So end all of your talks with a clear and compelling call to action.
- 7:26Jennifer Johnson: This could be an invitation to download something free, a free resource or something from your website, or sign up for your newsletter, or even book a consultation.
- 7:34Jennifer Johnson: Remember, people do business with people that they know, like and trust.
- 7:37Jennifer Johnson: Speaking allows you to build that rapport with a large number of potential customers.
- 7:43Jennifer Johnson: It's like your turbocharge, you know putting a turbocharge to your sales funnel.
- 7:48Jennifer Johnson: So I want to just recap the ways that professional speaking can boost your business.
- 7:54Jennifer Johnson: It establishes you as a thought leader in your industry.
- 7:56Jennifer Johnson: It provides an unparalleled networking opportunity.
- 8:00Jennifer Johnson: It enhances your brand visibility and credibility, and it serves as a powerful lead generation tool.
- 8:06Jennifer Johnson: The bottom line is this In a world where digital marketing usually takes center stage, don't underestimate the power of getting in front of a live audience.
- 8:16Jennifer Johnson: It's a unique opportunity to connect, engage and grow your business in ways that no other strategy can match.
- 8:24Jennifer Johnson: I encourage you to speak out, or seek out really I'm sorry, seek out speaking opportunities in your industry.
- 8:31Jennifer Johnson: Start small if you need to, but start your business will thank you.