Shout It From the Rooftops Ensure maximum exposure for your new product or service by becoming a public speaker.
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You've created a great new product or service, and asyou're drumming up interest in your business, you feel the needto shout it to the world. Shout it while being the expert speakerin town, and your message (and company, by extension) will gaincredibility.
Whether you sell high-tech gadgets or craft supplies, oryou're a dog-walker or a restaurateur, you are an expert insomething. Becoming a public speaker will allow you to share thatexpertise and get your business recognized at the same time."There are two main issues: You want to get exposure . . .and, coupled with that, you need to convey credibility so thatpeople see you as the [reliable] source in your industry,"says Victoria Chorbajian of Chorbajian Speaking Enterprises, apublic-speaking coach in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and creator ofthe CD Proper Preparation Creates a Winning Presentation(available at www.victoriathecoach.com).
Before you market your speaking services, make sure you spendsome time preparing what you want to say. You'll want toeducate your audience on something of interest to them--yourpresentation shouldn't just be a commercial for your business.For example, if you own a scrapbooking company, host a seminar oncreating lasting memories. Or if you're a computer andhigh-tech business consultant, you could lead a session on how tochoose software to protect your network.
Contact local groups (either business or consumer, depending onyour expertise) and market your speaking services. Once you arebooked, rehearse, make backup materials, and prepare answers topossible questions.
Finally, notes Chorbajian, follow up with notes and phone callsto key contacts. "Keep it brief--light, friendly andprofessional," she says. A phone call to see if they need anymore information will help keep you in their minds as a crediblesource. Says Chorbajian, "Most entrepreneurs don't takeadvantage of such a vital form of communication that can win peopleover."
