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Speaking on stages is something that can happen much sooner than you think as there are more virtual stages available to business owners than ever. Podcast interviews, live streams, virtual summits, etc.

So the question is — where do you start?

If I were to start today from scratch building my online business through speaking there are FIVE core areas I’d focus on and I’m sharing them with you. 

So whether you’re just getting started with crafting your message or you’re looking to be more effective when you show up— today’s episode will help you: 

• intentionally get on the RIGHT stages
• put yourself in front of your ideal customers
• gain credibility & position yourself as an authority
• build an engaged audience who wants to work with you.

Episode Highlights:

• The top mistakes to avoid when choosing your speaking topic
• Where to focus to increase your effectiveness when finding stages
• Swipe my DM pitch script to book your first or next stage without cold pitching 
• Five steps to get started (or reinvigorated) with speaking (while maximizing your time and energy)
• Plus a few pro tips for practicing your talk

Episode Show Notes:

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Have you ever heard a business coach’s advice and thought— “But you started your business so long ago… is what your teaching works in today’s marketplace?” 

It’s easy to get swept up in a massive list of “should implement” tactics and strategies, leaving you overwhelmed or puzzled on what will move the needle for YOUR specific phase of business growth, 

Let’s pull your attention to exactly where you are in your business right now. And wherever it is that you are, I know you’re probably thinking, how can I be the most effective in bringing my message to bigger stages? How can I go about being strategic with my time when it comes to speaking on stages?

Plenty of opportunities to speak on stages are available to you right now. But before you jump out and start saying yes to everything, I want you to take ownership of your time and of your energy making sure that you’re aligning your efforts to things that are actually going to move you towards your business goals.

Here are five simple steps I’m sharing with you today that I am focusing on in real time as I lead into my new business. These are the things that I would recommend that you do in your business to ensure that you maximize your time and energy when it comes to speaking on stages or being a guest inside other people’s programs.

Five Steps to get you get started (or reinvigorated) with speaking:

1. Get CLEAR on your speaking goals and WHO you are helping.

Just like with any new project or marketing strategy in your business, start with the end in mind. Where are you going? Who are you going with? If you don’t take time to set the GPS on what you want out of speaking in your business (revenue, list building, experience, clout, leads, exposure, etc). You might find yourself doing a lot of work with results that don’t flow where you want them. Not to mention time away from home.

Get really focused on what your goals are and clarify who is the person that you really are helping and think about this in a slightly different way. Your audience is sophisticated so stop putting them in one giant bucket but instead call out the different experience levels of your audience — the awareness or advancement factor.

2. Choose a TOPIC that resonates.

Consider the topic of your talk like a first date. You want to make a good first impression without coming across desperate. Make your topic specific and remember it isn’t a sales pitch to educate people on your business. Choose one main idea that creates interest. What do people LIGHT UP about when you talk with them? Find the overlap between your expertise and what they WANT. Fingers crossed, you’ll get a second date.

3. Create ONE talk filled with REAL transformations.

As you design your signature talk, remember that your job isn’t to just teach (unless you’re a trainer). People love tangible, actionable strategies, but if you come at them with a fire hose, you’ll surely overwhelm them into indecisiveness.  Simplify your content into 2-3 key areas and don’t skimp on setting up the context (why should they care?) Don’t assume that they understand the bigger picture.

4. Target ALIGNED stages AND build strategic relationships.

If you build it, they will mostly NOT come. You’ve got to find the opportunities. Get creative searching for where your ideal audience spends their time. Consider virtual stages like digital summits, memberships and masterminds. When reaching out, lead with value on how you can serve their audience and demonstrate your passion (and understanding) of their content.

You can start with slow softball pitches before trying to make it to the big leagues. Build relationships out and find things that are a little easier to get your butt on. Yes, prioritize getting in front of your audiences but don’t be so precious with it. Not every opportunity has to be perfect right at the beginning.

➡ If you’re looking to pitch on some stages, here’s my adjacent pitch script that you can copy / paste to pitch without getting that cold rejection:

“ Hey (name), I'm putting together a masterclass/training on ______ that helps ________ do________ so that they can ___________. 

Do you know of any one who might be looking for a guest speaker in their program?” 

Your Name

Yes — I know that is SO simple. But it WORKS!

5. Develop your delivery skills DAILY.

Once you book the stage, it’s time to start preparing to NAIL your talk. Set aside time to practice what you’ll say and HOW you’ll say it (body language, hand gestures & tone ,matter). If you’ll be offering an opt in to capture email addresses, incorporate that into your content (not just as an afterthought at the end). Remember that you are there for the audience, when you’re thinking about them, you’ll forget about your nerves.

PRO TIP:

• When you practice an actual talk, practice it in sections and don’t always start at the beginning. Start in the middle, or at your close or start somewhere else. Practice it in little pods of your talk because then you’ll get more comfortable with the different pieces and you’re more likely to practice all of the pieces than just the beginning.

• Practice other things that are not your talk. Have a date with yourself and your webcam every single day and do the word vomit exercise to help you get comfortable in front of a camera. (Check out Episode #2: How To Articulate Your Thoughts So They Make Sense To Others and learn more about word vomit exercise).

I hope today’s episode fuels, inspires and motivates  you to step up your game and get focused. It’s time for you to reach for that next level so that you can serve the person who’s waiting to hear your message. May these five steps help you get started or get re invigorated with the idea of speaking and that they’ve served you best

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