4 Simple Steps to Getting Business From Public Speaking

Public speaking is a powerful way to market your business.  Solo professionals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs can all benefit from having one speech you deliver for free to audiences of your ideal target market. 

I call this your "Signature Speech."  After your speech is over, in order to maximize your results, your follow-up work begins right away — yes, even before you even leave the event.  Here is what you should do after the applause:

1.  Immediately following your speech:  Take the time to shake hands with everyone waiting in line to speaking with you.  Sounds easy, right?  The challenge is some folks want to tell you their life story while there's a crowd waiting - and looking at their watches. 

Politely and sincerely, say, "I would love to know more about this.  Can I call you later today (or in the morning) to hear the rest of the story?  There are a few people who I know have to get going and I want to say hi to them, too.  Let me make sure I have your card-is this the best number to reach you?" 

And then really follow up.  The life story could lead to a lifetime client!

2.  Get business cards from everyone you meet and speak with personally.  Send those people a special follow-up greeting after your speech so they know you remember them.  You can call them directly or send a hand-written note. 

Direct mail is making a comeback as a follow-up strategy.  Don't you love getting "real" mail that's not a bill?

3.  Call those who have detailed questions.  These are the people who are telling you, "I want to know more!"  If they have detailed questions, they may want to engage with you privately.

4.  In your follow-up communication:  Tell people about your next free event and/or give them a taste of something you offer. Think of it as a bonus free gift for engaging with you that not everyone at the event will receive. 

It can be a free report, an article you've written, an e-course, even a resource list.  It's been my experience people get excited about resource lists in this context so they don't have to do the searching themselves to find out more about what you offer.

Of course to get to this point, your speech needs to be delivered with passion and purpose.  Your speech should also follow the correct Signature Speech format to maximize your results. 

When you do, coupled with these four tips, you'll see how easily and quickly your business can benefit from marketing with public speaking.

Public speaking is one important way to increase your credibility as a small or home-based business owner.  If you'd like to learn more about using public speaking to market your business, visit http://www.CashInOnSpeaking.com