Question: What is one trick of the trade for securing a speaking gig at a large business conference?
Network
"I have joined several business societies that have allowed me to network with other thought leaders. I keep up with many of my connections and have the opportunity to speak at business conferences."
@suprexlearning
Ditch the Sales Pitch and Set Yourself Apart
"Conference attendees hate speaking sessions that are nothing but thinly veiled product pitches. Gain visibility and build brand equity by creating an engaging presentation on relevant industry trends. In other words, set yourself apart as a thought leader in your space and those speaking gigs will start rolling in."
@joshuamoe
Have a Pitch Ready
"Just as networking should prioritize what you can do for prospective contacts, pitching yourself to be a speaker at a conference should focus on what you can do for the organizer. Know the event. Understand its history. Have a clear idea of what you bring to the table. More importantly, work out how to convey who you are, what you do and your unique personality in a minute or less."
@steven_buchwald
Be Confident
"At Aligned Signs, we feel very strongly about knowing your strengths and weaknesses and having conviction in your uniqueness. Show that you are comfortable in your own skin and people will see your value and what you have to offer. It certainly doesn't hurt to have a marketing kit (information about you and your style, testimonials from prior events, etc.) as well."
@ALIGNEDSIGNS
Build Trust With Other Thought Leaders
"If you want to speak at a specific conference, first attend it (and/or related events). Spend the time to network with the right people. Thought leaders love to connect with adjacent/complimentary subject matter experts. Demonstrate your expertise and authentic desire to provide value, and once the trust is there, simply ask!"
@TasticMarketing
