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I learned a lot about what makes a good public speaker while attending the National Speakers Association 2015 Convention in Washington, D.C. To be exact – I learned 47 tips on public speaking, marketing your speech, YouTube presence, SEO, and even what kind of camera to buy.
Here are 47 tips on how to have a career as a professional speaker:
Public Speaking Training Tip #1. If you don’t have passion, you will give up. The speakers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that persevere are the ones that keep going when things get tough. — Vern Harnish
Public Speaking Training Tip #2. Statistics show that our most productive time is when we’re over 50 years old. (I guess not having sex as much gives us time to get things done).
Public Speaking Training Tip #3. Have a short phrase (two to three words) that describes your business – a clear and concise tagline that will make you easily findable on Google. (Note to self – Nobody is looking for “hot whiny girls”). – Heather Lutze
Public Speaking Training Tip #4. Have a “Think Week.” Turn off your wifi, read, reflect, and take some time to think and brainstorm about your business. – Niels Brabandt
Public Speaking Training Tip #5. Write from 5:00-7:00 AM. After you’ve had your Think Week, you’ll be better prepared to focus on solving what is inhibiting your business from growing.
Public Speaking Training Tip #6. Mentor others. We learn when we teach.
Public Speaking Training Tip #7. Leaders are readers. Always be reading a book to improve yourself.
Public Speaking Training Tip #8. When networking, a good conversation starter is, “What’s on your reading list?”
Public Speaking Training Tip #9. Make a list of the top twenty five people you need to know to help further your career and reach out to them.
Public Speaking Training Tip #10. Never eat alone in front of the computer. Use mealtimes to go out and connect with people on your list ala Don Draper.
Public Speaking Training Tip #11. Figure out what makes you an expert in your field and own it. Lead with your strengths, and others will follow.
Public Speaking Training Tip #12. When going to speak for a client – text them a video from the airport about how excited you are to speak to them. They love this!
Public Speaking Training Tip #13. A professional speaker can’t speak to every sector. Figure out who is your target audience and market to them. (I.e. techies, nurses, engineers, bankers, farmers…).
Public Speaking Training Tip #14. Be conscious of your marketing success/failures— keep a whiteboard in your office and track your daily sales numbers.
Public Speaking Training Tip #15. Know your Message. If you don’t know it now, keep a journal of the lessons you’ve learned in life that play over and over again— And that’s The Message of You(link is external). (See Number 5 on developing your Heart Story).
Public Speaking Training Tip #16. Before telling clients what your speaking fee is, get them to tell you about their event. Then, email them with information on what you can do for them with three different pricing options.
Public Speaking Training Tip #17. Have three options for your price offerings: Basic, Deluxe and Premium. Direct them to the sweet spot in the middle.
Public Speaking Training Tip #18. Make the Premium Package crazy expensive. If they want it, but can’t afford it, ask them what element they want from the Premium Package and add a fee to the Deluxe Package.
Public Speaking Training Tip #19. Create at least five videos per month for your YouTube channel. Make sure to provide plenty of great information for your followers.
Public Speaking Training Tip #20. When making a YouTube video, adjust your voice as if you are speaking to just one person.
Public Speaking Training Tip #21. Your website should contain your core message.
Public Speaking Training Tip #22. Use Google Keyword Planner to figure out how people are searching for your website.
Public Speaking Training Tip #23. Everyone needs a career coach – reach out to an influencer.
Public Speaking Training Tip #24. Label your images with your keywords (i.e. HealthcareHumorist.jpg) so they have a higher chance of showing up in a Google search.
Public Speaking Training Tip #25. Phrases where only thirty people a month are searching for with low competition are good because they have a high conversion rate.
Public Speaking Training Tip #26. Find out which keywords your competitors are using. That’s right – spy on them.
Public Speaking Training Tip #27. Keywords should be in the first sentence and last sentences of your website, blogs, and bio.
Public Speaking Training Tip #28. Hire people slowly and fire them quickly.
Public Speaking Training Tip #29. Happiness levels at work increase profitability.
Public Speaking Training Tip #30. Humor in the workplace increases productivity.
Public Speaking Training Tip #31. Gather the stories of your family. Once they die, the library of your life is closed.
Public Speaking Training Tip #32. The average viewer only spends 36 seconds watching a YouTube video, so your video should have a compelling beginning.
Public Speaking Training Tip #33. But, the first three seconds are most important. Make sure your audience knows what they are going to get out of watching your video. This is your CALL TO ACTION— be sure to remind your viewers to comment, share, and subscribe.
Public Speaking Training Tip #34. Rather than your phone, use this camera(link is external) to record videos as it has great sound and picture.
Public Speaking Training Tip #35. Always carry a portable tripod(link is external) with you for gigs.
Public Speaking Training Tip #36. A good marketing strategy is to send out four different emails to see which one gets the best response.
Public Speaking Training Tip #37. When sending out a demo reel, give clients choices: a short, five-minute promo and, if they want to see your entire speech, provide a full one-hour reel.
Public Speaking Training Tip #38. Establish yourself as an expert by hosting online training courses. You can set that up via Udemy (link is external).
Public Speaking Training Tip #39. Use music in your YouTube videos. (MorgueFile.com (link is external)is a great site for copyright-free music).
Public Speaking Training Tip #40. Bring your camera everywhere— conduct interviews with experts as you meet them and add the videos to your YouTube channel.
Public Speaking Training Tip #41. Always end your YouTube videos with a teaser for your next video.
Public Speaking Training Tip #42. Create title templates using Flixpress(link is external).
Public Speaking Training Tip #43. Video testimonials are essential for business (and remember to always get a release form!)
Public Speaking Training Tip #44. Video proposals are awesome.
Public Speaking Training Tip #45. Prior to speaking, film a YouTube trailer to promote your upcoming speech or program.
Public Speaking Training Tip #46. Be sure to add SEO phrases in the description of every YouTube video (i.e. sales technology speaker).
Public Speaking Training Tip #47. Rather than just providing a YouTube link, upload videos directly to Facebook so it plays instantly— people like that better.