There are many different ways for a professional speaker to generate leads and clients. The best way, of course, is to do such a great job speaking that you get referrals and generate powerful word of mouth. Speakers bureaus, if you can get into one that actively markets you, can be very effective. The problem with the first method is that you need speaking events to generate referrals and word of mouth in the first place. The problem with the second, as many speakers can attest, is that bureaus often don’t want to, and in fact can’t afford to, represent you until you are already very successful and commanding high fees.

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As a specialist speaker, everything you do the minute you walk into the room sets the tone for your warning. Without even speaking one word, you can determine just how many people you will reach because their betrothal to your moral hinges on you; not on them. You can have a fantastic topic to speak on and great presentation skills, but without conversation the passion you have about your topic, none of it really implies!

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If you’re considering bringing in a speaker at any point during your next conference, there are a few things to bear in mind that will make the experience more beneficial for everyone, from the conference booker through to each audience member and the bottom line profits of the company.

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I had my first paid public speaking engagement in 1985 and it has been a love-hate relationship every since…I love to speak but have always hated dealing with the details surrounding booking new engagements. Even though getting new speaking engagements has not been an issue for sometime now (everyone do me a favor and find some wood to knock-on), I know that it remains an issue for many up-and-coming speakers. So in today’s post I’ll share my thoughts on what works and what doesn’t with regard to finding someone who wants to listen to what you have to say.

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