Public speaking is THE tool that will launch your business into success — either in your community or in the virtual world. The word is out: entrepreneurs everywhere know the benefit of public speaking to market a service-based business. This question appeared on a forum this week:

“I’m working on a marketing plan for speaking right now. I’ve got two topics ready to go and I’d really like to start getting out there and offer my ‘Signature Speeches.’ The catch is, I’d like to do my speaking in the online arena and I’m not exactly sure what that looks like yet. I’ve spoken at one Online Expo. I’ve also been interviewed on a podcast. I’d like to find places where I can walk in, do a speech, answer questions, provide awesome value, plug my latest program or my website, leave and then follow up with the group afterwards. Is this done online? Anyone have experience with this?”

Why yes I do!

Here is my actual response:

I’ve been speaking in my community and virtually for well over a year and it’s been fabulous. Yes delivering your Signature Speech can be done online. It happens all the time. Everyday.

Here are a few tips from my advanced and updated Signature Speech Work Group about speaking to virtual groups:

• Do a Google search. Type in your niche and teleseminars. Or expos. Or whatever. Look for internet radio shows who target your niche. Look for webinars. Google is a wonderful tool if you stay focused.
• Offer only one talk for free. Create just ONE Signature Speech. If you’re just getting going with public speaking to market your business, write one amazing, fabulous speech. Practice it. Get GREAT at it. Deliver it over and over again to the point where every person on the call consistently signs up for your offers. Until… a group you spoke to in the past calls and asks you back again. If they have the same exact members, then maybe its time to write a new speech. More than a year later I am still delivering my original Signature Speech. I only recently developed a second because of this exact reason.
• Make sure you follow a format that provides value, but also leaves them wanting more. Your offer should be timed in such a way that you won’t lose listeners before you get to that part and who will stay with you on the call or at the webinar after the offer is over.
• Always give what, why, AND HOW during your speech. So many experts give the advice, “don’t tell people how to do something in a free teleseminar.” I say why the heck not? This turns into a constant selling trap. “Here’s what it is and why you need it, but you have to pay me money to learn anything useful.” Do you remember exactly how to do something you heard once in your life? Do you get it perfect every time? Or do you need to be reminded again (and again)? Is it possible to tell a person everything she needs to know about your area of expertise in less than an hour? Not likely. So give up some of the goods! You’ll be more credible and people will think, “Wow– if this is what she does for free, I bet her paid stuff is even better.”
• Try joint ventures. Email some of the big names in your niche and ask them to host you on a free teleseminar to their list. Offer a VERY attractive affiliate package– 50% or greater of any sales that come as a direct result of the event. Then you get to sell to those people who loved your products again and again…

Remember, public speaking to market your business DOES work. Every time. If you find it isn’t working for you, you’re doing it wrong. Period. Don’t give up on it, learn the right way and soon you’ll experience the power of public speaking.

Public speaking is one of the most effective ways to market a small business. I invite you to discover how to create your own talk and the 5 easy steps you can take today to get started with this powerful marketing tool. Pick up a FREE recording where you’ll get all the secrets of marketing your business with a speech. I give you the what, the why, AND the how. Go now to http://www.SignatureSpeechSecrets.com

Felicia J. Slattery, M.A., M.Ad.Ed. is a communication consultant, speaker & coach specializing in training small and home-based business owners effective communication and public speaking skills so they can see more cash flow now.

Last 5 posts by Felicia Slattery

• Top 7 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When Marketing a Business with Public Speaking - May 11th, 2009
• How Not to Give Away Too Much During Your Pro-Bono "Signature Speech" - May 11th, 2009
• 6 Tips for What to Do When You Have a Few Minutes to Speak About Your Business - May 11th, 2009
• One Life-Changing Thing You Need to Know About the Fear of Public Speaking - May 11th, 2009

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