Apply to Be a Speaker and Be Seen as a Leader in Your Industry
Speaking at conferences is a potent tool in the arsenal of modern marketing strategies. Whether you’re an expert in your industry or a budding entrepreneur, presenting at conferences and trade shows can be a game-changer for your brand. Both B2C and B2B businesses should include public speaking engagements as a part of their marketing strategy.
Yes, public speaking can be one of the hardest things to do. So in this blog, we’re walking you through the benefits of putting yourself out there and how to improve your public speaking. If you are ready to be seen as a thought leader in your industry, let’s go!
Speaking at Conferences and Events: Creative Mornings San Diego
Speaking at conferences is a multi-faceted opportunity that offers professional growth, networking, branding, and knowledge-sharing advantages. Whether you’re an expert in your field or an up-and-coming professional, consider taking the stage at a conference to reap these benefits and make a positive impact on your industry.
As an example, I was thrilled to be part of the Creative Mornings crew to close out the 2017 season! As one of the selected speakers, we were asked to share our story, keeping in mind the global theme of the day: Context. To set the scene, there were over 700 people in the audience. Most attendees were from start-ups, entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives, just like me. Some of my peers were present, but most people I did not know.
The recording below is of all the presentations. Therefore, skip to 18:35 in the video to watch my talk!
Tips to Improve Public Speaking at Conferences and Events
Now, to succeed in the realm of public speaking at your next event, consider these five tips:
- Prepare: Research your topic and draft a speech that resonates with your audience. (More on building a presentation below!)
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your speech multiple times to build confidence and eliminate jitters.
- Connect with Your Audience: Understand your audience’s needs and tailor your message.
- Engage Through Storytelling: Use anecdotes and real-life examples to make your message relatable and memorable.
- Master Non-Verbal Communication: Work on your body language, gestures, and eye contact to convey confidence and authority.
How to Make Your Presentation Memorable When Speaking at Conferences
When I found out I was selected to speak at Creative Mornings, I had less than 48 hours to prepare! Hopefully, this does not happen to you when you apply to speak at a tradeshow or event. Therefore, a quick tip before you apply is to make sure you have a slide deck, pitch deck, or presentation ready to go. Often you might be asked to submit it when you apply!
Feeling stuck? Try Canva to create your next presentation for speaking engagements! Here’s a link to the slide deck that I used for this event. Again, it wasn’t flashy or high-tech, but my slide deck helped me keep pace with my talk. And allowed the audience to visualize and engage with my journey. I created context, which was the theme of the day!
Before I move on, if you need help putting together your next presentation or pitch deck, drop us a line!
If you are at all familiar with SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, you’ll understand why this was one of the best slides in the Agency Guy’s deck!
Need More Reasons to Apply to be a Speaker at Conferences and Tradeshows?
Here’s a few more reasons why you should consider applying to be a speaker at conferences and tradeshow events:
- Establish Authority: Speaking engagements position you as an authority in your field, enhancing your brand’s credibility and trustworthiness.
- Networking Opportunities: Conferences and trade shows are hubs of industry professionals. Being a speaker allows you to connect with potential partners, clients, and collaborators.
- Content Creation: Your presentations can be repurposed into blog posts, podcasts, and videos, boosting your content marketing efforts.
- Audience Engagement: Engaging an audience face-to-face fosters a stronger connection than digital methods, leaving a lasting impression on potential customers.
- Lead Generation: Speaking engagements provide opportunities to capture leads, expanding your email list and potential customer base.
Speaking at even small events, leading breakout sessions, or hosting a panel discussion can help you build confidence and connect more intimately with your audience.
Final Thoughts on Speaking at Industry Events and Tradeshows
Going back to the Creative Morning event. Of course, I could have just attended the Creative Mornings event like hundreds of others. But I put myself out there and made several great connections as a result. And the lineup afterward of people wanting to share their stories with me, or work for Top Rop Media, was incredible!!
Attending industry events or tradeshows is a great tactic to add to any business’s marketing strategy. Take it one step further and apply to be a speaker!
If you haven’t read our latest Industry Events and Tradeshows blog, we’ve outlined how to get the most engagement and generate leads! In the blog, we’ve also included tips for B2B and B2C brands in the outdoor industry, however, these could also be applied to clean tech, renewables, automotive, you name it!
Attending Industry Events and Tradeshows
Lastly, if you’re wondering what the best outdoor industry events and tradeshows are, here are our favorites! Want to hear more from us? Sign up for our newsletter below and follow our daily adventures on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Thanks for reading and until next time, get out there and start applying to speak at more conferences and events in your industry!
Meredith McConvill, Top Rope Media