There is ZERO doubt that speaking engagements drive attention to your project/business.
These opportunities to deliver your message on a one-to-many basis is damn COOL.
Speaking at the National Running Show was an incredible way to reach the running demographic in one large hit. Better yet, it inspired more new Run Talk Runs to begin in new areas of the country (WOOP) and that is always my primary goal.
I’ve been asked a few times recently (this is genuine lol, I’ll send you the DM screenshots), how I come about these speaking opportunities so I want to impart a little bit of my experience with you which may help you get the speaking engagements you’ve been dreaming of.
I am going to be 100% upfront and honest here: I do not seek any speaking opportunities.. ever! All of the public speaking opportunities have come my way because the event organiser has seen Run Talk Run, and wanted a talk from "The Founder". That being said, I attribute any of my speaking opportunities or PR opportunities to the fact that I am facilitating mental health support globally. Does that make sense?
That being said, I feel like
Action comes before Recognition.
I am sure you have a story to share, but I would encourage you to really consider what it is that is going to get you recognised and talked about in your field before (or at least, alongside) looking for the paid speaking opportunities.
What do I mean by this?
Putting it simply, I think you should consider what cool shit you have done that is going to inspire someone else.
I don’t think you need something on the scale of Run Talk Run, but you do need something a little different in order to capture the attention of these people running the events. We all know a Personal Trainer who can help you get strong… but what’s different or even more inspiring about your strength training for clients? What have you done that’s gone above and beyond? Why should we listen to you, over the other PT?
I didn’t get any speaking engagements at the beginning of my Run Talk Run journey.
I had to make Run Talk Run do epic shit first.
If you’ve already done something pretty bloody inspiring then I’m going to include some other tips for getting those speaking engagements. Some of these were inspired by my own coaching sessions received from Ruth Cooper-Dickson.
1) Draft your own Speaker Bio. (I will paste mine below as an example to get you started). This should help you get clear on what value it is you would offer an audience (alongside a summary of your background) so that when you pitch yourself to events, there is a clear offering.
Jess Robson is the driving force behind Run Talk Run, a global mental health support community that uses running as a means to facilitate peer support. Having experienced a difficult relationship with formal therapy, Jess found solace in opening up with ease whilst running and chose to open up that space to other people struggling with mental ill health. Jess is an advocate for making running less intimidating - without care for pace, without care for PBs - she believes running can simply be a means to connect with our peers.
2) Review your LinkedIn profile - are your target audience going to find you? Are you connecting with people in your field?
3) Instagram - are you letting the world know that you are a ‘paid speaker’? Pop it in your Instagram bio if it is something you would like to make it very clear you’re seeking paid speaking opportunities.
4) Tell you’re friends that you’re looking to do more paid speaking opportunities. You never know who might work for a company who would love to have you in to give a talk! My own speaking engagements have often come from some very strange and unexpected places indeed.
If you’re looking to stand on stages talking about your passions, don’t wait too long to put these points into action.
Make sure you’re doing something worth talking about, and then tell the world about it!
If you want some coaching on your Project that is going to inspire others, then please do get in touch by using THIS FORM.