Four strategies to jump start your business using speaking

If you are working to transition from one business to another, then you need a way to jump start your business and get things off the ground quickly. Many of my clients are looking for how to use their time efficiently, so they can launch their new idea, while they still have money coming in from the original business.

To jump start your business, the single strongest step you can take is to start speaking. Here’s what I recommend you focus on to get in front of audiences and make this transition as quickly as possible.

1. Signature Talk – You need to develop your Signature Talk. Create a program that you will be known for getting to the heart of what your ideal clients need most. Coming up with a compelling title is essential as well. Something that sums up the problem and solution you offer.

2. Speaker Sheet – Once you know what your Signature Talk is and have the description, then put together your Speaker Sheet. This works like a sales piece to help the people who book speakers know exactly what you offer and why they want you to speak to their group. The Speaker Sheet helps you get the speaking gigs you need quickly to jump start your business.

3. Seminar Email – This step is the key to landing speaking gigs. If you included the basic elements listed below, this one email can get you booked to speak almost anywhere. My clients have had great success with this email. Whether you are looking for local free speaking opportunities or paying gigs, the seminar email works very well.

Here are the four basic elements:
Your Signature Talk name and description
The benefits for the audience – explain what they get out of your program
Clarify what makes you an expert to speak on this topic
Your contact information

4. Target the Right Person - Find out who is in charge of programming. Sometimes the position is called the speaker chairperson, programming director or meeting planner depending on the group.

Positioning yourself as the expert on this subject matter makes a big difference. This is what will persuade the programming person to want to book you for their group or organization. Be sure your marketing message grabs the meeting planner’s attention, so she can see how great your talk will go over with her group.

Your Client Attraction Assignment
Have you created your Signature Talk yet? This is the key to starting your speaking efforts. Spend time thinking about who your ideal clients are and what wakes them up with the 3am sweats. Develop your talk around this idea to create the most compelling program you can. That’s how you can turn people in the audience into paying clients, once they see how well you understand their needs.