How many of you want to be speakers?

How many of you are already a speaker?

If you’ve been wanting to become a speaker and wonder what it takes to become one and be taken seriously, then you’re at the right place.

If you’re already a speaker, perhaps you’re looking at how to leverage yourself and build authority for your brand.

Regardless if you’re looking to be a speaker or are already one, knowing what it takes will help you build your own confidence, courage, and credibility to your name and brand.

What Every Successful Speaker Needs to be an Effective Speaker

You’ll Need to Bring Your Experience and Story to the World

The first thing you need to have in order to even begin to speak is to bring your story and experience to the world.

Every single one of us has a story that ties into an experience that led us along our journey. It has even encouraged others to pursue the same thing.

For example, my story began when I was a little girl that had a speech impediment. I remember people always asking me to repeat myself or asking my sister, “What did she say?”

I believe that is why I turned to writing because I got tired of everyone always asking me what I said. In writing, no one questioned me anymore!

I didn’t realize it then, but my journey from speech impediment to writer was the very thing that cultivated a love for writing and then to helping others to write themselves.

I tie this story, amongst other stories, into my talk to let people see that while some called it a disability, I didn’t see it that way, so I pressed forward. If I could do it, so can others.

No matter what your story is, it led you to become the woman or man you’re at today. Through your story and experience, you can use it to leverage your own credibility and success as a speaker.

Speaking from a Place of Authenticity and Vulnerability

When you’re a speaker or want to become one, you need to start practicing vulnerability and authenticity in your talk.

I believe a lot of us already do this through social media, videos, and podcasts. But not all stories are easy to share. Right now, I’m battling sharing one very vulnerable story that I know will inspire others.

I also believe that we have to work our way there sometimes.

One thing I would encourage you to do, regardless if you’re already speaking or wanting to begin speaking, is to look at vulnerable moments along your journey and include that into your talk.

Look at the emotions that you felt and how others may feel right now. You can relate because you’ve been there and it sucked. You can talk about what helped you overcome the moments and how others can do the same.

These are the pieces that will connect with your audience on a deeper level and will help them see you as someone whom they can trust.

Credibility Builders for Your Speaking Brand and Business

You don’t need a lot to get started as a speaker because all you need is a story and a stage. However, there are things you can do right now that will build your brand, authority, and credibility to begin playing a bigger speaking game.

Write a Book

Writing and publishing a book is one of the biggest credibility pieces you can have as a speaker.

Why?

Because it shows that you have been at this for a while and are willing to share your knowledge with others.

It’s one way for people to experience your services without paying full price. It’s easy to access to you and people want easy access to you without the cost.

Your book doesn’t have to be 353 pages long! It can be a short book, 60 pages, or 125 pages.

It doesn’t have to be long, drawn-out, or anything – writing a book about what you’re good at and how people can benefit from you in it is perfect!

Writing a book that is related to your business and brand will help you gain instant credibility, get more clients, and make more backroom sales because, as I said, it’s an easy investment for many and they get you without paying your full package price.

Plus, it will lead people to your full package sales funnel.

Write a Consistent Blog on Your Website

Having a blog on your website is much like having a book because you’re offering consistent guidance on how to improve your audience’s businesses, health, wellness, or relationships.

It’s a constant reminder of what you’re good at and how you can help people achieve their goals on a regular basis. It’s a boost in credibility because it shows you’re committed and want to serve others with your content (just like when writing a book).

It’s a great way to build your email list, start a community, make more sales, and leverage your genius!

Also, you can write a book from your blog. Or repurpose your book into blog posts!

Have Live Video Trainings

Some of you are cringing at the thought of writing a book or blog post and that’s okay, because you may want to consider adding video to your brand.

Videos are becoming more and more popular and it’s one of the best ways to drive traffic to your website, your brand, and gain credibility.

I have a chalkboard that I am beginning to conduct more trainings with Facebook Live, so I am teaching people how to have a great email follow-up system and how to stay consistent with their content.

When you go on video, you are automatically seen as someone who has something to say – and when you’re training your audience in your area of expertise, you’re the teacher!

And we’ve been trained to pay attention to teachers!

Host a Podcast

If you’re loving this idea of speaking on a video, then you’ll love the idea of starting a podcast for your brand.

Podcasts are one easy way for your audience to digest your content on the go. They don’t have to sit and watch or read your stuff, instead, they can drive and listen to your juicy content!

Podcasts allow you to connect with other speakers, which could result in you being on more podcasts and being asked to participate on their stages as well.

Create Your Own Speaking Events

The best way to start speaking is by hosting your own speaking events like webinars, virtual summits, online events, and more. Anything to do to get more opportunities to speak and spread your message.

The more eyes that can be on your business and brand, the more credibility you’ll have and the larger impact you’ll create.

Start Speaking Now

You’ve got some great ideas on how to start speaking and building credibility on your own, then you’re probably wondering how to get started.

You might be wondering how to get the genius out of your head and onto paper or how to speak to your audience so that they take action right away rather than wait.

Perhaps you have a book in you, but how do you put it together? Maybe you already have a book, so now it’s more about leveraging it?

Wherever you’re at, I can support you in this arena. One of my geniuses is pulling out your brilliance and giving you topics to write about (I discovered this talent when I wrote human interest stories while stationed in Ramstein, Germany). Or helping you put your book, blog, or video strategy together so that you’ll have accountability, support, and strategy all in one.

The best way to do this is by hopping on a call where we’ll chat about your genius and what you’re brilliant at and then how to start getting more speaking engagements, more conversions, and more clients coming to your digital doorstep.

Let’s schedule a time to chat and get the ideas flowing!