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Entrepreneurs have a vision. They have a unique product or service that they are trying to sell. They have an awareness of the need to get the word out, be persuasive, and sell. Yet even among entrepreneurs there is fear and loathing of public speaking. The result is that some entrepreneurs waste excellent opportunities by performing poorly, and others avoid or turn down speaking opportunities (out of fear).
Speaking opportunities will arise, and the great entrepreneur will not only be ready, but will seek to create speaking invitations to help build their business.
A Good Speech Can Improve Your Business In 5 Important Ways
Building a better mousetrap is just not enough. (Consider the Beta video format.) Entrepreneurs know you have to sell a better mousetrap. Heck, sometimes you have to sell the second-best mousetrap.
Entrepreneurs understand how often the sale (or failure to close a sale) has everything to do with these 5 elements.
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making a personal connection/impression
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engaging them in the presentation
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delivering your brand/credibility
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creating a perception of product/service superiority
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enlarging your network and opportunities
Good Public Speaking is a fast and efficient way to increase your impact in all 5 of these sales areas and quickly begin building your business. Here’s why, as a speaker, you are introduced and promoted as the pre-eminent expert on the topic. You have a captive audience for 10 to 20 minutes. You can create any impression or environment you need to position and sell yourself. You can give your products and services something no one else can replicate – a face and a personality - that branded position. You can reach and touch many people in a short period of time.
Be ready to capitalize on a speaking opportunity, and it will propel your business! I will tell you a story…I was looking for a veterinarian who could serve as a spokesperson for a client of mine. There was a nice added income for the vet who could lend his name and credibility to our product, make some trade show appearances and handle a media tour about caring for your pets. Almost every vet I spoke with wanted this sponsorship, but hoped they could get away with not having to give speeches at the trade show. Confidence (and potentially a track record) in this one area would gotten them the highly profitable and visible sponsorship and built their basic veterinary practice volumetrically.
So, even before you absolutely have to, Take the Podium to Increase your Profile & Your Business
Julia Roberts is a brand strategist for such companies as American Express, AARP, DirecTV, and Heinz Foods. She is also an author, speaker and Competent Toastmaster. She can be reached @ Jgroberts@mindspring.com. |
