Speaking to Sell – PTC 469

SPEAKING TO ATTRACT YOUR IDEAL CLIENTS

If you want to get in front of new listeners, speaking is a powerful way to spread your message.

MY SPEAKING FIRST

It was a thrill the first time I was in front of a big crowd, because I wasn't on stage by myself and I didn't speak.

It was 1994. The radio station team was on stage welcoming the crowd to our 16th birthday bash featuring REO Speedwagon, Starship and Cheap Trick.

8,500 people were in the crowd cheering for us.

That's when I realized the crowd wanted to see us. More importantly, they wanted to see us succeed.

When you are on stage, the audience typically wants you to be successful. But when you do trip up, it shows you are human just like them.

MY BIG SPEAKING DISASTER

One year I was emceeing the annual banquet for our high school hockey league. There was roughly 150 high school hockey players along with their parents in the audience.

I was reading from a script I didn't write. It was prepared for me by the committee.

The script said, "The season got off to a fast start." Now, we speak differently than we write. If you're writing a speech, always read it aloud before you present it.

That didn't happen this time. And fast start is hard to say quickly. So instead it came out as, "The season got off to a fart."

150 high school boys and most of their parents erupted in laughter.

I could only stand there and wait until the belly laughs died down.

I then said, "Or as some people like to say, fast start."

That moment taught me that bringing laughter to an audience, even at my own expense, is electric. It also isn't the end of the world.

Most of the people in that room probably don't remember that moment today.

We often take our mistakes, errors and blunders much more seriously than anyone else in the audience.

Nobody died. We just moved on.

NATURAL SPEAKING BUTTERFLIES

Most of us get a little nervous before we speak. We are afraid a "fast start" moment of our own will happen.

That's natural. The butterflies mean you're excited before you speak.

Embrace that energy and excitement. Let it get you fired up to give a great presentation.

When I am in front of a crowd of 3,000, I find one person and speak to her. Then I find another and speak to him.

Instead of getting overwhelmed by speaking to 3,000, I speak to individuals over and over again.

WHAT IS SPEAKING?

When most people think of speaking, they think of standing on stage in front of a live audience. In today's digital age, the definition of speaking is much broader.

The definition of speaking can mean anytime you're in front of an audience.

The biggest speaking opportunities today are podcasts, live events, summits, masterminds, virtual events, and radio and television interviews.

To grow your audience and build your business, get on a stage.

And when you get on that stage, get the audience to your email list. Let the email list lead people to your podcast. Nurture the relationship.

People will be on your email list until they unsubscribe. You can remind them each time you release a new episode.

LAND SPEAKING GIGS

On this episode, we are joined by Kimberly Crowe.

Kimberly Crowe is an award-winning, international inspirational public speaker, keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and an authority on speak-to-sell.

She is also a best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur. Kimberly is the broadcast personality of the weekly online show, Speakers Playhouse, and the founder of Entrepreneurs Rocket Fuel.

She is known for her expertise on audience engagement. Her mission is to make speaking on stages super accessible and super fun for entrepreneurs and coaches to share their message in the world.

You can get a great resource from Kimberly called, "Speak to Build Your List: The Magic of Public Speaking to Rapidly Grow Your Tribe of Loyal Raving Fans."

Download it for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/Kimberly.

Enjoy my conversation with Kimberly Crowe.

MY BIGGEST SPEAKING TAKEAWAYS

There are three things I took away from Kimberly's conversation.

First, speak to sell is anything that leads your audience to next natural step to buy a product or service from you.

Next, give your listener a link she can grab after she is done doing what she's doing. She is often listening to your podcast while she is doing other things.

Finally, give 80% value. Then give your call to action before you give your last 20%. Don't offer it too early. But also don't drop and run.

You can get a great resource from Kimberly called, "Speak to Build Your List: The Magic of Public Speaking to Rapidly Grow Your Tribe of Loyal Raving Fans."

Download it for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/Kimberly.

If you don't have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.