Five ways to use public speaking to attract more clients

Public speaking is one of the fastest ways to attract new clients. The on-the-spot connection you establish with one effective presentation is a richer and more holistic experience compared to a blog post, a video or even social media. Your live speaking engagement is able to convey your expertise, authenticity and accelerates the Know, Like and Trust factor for your audience.
Public speaking is one of the fastest ways to attract new clients.
Speaking effectively takes more than getting up and sharing information. There are key creative strategies that form a deeper engagement and lead to more client conversations and conversions quickly. Here are 5 that stand out:
1. Begin by immediately making the speech about your audience and the issue with which they’re challenged. They’ll have a vested interest to listen more attentively from the start if they know your focus is on them! When you begin by launching into your story or saying, “I’m happy to be here,” you’re making it about you.

2. Keep your speech to fewer than five points and ideally three so your audience isn’t overwhelmed. Different from a workshop, people attending a speech at a networking event are not there for copious note-taking. Getting past five points taxes listeners’ ability to focus. You want to make your points memorable and achievable.

3. Avoid taking questions from the stage and let the audience know it’s to their benefit. Taking questions cedes control of your time to someone else. Furthermore, if you take questions and resolve their surface need in the moment, your potential client has no reason to approach you after the speech. By connecting individually at the end of your presentation, you gain the chance to learn their specific needs and establish possible follow-ups that pay off.

4. Your call-to-action needs to flow organically from the speech. Every speech needs to take advantage of the audience’s focused attention while they’re physically with you in the room. Your call-to-action will be more effective when it flows naturally out of the points you make as opposed to seeming like a tacked-on pitch or afterthought. Create your call-to-action and then plan your points to lead your audience there.

5. Command the room with your stage presence. Everything you do in front of your audience sends its own message. How you take the stage, the way you stand and the certainty with which you deliver the opening sentences affect the audience’s confidence in you and your message. Some techniques such as ideal stage position may seem counterintuitive; however they’re designed to enhance the connection between speaker and listener. Unfortunately many speakers miss them.
Well-crafted presentations delivered skillfully will grow your business fast. Maximize the art of speaking to make an impact both to your clients and to your bottom line.