Meeting Notes from This Week's Inspiring Talks 😍👌

Apr 17 (edited) • General discussion

Really GREAT call yesterday, folks! Watch it here:

MEETING PURPOSE:

To discuss speaking strategies, industry trends, and share experiences among professional speakers.

Key Takeaways

The speaking industry has evolved, requiring speakers to be versatile "branded experts" offering various services beyond just live presentations
Giving value upfront (free content, introductory talks) can lead to paid opportunities and long-term client relationships
Adapting to virtual platforms and creating digital products (courses, videos) has become crucial for speakers' success
Understanding and addressing clients' pain points (e.g., fear of embarrassment) is key to effective marketing and sales

TOPICS:

Current State of the Speaking Industry

Shift from traditional stage-only speaking to a multi-faceted "branded expert" model
Importance of adapting to virtual platforms and creating digital products
COVID-19 accelerated industry changes, forcing rapid pivots
Successful speakers now offer a mix of live events, virtual talks, courses, and consulting

MARKETING & SALES STRATEGIES:

Offer free or low-cost introductory talks to build trust and showcase value
Address specific pain points in marketing (e.g., Sandi's use of "embarrassment" in advertising)
Build email lists and follow-up systems for long-term client relationships
Create tiered offerings (e.g., Sandi's $8,000 onboarding program leading to higher-value services)

ADAPTING TO CLIENTS' NEEDS:

Sandi's example: Offering 30-minute virtual lunch talks for $1,000 to hesitant clients
Importance of being approachable and non-threatening, especially in sensitive topics
Tailoring language and approach to specific industries or cultural contexts

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES & SUCCESS STOREIS:

BUILDING A SPEAKING CAREER:

Debate on paid vs. unpaid speaking engagements for new speakers
Importance of capturing contact information and having follow-up systems
Considering the "back-end" potential (e.g., coaching clients) when deciding on speaking fees

NEXT STEPS:

Jack to reconsider his approach to unpaid speaking opportunities for network building
Explore creating digital products and courses to complement live speaking
Focus on identifying and addressing specific client pain points in marketing efforts
Continue adapting to virtual platforms and hybrid event models

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