Record your talks professionally and showcase them online. Request testimonials right after events and build a dedicated speaker website. Leverage social media mentions, network actively, offer free follow-ups, write articles, join podcasts, create a one-sheet profile, and seek endorsements from industry influencers to boost credibility and bookings.
What Are Effective Ways to Build a Speaker Portfolio and Collect Endorsements After Your First Talk?
AdminRecord your talks professionally and showcase them online. Request testimonials right after events and build a dedicated speaker website. Leverage social media mentions, network actively, offer free follow-ups, write articles, join podcasts, create a one-sheet profile, and seek endorsements from industry influencers to boost credibility and bookings.
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Leverage Video and Audio Recordings
Record your first talk professionally or with a good-quality camera and microphone. Use these recordings as part of your portfolio to showcase your speaking style, content, and audience engagement. Post them on your website, social media platforms, and speaker directories to provide prospective clients a clear idea of your abilities.
Request Testimonials Immediately After Your Talk
Right after your presentation, ask event organizers, attendees, or clients for written or video testimonials. People are most enthusiastic and authentic right after an event. These endorsements are crucial social proof that can be featured on your website, LinkedIn, and promotional materials.
Build a Dedicated Speaker Website
Create a professional website that highlights your speaker bio, topics, event photos, videos, testimonials, and contact information. Having a centralized online portfolio makes it easy for meeting planners and event coordinators to learn about you and consider booking you.
Collect and Showcase Social Media Mentions
Encourage audience members to tag you or share highlights on social media during and after your talk. Collect these posts, shares, and comments as additional endorsements. Featuring these organic mentions shows genuine audience engagement and broadens your reach.
Engage in Networking and Follow-Up
After your first talk, network with event organizers, fellow speakers, and attendees. Connect via LinkedIn or email and maintain relationships that can lead to repeat bookings and referrals. Ask contacts for endorsements on LinkedIn or via email that you can add to your portfolio.
Offer Free or Discounted Follow-Up Talks
Consider providing a follow-up talk or workshop at a reduced rate or for free to a targeted audience. This helps build your portfolio with varied speaking engagements and creates more opportunities to gather endorsements and testimonials from different events.
Write Related Articles and Blog Posts
Publish articles, blog posts, or guest posts around your speaking topics. This establishes your expertise and can be linked to your speaker portfolio. Sharing these pieces along with your speaking engagements demonstrates thought leadership and enhances credibility.
Participate in Podcasts and Interviews
Reach out to podcast hosts and media outlets relevant to your niche to appear as a guest speaker. These audio or video interviews expand your exposure, diversify your portfolio, and provide additional platforms to highlight your expertise and request endorsements.
Create a One-Sheet Speaker Profile
Develop a concise, visually appealing one-sheet that summarizes your bio, speaking topics, testimonials, and contact info. This can be sent easily to potential clients and event organizers as a snapshot of your capabilities and endorsements.
Seek Endorsements from Influential Industry Professionals
Identify key influencers or experts in your field who attended your talk or familiar with your work. Ask them to provide endorsements or recommend you publicly. Their backing can significantly boost your credibility and attract more speaking opportunities.
What else to take into account
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