Speaking Tools to Help You Get Hired as a Speaker
If you’re serious about speaking, you need this list:
Over the years, I’ve had several friends ask me to refer them for speaking opportunities at conferences and events. But when I ask them for information the hosts and conference planners need to make a decision, they almost always come up blank. So, if you’re serious about being a speaker at any level, here’s my recommended list of what you need to make available to anyone who can book you for an event:
1) A list of potential topics: I always keep an updated list of keynote and workshop sessions I’m capable of doing. Some are based on my books, and others are based on my experience. That list includes a great title and a short description of each session. And let me emphasize a great title! If you’re doing a workshop that competes with other sessions, then you need to stand out. Your list of topics and their description should be so well written that the conference planner can just cut and paste it into the program. Make things easy for people who can hire you!
2) Different length bios: I keep short, medium, and long biographies that will not only give the planner an idea of my background and areas of expertise but also allow them to easily use them in the program or on the event website. You never know how much space the conference website or program will have, so that’s why pre-edited versions make a big difference.
3) Your official title and byline: Make sure they know who you are! And don’t forget a “byline” – which is essentially a one-sentence description of you.
4) Your preferred headshots: If you have professional headshots, I suggest you send 2-3 options because sometimes planners need a little flexibility for cropping, resizing, and adapting to the website or program. Remember, if you don’t supply great shots, they might pull something they find online, and that could be embarrassing!
5) A short, well-written introduction: I’ve actually had event MC’s print out my full-length biography from my website at philcooke.com and then read that. As you can imagine, listening to someone read a speaker’s long bio is agonizing! You can’t always depend on a conference host or MC to write a good introduction for you, so don’t take chances. I had so many bad experiences that I just started writing my own introduction and sending it to the event hosts. Most of them are very grateful.
6) Your online and social media links: Conferences often publish your social media and website links in the program or put them on the video screen while you speak. This is a great way to grow your following, so never forget to supply that information.
Once you’ve created all of this information, put it into a Dropbox folder so you can easily send the conference or event planner a link. And don’t wait until you get asked to speak! It may take a while to pull all of this together, so do it now, and you’ll always be ready.
Remember – the easier you make it for the people who can hire you as a speaker, the better your chances of getting selected!
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
