Three Ways Speaking Can Grow Your Business

Are you feeling stuck in your business marketing?

Are you looking for a way to expand your reach without spending a fortune?

Would you like to attract more potential customers and increase your authority?

If the answer to these questions is yes, you should consider public speaking.

Speaking on topics in your niche, whether to a company’s small training group, to a civic organization or at a conference or convention can help you build your business in many ways. Many people shy away from public speaking because it makes them nervous, but growing a business and being an entrepreneur is all about moving out of your comfort zone.

Here are three ways your business can benefit from public speaking.

Speaking Reinforces your Knowledge

“The best way to learn is to teach.” -Frank Oppenheimer

When you speak to others about your area of expertise, you solidify that knowledge. Between preparing your presentation and actually delivering it—and then answering questions about it—you will ending up spending time studying and reviewing in a way that will be easier for your listeners to understand. While you are speaking, which is in essence, teaching, you are reminding yourself of important principles in your niche.

Speaking Establishes You as an Authority

People are rarely invited to speak on subjects about which they know nothing. When you give a speech the audience generally presumes that you are an authority on the subject, that you know what you are talking about. They accept you as an authority on the subject. Each speaking engagement reinforces your status as an authority in your field, which leads to more opportunities and more people trusting you as the authority. And when they look for someone to do business with in your field, they will be turning to those who are authorities.

Speaking Exposes You to New Clients

When you have an opportunity to speak, it is likely that many in your audience may not already be familiar with you and your business. Speaking is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to possible new clients and gain business. Make a point, in addition to speaking, that you spend as much time as possible getting to know your audience before and after your event. Whenever possible, especially if you are speaking for free, you should request a list of attendees and their contact information as part of your speaking agreement. In addition to in-person networking at the event, this gives you the opportunity to follow up with those who may be interested in your services.

If you have not yet taken advantage of the potential to market your business through public speaking, you are missing out on a great opportunity. To find public speaking opportunity near you, contact your local Chambers of Commerce, networking groups or civic groups. Once you get started, you’ll find many more opportunities coming your way.

Have you done any speaking for your business? How has it worked for you? What other benefits have you found from speaking? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.