Have you ever pitched for a speaking gig?
I remember when I first resurrected my speaking career. It started a few months before I landed my TEDx gig.
I did a google search for all the events that were happening in and around my area, got the email addresses and sent an email to the organisers asking if they were looking for speakers.
What I didn’t know back then, which I have learned along the way, is that you need to do a whole lot more than send an email asking for an opportunity.
Since announcing my second annual event Entrepreneurial Leaders Live, I have been inundated with requests from people to speak. The majority of people pitching are doing exactly the same as I did back then: ‘‘If you are looking for speakers I’d love to be considered.’
Top Tip – if you want to land a speaking gig, tell the organiser about you, what you would speak about and why you are right for the event.
The thing is I had already hand-picked most of the speakers before even announcing EL live.
I have had some feedback that this is unfair as everyone should be given a fair shot. So wanted to give my reasons for choosing the line up I did. It may be handy for when you put on yours!
- I was totally inspired by them
I hadn’t even planned on doing a live event until I attended the World Class Leadership conference last year. Floyd Woodrow, was speaking at the event and gave the most spine tinglingly inspiring talk. It was the best keynote I have ever seen. That’s what speaking has the power to do. I am inspired by every single speaker at EL live. Their stories, work and journeys have all impacted me in some way.
- The speaker and talk perfectly align with the theme
The theme of The Big Idea was decided shortly after last year’s conference and after contacting Floyd to be keynote. I then set about curating the other speakers, who are all using their ideas to make an impact and get recognised as thought leaders. I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for this theme than Emma Sayle, the founder of Killing Kittens. Emma hasn’t been afraid to go left where everyone else has gone right and really stand up for what she believes in despite judgement, small-mindedness and criticism.
- There is a mix of different messages and angles
When curating an event, it is important to not have similar speakers talking about similar things. I really enjoy the process of bringing an event together with speakers that align and compliment, but don’t overlap with each other. That’s why you will be totally inspired to create your own social movement from Sophie Cook, and then will be educated on how to stand out from the crowd by working on yourself by Ace Ruele.
- Not everyone has the same level of speaking experience – and that’s a good thing
It’s not all about how many talks a speaker has done. I have attended events where some of the best speakers were doing their first or second talk. The thing that makes each speaker great regardless of the experience their experience is the stories they have to share. I want to give a platform to every kind of storyteller out there, whoever they are, wherever they come from. It’s the best way to flex the speaking muscles we all have inside us.
- They know how to craft and deliver a stand out talk
Although everyone has different levels of speaking experience, each speaker at EL live knows how to make an impact with their words. A big part of what I do is to help entrepreneurs share their stories and messages through speaking. I have shared the way that this can be done for maximum impact through my free and paid trainings.
Nicky Parr and Gemma Stow are Alumni of my speaker programme Ultimate Speaker and are giving absolutely incredible talks. So it won’t just be an off the cuff set of talks about nothing in particular. These speakers know how to make an impact with their words. You are in for a TREAT!
And you can speak too!
But there is still a chance to speak! I’m giving away a 15-minute speaker slot at EL Live. All you have to do? Is choose and buy your ticket and wait for the instructions to enter the competition. Imagine speaking alongside Hollywood Actors and Ex SAS commanders? That’s pretty good for the CV right?!
Grab your ticket here. Early bird ends 30th April
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