In my previous blog, I touched on several of the more popular and effective ways to market yourself as a speaker. As I mentioned, there are as many tools and methods for marketing as there are platforms for spreading your message. It’s important you find the ones that work well for you and that do the best job of reaching your target audience. After all, if they don’t know you’re out there, you can’t share your message with them!

Along with media kits, videos and webinars, and social media (just to mention a few that made our list), another key component to successfully marketing yourself as a speaker is to have a speaker’s page on your website. This page is your one-stop-shop where prospects and other visitors can learn about you, your speaking expertise and experience.

To create a dynamic landing page that truly highlights your unique brilliance, be sure to include the following:

• Media kit. Your media kit, sometimes called a press kit, serves as a digital/printable version of your speaker’s page to be distributed to members of the media for promotional use. It should grab their attention and leave the editor wanting to know more.
• One-sheet. A printable snapshot that describes who you are (bio, headshot, contact info) and what you do (speaking topics). Your one-sheet is extremely important as it needs to be brief but offer enough information to draw the prospect to you in search of more.
• Bio. Similar to your one-sheet, your bio should present a solid, yet brief portrait of you as a speaker, business owner, and/or entrepreneur. You can summarize your expertise and experience, your passion and philosophies here, but no need to include links to videos, testimonials, or photos other than your headshot.
• Headshot (at least one). Make sure your headshot is current and professional. Using a cell phone selfie or a 20-year old photograph of yourself at a concert work well when promoting yourself as a professional speaker.
• Past speaking engagements/client list. This is important. Prospects looking for a dynamic speaker want to see who else you’ve worked with; what your recent engagements have been, as well as what type of events you’ve spoken at.
• Videos. Videos are awesome promotional tools because they allow your prospects to see and hear you in action. Whenever you speak, be sure to upload the recording to your speaker’s page, and keep them fresh by replacing them on a regular basis.
• Testimonials. Requesting testimonials should be part of your normal booking process. Every time you speak, request feedback from the organizers, and when appropriate, from the audience as well. Post a few at a time on your page, and just as you do with the videos, rotate them on a regular basis.
• Photos of you speaking. This is an easy one. Anytime you’re speaking, have someone, typically on your team or the event planner’s team, take photos of you onstage.
• Published books. If you are a published author, be sure to include links to your books. Whether the prospect purchases one or not, it will help to validate you as an expert in your field, or confirm your passion about your particular topic. They may even purchase them for the audience.
• Contact information. This really goes without saying, but I’ll mention it anyway. Be sure to include your contact information on your speaker’s page, and in all of your materials. Prospects must be able to find you quickly and easily, or they will move on to another speaker.

If you are just beginning to build your speaking business, you likely will not have all of these ready to add to your page just yet. In that case, simply start with the basics—your one-sheet, bio, headshots and contact information. The remaining items should be added as soon as they are available. Remember that the more information you have on your speaker’s page, the more helpful it will be for prospects to determine that you are the right speaker for their upcoming event.

My challenge to you this week is to take the steps necessary to create your speaker’s page for your website. Gather the items you already have and get them on your website, and then make a list of the remaining things you need to add. If you already have a speaker’s page, review it. Make sure that you include all of the important components, as I’ve noted above, and then, most importantly, make sure that all of the info you have is current and accurate. If you need help, contact us today to set up your free 20-minute strategy session.