Speaking Engagements: How to Get Booked and Build Your Brand

Summary

Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded – Episode: “Speaking Engagements: How to Get Booked and Build Your Brand”

Host: Michelle Thames
Release Date: January 29, 2025

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Introduction

In this insightful episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames delves into the strategic world of speaking engagements. Aimed at creatives, influencers, business owners, and entrepreneurs, Michelle shares her personal experiences and actionable strategies to help listeners land speaking gigs, build brand credibility, and leverage these opportunities for business growth.

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The Power of Speaking Engagements

Michelle begins by highlighting why speaking engagements are a pivotal element for brand building:

1. Establishing Expertise:
   “When you're on stage, you automatically are seen as an expert, a credible thought leader.” (02:15)
   Speaking on platforms positions you as an authority in your field, enhancing your reputation.

2. Unlocking Opportunities:
   Engaging in speaking events opens doors to networking, collaborations, and potential clients, expanding your professional horizons.

3. Income Diversification:
   For entrepreneurs seeking additional revenue streams, speaking engagements offer a viable option to monetize expertise.

Michelle emphasizes that securing speaking opportunities isn’t a matter of luck but requires a strategic approach, consistent positioning, and active engagement where opportunities arise.

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Leveraging Threads to Land Speaking Gigs

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to how Michelle utilized the social media platform Threads to secure her upcoming speaking engagement in Florida.

1. Visibility Goldmine:
   “Threads might seem just like another social media platform to you, but it's not. It's a gold mine for visibility.” (04:50)
   Michelle explains that Threads is ideal for conversations and authentic interactions, making it easier to showcase expertise and connect with event organizers.

2. Authentic Participation:
   Unlike platforms that prioritize polished content, Threads thrives on genuine dialogues and bite-sized expertise sharing. Michelle shares how her post about being a multi-passionate entrepreneur resonated with the community, leading to her speaking opportunity.

3. Strategic Posting and Engagement:

   • Consistency:
     “The key, again consistency. Optimize your bio. Make it clear about how people can connect with you.” (06:20)
     Regular, value-driven posts keep you top of mind for potential opportunities.
   • Optimizing Bio:
     Michelle advises refining your bio to clearly communicate who you are and what you offer, enhancing first impressions.
   • Engaging with Others:
     Following and interacting with like-minded entrepreneurs fosters genuine relationships, increasing the likelihood of collaboration and bookings.

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Pitching Yourself as a Speaker

Michelle transitions into actionable steps for listeners aiming to pitch themselves effectively:

1. Crafting a Speaker One Sheet:
   “A Speaker one sheet is like your resume for speaking engagements. It should include your bio, speaking topics and past engagements and testimonials.” (07:10)
   Utilizing tools like Canva, Michelle recommends creating an appealing and concise one sheet that highlights your expertise and previous speaking experiences.

2. Highlighting Audience Value:
   Focus your pitch on what the audience will gain rather than just personal achievements. Emphasize the specific takeaways and transformations your session will deliver.

3. Leveraging Existing Content:
   Integrate your podcast episodes, blog posts, or videos that align with your speaking topics to build credibility and demonstrate your knowledge.

4. Starting Small:
   Begin with local or virtual events to build experience and a portfolio that can attract larger speaking opportunities in the future.

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Visibility and the Elevate and Empower Community

Michelle underscores the critical role of visibility in attracting opportunities:

1. Consistent Presence:
   “Visibility is everything... the more you show up, the more opportunities that you will attract.” (08:20)
   Maintaining an active presence on platforms like Threads and social media ensures you remain visible to potential event organizers and collaborators.

2. Elevate and Empower Community:
   Michelle introduces her Elevate and Empower group coaching program, designed to help entrepreneurs enhance their visibility and branding. The community offers:

   • Personal Branding:
     Strategies to develop a compelling and authentic personal brand.
   • Effective Pitching:
     Guidance on how to pitch yourself persuasively for speaking engagements.
   • Networking Opportunities:
     Access to a network of like-minded women entrepreneurs supporting each other’s success.

   “This isn't just about speaking engagements. It's about building a brand that people can't ignore.” (09:45)

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Conclusion

Michelle wraps up the episode with an encouraging message:

“Landing speaking engagements doesn't have to feel out of reach, friend. It's very doable.” (10:15)
She reiterates the importance of utilizing social media effectively, being consistent in your efforts, and actively engaging to build meaningful connections. Michelle invites listeners to join her Elevate and Empower community for tailored strategies and accountability to make 2025 a breakthrough year for their brands.

Notable Takeaways:

• Strategic Use of Social Media: Platforms like Threads can significantly enhance visibility and lead to speaking opportunities.
• Consistency is Key: Regularly sharing value-driven content and engaging with your audience fosters credibility and attracts opportunities.
• Community Support: Joining coaching programs and entrepreneurial communities can provide essential support and resources for growth.

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Quotes Highlighted:

• “When you're on stage, you automatically are seen as an expert, a credible thought leader.” — Michelle Thames (02:15)
• “Threads might seem just like another social media platform to you, but it's not. It's a gold mine for visibility.” — Michelle Thames (04:50)
• “A Speaker one sheet is like your resume for speaking engagements. It should include your bio, speaking topics and past engagements and testimonials.” — Michelle Thames (07:10)
• “Visibility is everything... the more you show up, the more opportunities that you will attract.” — Michelle Thames (08:20)
• “This isn't just about speaking engagements. It's about building a brand that people can't ignore.” — Michelle Thames (09:45)
• “Landing speaking engagements doesn't have to feel out of reach, friend. It's very doable.” — Michelle Thames (10:15)

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Whether you're aspiring to be a speaker or looking to amplify your brand's presence, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies to help you navigate the journey towards successful speaking engagements and sustained business growth.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[B]

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[C]

And welcome back to the Social Media Decoded Podcast, the number one podcast to help you understand social media better so that you grow your business, get more clients and monetize. I'm your host Michelle Thames, and today we're diving into the world of speaking engagements. How to land them, build your credibility, and use them to grow your brand. This is a topic close to my heart because I'm so, so excited to share that I'm getting flown out to Florida this April to speak at an incredible event. And guess what? That opportunity came from a platform you might not expect. Threads in this episode, friend, I'm going to break down how I use Threads to land this speaking gig. Give you a mini tutorial on leveraging threads because I feel like you're missing out and I don't want you to miss out. Okay? To get visit to get visible for opportunities. And I'm going to share my top tips for for pitching yourself as a speaker. Plus I'll talk about my Elevate and Empower Group coaching program that can help you position yourself for visibility and success in 2025 and beyond. Okay if speaking engagements are on your 2025 goals list, then this episode is for you. Let's get into it now. The Power of Speaking Engagement. Let's start with why speaking engagements are such a game changer for your brand. First, they position you as an expert in your field. When you're on stage, you automatically are seen as an expert, a credible thought leader. Second, they open doors to new opportunities, networking, collaborations, and even new clients. And finally, speaking engagements are a great way to diversify your income if you are looking to add another revenue stream to your business friend. But here's the thing. Getting booked isn't about luck. It's not about that you already know. It's about strategy, positioning, and showing up consistently where opportunities exist. For example, this, a Florida event that I'm speaking at, came from a post from Threads. I responded to someone's post on Threads. Okay, I wasn't even actively pitching myself for this event, but I came across it. I positioned myself as a thought leader because I already am, right? And I share my expertise on my social media channels. Then I was on their radar. And that's exactly what I want to teach you here today. Okay? So I hope you're ready. I hope you're ready. So I want to talk about how I use Threads to land a speaking engagement. Threads might seem just like another social media platform to you, but it's not. It's a gold mine for visibility. From what I've seen so far, I've seen a lot of people collaborating, using it to book speaking engagements, get new clients. But here's exactly how I used it to land my speaking engagement that I'm doing in Florida this April. I can't wait to tell you all about it. So you got to stay tuned. Okay? Show up as an expert. Threads is about conversations, not polished content. I use it to share bite sized pieces and expertise. I really literally just started getting back into it, y'all. But if you connect your Instagram to your threads, people can follow you on there too. And I also feel like I use my Instagram, especially my Instagram stories, to show people more who I am behind the scenes and give and share expertise as well. But on threads like Quick tips on Marketing, Visibility and entrepreneurship. Okay. One of my posts was about being a multi passionate entrepreneur and it resonated with people. It resonated with people. The power of showing up authentic and consistent. So you'll see me on Threads more this year because I, I can't even believe that that happened. And I'm super excited and I didn't just post and goes. I recently posted like I was looking for podcast interviews because y'all, I'm bringing the interviews back so I hope that you're ready. And I got so many responses and I was able to connect with others on threads and get amazing new guests for this podcast. So if you're listening and you want to be a guest, go ahead over to threads, look for that post and let's connect so I can get you on the podcast and we can talk about your expertise. Okay. On threads, hashtags work a little different. Instead of being like, you know, you can at you can add a hashtag and it's like entrepreneurship and and every it'll like come up in those type of posts. But the key, as with everything, is consistency. I think that the more you share, engage and add value, the more you will attract those opportunities. Okay, so if you're ready to make threads work for you, go ahead and optimize your bio and I'm going to redo my bio. Your bio is the first thing that people see. Make it clear to who you are and what you do. For example, you already know. Mine says I'm a marketing strategist. Mine also says I'm going to it right now so we can get the exact the exact what is in my bio. But I'm look be changed. Be thinking about how you're going to change things. I put that I share simple marketing and monetization tips for entrepreneurs. 14 year OG in the game Social Media Dakota Host okay, so the key again consistency. Optimize your bio. Make it clear about how people can connect with you. Post consistently. Aim to post daily. I'm going to post daily. This is when I do these type of episodes I am giving myself also a pep talk. Okay, Just not one thread. We're going to share insights, industry trends, things that will get people talking so that you stay top of mind. You're going to engage. Okay? Follow people that interests you. Engage with other entrepreneurs threads or people's threads who are similar to your niche. Build genuine relationships. And remember, opportunities often come from connections. And threads isn't just about passive visibility. You can use it to pitch yourself. For example, post about your speaking topics and say hey, I'm open. If anyone is looking for speakers for their event. I'm passionate about helping entrepreneurs get visible and monetize their brands. DM me on Instagram if you have an event and you're looking for a speaker. H Visibility. Visibility friend is the key. And I believe that threads is it's where you can get that.

[A]

This is a message from sponsor Intuit TurboTax now taxes is 100% free when you file in the TurboTax app. If you're a first time filer or didn't file with TurboTax last year. That's right. Just do your own taxes in the TurboTax app by February 18th. Had a few jobs last year. It's free. Have a lot of forms. Yup, still free. Have a bunch of new invisible crypto coins. Heads up, it's still free. Convinced you saw Bigfoot?

[B]

Even if your friends don't believe you.

[A]

That has absolutely nothing to do with taxes. But you better believe it's still absolutely free. Just download and do your own taxes in the TurboTax app by February 18th. All tax forms all 100% free. Now this is taxes. See if you qualify in the TurboTax app. Excludes TurboTax Live must start and file in app by February 18th.

[B]

This message comes from Greenlight Ready to start talking to your kids about financial literacy? Meet Greenlight, the debit card and money app that teaches kids and teens how to earn, save, save, spend wisely and invest with your guardrails in place. With Greenlight, you can send money to kids quickly, set up chores, automate allowance, and keep an eye on your kids spending with real time notifications. Join millions of parents and kids building healthy financial habits together on Greenlight. Get started risk [e-mail] audio.

[C]

All right. Now let's talk about pitching yourself as a speaker. Now that you're getting visible, let's talk about pitching yourself. Even with a strong presence on platforms like Threads, you still need to actively pitch to get booked for speaking engagements. So here's what I want you to do. Craft a strong speaker one Sheet A Speaker one sheet is like your resume for speaking engagements, speaking gigs. It should include your bio, speaking topics and past engagements and testimonials. Make it visually appealing and easy to skim. But guess what? Canva has templates. Friend. Go over to Canva and just create one, okay? Focus on the value that you provide when pitching is not about you, it's about what the audience will gain. Highlight the specific takeaways and transformations that your session will deliver. Leverage your content. Use existing content to showcase your expertise. Like link your podcast episodes to blog posts or videos where you share insights relating to your speaking topics. This builds credibility. Start with small events if you're new to speaking, start with local or virtual events. These are great for building experience and a portfolio to showcase for bigger opportunities. Now why Visibility matters and how my Elevate and Empower community can help you if you're looking for a community like this, okay, visibility is everything and whether it's through threads or social media or pitching yourself directly, the more you show up, the more opportunities that you will attract. And if you're feeling overwhelmed by where to start, I am here to help you, friend. My Elevate and Empower community is designed to prepare entrepreneurs for visibility Inside. We cover everything from personal branding to pitching yourself effectively. Plus you'll join a network of like minded women entrepreneurs who are rooting for your success, friend. This isn't just about speaking engagements. It's about building a brand that people can't ignore. So join us and take the first step towards leveling up your visibility and impact in 2025. Okay, so come join us DM me the word elevate over on Instagram at Michelle L. Dames or click down below to check out more about our community. Now, landing speaking engagements doesn't have to feel out of reach, friend. It's very doable. I am so excited that I was able to connect with this event organizer and amazing, amazing person entrepreneur on threads and build a relationship. But I did apply for the event so I showcased my expertise. Utilizing threads, utilizing social media, utilizing Instagram and building that relationship. That's all that it could take, friend. You never know. I love using social media for landing speaking engagements. I've done it so many times and threads, this is something new for me. And when I, when I do things, I like to share what I've done with you. Okay, I'm going to continue to be consistent on threads and it's been an exciting journey thus far. And consistent doesn't have to be every day. Don't you don't have to post every day. Just what is your consistent? But make sure you check threads because people are on there looking for speakers, looking for collaborations. And if you're ready to take the next step, start by joining threads and get invisible. And if you want tailored strategies, accountability. Join my elevated empower community today. Let's make 2025 your breakthrough niche. Join my elevated empower community today, friend. Let's make 2025 your breakthrough year. Thank you so much for tuning into social media Decoded. If you love this episode, please share with a friend or a colleague who's looking to land their next big opportunity. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast. Thank you so much. Leave a review if you felt compelled that this helped you in some type of way and join me next time for more actionable tips to help you grow your brand friend. I hope you all enjoyed this episode and I will talk to you all in the next one. Peace.