Getting booked is a marketing art. It comes from an understanding of the market and effectively using that understanding to your advantage. If you know what your buyer wants you will know how to package and customized your products and materials. Marketing appeal is everything. Thus, to get book, you must appeal to your niche!
How to have that appeal you ask? Let me enlighten you
Establish yourself as an expert in the niche
People will always prefer to hire experts. Why should they settle to some above-average speaking professional if they can have you, the expert in the field?
Being seen as an expert makes it easier to get booked and you can set high fees! You can do this by having lots of relative experience and also by constantly surrounding your self with people within the niche. In principle, being an expert comes from the initial decision of choosing a niche and sticking to it like glue.
Having a book will also make you more credible and will help you be seen as even more of an expert. An individual who has authored a book about a particular subject is always seen as an authority in that field. That is the public schema; it always has been and you must recognize this.
Additionally, a book or any type of resource you created can also provide another stream of income. They can be sold after your speech to augment your profits in the speaking business.
Have Striking Marketing Materials
Your marketing materials or media kit as some may call, should be striking. Make it professional looking and directly address your market. If your market demands someone who can speak about leadership, adapt your marketing materials to suit that demand.
The whole point here is to get the buyers to think that you are the best person to deliver their needs. With catchy professional-looking materials and the direct-to-the-dilemma approach you can make the coordinator choose you for their event.
Networking is king
Spread the word. Networking is connecting with people that can connect you with other people that may also be able to connect with other people. It is one way and considerably the cheapest way to promote your self.
When you are doing this, it is always better to interact with people within the niche. You can openly express your availability in a conversational way; get contact information and referrals. Build up your database. Your database of potential clients can never be too large.
Have a Web Presence
Just like having a book, having an online presence also helps in building up your credibility. Make your website informative and catchy. Emphasize your expertise and how you can help with your market. Inform the visitors with your products and online resources.
Basically, having a website is like having all the previous tips all rolled into one. With the Internet you are establishing a reputation, marketing your stuff, and also expanding your network via online subscriptions.
