Image via Wikipedia
In my last post, I mentioned how an email from EzineArticles.com inspired me with several subjects for blog posts.
Here’s the post from the title that EzineArticles suggested. I have submitted the article. (Usually I post articles here first, then edit them for a more general audience. As my blog readers, I feel I have a more personal relationship with you and say things here that I wouldn’t put in an article directory.)
I received another email from Ezine Articles telling me they had found a problem with my article. This is the first time I failed to have an article approved upon submission. When I logged into my article manager, I found that the problem was that the link in the resource box went to a the free report page for Social Networking for Writers. The message said that the destination site didn’t have enough related content.
In the past, this type of linking has been fine. However, Google recently made a change that penalized sites without good content. Apparently Ezine Articles took a substantial hit in the search engine rankings. That explains some of the changes they are making. I’m doing more research and will have that post ready soon.
It has been on my mind to write another post about using your voice to build relationships with your readers. Well, after that extended introduction, this is the post.
You probably know that giving talks at writers’ meetings and conferences is a great way to get people to know you and find out about your books. These talks can be extended to the virtual world as well. Whatever you can do in a speech at a live event can be done in a teleseminar or webinar. The principals are the same, and the speech can be the same.
One of the frequent questions I’m asked about giving a speech is how much to promote yourself and your work. Most commonly people make two mistakes. They either over-promote or under-promote.
It seems there would be a fine line between the two extremes. However, that isn’t entirely true.
You should use the same guidelines when giving a speech as you do in your other promotions.
- Conduct yourself in a business-like manner
Your are representing your business. People will judge you by your appearance, demeanor, and conduct as much as by your words. At a live event, this means more than not getting drunk and causing a scene. It means dressing and acting in a professional manner whether you are on-stage or off.
In the virtual world, it means using a professional tone in your online interactions. Remember everything you put out on the Internet remains there forever. You have no control over where it is posted or who sees it.
- List your accomplishments in your bio
You will be asked to provide your background information for your introduction. This is no place to be shy. You enhance your authority and credibility by describing your achievements.
- Provide good content
Always provide good information to your audience. If you don’t provide clear, useful information, people have no reason to seek more information from you.
- Use your work and yourself as examples
People relate to personal stories. Your experiences are unique. Only you can tell your story. (That’s probably why you became a writer in the first place, right?) Choose your illustrations from your own books. You will be promoting your own work while not getting in trouble misinterpreting someone else’s writing.
- Provide a way for your audience to connect with you
At the end of your speech, always give your audience ways to build a relationship with you. Mention your new releases, let them know where to find your books. List any other speaking engagements you have scheduled. Let them know how to find your blog or your website. Supply a way for them to give feedback, ask questions, or get on your mailing list.
Promoting yourself during a speech is really no different than promoting yourself anywhere else. Provide good content and start to build relationships. Structure your speech the way you structure an article. Give good content in the body and provide a useful resource, further information, or a way to build a relationship at the close.
Just don’t make that resource an opt-in page if you are submitting to EzineArticles.com
Are you using speaking engagements to promote yourself and your writing? Leave a comment and share.
Write on,
Lynn
12 Comments to 'Are You Concerned About How To Promote Yourself During A Speech?'
March 4, 2011
You make some really great points – especially about connecting with your audience and relating with personal stories. Very important – but easy to forget when writing!
March 4, 2011
Interesting post – liked the material about EzineArticles. I think Google changes are causing some huge difficulties ad not always for the better
March 4, 2011
Lynn these tips can be applied to so many aspects and niches. I use a lot of personal experiences when I talk about blogging and social media so people can see that there is a real person doing this stuff and the pitfalls and success that they go through are real.
I like them to know they are not alone. When people can see they aren’t floundering out there it makes them feel more at ease and hopefully opens the door to further communications.
March 4, 2011
Lynn,
Great tips on professionalism online and at events. I’ve seen many people not dress appropriately or act it too.
Going to write down your last tip…”Provide a way for your audience to connect with you” I’m going to add this to my 30 second pitch at networking functions.
March 4, 2011
Hi Leona,
It’s surprising how people forget that they are always presenting themselves and making impressions. You want to make a good impression and have a way to connect and build those relationships.
March 4, 2011
Hi Joe,
Absolutely, this applies to everyone who presents, in person and online. We give people something they can relate to when we tell stories. I always tell folks that the reason I can answer their questions and solve their technical problems is that I’ve been there before them. My equipment and technology makes sure I always have something to figure out and talk about.
March 4, 2011
Hi Roberta,
I don’t think we’ve seen anything yet as far as the recuperations from Google’s latest change. This one may have backfired. It did make You Tube rank higher . We all need to jump over there.
March 4, 2011
Hi Sherri,
I usually go back and add the stories after I’ve written something. They are so important, but so very easy to forget.
March 4, 2011
Excellent advice, Lynn, and what I gleaned from your post more than anything is to maintain true professionalism no matter the occasion, situation, or circumstance.
Thanks for a wonderful post as well as the heads up about Google and Ezine Articles.
March 5, 2011
Speaking is absolutely one of the best ways to promote yourself and your work.
Thanks for the reminder on how to conduct ourselves on line too. Imagining that we are at a live event instead of just behind a computer will help a lot in projecting a professional image.
April 17, 2011
Hi Lynn, great insights both into ezinearticles.com and promoting yourself. I am looking into ezine and when you mentioned that you first post on this blog and then re-write it for a general audience, how much do you change for it to be accepted by them? I know they have implemented stricter conditions due to the changes by Google. Is it still considered unique? I will appreciate your feedback.
As for promoting yourself, it makes a lot of sense to share valuable content and build relationship. On a few webinars I have attended their bio is so long and then the content of little value with so much plug at the end. I walk a way feeling disappointed.
I haven’t tried speaking yet as I have just started blogging. I think it would be a great way to promote myself but one step at a time
April 18, 2011
Hi Diana,
You don’t need a unique article to submit to ezinearticles.com. The article needs to have your name on it, so they can tell you are the original creator. Since your name is on your blog, it’s perfectly all right to have the article there with no changes at all. If you are submitting an article to a site and you specify that the article is exclusive, then you can’t have the same article anywhere on the Internet.
There’s a fine line between promoting too much and promoting too little. If you are giving a speech (in person or with a webinar), it you don’t give valuable information, the audience will have no reason to connect with you or want more information from you.
Blogging is a great way to start. Speaking can come later, if at all. Some people love speaking and others would rather hang by their thumbs. Whatever you do, remember to take baby steps and don’t become overwhelmed.
Leave a comment