One of the major things that stop introverts getting speaking engagements is fear of pitching, cold calling and the hard-core sales process that many speakers say you have to do in order to get work. But with the magic of the internet, that is no longer the case, and introverts may actually have the advantage online, as we find it easier to express ourselves alone at a screen.
Here are some of the ways in which you can attract speaking work if you want to make it an income-generating part of your creative business.
(1) Make it clear that youâre a speaker
It can be hard to claim the word at first, but if you want to be a speaker, you need to start by saying it out loud and making it clear in your online presence. Add a speaking page to your website and include the word âSpeakerâ on your business card. When you meet people, say that youâre a speaker, and add it to your email signature.
(2) Attract attention online
Blogging and creating audio or video, as well as connecting on social media can attract opportunities instead of you having to seek them out. This is certainly not a short cut, as it takes a lot of work to build this kind of presence online, but itâs a great way to do it if youâre not keen on pitching. Thereâs more on content marketing later in this section.
95% of my speaking work has happened because of my blog and social media presence, and adventurer Alastair Humphreys credits it for his success too.
âI made the decision to blog properly and to really start blogging a lot and to spread my word through the blog ecosystem and all the aspects of online marketing. That made the biggest difference of all, I think, for both my fees and my number of talks.â
(3) Volunteer for free speaking events
When you first get started, itâs a good idea to speak for free. This will build your confidence and, if you do a good job, it might lead to other opportunities. You never know who might be in the audience that day, who they know or how they are connected. You just have to put yourself out there.
(4) Go to networking events
Introverts are more comfortable with one-on-one conversations, so networking events can be intimidating, especially when you walk into a room of noisy people. Although you may need to psych yourself up for it (as I do), networking events are a fantastic way to meet new people, and there will likely be other introverts in the room feeling the way you are too. Start a conversation on the edges of the main gathering, and youâll soon get into the swing of it.
Ensure that you network in your target market. For example, I speak to those people running small businesses and individuals who want to become creative entrepreneurs, so thereâs no point in me networking with employees who are happy working in large corporates because thatâs not currently my target market.
You can find many networking events locally or on MeetUp.com, but you can also find groups online using twitter hashtags or discussion groups on Facebook or LinkedIn.
(5) Pitch for speaking events
Many conferences and events will open for pitches six months before the event, so you can submit your proposal for a talk if you keep an eye out for opportunities. These are often online forms, so thereâs no pitching in person, a relief for introverts! Youâll need an appropriate and catchy topic as well as a good speaking page with testimonials so that the conference organizers can find out more about you. This method is how I got the opportunity to speak at the London Book Fair a few years ago.
It can be useful to attend a conference first before pitching to speak, so you understand the audience expectations and the vibe.
(6) Speaking bureaux
More established speakers may want to join a bureau or agency or work with an agent. They work on commission, so youâll need to be making a significant amount per talk in order to make it worthwhile, but they can often get you work if you have an appropriate topic.
Of course, you can also pitch in person and network with conference organizers, but the options above are probably best for introverts!
