Public Speaking as a Marketing Tool

Posted in: Marketing strategy, Tips and Tricks  |  June 22, 2009 at 9:58 am
One comment
Public speaking is a phenomenally powerful marketing tool.  I often tell clients to join local and trade associations – which is a good marketing strategy in of itself.  But the power of belonging to a group is multiplied tenfold if you can share your knowledge, get up and speak in front of the groups you belong to.  Public speaking provides a golden opportunity to market your business – but it’s often overlooked as a marketing tool because people fear public speaking.  iStock_000003766869XSmall You have to remember that polished public speakers aren’t born that way. They take steps to develop their public speaking skills. Tonight, I’m giving Toastmasters Speech 10 – fulfilling my requirements to become a Toastmasters Competent Communicator.  When I joined our Mission Viejo Toastmasters Club I was a decent speaker – but I had…um..ah…you know…like, I mean I had a lot of bad habits. (Well, hopefully not THAAAAT bad!) When you speak for business, you are usually critiqued on the content of your speech.  In Toastmasters, the focus is on the delivery of your speech.  You may be surprised to learn that MOST of the professional public speakers you hear have been in Toastmasters – or had some other formal training in public speaking.   I joined Toastmasters to get rid of those bad habits so I could take my business to the next level – to do more public speaking and more group training sessions (which I’m now doing quite frequently!).    I can say with 100% certainty that the Toastmasters training has paid off for me.  If lack of polish or public speaking confidence is holding you back, I encourage you to check out Toastmasters.  It’s fun. It’s affordable.  And it really can change your life.  To find a club near you, check out Toastmasters International.  If you’re near Mission Viejo, CA, you are welcome to stop by our Mission Viejo Toastmasters Club meeting tonight at 7:00.

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Written by

Adrianne is the Chief Velocity Officer of Tornado Marketing, Inc. and a partner in The Art of Online Marketing. Adrianne has spent over 15 years helping small businesses find their niche and systematically grow their businesses through effective marketing programs and persuasive messaging. Adrianne provides valuable insight into how to market complex solutions. Her clients appreciate her practical advice and business value-driven approach to marketing. With Adrianne on your team, you’ll differentiate from your competitors; consistently draw in your best prospects; and close more deals. When not working, Adrianne is usually found cheering on her kids’ sports teams, reading, or playing games (Scrabble anyone?). She is continually seeking work-life balance and the answer to life’s larger questions.