By Kathleen Gage, The Street Smarts Marketer™
If you’re looking for a great way to sell lots of books fast, free speaking engagements are one of your best choices. There’s nothing better than being a speaker who writes and an author who presents. The combination will give you lots of options to generate revenue regardless of what is going on with the economy. However, in order for this to work at the highest level possible it’s important to be prepared.
Part of your preparation is putting the meeting planner at ease by assuring you have the ability to deliver an outstanding presentation. Even though you’re not getting paid to present the meeting planner needs to know you will deliver a top-notch presentation. In order to make this worth your while you absolutely must negotiate the opportunity to sell books. In most cases this will be a non-issue but you need to make sure this is addressed before you present.
A few things that will make the meeting planner more at ease with the decision to bring you in would be to know what your level of speaking experience is, your topic choices and what your speaking style is. You should also provide references, a copy of your book(s), a wish list of equipment will you need including what type of microphone you prefer.
Let the meeting planner know if you will you be customizing for the group and if you are accessible to the audience before and after the presentation.
When you’re getting paid to speak it’s likely you’ll have more opportunity to get the type of set up that will optimize the experience for you and those in the audience. With free engagements you are often presenting to an association or group that may be on a limited budget and you will need to make do with less than ideal circumstances. Yet, the potential for sales can definitely make it worth your while.
Again, if you are using speaking engagements to sell books make sure the meeting planner is aware this is what you want to do. Ask for a display table for your books. Bring order forms with you to streamline the sales process.
With speaking engagements as part of your marketing strategy you not only sell books you also create future opportunities by opening doors for more speaking engagements. And more speaking engagements mean more book sales.
Kathleen Gage, The Street Smarts Marketer™, has owned and operated her business for nearly two decades. Kathleen is recognized as a creative and effective Internet Marketing Adviser who works with consciously committed coaches, speakers, authors and consultants who are ready to turn their knowledge into money-making information products and life impacting services.