Public speaking is a skill that not many possess. And the ones who are blessed with the smoothness of public dealing and speaking, you will notice that they somehow tend to be more successful in every aspect of their lives. Why does this happen? The answer is pretty simple; because people who know what to say, how to say it and who to say it to are the ones who get to use every opportunity that comes their way. And this is the exact thing we want you to learn too. Why? Because public speaking is one of the most effective marketing tools there can be. All you need to do is learn the right tips and tricks for your small or medium sized business to gain benefits from this tool.
Keep in mind that public speaking is not just about giving sales speeches about how good your product is or how an exceptional service provider you are, but rather understanding the mindset of your target audience and giving them what they want. Here are some tips on how you can use public speaking to increase your sales and revenue, as well as build customer loyalty. Try these tips and see how they work for you.
Research, Focus and then Hit
Researching is the most important thing that you need to get used to if you want to make sure that you are doing the right things at the right time. The very first thing that you will need to focus on is your target audience. Who are they? What are their age groups? Where will you be able to reach them? What kind of language and presentation are they going to understand best? And how can you engage them in the best possible manner? Once you have the answer to all these questions, you will be able to come up with a plan that not only captivates the audience, it also makes them come back to you or contact you for more.
Once you have done all the research work, make sure that you prepare a presentation that is attractive for your target audience and relevant to your promotion. Keep in mind that becoming too sales-centric will only ruin your credibility. People are not likely to trust someone who keeps stressing their own good quality and bad mouthing other businesses. Instead, give them some solid information that hits them because it caters to their needs.
Finding the right time to hold a public speaking session is also an important thing that you will need to keep in mind. If for example, your target audience is college students, you can’t exactly get them to come during the morning hours because they would have classes. Choose to talk to them during their lunch break or when they are through their study session to make an impact.
Have an Idea and then Go Overboard with It
Without a proper theme and idea, your public speaking session is wasted. If you think that getting up on a stage and saying a few choice words is all that is needed, then you are in for some serious downfall. You are trying to get people to buy your products and services, and this can only be accomplished when they are convinced about how you are different ad better from all the rest out there.
We would suggest that you come up with a unique or unconventional idea for your speaking session which completely blows the audience off their feet. The best way to give the target audience something new is to revamp an old idea. Originality might not be something possible in these times, but you can make the people change the way they think. But the important thing to remember is that you don’t only have to focus on the idea, because many other people will also be providing other unique solutions. Instead, you can become a class apart by going overboard with your idea. For example, if you are selling something, then bring samples to the public speaking session. If nothing else, you will have introduced your brand to prospective customers.
Don’t Just Say It, Show It
This is essential. These aren’t the times when people are simply convinced with a speech. Rather, speeches are boring, and seminars or public speaking sessions where there are only speeches, people generally come out feeling disgruntled. Make use of visual aids. Learn the use of multimedia products and how they can make your business shine. The more technically advanced you are in your presentations, the more you win the heart of the crowd.
Do not think that your business is not one that needs the use of technology. So long as you know what the target audience is attracted to, you can make use of that thing. So research and then include that in your presentation.
Networking…and Some More
What other way to build and expand your business than getting people to like you? Making connections is key when you are in the world of entrepreneurship. Until and unless you have a group of people dedicated towards what you do, there is no way that your sales and revenue will ever go up. When you are presenting your session in some kind of conference, go out of your way to communicate with others. Ask the host of the show to introduce you to people who can be your likely supporters or prospective clients. These are going to be the people you will need to make an impression on. Make sure you get their attention even before your presentation so that by the time you speak, they already have you in their good list.
Follow Up and Continue On
This is a must. You can’t expect to have one public speaking session and have your business turn into a multimillion dollar enterprise. Remember that all gigantic companies are constantly interacting with their old customers and trying to get in touch with new ones, which is why you need to do the same. Follow up by getting in touch with the people who did hear you out and arrange more speaking forums.
So long as you keep trying, there is no way why you will not be able to market your business through public speaking. Best of luck!