5 Steps to Promoting Your Coaching Practice through Public Speaking
Public speaking is a great way to ramp up your profile as a coach. If properly planned you could be talking to a collection of potential clients, delivering them valuable advice, whilst raising awareness of your practice.
If you feel like the rush of public speaking is for you, try to develop and refine a really powerful speech that speaks directly to the main challenges of your niche and illustrates the difference that coaching can make. However, be tactful, do not simply launch into how amazing you are. Remember, you have to sell them the idea of coaching first. If they start to believe in coaching because of what you told them, they are much more likely to choose you as their coach. All great speeches tell us something we do not already know; giving them a small piece of practical advice will help associate the result of utilizing that advice (hopefully positive progress) with you.
Once you’ve practiced your speech and feel comfortable delivering it, it’s time to get your marketing gears turning.
1. Make a list of all the organizations you would like to speak to. Ideally, their membership is your ideal niche (but if not; that’s okay, at least in the early years of your business). Ask yourself, where do my ideal clients hang out? Where are they gathering to learn and exchange ideas? How can I get in front of them?
2. Create a one-page promotional sheet that profiles you as a speaker.
- In the first paragraph, grab their attention and entice them to want to hear more.
- Follow with a summary of your presentation’s features and benefits.
- Finally, include a headshot and a bio that explains why you’re credible to speak for them.
3. Reach out, get out, and circulate. Go visit the groups and associations you want to connect with. Network and build your community. Meet the person who makes decisions on hiring speakers—not so you can get hired on the spot, but to plant a seed. Collect a business card and follow up with an email, your promotional, sheet and a phone call.
4. When you hit a home run, get a testimonial from the person who hired you. This serves as powerful leverage when it comes to booking your next speaking opportunity.
5. Design a system to collect contact info from interested members of your audience. You might leave a basket for business cards by the door, or pass out postcards to fill out and return for a complementary session. Get creative—there are a lot of ways to capture opportunities from a speaking engagement.
Teresia LaRocque
Teresia LaRocque, MAA, is Canada's first Master Certified Coach and a co-founder of ICF Vancouver. Over the past 20 years, she has been a key player in developing the coaching industry in Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada. As the Director of Entrepreneur for Erickson International College, she mentors emerging coaches in the art and science of entrepreneurship, teaching practical steps and actionable strategies to increase your passion, generate more profit and raise your quality of life. Her "Passion into Profit" program delivers a time-tested, step-by-step process for developing a sustainable six-figure coaching practice. More than just business strategies, this interactive program also lays the foundation for a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle--a mission-critical component of entrepreneurial success.
The views and opinions expressed in guest posts featured on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The publication of a guest post on the ICF Blog does not equate to an ICF endorsement or guarantee of the products or services provided by the author.
Additionally, for the purpose of full disclosure and as a disclaimer of liability, this content was possibly generated using the assistance of an AI program. Its contents, either in whole or in part, have been reviewed and revised by a human. Nevertheless, the reader/user is responsible for verifying the information presented and should not rely upon this article or post as providing any specific professional advice or counsel. Its contents are provided “as is,” and ICF makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or completeness and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law specifically disclaims any and all liability for any damages or injuries resulting from use of or reliance thereupon.
Good tips. All the learning that goes along with public speaking is another benefit…and also a healthy stretch.
Plamen, yes public speaking is another art and science in itself. If you have a passion for it is a great way to get exposure for your coaching business and an additional profit center. When the passion and natural talent is present it can be a very enjoyable rewarding path!
[…] Public speaking is a great way to ramp up your profile as a coach. If properly planned you could be talking to a collection of potential clients, delivering them valuable advice, whilst raising awareness of your practice. […]
We are planning to the same series in India to promote Coaching, and create awareness! Wishing you a happy, inspiring, and progressive International Coaching Week 2013. Thank you!!
Keep Inspiring- Keep Growing!
Wonderful idea to create awareness about ICF assests ! Thanks for the creative contest !
Well timed article for me, thank you.
Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to give it a look.
I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will
be tweeting this to my followers! Fantastic blog and terrific style and
design.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice tips. I have found getting pictures of me talking to an engaged crowd to be very helpful to. Conference organizers like seeing audiences having a good time!
Great tip Marc! Getting video is also a great idea and posting it on your website.
Great post Teresia LaRocque. The insights are practical and simple.Thanks for the wonderful post and best wishes
Your welcome Satish
6. Join a professional speakers association (for example APSS, CAPS, NSA) and develop The Four Competencies (Eloquence, Enterprise, Ethics and Expertise).
Very valuable Tom – why reinvent the wheel, learn from others and mastermind with other like minded individuals!
This text is invaluable. When can I find out more?
Hi are you part of any speaking organization? Do visit http://www.nsaspeaker.org and toastmasters international, in addition join us at https://www.facebook.com/EricksonBusinessCenter for business building tips specifically for coaches.
Hi Teresia,
I was on the phone today talking to the ICF President Damian and we were just talking about ICF members having access to the world of paid speaking.
We highly encourage coaches who want to learn more from global speakers who are paid professional speakers to attend the Global Speakers Summit in Vancouver December 8-10, 2013
It will have many resources and ideas to leverage speaking to grow your business.
Cheryl Cran
President Global Speakers Federation 2012/2013
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back in the future. I want to encourage that you continue your great job, have a nice morning!
Great reminder. Hard to get started with. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks a lot for so many ideas. I have recently experienced the many benefits of public speaking.
Simply desire to say your article is as amazing.
The clarity in your post is simply great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject.
Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable
work.
Hey there I am so delighted I found your webpage, I really
found you by mistake, while I was browsing on Google for something else, Anyhow I
am here now and would just like to say thank you for a remarkable
post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I
don’t have time to read it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more,
Please do keep up the great job.
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading
it, you may be a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and may come
back very soon. I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice weekend!
[…] Check out this article on the ICF website, for a great step-by-step plan to get you started! […]
Yes, public speaking can improve your business. Thanks for sharing.