Jaimie: Well today we're diving into the delightful subject of crafting speaker proposals or pitches. That will make your event organisers sit up and take notice. So grab your favorite writing utensil and let's get started on this whimsical journey to the perfect pitch. But before I do, don't forget doors are opening oh my goodness in two weeks to Paid to Speak. Are you on the waitlist yet? If not, why not jump in paid to speak.com.au if you sign up to the waitlist not only will you get early access to my course a couple of days before everyone else, you will also get a bonus one on one session with me. You can use that anytime in the next six months. So you get a whole stack you get it's a hybrid course you get all these video modules. There's eight different modules and videos over 60 videos. Planners you get a group coaching session with me for weeks in which is held in July. Then you get a one on one session if you join from the waitlist. So what are you waiting for? Paidtospeak.com.au, doors opened May 30, but a couple of days earlier for the waitlist.
Meantime, if you've ever tried to sell anything, whether it's a product or service or even yourself as a speaker, you know that crafting the perfect pitch can be as challenging as well as maybe I'd probably compare it to finding a needle in a haystack. But fear not because I'm here to guide you in this episode through the process with a light hearted touch and we might have a few laughs along the way. This is not going to be a dry episode folks. A boring episode I should say.
So first things first, let's talk about what you should include in your speaker proposal or pitch. Now picture this you you're a movie trailer and you've got just a couple of minutes to convince someone to watch the full film. You want to hook them with the highlights, but you don't want to give away the whole plot. Well, that's your speaker proposal in a nutshell. So let's break it down into a few simple components.
Number one, a brief intro of yourself and your expertise. So think of this as your elevator pitch, which is like a concise yet compelling introduction that highlights your unique qualities, skills and experiences. But remember, this is not your life story. So just keep it short, sweet.
And to the point number two, a summary of your presentation topic. So this is where your people have been providing a taste of the delicious knowledge fees that you're going to be serving up to do like that. So describe your topic in a way that's both informative, as well as intriguing. So you want you to what you want to do is aim to spark a bit of curiosity whilst also demonstrating the value and relevance of your presentation.
Number three, the key takeaways for the audience. So in other words, what's in it for them? clearly outline the main benefits and the learning points that your audience is going to expect to gain from your presentation. Think of this as like the cherry on top of your pitch Sunday. It's the sweet reward that will just make your proposal irresistible. I told you I wasn't gonna make this a boring episode.
So number four is any relevant past speaking experience. Now this is not a deal breaker if especially if you're new to the whole professional speaking circuit. But showcasing any past experience, even clients you've worked with in your life, it's going to help boost your credibility and it also reassure event organisers that you know your staff. So go ahead, toot your own horn just a little bit. But just be sure to keep it really relevant and concise.
Now to put the icing on the cake. Let's consider including links to your website, your speaker reel and that's a short video three to five minutes even less than that is great. I'm doing a 60 minute speaker reel at the moment for myself, or a testimonial so you can have a link to your speaker reel on your website, or maybe even the YouTube clip as well. Now these additional resources can provide further credibility and they will also give event organisers a sneak peek at your speaking abilities.
So now that we've covered the essential ingredients for a winning speaker proposal, let's talk about a few tips and tricks that will make your pitch stand out from the crowd.
So first, remember to tailor your proposal to this specific event or the audience. So how often get a lot of clients and we generally take a one size fits all pitch approach. But I generally recommend you take the time to customise your proposal because it could just make a world of difference. So show the potential client that you've done your homework and that you understand the events goals themes and target audience now inside Paid to Speak. I will show you how to find speaking gigs and I'm talking everything from small gigs to large convention conferences wiith 1000s and 1000s of people. And once you found those speaking gigs that people are looking for speakers. This is where this comes in when you actually pitch to them.
So next don't be afraid to inject a little personality into your proposal. I mean after all, you're not a robot. So unless you're particularly advanced AI like Chad GPT which I love. In which case, welcome. I'm a huge fan. But in any case, let your unique voice and style shine through. This will not only help make your proposal more enjoyable to read, but it will also give event organisers a glimpse of the engaging speaker they'll be getting with you.
Finally, proofread, proofread, proofread. So typos and grammatical errors they're just like spinach in your teeth. They're small, but they make a big impression. I was thinking about this morning. I just came up with that today. So give your proposal a thorough once over just to ensure that it's polished, professional and spin it free. So there you have it, folks, that's a light how to guide to crafting a speaker proposal or pitch that makes that shorter, make event organisers sit up and take notice of you. So just remember to keep it concise, informative and engaging. And don't forget to add to that personal touch to make your pitch truly memorable.
Now folks as you embark on your quest for speaking engagements armed with this winning proposal, remember to have fun in the process. After all, the world of public speaking and professional speaking is an exciting ever evolving landscape filled with opportunities for growth, connection, and maybe even a few laughs along the way. You know, you've just got to you've got to laugh. Particularly some of the situations you will find yourself in as a paid speaker.
So thank you for joining me on today's episode of perfect public speaking. I hope that this approach is brightens your day but importantly, I hope that you've got some valuable insights to help craft the perfect speaker proposal. As always, if you have any questions, maybe suggestions or amusing anecdotes, feel free to reach out to me and Jaimieabbott.com. You can send me a message on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, I'm on all the platforms. And don't forget to subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss any of my fabulous upcoming episodes. Paid to Speak- doors are opening in two weeks time on the 30th of may join the waitlist for early access and the bonus one on one with me go to paidtospeak.com.au. Until next time, I'm Jaimie Abbott's signing off, keep smiling, keep speaking and never forget laughter is the best medicine even when it comes to public speaking. I'll catch you inside Paid to Speak.
