When it comes to marketing your book, you might think your books will sell themselves. Truth is, there is more to building an author brand than just writing books. One piece of the author’s marketing pie is author and reader events, including public speaking engagements. Go beyond the signing table by being a presenter or even a keynote speaker, allowing you to connect with more readers and build credibility in the publishing world. In this post, we will explore the benefits of public speaking for authors and share some tips to make the most of your speaking opportunities.
Establish Yourself in Your Genre – Author speaking engagements are a chance to establish yourself as an expert in your genre. This can lead to more opportunities, like media interviews and speaking engagements at larger conferences.
Connect With Your Readers – Author speaking engagements provide a unique opportunity to connect with your readers on a personal level. It’s one thing to engage with your audience through social media or email, but speaking in person allows you to create a deeper connection by sharing behind-the-scenes information and answering their questions. This can lead to a more engaged fan base and increased book sales.
Build Your Brand – Public speaking is a great way to build your author brand. By speaking at conferences, book clubs, and other events, you can increase your visibility and reach new audiences. You can also use these opportunities to showcase your personality and writing style, which can help to build a loyal fan base and increase book sales.
If the idea of speaking in front of a large audience terrifies you, you’re not alone. In fact, there are entire membership groups that dedicate meetings to practicing public speaking skills. Don’t worry – you won’t need to join a group to practice your public speaking, if that’s not your thing (if it is, look into Toastmasters International).
To get you started, here are some public speaking tips:
- Choose your speaking topics wisely: When selecting a topic to speak about, choose one that is relevant to your genre, readers, and your experience.
- Practice your delivery: Prepare and rehearse your presentation to ensure that you’re comfortable with the material and can deliver it confidently. Yes, it may feel funny reciting your speech in front of the mirror but in the future, you will be glad that you did.
- Engage with your audience: Think about how the audience will experience your presentation. It may be helpful to record yourself practicing and watching it. Does your speech have opportunities for the audience to engage with you? Encourage the audience to participate in the discussion. This will create a more interactive and engaging experience.
- Promote your author speaking engagements: As scary as speaking in public can be, the last thing any presenter wants is to take the podium in front of an empty room. After all, you’ve done all this work preparing. Use social media and other platforms to promote your author events and encourage attendance.
- Follow up with your audience: After your author event, make sure to follow up with your audience. Thank them for attending and provide additional resources, such as links to your website, social media profiles, and, of course, your books.
In conclusion, public speaking can be a powerful tool for authors looking to build their author brand. By establishing yourself in your genre, connecting with readers, and promoting your author events, you will increase your visibility and book sales. With some preparation and practice, you can make the most of your speaking opportunities and take your author business to the next level.
