Keep Your Client Pipeline Full With Public Speaking

Public speaking is one of the most effective ways to attract more clients to your Virtual Assistant business. Even if you’re not comfortable talking in front of a crowd – right now – there’s a good reason you should start. Why? Because it’s the fastest way to automatically establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Think about it.  When looking to hire a service provider, don’t you typically want to work with the BEST person for the job?  Would you really consider hiring someone who offers substandard services? Of course not! So neither would your prospective clients.

By speaking in public, you automatically put yourself in the driver’s seat. Whether your presentation is 5 minutes long or 30 minutes long, the room is focused on you.  Everyone is listening what you have to say and if you deliver great content, they are writing down everything you say and making a list of questions.  That list of questions is a good thing because they are trying to envision themselves working with you.

Also, public speaking adds credibility to the virtual assistance industry as a whole. There are still so many people who are unclear about VA’s, what they do and how a VA can help them grow their business. By delivering a content rich speech on what a Virtual Assistant is and how you can help business owners increase their business and reduce their stress, you elevate your expertise as well as that of the entire VA industry.

So, how do you get started?

First, consider starting small. If you are not comfortable with public speaking, then you’ll want to start small and build up your comfort level. This is a big deal for some people, so taking a small step toward action is absolutely the best thing you can do!  There is a professional referral organization called BNI (Business Networking International) that helps entrepreneurs grow their business through referrals. There are chapters everywhere in the world, and you can go to http://www.BNI.com to find a local chapter meeting near you. As a visitor, you will get 45 – 60 seconds to “promote” your business. This would be a great place to start getting comfortable talking to a group of people.

Another way to get started is to look for a local Toastmasters group. This is a professional organization that is committed to helping individuals become more competent and comfortable speaking in front of an audience, no matter what level of speaking experience or comfort you currently have. The dues vary depending on the location and different factors, but they are very reasonable when you look at it how mastering this skill can help you to build your confidence and attract more ideal clients to your business.

If you are already comfortable talking to people or to groups of people, then consider attending a networking meeting in your area at the local Chamber of Commerce, eWomen’s Network chapter, NAWBO chapter, etc.  Better yet, once you’ve identified your ideal client, find out what type of networking meetings they attend and make sure you are there! This is a great way to network and meet your potential ideal client while polishing your speaking skills.

The best thing to do is to not over think this and just get started somewhere.  Public speaking can be daunting for some people. But don’t let your fear or limiting beliefs stop you from taking this opportunity to grow your business. It can mean the difference between a successful business with a waiting list of clients or a struggling business with no potential clients to contact.

Which would you prefer?