Does the phrase “public speaking” make you cringe? Does your stomach get tied up in knots when you speak before a live audience? If you answered yes to either, you are not alone. Public speaking is often cited as the number one fear of adults. I learned early on in my wellness business that developing my skills as a public speaker could set me apart from other professionals. In any profession that is saturated with practitioners, public speaking offers a variety of opportunities to stand out. Below are 5 ways to use public speaking as a business growth tool.
Low Cost Marketing. I once heard a successful businessman say, “Don’t pay to market yourself; get paid to market.” Even when you have all the business you can handle, marketing is necessary to build a pipeline. Marketing can be expensive depending on the tactics you use. Offering workshops, teleclasses and seminars is a cost effective way to market your services and build trusted relationships. 
Additional Revenue. Add public speaking to your list of services and you may add an additional revenue stream. Whether you offer public workshops for a fee or are paid by an organization, you are at the same time marketing and establishing yourself as an expert.
Networking. Your public speaking and communication skills are in full force when you network in a group or one-on-one. Speak clearly and confidently to ensure that you are remembered beyond one event.
Keeps you up to date. Health and wellness information is readily available on the internet. As a result, your customers are probably more informed than you think. As an industry expert and public speaker you need to motivate and inspire your clients with up to date and relevant information. Stay abreast of current trends, issues and the needs of your clients and you will be on your way to becoming a thought leader in your field.
Customer relationships. Public speaking is more than addressing a crowd. Every day you speak with customers, potential customers or referral sources one-on-one. Developing your public speaking skills will help you communicate more effectively with your own clients, resulting in increased customer retention, referrals and satisfaction.
Instead of hiding in your office take advantage of public speaking opportunities and make the most out of your wellness career or business.
Stacey Shipman, M.Ed, is a professional speaker, coach and consultant who helps health and wellness professionals grow their business by showing them how to clearly communicate their value, deliver successful presentations and create and leverage strong relationships. She is the author of the book Networking for Small Business and the creator of the audio CD Let it Flow: Short Guided Meditations. Learn more at www.staceyshipman.com or follow her on Twitter @staceyshipman.
Hi Jessica! I’m glad you liked the article. I use Free Conference Call (www.freeconferencecall.com) for teleclasses. They give you a #, you can record calls and download the mp3 later to edit, follow up or sell as a product (and it’s free!). If you want more information feel free to email me: stacey@staceyshipman.com. Good luck!
Great article! I am just getting out in the community and doing workshops and a weekly “lunch & learn” at a local health food store. I had not thought of teleclasses, is that the same as a webinar? If so how do you set that up or what sources could you recommend?
Thank you!