Association Speaking Opportunities: How to Get Hired as a Professional Speaker
Associations are a great platform for professional speakers to showcase their expertise and connect with potential clients. However, with so many speakers vying for these opportunities, it can be challenging to stand out and get hired. Understanding what associations are looking for in a speaker can help increase your chances of being selected.
- Relevance: Associations want speakers who can address the specific needs and interests of their members. This means that your topic should be relevant to the association’s industry or mission. For example, if the association is focused on healthcare, a speaker who specializes in healthcare technology would be a good fit.
- Experience: Associations want speakers who have a proven track record of delivering engaging and informative presentations. They want to know that you have experience speaking to similar audiences, and that you have a good understanding of their industry. So, it’s important to have a clear and detailed speaker’s bio, and to have testimonials or references from past clients.
- Engagement: Associations want speakers who can connect with their audience and create an interactive experience. This means that you should be able to use a variety of methods to engage your audience, such as storytelling, humor, and audience participation.
- Credibility: Associations want speakers who are experts in their field and have a good reputation. This means that you should have relevant qualifications, such as degrees or certifications, and that you should have a strong online presence and reputation.
- Alignment with Association’s Goals: Associations want speakers that align with their goals, values, and mission. It’s important to understand the association’s objectives and tailor your proposal to align with these goals.
With over 100,000 associations in America looking for professional speakers who can address the specific needs of their members, there are plenty of opportunities to get assignments at the state and national level. The onus is on you to convince the decision-makers that you can contribute to THIER success.
Make sure your brand includes a track record of delivering engaging and informative presentations, the ability to connect with audiences, and can align your expertise with a given association’s goals. By understanding these key factors, you can increase your chances of being selected as a speaker for an association event.
