Cross-promotion between presentations

Last time, I wrote about how a reader of this blog, Sarah Rourke, could promote her podcasting business by speaking to business networking and arts-based events and clubs. Now I'm going to suggest some other speaking engagements which she might also consider.

Although Sarah is mainly interested in speaking about podcasting, I notice from her CV that she has worked as a BBC radio journalist and producer. I am going to suggest that she develops another presentation all about her experiences of this, perhaps entitled 'My Life as a Radio Producer', 'A Day in the Life of a BBC Reporter' or even (depending upon which part of the Beeb she worked in) 'Behind the Scenes at BBC Radio'. The talk should be up to 50 minutes long and include interesting/amusing facts and stories, with at least some involving famous people (although audiences don't want to hear a catalogue of name-dropping, they will appreciate - and expect - the odd tale involving well-known broadcasters/entertainers). Having listened to Sarah's own podcasting on her website, I can hear that she has a lively and enthusiastic delivery aided by the bonus of a regional accent and I think she could make a talk like this work very well. Sound clips will add further interest. Towards the end of her presentation, she could mention a little about her current work and its relationship to radio and play an extract; this may be lost on some audience members but many others will appreciate what it is about, especially as so many national radio and newspaper websites' own podcasts are catching on and attracting highly respectable audience figures.

All told, this subject matter will have a much wider appeal and attract far more bookings than a presentation about podcasting. She is also far more likely to be paid to deliver it.

But why should Sarah develop a separate talk about work she has done in the past and deliver it for audiences who are mostly retired when what she really wants is to use public speaking to promote her current activities to potential (working) clients?

Firstly, it will give her some additional income, either for when business is slow or perhaps to invest in her company. Fees for talks to clubs and societies may often seem modest but as a rate-per-hour if you don't have to travel far to the venue, they're not too bad at all!

Secondly, by mentioning podcasts at some point in this talk, playing extracts and then offering free literature about them, she might still possibly get some business as a result.

Thirdly, it will give her a higher profile. Many talks for clubs and societies are publicised in advance in the local press and some are reported in great detail afterwards. She may receive write-ups which mention to a large readership that she is now involved in podcasting and these could then result in commissions or at least requests to talk to other types of groups about the podcasting itself.

Public Speaking Tip #183: Don't overlook the indirect ways in which public speaking can act as a promotional tool for you, your business - and your other presentations.