Leave them Wanting More
Many organizations have networking events, and there is usually a time built into their agenda for word-of-mouth marketing. With every person you meet, you have about sixty seconds to make an “elevator pitch,” which is your response when someone asks ‘what do you do?’
Public speaking is a “different animal.” You will likely be allocated a few minutes in which to explain what you do. Your task is to engage your audience in what you have to say, so that they will feel compelled to find out more about your DJ service.
Top 12 Public Speaking Tips
- Keep to your allotted time.
- Dress in business attire, and add some flair with a tie, scarf, pin or hat.
- Decide the purpose of your pitch – what one key message do you want to get over and what will you cover to help you achieve this?
- Engage your audience – consider starting your pitch by posing a question which will capture your audience’s attention (e.g., “Who here has ever seen a bad DJ at an event?”) Then explain how your company is different through your USP (Unique Sales Proposition).
- Make your speech interesting so your audience wants to listen to you. In our business, props are allowable.
- Be a specialist – people will remember you if you are an expert with impressive credentials.
- Focus on the benefits your company offers versus the features (e.g., “We create events that are unique, elegant, memorable and fun,” rather than “We play music and emcee important announcements.”
- Be specific about the prospects you are looking for such as corporate event planners or those in the audience who have contacts with these folks.
- Try including a brief testimonial from a satisfied client – people are more likely to accept praise for your services from a 3rd party. I’d only use this one if I was doing a PowerPoint presentation and could show the testimonial versus saying it myself.
- Finish with a memorable tag line or catch phrase which will help people remember your services. If you don’t have one, I hope this will inspire you to create it!
- Convey your passion – passionate people exude energy and people like people with energy.
- Finally practice, practice, practice…until you get the results you want. I suggest videotaping your speech, critiquing it, and making necessary adjustments before going public with it.
Public speaking opportunities generally don’t “fall into your lap,” you have to seek them out. This is why joining local organizations can be so advantageous. For example, DJ Matt Peterson of Peterson Productions joined the Lion’s Club in Northampton, MA. A couple of years later, he became the president. And, you’d better believe he has tons of opportunities to speak to the community.
My advice? Be proactive about public speaking opportunities. Perhaps you could give a free seminar about “How to Create a Successful Event” in your area.
How have you incorporated public speaking into your marketing repertoire?
Publisher & Chief Scribe
Stacy Zemon is a self-described serial entrepreneur (Equal parts creativity and business). She is a distinguished industry leader who is widely considered an authority on the DJ business. Stacy is a veteran disc jockey, writer for DJ Times magazine and author of the world’s best-selling DJ books. For the complete story about Stacy’s career, click here. To check out Stacy’s copywriting, business consulting and other services, click here.
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