Leveraging different ways to market your business is important to keep your name and service offerings on top of your target audience’s mind. It also helps you diversify your marketing portfolio and measure the results of your activities to determine which methods work best for your business.
One way to market your business is through sharing your expertise through public speaking. By sharing your expertise with others, you are helping your target audience solve problems, but more importantly, you are establishing yourself as the expert. Once your target audience sees how knowledgeable you are, they will likely want more information from you because they see you as the best service provider for the job.
If you are shy or not quite ready to be front and center on stage, consider joining a panel of experts. By participating in a panel at a networking event, or even a local radio show you will have a chance to speak to your target audience without having to prepare a formal presentation and have “all eyes on you”. Panels offer you the chance to answer questions and share your point of view with the other participants; yet still showcase your expertise.
For example, we have an annual home and garden show in the Bay Area. If you haven’t been to one of these shows, there is typically one major project where many companies can participate. This project is usually a model home built in the event arena. So this showcases the builders, interior designers, alarm installation companies, landscapers and home theatre stores (just to name a few).
During the event, visitors can tour the home and there are business cards placed throughout the exhibit. Then, on the last day, there is usually a Q and A session with the participants about the home they built, the materials they used, the cost, etc. With everyone joining in on the panel, it’s a great way to educate the audience on the project and their expertise. Additionally, this gives the panelists a way to interact directly with their target audience and find out what their challenges are by listening to the questions they ask.
I’ve had the opportunity to participate on a number of panels and have really enjoyed the experience. It’s a great way to connect with complimentary service professionals and create “Power Partner” relationships. (“Power Partners” is a concept taught by BNI that entails complementary service providers partnering together to serve each other’s clients). In addition, each event has created great exposure for my business, allowing me to further build my subscriber list and attract new clients for my programs and private coaching services.
Put forth the effort to seek out panel opportunities either in your local area, via online radio shows or industry events. Let those in your network know that you’re open to sitting on a panel. And reach out to event/meeting planners to offer your support. This will give you the opportunity to share your expertise without having to worry about being in front of a live audience on your own.
Have you ever participated in a panel or been interviewed? If yes, how did it help your business? How did it help you connect with your target audience? Share your thoughts with me by posting your comments below!
Cheryl Miller says
I was invited to participate in a keynote panel at a conference for about 350 people. One panelist used up almost all the time and the moderator didn’t stop it. In fact, he directed all of the questions to her first and because she was so long winded in all her answers, I commented only once. Next time I’ll know better and make sure there are some time rules in place. And I’ll have another opportunity the end of march because I’m on another panel.
Sydni Craig-Hart says
Congrats on this opportunity Cheryl! What great exposure for you! 🙂 I would suggest next time having a conversation with the Moderator beforehand to understand the flow of the presentation and engage his support in making sure you are able to contribute to the discussion. That is part of the Moderator’s job, to manage the flow and make sure the different opinions represented on the panel receive ample exposure.
Cheryl Miller says
Hi Syndi – yes it was great exposure. And I learned a lot about being on a panel – and as you indicated, I’ll be talking with the moderator ahead of time about the flow. In fact, I have an other chance this month because I’m on another panel.