Expanding Your Speaking Ministry

Here are some ideas on how to take your speaking ministry to the next level. If you've had some success on the local scene and want to go bigger near home and farther from home you need to make certain that your promotional materials are excellent!

• Publish

If you have a published book, you have become an "expert" in the eyes of the world. Try to get published.

• Denominations

Try for a speaking engagement at a denominational conference. Your own denomination is a good start. Be careful about doctrine, however. If the denomination is not yours they will want to know what you're going to say and if it fits their doctrine. Seek your pastor's help with this.

• Get radio interviews (by phone) in other cities

These are cities you're willing to travel to. During the interview make it clear that you'd like to come to that city. Make sure you get a recording of the interview. You can then send it to several churches in that station's city to let them know you were interviwed on their local Christian radio station. Include your marketing packet and ask for an opportunity to speak at one of their events. It's best not to send this to the pastor. He (or she) is too busy and will probably never see it anyway. Send it to "the Woman's Ministry Coordinator" or men's coordinator, etc. You can find the name of that person on the church website.

• Expand Your Website

Put a lot of content on your site so that it has "take-away" value. Change this often to keep them coming back. Advertise your publications, where you've spoken, etc. You may want to include an audio MP3 as a sample of a talk - or a short video clip from your talk. Include a BLOG from which you can gain names of people to contact.

• Increase your fee (or start charging).

If you're a local speaker, you will want to keep the fee inexpensive. $100 to $250 might be appropriate for a given event which draws 30 people or more. $500 to $750 might work for a Friday night/Saturday retreat. You can always quote your price and then ask what their budget allows for this event. If you are too high with your price, don't be too quick to drop the price. "Negotiate." Ask for concessions. (For example, can you bring a friend at no charge?) You may also ask them to introduce you to other meeting planners if you lower your price in exchange. Sometimes, if a planner balks at $100 for 30 people, you can help them look at it in terms of $3.30 per person. Maybe they can add that charge to their conference or meeting fee to cover your cost.

If you are trying to shake off the "local speaker" label, you may be looking at charging $750 to $1,200 plus lodging, meals and travel expenses. This is a big step and you really have to prove your worth for this level. Testimonials and endorsements will be crucial. Make sure you have everything agreed on paper so as not to have embarrassing moments later.

• Write articles for an organization

If you get published you'll be a known quantity and can then ask to speak at that organization's conference. By the way, if you are a key speaker at a conference and they have a publication, tell them you'll submit an article for publication on the topic of your talk. I was a keynoter at a national conference and talked to the editor of their magazine at the conference. He was excited to publish my article and it became a key article in their next edition.

• Get an organization to represent you.

I recommend CLASServices. They hold training around the country and will represent graduates of their program. I've been on staff with them.

• Become a speaker for an organization.

There may be an organization whose mission and vision fit you very well. Get to know them. Write for their publication. Get on their board. Ask to speak on their behalf. This could grow into a wonderful partnership.