Guest post by L. Diane Wolfe
Public speaking can be an author’s greatest marketing tool. It opens up unique promotional opportunities. It can supplement the author’s income. It sells books! And in today’s market, publishers and authors need to employ every possible angle.
At its most basic, speaking places the author in front of real human beings. The lure of the Internet has prompted more and more authors to remain hidden behind a website. While blogs and social sites provide a certain measure of interaction, it cannot replace real-world contact and physical appearances. Readers like to know about the creator behind the book, and meeting an author in person provides a human quality that is lacking online.
Not every writer is destined to be a professional speaker, but learning the craft is vital. For the introverted author too nervous to speak in front of two people, let alone a crowd, training is required.
- A media coach teaches poise and confidence.
- An organization such as Toastmasters offers critique sessions in a secure environment.
- Public speaking courses are available at almost every college.
There are ample opportunities to train and prepare for public speaking.
Remember, there is power in the spoken word! Now, how do we use that power?
At the very least, every author should be able to discuss his own book. This will be required for signings, book readings, and library appearances. Book clubs and writer’s groups are also open to the author. These opportunities provide more than just a personal touch, as promotional materials distributed by the author can influence later sales.
However, magic happens when an author moves beyond his book and develops a platform around his area of expertise. This should be a natural transition for the nonfiction writer. His education, skills, and experience led to the book’s creation, and he can build a platform around this very knowledge. This doesn’t preclude the fiction writer, though. Every book requires research, and a level of expertise is required to write fiction as well. Regardless of genre, all authors possess the ability to develop a platform and message.
The author who markets himself as a speaker gains several advantages.
- Professional speakers usually receive payment for their services.
- Speaking engagements can supplement their royalties (which are rarely enough to live on) and the income from their day jobs.
- These events often allow for back of room sales, netting additional income.
- An author with a platform is also more appealing to the media, as they want experts who can inform and entertain.
- The author who delivers what the media seeks and desires gains exposure to a far greater audience.
The list of venues for speakers is endless:
- libraries
- businesses
- schools
- churches
- colleges
- writer and book festivals
- organizations
- clubs
- conferences; etc.
All of these provide an opportunity to reach a wider audience and generate greater books sales. Once established as a professional speaker, the author’s reputation will drive the sales of future books as well, thus laying the groundwork for a long career.
And longevity and increased sales make both authors and publishers happy!
L. Diane Wolfe is a Professional Speaker & Author
Find out more at:
SpunkonaStick.net
TheCircleofFriends.net
CircleofFriendsBooks.blogspot.com
Diane’s latest book released March 16, 2010:
The Circle of Friends
Book V … Heather
by L. Diane Wolfe
($19.95, trade paperback, Fiction/YA, ISBN 978-0-9816210-5-0, Dancing Lemur Press, LLC)
When confidence turns to frustration…
A new beginning awaits Heather Jennings. The position at Clemson means she will finally realize her dream of coaching basketball. Heather is ready to focus on her duties, using sheer force if necessary to prove her independence.
Sadly, her triumph is hampered as her father and greatest advocate lies dying of cancer. Battling her grief, she must also deal with a sister who appears incapable of responsibility or achievement. And once basketball season begins, a talented but cocky player who resembles her in every manner challenges all that remains of Heather’s patience.
Heather’s life changes when she encounters a man capable of handling her bold and feisty attitude. Straightforward and smug, he entices her to date him, and despite his gruff nature shows a great capacity for compassion. However, the last thing Heather needs is a serious relationship with a man equally fixated on work and opposed to marriage…
Thank you, Walt – it looks good!
Speaking JUST to promote would NOT be a good thing. Delivering great content that is immediately usable would be. Do both and everyone is happy.
That is just one of the many things I’ve learned from my mentor, Fred Gleeck.
I trust Fred’s system, and it sure did a GREAT job for me. Cheers to your success!
I see nothing in Diane’s post that suggests speaking solely to promote. In fact, she said, “Magic happens when an author moves beyond his book and develops a platform around his area of expertise.”
That statement clearly says that it is important to deliver something meaningful and worthwhile.
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Thanks, Walt – that was my intention with that statement. I have seven seminars/speaking topics, and while two tie in with my non-fiction book, the others have nothing to do with my writing at all. But I always have my books with me, because when people hear me speak, they often want a book – whether it relates to the topic or not!
And after the amount of time & effort I’ve put into my seminars, which are three hours long, believe me, attendees are getting something of value!
Exactly. I usually find that people want to read what an author has published if that author first informs and/or entertains them. After building a “relationship” with the writer, they want to see what else he has to say (even when it’s in a fiction format).