EntrepreneurHER

Entrepreneurs are always looking for new and innovative ways to reach their customers. A colorful medium that one can use is the art of public speaking. Public speaking can consist of workshops, conferences, and seminars. The platform for public speaking is endless. Opportunities can manifest through professional industry boards, business associations, schools, colleges, community centers, chambers of commerce, and online webinars. Entrepreneurs can appeal to potential customers through speaking about their passion and expertise in their industry. After all, today’s society thirsts for information and sees it as an item for consumption.

Entrepreneurs should approach the presentation process in the same way as they implemented their business venture. The initial stepping stone for a presentation should be the vision behind it. The entrepreneur should ask themselves, “What do I want to gain from presenting and what do I want my audience to gain?” These two questions will foreshadow the rest of the process. An example of a vision would be to gain more recognition in the community and at the same time bring in new customers.

The entrepreneur should see the audience as a target market. Will the target market be comprised of peers in the industry or the general public? This is important to decipher before planning for the presentation. It is essential to know what information is appropriate based on the audience’s competency and needs. An example of a target audience might be community college students who only need a basic understanding of the entrepreneur’s business industry.  Another example could be a professional conference amongst peers that would entail more specific and original information.

Once the audience is confirmed, it is now time to pick the subject for the presentation. The entrepreneur should write a list of topics to cover and have a formula for easy comprehension. The outline should be the bones of the presentation. The entrepreneur should then flesh out their ideas and decide how the information will be presented. The format can be a lecture, visual presentation, demonstrations, or collaborative. The entrepreneur should reflect on their own strengths when it pertains to presenting. For instance, they might be skilled at presenting orally but not with computer technology. The entrepreneur must use their intuition to know what will keep their audience entertained. It is important to give an invigorating and informative presentation or else the reason for presenting in the first place may return void.

The last step to making a presentation successful is advertising it. Similar to a business venture, the entrepreneur must market the speaking engagement to reach the target audience. It is important to assess the demographics and psychographics of the customers in order to choose the most efficient form of advertisement. The venue in which the presentation will take place should also be taken into consideration, because it determines the capacity and accessibility for audience members. An example of a choice in venue could be an auditorium at a local college campus which would be convenient for students who are already on the grounds. Another venue could be a hotel conference room that would appeal more to business professionals.

Public speaking has a tremendous amount of benefits for the entrepreneur. It allows the entrepreneur to be recognized as a leader and expert in their field. They are able to share their knowledge and fervor to their audience. They should not use their platform to make a sales pitch, but instead create a sense of necessity for the product or service they offer. The entrepreneur also benefits from presenting, because it keeps them up to date in their field. Many times the entrepreneur will learn just as much through preparation and speaking as their audience will. The audience will frequently feel a sense of connection and appreciation to the entrepreneur for the presentation. This could result in the audience members becoming new customers and referring the business to others.

Public speaking is a powerful tool in the business world. It is a secret weapon to some of the most successful business men and women. They are recognized not only for their products or services, but also creating a sense of credibility to their venture.