Here's how you can broaden your network and seize new opportunities as a mid-career motivational speaker.

We are in a generation where learning takes place in multiple layers. Gone are the days when the audience sits in to listen patiently to a 90-minute presentation. However, we also know our teachings will be very limited in 7-10-minute presentations. Therefore, using social media gives us the advantage of appealing to the younger generation with a shorter attention span. In this way, we get to broaden our audience reach to various ethnicities and life stages, effectively.

Begin by evaluating the networks you already have. Often, individuals overlook the potential within their existing connections. These may include family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who can provide valuable insights or introductions to new opportunities. Engaging with these contacts can help you uncover hidden opportunities and strengthen relationships that may lead to new speaking engagements or collaborations. Participating in industry events and conferences is a powerful way to meet new people and expand your network. These gatherings offer opportunities to connect with fellow speakers, event organizers, and potential clients. They also provide a platform to showcase your expertise and learn from others in the field.

Yes. Plus everyone likes to feel valued, seen and recognized for their unique qualities. Being conversational & asking questions and listening always leaves a good impression.

Les médias sociaux ne sont plus simplement des outils de communication, mais des plateformes stratégiques pour construire et renforcer sa présence professionnelle. Lorsqu’ils sont utilisés de manière stratégique et cohérente, permettent non seulement d’accroître sa visibilité, mais aussi de bâtir des relations solides et durables dans le monde professionnel. Ils deviennent alors un atout indispensable pour tout professionnel souhaitant se démarquer et évoluer dans son domaine.

In my experience, social media is a valuable tool, to promote your individual brand, and spotlight your organization! As the Military Relations lead for my company, I focused on a social media blitz in my first two years. My goal was to 1) build my social media presence, and 2) highlight veteran hiring initiatives at the company. The first goal was achieved by networking! Sharing visible posts on LinkedIn, Instagram etc. This highlighted myself as a veteran, and also linked the company's veteran hiring initiatives with great success! The second goal, highlighting veterans, was achieved by podcasts, interviews etc. I participated in, and was invited to nationally focused podcasts, and presentations. A great way to bring visibility!

It makes you learn. Gets you insights. It gets you the latest updates and most importantly, conferences get you network. Whenever a chance given, the speaker must become a part of conferences.

Don't stop learning. Readers are leaders. The more you are willing to know,the more you're willing to lead. Attend seminars and conferences,this will help you sharpen your horizon. Until this is done,you're not qualified

Absolutely! Attending conferences can significantly broaden your network and open up new opportunities, especially for mid-career motivational speakers. While conferences typically focus on a specific topic, they bring together individuals with diverse perspectives, skills, and knowledge. These gatherings provide a platform for sharing insights, learning from others, and expanding professional networks. Many startups have emerged from conference discussions, leading to business and career development. Additionally, conferences help prevent misguided planning by fostering informed decision-making.

Attending conferences provides valuable networking opportunities, insights into industry trends, and chances for skill development. You’ll stay updated on innovations, enhance your career prospects, and gain inspiration from industry leaders. Overall, conferences are an investment in your professional growth and personal development.

One thing I found helpful is to be open and receptive amd authentic when meeting new people. Its gives them a chance to trust you and then feel happy to connect with you.

When you offer value, people will spread the message about you. That will also help you get your reach as a mid career speaker. Word of mouth is very powerful… all you need is to impress and add value, then witnesses will spread the word. Value is crucial.

It's common advice to avoid giving talks for free, but I beg to differ. I once offered a free talk at a local hospital titled "Meditation in the Workplace." What I didn’t realize at the time was that this hospital had the largest Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in the region, with contracts spanning state and government agencies. That single free talk opened the door to multiple paid engagements. Sometimes, offering your expertise for free is the key to getting noticed, proving your value, and ultimately getting paid.

Zig Ziglar famously said "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help other people get what they want." This is true in relationships, this is true in business ... this is true in LIFE.

Confidence and self-assurance are essential qualities for becoming a motivational speaker. True and effective leaders consistently project this confidence through their posture, voice, body language, and memorable expressions. To create value, one must be memorable, and this requires choosing impactful words. The audience's expectation is clear: "Teach me something new; show me the power of words." How you instill confidence in them will directly influence the level of response you receive.

Collaboration is a super power all human beings possess, but we have forgotten how to use this power. In this abundant universe we live in; there should be NO competition because there is enough to go around. My most successful projects have been collaborations with like minded people; we cross promote each other; share our resources like our databases and manage to reach a wider audience because of this. I love to create win-win situations where all parties benefit and these partnerships have catapulted my speaking career to levels I could never have achieved on my own.

At any level, collaboration works. I strongly mean it doesn’t stick to mid level or beginners’. When it comes to success, it has no limitations. New era, wise people don’t compete, they collaborate. Collaboration gets expansion of reach, and then value comes, be it capitalisation or branding.

Collaborating creatively brings numerous benefits, including the generation of innovative ideas and solutions through diverse perspectives. It fosters a dynamic environment where team members can build on each other’s strengths, leading to more effective problem-solving and enhanced productivity. Creative collaboration also promotes skill-sharing, boosts motivation, and strengthens relationships, ultimately driving both individual and collective success. By working together creatively, teams can achieve outcomes that might be difficult to reach independently.

The Power of Collaboration! Team up with a fellow speaker, and combine your expertise to create a unique workshop. Remember, great ideas often come from having different perspectives. Collaborate to discover new heights of impact and influence.

Collaboration is a powerful way to expand your network. Start by identifying professionals with complementary skills and propose joint projects like webinars or workshops. One thing I’ve found helpful is focusing on shared goals rather than just exposure, ensuring a successful partnership. Start small, like co-hosting an event or writing a joint article, to test the collaboration before committing to larger projects. This approach not only combines talents but also merges audiences, leading to increased exposure and opportunities for everyone involved.

Don't hesitate to discuss a variety of topics simultaneously. While some may view being a generalist negatively, having deep knowledge in multiple areas is a significant asset, especially when your audience values creativity.

Diversifying your speaking topics can unlock new opportunities. One thing I’ve found helpful is to reflect on your experiences to identify new, engaging subjects that can resonate with different audiences. However, I disagree with forcing topics that don’t align with your expertise; staying authentic is crucial. Start by experimenting with new topics in smaller settings, allowing you to refine your content before presenting it to larger audiences. This approach showcases your versatility while keeping your content genuine and dynamic.

Ser un generalista en un tiempo donde lo que la mayoría valora es al experto en determinado tema no es sencillo pero si es lo que puedo recomendar para una mejor vida. La constante exploración y búsqueda en uno mismo te hace crecer como persona y como profesional. Auto-actualización constante es una manera activa de vivir, la cual te da oportunidad de seguir expandiendo tu mente y alma.

Be a student of your industry and a student of the world around you. Have your CORE message but be adaptable in the way that you share, the stories that you tell & the examples that you deliver.

Testimonials give your evangelists and fans opportunity to share who you are and the impact you have had on them. Always make sure you ask for vox pops immediately after a presentation. I always ensure that I take a friend with me to every presentation who will ask members of the audience short one to two minute video testimonials about me. Immediately after the presentation is best because the emotional impact you have had is still being felt, asking for them a day or a week later is not as effective because that energy has dispensed. Strike while the iron is still hot.

At the beginning, testimonials bring us the value based credentials. The best method of expanding business is word of mouth which takes time though but gives us repeat business and new sales happen smoothly. Testimonials’ credentials also keep increasing as the speaker grows in terms of either addressing larger audiences or senior professionals. Testimonials are relevant at any point.

Leveraging testimonials is a powerful way to build credibility and trust with clients. As a public speaker, you can use testimonials from previous clients, audience members, or event organizers to showcase your expertise and impact. Share them on your website, social media, or marketing materials to demonstrate your value and effectiveness. Use specific quotes or personal stories that highlight your strengths and achievements, such as "Sumbul sheikh keynote speech was inspiring and motivational, resulting in a 25% increase in team 95% of attendees rating it as 'excellent'". By showcasing testimonials, you can establish yourself as a trusted and sought-after speaker, attract new opportunities, and grow your speaking business.

Leverage Testimonials It's A Powerful Marketing Tool! Testimonials showcase your expertise, the impact you created with the audience, and the client's satisfaction level. Strategically leverage the testimonials by sharing them on; 1. Your website 2. Social media handle 3. Your speaking proposals to a potential customer Let your satisfied customers do the talking for you. Let them be your salesperson.

Leveraging testimonials has been a game-changer in building credibility as a motivational speaker. After each speaking engagement, I made it a habit to request feedback from organizers and attendees. I carefully curated these testimonials, highlighting specific praises about my impact and delivery, and featured them prominently on my website and promotional materials. These authentic endorsements served as social proof, reassuring potential clients of the value I bring. As a result, I noticed a significant increase in bookings, as event planners trusted the voices of those who had already experienced my work firsthand. Testimonials truly helped elevate my reputation.

You can also volunteer to speak at prisons, “red houses”(brothels) and rehabilitation centres. While unconventional, this approach exposes you to diverse audiences, builds empathy, challenges your communication skills, and opens doors to unique collaborations. Plus, the impact you make can lead to powerful testimonies and unexpected connections in social work and criminal justice reform 😊 This approach is unconventional and might be seen as unpopular by some, but from experience, it gives a sense of usefulness, breaking you completely for a greater divine refill and yields interesting results and opportunities.

1. Building genuine connections. 2. Take care of your existing clients by adding value to their lives. 3. Keep increasing the marketing budget, like planting new seeds for the future harvest. 4. Have a mentor, and be part of groups. 5. Keep upskilling, and attend training programs. 6. Build relationships 7. Become a Trusted Advisor

Though it may be challenging, it is important to remember to keep your eyes on your own work. You are not in competition with others because your goals are different although they may be similar. The time you spend watching the progress of others takes away from the time you should be working on your advancement.