Are you leaving money on the table? 20 mistakes expert speakers make

As an expert speaker are you leaving money and bookings on the table? From over a decade of working with speakers and two years of running The Speaker Awards here 20mistakes speakers are making. Even the most accomplished among them can make mistakes when seeking speaking engagements. Here are the top mistakes that professional speakers often make:

1. Skimping on Quality Footage: Videos showcasing a speaker's style and skill are often the first thing event organizers look at when considering a booking. Using low-quality footage, or footage that doesn’t accurately represent their current abilities, can result in missed opportunities.
2. Failing to Update Footage Regularly: As speakers grow and improve, their footage should reflect this. Stale, outdated videos won’t demonstrate a speaker's development or current capabilities. Regular updates are crucial to represent their evolution accurately.
3. Over-relying on Their Story: Personal stories can make speeches more relatable and engaging. However, relying too heavily on personal anecdotes without weaving in valuable insights or actionable takeaways for the audience can make a speech less impactful.
4. Neglecting Regular Training: The speaking industry is dynamic, with trends, techniques, and audience preferences continually evolving. Speakers who do not invest in regular training risk falling behind and failing to meet audience expectations.
5. Poorly Defining Their Niche: Professional speakers who try to appeal to everyone often fail to captivate anyone. Successful speakers clearly define their niche and tailor their content to resonate powerfully with that specific audience.
6. Inadequate Marketing and Networking: Many speakers overlook the business side of their profession. Regularly updating promotional materials, maintaining an active online presence, building relationships with event organizers, and continually expanding their network are all essential to secure more bookings.
7. Failure to Follow Up: After a speaking engagement, it's crucial to follow up with the event organizers. This keeps the line of communication open for feedback and potential future opportunities.
8. Not Valuing Their Worth: Some speakers undersell themselves, thinking it'll lead to more bookings. While it's important to be flexible, undervaluing their services can lead to less respect and fewer high-quality bookings.
9. Lack of a Clear 'Call to Action': Speakers often forget to provide a clear next step for their audience. Whether it’s subscribing to a newsletter, following on social media, or buying a book, a clear call to action extends the speaker's influence beyond the stage.
10. Ignoring the Power of Testimonials: Testimonials offer social proof of a speaker's abilities and impact. Not collecting and showcasing testimonials from past engagements is a missed opportunity to build credibility.
11. Neglecting to Customize Speeches: Each audience is unique, and speakers who fail to tailor their content to each event's audience and theme might not resonate as effectively.
12. Not Having a Solid Online Presence: In the digital age, a strong online presence is crucial. Speakers who don't maintain a professional website, active social media accounts, or engaging online content may be overlooked.
13. Being Unprepared for Technical Issues: Technology can be unpredictable. Speakers who aren't prepared for potential technical difficulties — like microphone issues or presentation software crashes — may find their performance compromised.
14. Underestimating the Importance of Stage Presence: Charisma, body language, and vocal tonality are all essential elements of a compelling speaker. Underestimating the importance of these non-verbal cues can lead to less engaging speeches.
15. Overusing Jargon: While industry-specific language can help establish authority, too much jargon can alienate audience members who are not familiar with the terms.
16. Not Creating Engaging Visuals: Presentations that lack visual interest, such as slides filled with dense text or poor-quality images, can lose the audience's attention.
17. Failing to Handle Audience Questions Effectively: Audience interactions, including Q&A sessions, are an important part of most speaking engagements. If a speaker isn't prepared to handle questions thoughtfully and confidently, their authority may be undermined.
18. Ignoring Audience Feedback: Feedback is a valuable tool for growth. Speakers who dismiss negative feedback or do not seek feedback at all miss out on opportunities to improve.
19. Not Having a Backup Plan: Things don't always go as planned. Speakers who do not have a backup plan for unforeseen circumstances — like running out of time or dealing with a disruptive audience member — may struggle to adapt.
20. Failure to Build a Personal Brand: A strong personal brand helps a speaker stand out in a crowded field. Neglecting to develop a clear and compelling personal brand can lead to missed opportunities

Mistakes can be stepping stones to learning and growth. The first step is identifying where we're going wrong. Need a speaker audit? Reach out to us and let's turn these pitfalls into opportunities for success.

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