How To Create A Successful Professional Speaker Website
There are thousands of people who are or want to be professional speakers. You
have so much competition that you have to be creative in how to differentiate
yourself. One way of doing this is by making a great first impression with your
website.
Speaker bureaus and meeting planners often book a speaker after looking at their
website so there is an expectation that a speaker website be sophisticated and
complete. Following is a list of what every speaker website must include:
* Home Page ? This page should have your best photo, your most impressive
testimonial and emphasize what makes you different from other speakers. What
can you offer that no one else can or what?s your unique angle or perspective?
* Biography ? Include all of your professional experience including what you
accomplished before you became a speaker.
* Services ? Even though you think that people can tell you are a speaker tell
them again anyway. Let them know if you offer keynotes, workshops,
facilitation, etc.
* Topics ? On this page less is more. Don’t try to offer a topic to please
everyone. Only offer topics within your specialty.
* Client List ? Include this even if your client list is short. You may include
both paid and unpaid engagements. Make note of clients with repeat engagements
to build your credibility.
* Testimonials ? Don’t hide these on a page on your site. Add them to every
page and ask clients for video testimonials whenever possible.
* Video ? If you want to get booked you need a video. Try calling local
organizations and offer to speak for free in return for bringing a camera crew.
Link to your video from every page of the site.
* Pictures ? You should offer both high resolution and low resolution head shots
for both web and print use.
* Logistics ? Let potential clients know how you travel and what technical
requirements you may have.
* Content ? Show off your expertise with free articles, a blog or regular social
media updates that stream to your website.
* Lead Capture ? Ask people to register for your e-zine or blog updates so you
can keep in touch.
* Social media ? Display all of your social media site icons with links to your
profile.
* Contact Information ? This should be on a page by itself with a contact form
and then on every page at the top or bottom.
This list is a great starting point to satisfy meeting planners and potential
clients but the most important point you should remember is to differentiate
yourself from the thousands of professional speakers who are competing for the
same speaking engagements as you.
© 2012. Davis Virtual Assistance. Reprints welcome so long as the article and
byline are reprinted intact with all links made live.
Bonnie Jo Davis is a Virtual Assistant who has been working with professional
speakers and other clients since 1995. She offers administrative,
organizational and marketing services to clients from all industries. For more
information visit http: