Just the other day I took a risk and called a friend of mine (an author and publisher) to ask a question I had been thinking through for a while. “When did you stop being the guy who read other people’s books and start being the guy who wrote the books?” I asked. His answer: You never stop being one to be the other.
And he’s right: we’re always learning in order to be better teachers.
Well, late last night another friend of mine emailed late last night with a similar series of questions on breaking into the world of public speaking. How do you stop being the guy who listens to other people speak, and start being the guy they call and ask to speak? So, here’s my response:
My knowledge is pretty much limited to hiring speakers… which I’ve described here: http://www.ericdwoods.com/2013/02/how-to-get-me-to-hire-you-as-a-speaker/ and here: http://www.ericdwoods.com/2013/02/dont-email-me/
I do speak occasionally, but rarely actually get paid. In fact, for my most recent speaking gig, I got “paid” with an LED lightsabre. Seriously.
It’s actually a pretty cool toy. I keep it next to my bed in the event of a break-in. It’s too big to carry for every day use.
But if you’re really interested in expanding a speaking ministry, here are a couple of things I would really focus in on:
Make sure you have something to say.
It should be something with broad interest and appeal to the audience you’re targeting. So, if you want to speak to youth pastors, make sure you have something valuable to say to youth pastors. If you want to speak to youth, make sure you have something to say to them. I think it helps to write about it. Write regularly and frequently on the topic. When I get an inquiry from a potential speaker, I want to know what their core message is, and I’ll need more than a paragraph bio to evaluate it.
I’ll google you. I should find more than one reference to you on that topic. I should be able to read a little about what you have to say—for example, a free sample chapter of your book, or a number of blog posts, interviews or published articles.
Besides establishing yourself as a “expert” in the field, writing on the topic will help you clarify your core message.
Be willing to speak on almost anything.
This became more real to me during a recent evaluation of speaker proposals for the Open Grand Rapids youth ministry event (I’m on the planning committee). As we worked through the list, we found a number of proposals on very similar topics. Some of the speakers, we decided, we’d love to have, but just not on that topic. So they’re getting a call back, but with an invitation to speak on something different than they proposed. Hopefully they’ll jump on the opportunity.
It happened to me too. As part of the committee, I have an open opportunity to present as well. So, I went to the meeting with a few ideas… but when Adam Mclane said he had an idea for me, I listened first. “You’re a camp guy, Eric,” he said, “And I think it would be great to have you speak on…”
Now, I’m not sure I’d consider myself a camp guy… there are certainly guys more campy than me. But you know what? I’m pretty sure I’ll be speaking on a camp-related topic from a camp-guy perspective.
Say YES to every opportunity you can get.
It’s not likely your first gig is going to be in front of 3000 teenagers… though I do know some people who have had that happen. I think for most, it’s faithfully serving as speaker whenever the need or opportunity presents itself. You need a breakout presenter? I have something to say. You need a pulpit fill? I have something to say. You need me to speak at your [fill in the blank]? I’m there. I’m happy to do it. And I’m willing to do it for a lightsabre.
Practice is the overlooked necessity for many speakers. There is no amount of reading, study or preparation that can replace regularly walking out onto a stage in front of real live people and saying something. The more you speak, the better you’ll get. And, if you take that attitude into every opportunity—as a chance to improve your craft—you’ll get more and more opportunities.
Receive real feedback.
Lots of speakers I work with ask for feedback. A few of them receive feedback. They listen intently, ask clarifying questions and then apply my input before they walk out on our stage the next time. Even people I know that are professionals, speaking hundreds of times per year, are constantly improving this way.
Never give up doing ministry for a speaking ministry.
My favorite speakers to youth are doing ministry to youth. I can tell because their instagram feeds are full of pictures of them with middle- and high-school students. It keeps their stories fresh and real—and while they occasionally throw in a when-I-was-in-college story, they’re few and far between.
What have you done to launch your speaking ministry?