Kerry Kathleen Heaps, How to Market Yourself as a Speaker – InnovaBuzz 314

Kerry Kathleen Heaps, Book Speak Repeat

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Kerry Kathleen Heaps, the publisher of Pageant Platform Magazine and the host of Pageant Platform Podcast. Kerry is a sought-after speaker and founder of Pitch like a Bitch Media, an online resource to gain more media exposure. She is also the author of the “Create your own Media Series for Podcasting, Publishing and Publicity.” She also owns Book.Speak.Repeat, a speaker submission service.

In our discussion, Kerry and I talked about:

• How to market yourself as a speaker
• The top 5 things speakers need before they start marketing
• Why a speaker reel might not be a good thing

Dr. Gleb Tsipursky in episode 271 introduced us to Kerry.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

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You're doing everyone a disservice by not putting yourself out there. If you can solve a problem, it is your job to make sure that people can find you.  @KerryHeaps on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet

Show Notes from this episode with Kerry Kathleen Heaps of Book Speak Repeat

Key points and takeaways from this episode include:

• It’s perfectly normal to get nervous. You just have to face that fear. When you start talking about your passion, that takes over and all of the fear dissipates at that point.
• If you are passionate about what you do and you know you can help people, then you need to be promoting yourself.
• You’re doing everyone a disservice by not putting yourself out there. If you can solve a problem, it is your job to make sure that people can find you. 
• Speakers have to partake in their marketing because they are the ones taking the stage.
• Talk to the planners. Let them know how you can help your audience. Marketing planners have their own needs. Get on the phone and talk to them.

• The Top Five Things Speakers Need Before They Start Marketing
  1. A current headshot photo that is at most 6 months or at the very most a year old
  2. Your Bio – your bio is your entrepreneurial resume. Keep it fresh and keep it updated.
  3. Topic, Summary, and 3 to 5 takeaways – a couple of sentences about what you are going to talk about and what the audience will learn.
  4. Be easy to contact – don’t make it difficult for the planners to reach you.
  5. Be easy to work with – don’t be one of those people who constantly get things to the planner the day before.

• It’s vital to have a website but you don’t want to overload it with information. 
• Meeting planners don’t like a speaker reel because they know it’s scripted. They know that you are only picking the best pieces. It doesn’t tell them how you handle a heckler in the audience or an active participant. It doesn’t tell them how you handle things going wrong.
• Keep your video under one minute. Planners really don’t care about the lighting or audio as long as they can hear you. It’s not about putting together great music. It’s more about your message.
• Be easy to work with. The speaker market is very competitive. If you’re not easy to work with, you won’t get rehired.
• Always bring your A-game. Do what you said you are going to do. Show up on time and don’t just take the stage and leave. Stick around to answer some questions. Be a part of the event.
• EventsinAmerica.com and EventsEye.com are two great resources to find speaking opportunities.
• If you’re looking to speak for private companies, you need to sit down and write your goals. Figure out who you want to target in order to maximise your time. Pick up the phone and call them. Have a script in front of you. You don’t have to read it verbatim but it’s good to have something to anchor you and refer back to. It makes you sound more professional. 
• Event planners get emailed all the time. If you want to set yourself apart, pick up the phone and call them. 
• You solve a problem as a speaker. Companies never advertise when they’re having issues. It is your job as a speaker to uncover that.
• Storytelling shows your passion and why you are an expert at it. 
• Storytelling lets your audience know that you are a human being just like them and that you can relate to them.
• If you were able to help yourself and you can relate that in a story, people will hear your passion. 
• Never promote something that you haven’t experienced yourself. 
• Follow your own advice. People know when you don’t do it.
• Events are always planned well in advance. The minute you stop marketing, it hurts your future calendar.
• Stay focused. There’s always going to be something happening in the world and sometimes you need to change things up. Be prepared for those and never stop marketing.

Always bring your A-game. Do what you said you are going to do. Show up on time and don't just take the stage and leave. Stick around to answer some questions. Be a part of the event. @KerryHeaps on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet

The Buzz – Our Innovation Round

Here are Kerry’s answers to the questions of our Innovation round. Listen to the interview to get the full scoop.

1. #1 thing to be more innovative – Adapt to change. The quicker you can adapt to change, the better.
2. Best thing for new ideas – Journaling and exercising. Being grateful puts you in a better mindset.
3. Favourite tool for innovation – My Outlook Calendar.
4. Keep project/client on track – Give people the tools they need to move their feet. Set clear expectations from the get-go that they have to be involved.
5. Differentiate – Put yourself in your story. Be your No. 1 fan.

To Be a Leader

Keep moving forward. Take inspired action every day. There’s going to be some bad days but don’t let that affect your focus. You’re on a big mission to change lives, so don’t let anything stand in the way.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Kerry through her website.

Suggested Guest

Kerry suggested I interview book publisher Sherrie Clark. So Sherrie, keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation from us to the InnovaBuzz podcast, courtesy of Kerry Kathleen Heaps.

Links

• Website – Kerry Kathleen Heaps
• Book.Speak.Repeat
• Pitch Like a Bitch Media
• Pageant Platform Magazine
• Pageant Platform Podcast
• Twitter – @KerryHeaps
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Cool Things About Kerry

• She’s a former Model who specialized in Trade Show and Print work.
• She’s an experienced judge on the beauty pageant circuit.
• She has interviewed celebrities such as Co-Host of Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran, Authors Larry Winget, Jeffrey Hayzlett, Former Miss West Virginia, and QVC Talk Show host, Kim Parrish, and many more successful business entrepreneurs.

There's always going to be something in the world and sometimes you need to change things up. Be prepared for those and never stop marketing. @KerryHeaps on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To Tweet

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