Are you consciously growing your speaker brand? In this article I want to share some thoughts on a crucial aspect of a successful speaking career: building and growing your speaker reputation. Whether you call it your speaker brand or your professional image, it’s all about establishing a reputation that stands out. Here’s my approach to cultivating a speaker brand that keeps audiences and event organizers coming back.
Define Your Speaker Brand: It’s About Your Reputation
Your speaker brand is essentially your reputation. It’s the impression you leave, and it’s the assurance you provide to those who book you. I like to think of my brand simply: I aim to be the easiest speaker on the planet to work with. That’s my promise, and I make sure that everyone who works with me experiences that.
Make Yourself Exceptionally Easy to Work With
When clients book me, I want them to know they’ve made a smart choice. I handle every detail to ensure they don’t need to worry about anything. That means prompt responses, no chasing up for materials or slide decks, and clear communication from start to finish. I even message clients to let them know I’ve arrived and check if they need anything, down to a coffee the next morning! This proactive approach is part of my brand, and it gives clients peace of mind.
Every Interaction Matters: It’s All Part of Your Brand
If you want to consciously grow your speaker brand, every single interaction, whether it’s an email, a call, or a message before, during, or after a presentation, contributes to your reputation. From the moment I leave my house to head to an event, I’m representing my brand. You won’t catch me flaunting a champagne photo in first class. That’s just not my style. Instead, everything I do is focused on reinforcing my professional image and showing respect for my clients and audience.
Avoid Potential Pitfalls and Stay Professional
I’m always mindful of how I present myself at events. For example, I don’t drink at client events, even though I’m not a big drinker to begin with. I want to turn up refreshed and prepared the next day, rather than staying out late. I let clients know they’ll get more value from me when I’m on top form. This attention to detail in my professional behaviour is what helps build a reliable and trustworthy brand.
Prepare for the Unexpected: Backup and Triple Check Everything
Professionalism extends to being well-prepared. I always have multiple backups for my presentations, and I triple-check key details like start and finish times. This approach ensures that, regardless of any last-minute hiccups, I can deliver seamlessly. Such commitment to preparedness reassures event organizers that they’re working with a true professional.
Building a Risk-Free Reputation
When clients book me, I want them to feel that it’s a risk-free decision. I talk about this openly in my promotional materials—working with me is a safe and smart choice. Over the years, this approach has built my brand as a reliable, trustworthy, and professional speaker.
Consciously Shape Your Speaker Reputation
If you’re serious about being a professional speaker, it’s vital to take charge of your brand. Decide what you want to be known for. Many speakers are great on stage, but their careers stall because of issues like unreliability or unprofessional behaviour. Don’t let your reputation develop by accident; take the time to define it intentionally.
In Summary: Be Intentional About Your Brand
Your speaker brand is much more than what you deliver on stage. It’s how you show up, the way you communicate, and the professional standards you maintain. By consciously shaping your brand, you’ll build a reputation that makes you a sought-after speaker. Alright, folks, that’s it from me. Go out there, build an extraordinary speaker brand, and watch the opportunities flow.
—Andrew Griffiths
