PUBLIC SPEAKER: HOW TO FIND NEW CUSTOMERS, GET DEALS DONE ONLINE

Public speakers frequently give keynote speeches on topics like business leadership, change management and innovation. What they don’t do as often is give you expert hints, tips, and best practices for actually attracting new customers and building your business online. So whenever we serve as public speakers and provide guest keynotes or training classes and workshops, we make a point to leave audiences with helpful insights and advice. Below, you’ll find a number of new strategies we’ve surfaced as a result of our market research that can help you in your efforts to forge ahead.

Topic: How to Court Clients Virtually and Get Deals Done Online

Scenario: Most business leaders aren’t flying to meet potential customers – but they still need to wine and dine potential clients, and find ways to schmooze, so that they can build relationships and get deals closed.

Insight: Maintaining a human sense of connection is important, as public speakers would do well to point out. Some businesses are sending clients care packages (cheese, wine, snacks) so that they can virtually share a drink together over a videoconference. Others, arranging for customers to attend VIP online events – e.g. cooking classes or seminars with celebrity speakers or invitation-only dinners (where they send high-end meals to customers in advance) – as a way to show appreciation. Still more are finding clever keepsakes (e.g. COVID “survival kits” of entertainment and book items, etc.) to pass along. It pays to get creative here.

Topic: What Are Customers Still Spending Money On?

Scenario: Customers (and everyday shoppers) are spending more on essentials these days – and putting greater emphasis on value and trusted brands. Likewise, they’re leaning towards lower-cost options and fast, simple transactions. Executives need to find ways to get back to basics, and offer audiences cost-affordable options that better speak to solving day-to-day needs.

Insight: Affordable pricing, speed, and convenience matter most to customers now – as does making sure they’re getting good value for their money if they’re going to spend it in such uncertain times. To connect with today’s audience, you need to shift your messaging and business strategy to emphasize how your solutions more quickly meet client needs (e.g. producing cost-savings in 6 months vs. 2 years), and find unique, complementary add-ons and extras you can bundle to offer more for the purchase.