9 ways to act like a pro, even if you're not

You may not be a professional speaker, but there's no reason not to act like one.

If you want to get speaking engagements to promote your business, for example, you are more likely to be invited if you have a professional presence. Just because you're not a pro, it doesn't mean potential organizers are going to let you get away with bad practices, and you will not be invited back -- if you are even invited in the first place.

Here are some tips to appear professional and look like you know what you're doing.

Before the engagement

1. Don't use a free e-mail service

If you want to be taken seriously as a business owner you must use your own domain for e-mail. You must have a website (or blog site) and you must stop using Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail for your e-mail address. Period.

2. Post your photo on your website

People who will ask you to speak want to get to know you a little. Your website is your calling card. Who are you? What are you all about? What's your style and personality?

Using stock photos to populate your site doesn't make you look professional, it makes you look generic. Be somebody! Show your face.

3. Answer e-mails and phone calls promptly

You must be respectful of your prospects and return their messages in a timely manner. Taking a week to get back to someone is not professional, and people will move on to someone else if you come across as unresponsive and unreliable.

4. Be responsible for getting your needs met

I know this sounds like something a therapist would say, but bear with me.

Visit the event space in advance to see how the room is set up. If you need a microphone, say so. If you need the room configured a certain way, say so. If you need a table for your notes, say so. In order to make your presentation as effective as it can be for you and for the audience, you must speak up and let the organizer know what you need.

It may not be possible to get everything you need, but you must at least make the effort.

At the engagement

5. Project confidence

I know, I know. Easier said than done. But who knows more about your business than you do? You don't have to know everything about everything. Just show your passion and excitement for what you do. Stand tall. Breathe. Make eye contact. Don't apologize for anything.

Let your expertise shine and share your best tips. Make your presentation all about giving value and practical tools. That's all your audience wants.

Get out of the cage and own the stage!

6. Come early and leave late

Give yourself plenty of time to set up and meet people before you speak. Mingle with the crowd, introduce yourself, make friends. And afterward, don't run right out the door if you can help it. Stick around, thank people for coming, answer questions.

Of course, if you want to look like a prima donna, arrive at the last minute and then leave without talking to anyone.

7. Dress appropriately

I'm not going to give specifics on color or skirt length. You can find lots of articles on the web about what not to wear. What I will say is that you should find out the purpose of the meeting and what your audience will be wearing, and then make sure to be dressed as well as or better than they are.

Audience is casual? You be business casual. Audience is business casual? You be at least business casual, if not a little dressier. It's always okay to be dressed up a little more than the audience, but it's not okay to be inappropriately over- or under-dressed.

Most important, dress in a way that's comfortable and authentic to who you are. Dress appropriately to your business, your message, and to your personal style. I've seen speakers in pretty wacky outfits, but it fit their message and style and was perfectly appropriate. I've also seen way too many speakers in boring dull-colored suits and it didn't do them - or me - any favors.

8. Watch out for typos and mispronunciations

Have you had someone proofread your materials? Are you giving handouts with misspellings or poor grammar? And how about your own language?

If you put out poorly edited materials, what is the audience supposed to think about your services? If you can't take the time and care to put out professional materials, why would a prospective client expect quality work from you? If you know your spelling isn't great, get someone to proofread. Another pair of eyes will help you find the mistakes you're overlooking.

If there are words you aren't sure about, check the pronunciation online. At many dictionary sites, you can even listen to audio of the word pronounced properly. I recently listened to someone introduce her business, mispronouncing a key descriptive word several times. It was painful.

This is an example of a time when videotaping or audio recording would be helpful. Or at least have a friend or colleague sit in on your presentation or practice session to give feedback.

After the engagement

9. Thank your host and audience

Make sure to acknowledge your host and express your gratitude for the opportunity to speak to their group. Remember: Without an audience, there is no speaker!

The more opportunities you have to promote your business through public speaking, the more comfortable you will become with the professional aspects of booking these engagements. The more you present yourself as a professional, the more opportunities you will have to promote your business!

____________________________________________________
On The Everything Page you'll find everything you need to build visibility, credibility and influence through engaging presentations that move your participants into action: freebies, low-cost products and courses, and 1:1 coaching!