I’m going to go into this more in a podcast down the line, but thought I’d introduce the subject now to get things going…post questions if you’ve got ’em…

Speaking engagements are a great way to raise your visibility as a writer. Not only that–but they help out other writers as well, which is always a good thing! I enjoy speaking to other writers and love sharing ideas and techniques with them. It is my personal opinion that there is enough work out there for all of us, so I’m not stingy with my info.

So how does one get a speaking engagement? Well, the truth is that this is an area that is really geared toward experienced writers. Simply put, they have more to offer in terms of advice, and are typically recruited more by organizations because of it. The majority of speaking engagements I have had have been requested, and I am going to share some secrets here on how you can be more visible to others in this regard.

The key is to make yourself available.

1. Have a website. The single best way to get noticed is to have a web presence and keep it updated. Also, be sure it looks professional; otherwise don’t bother as it can do you more harm than good.

2. Include your e-mail and/or website addy in your article bio. This is HUGE in terms of getting your name out there and allowing people to get in touch with you.

3. Carry business cards. This is one of the best ways to keep your information in front of people.

4. Let people know that you are interested in this type of work. You never know who knows someone.

I have gotten most of my speaking engagements through articles I have written. One organization kept my contact information on file for an entire year before getting in touch. You never know who is reading your work and what they are thinking, but you want to try and provide people with a way to get in touch with you whenever possible.

Keep your eyes out for a podcast on this subject–I’ll go into things such as payment, lodging and more when I dig in…