Marketing Your Faculty: Speaking Engagements

Welcome back! We've just begun a new blog series that discusses some fun faculty development and marketing options, some of which you may have yet to consider. In the first issue, I did a quick review of scholarly publishing. Then, I offered resources to connect your faculty with journalists and other media contacts, an exciting way to get your faculty's expertise into the limelight. 

Today, I'm happy to discuss several public speaking options and how to find them. Now, don't worry. Public speaking is not for everyone; some feel downright phobic about it. But there are more ways to engage an audience than standing behind a podium in a crowded lecture hall. However, if standing behind that podium is where you like to shine, the venues are wide open for you as well! 

Types of speaking engagements

A speaking engagement aims to educate, inspire, and motivate the audience, leaving a lasting impact. Opportunities come in different formats, each catering to specific objectives and audiences. 

Some of the most common speaking engagements are:

• Conferences and conventions: Large-scale gatherings where multiple events are held over several days to discuss and engage on common interests. Examples include industry-specific conferences where experts share trends and experiences.

• Training seminars: Smaller-scale events where an expert educates the audience on a specific skill or topic. For instance, a PA expert might deliver a workshop on studying for major examinations or how to excel in the clinical year.

• Networking events: Gatherings of industry professionals to establish connections and discuss their work.

• Webinars: This is one of my favorites, as you may know. These are virtual gatherings where the audience can join from anywhere. They are convenient and accessible to both speakers and attendees.

• Interviews: Opportunities for experts to discuss their work, responding to questions of an interviewer. 

• Panel Discussion Conferences: Events where experts come together to discuss mutual interests and provide unique perspectives. For example, a panel of professionals might discuss remote learning's impact on testing.

Networking for Speaking Opportunities

Networking plays a crucial role in finding speaking opportunities. Connecting with industry professionals, event organizers, and other speakers can increase your visibility and open doors to potential speaking engagements. 

Here are some networking strategies:

1. Attend industry-specific conferences, seminars, and events where you can meet event organizers and other speakers. Actively engage in conversations, exchange contact information, and follow up after the event.

2. Join professional associations and organizations related to the PA education and career fields. Participate in their events, forums, and online communities to connect with like-minded individuals. This will also help you stay updated with industry trends.

3. Be active on social media platforms for your PA program, but also any popular sites where your target audience and industry professionals gather to exchange ideas. Show that you bring value to the table. Participate in discussions and build relationships with key industry influencers.

4. Collaborate with other speakers by participating in panel discussions, joint webinars, or co-authoring articles or books. You can expand your reach and attract new speaking opportunities by leveraging each other's networks and expertise—partner with other professionals in complementary fields to co-host events or workshops. By combining your expertise, you offer attendees a unique and valuable experience, increasing the appeal of your events.

Remember, networking is less about how many followers or likes you can get, and more about building genuine relationships and offering value to others. Maintaining connection allows you to stay top-of-mind when speaking opportunities arise.

However, perhaps networking isn't your thing. Creating your own speaking events allows you to take control of the narrative and showcase your expertise, positioning you as an influencer in your field. Consider organizing and hosting a webinar about a topic within your expertise. Promote the webinar through your website, social media, and email list.

Speaking engagements offer opportunities to network and connect with other industry professionals. Those relationships can lead to collaborative projects, referrals, and future speaking engagements. Speaking engagements can significantly increase your program’s visibility and attract potential students or scholars to you. 

One of the best things about preparing a public presentation is the flexibility in imparting knowledge. As I said in last week's blog, we can take our prepared information and use it to generate other avenues for publicity. The topic(s) of a great, informative speech could also make great articles or even chapters of books.

To that end, in my next blog, I will continue discussing speaking engagements and look at how to approach the organizers of these events. Then, we'll discuss maximizing your value as a writer or public speaker. Please join me for more ideas to inspire your program's faculty and members.