As a professional speaker I have learned the value of self-marketing and self-promotion.
I know that making a living as a speaker requires communicating why someone should interact with and hire me over other speakers.
I understand the art in presenting the unique benefits of my services in a way that interests event planners.
I also know that marketing doesn't have to be a hard sell to be incredibly successful.
Below are twelve marketing activities designed to help you grow your platform, increase your customer base, and make more money in your speaking endeavors.

1. Join professional organizations like the National Speakers Association, Professional Speakers Guild, American Speakers Bureau, and Toastmasters to further develop your speaking skills, build credibility, and network with other speakers.
   
2. Write a book or series of articles for publication on the topic you speak about to help build your client base and establish yourself as an expert.
   
3. Use social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to stay connected to your audience and provide updates about your latest book, speaking event, or topic.
   
4. Offer a free eBook or newsletter for your audience to register for so you can capture their email address and build a list for email marketing efforts.
   
5. Create and implement electronic and direct mail marketing campaigns (or series of mailings) to explain the benefits of hiring you for upcoming events.
   
6. Create a website for event planners to find information about you, your topics, your experience, and your availability.
   
7. Create and upload to your website podcasts, videos, and audio files of you discussing your upcoming book, next speaking event, latest research on your topic, or questions from blog readers.
   
8. Drive traffic to your website with frequent and compelling blog posts (on your own blog or as a guest blogger), YouTube videos, and customer testimonials.
   
9. Add pictures to your website of yourself speaking, showing your stature, enthusiasm, and experience.
   
10. Give interviews about your topic to media outlets for broadcasting on television or radio, or showing online.
    
11. Create press releases each time you have something newsworthy to tell your audience, such as the availability of your latest book or a new speaking topic and it's relevancy for today.
    
12. Create a media kit with information about yourself (including your bio, contact information, press releases, and resume) and your business for media outlets like newspapers and magazines to use.
    

As I mentioned above, Marketing takes time but Marketing is also required for long term success.
This is the vehicle through which event planners will find you, assess you, and potentially hire you.
Make sure to incorporate these activities into your larger business plan.
If needed, hire a virtual assistant or marketing expert to help you.
As self-employed entrepreneurs, speakers are more successful in growing their business when they take marketing activities to heart.
Make the investment and get started on your own marketing efforts today.
You'll be glad you did.