When you give a talk, plan in advance how to promote it before and afterwards

Let’s say you  spoke at a conference and had your photo taken at the podium.

You can then post the snapshot on your LinkedIn profile, so others can see your accomplishment. 

Build on your success with highlights of your remarks in a few short phrases. You may even link to an excerpt of the slide deck or a recording of the full discussion. For an example, click here.

Perhaps someone, who does not already know you, will want to learn more about you and your presentation. On LinkedIn, they can see your profile and read your articles. They can then visit your website and review your newsletters and publications.

Maybe she will be so dazzled by your provocative insights and dynamic approach she will invite you to speak to her group.

Or better yet, perhaps he will contact you to meet and discuss a project or interview you for a position at his organization.

As an event attendee, when you hear a thoughtful presentation, note the key points in your LinkedIn post. Then, offer your agreement or difference of opinion. Consider how you might implement those ideas.

If you shook hands with the presenter or posed in a group shot, share that photo and mention the content discussed.

On the other hand, a photo that says I spoke here or I met Famous Name delivers the same value as I drank coffee at my favorite café. It’s a non-event to your contacts.

In recent weeks, I have asked individuals who posted such event photos on LinkedIn to please share takeaways of their remarks or report what was discussed, so others may learn.

Most of those folks did not even reply to my comment. What? LinkedIn is a social media platform. Why did you mention the event and post a photo, if not to generate discussion and invite engagement and connection?

Here are four substantive responses to my inquiry with evaluations in italics:

• One fellow replied by sharing the recording of a practice session of his talk. This essentially duplicated the experience of attending the session. Terrific, especially because the event was in another country!
• One contact cited highlights in, literally, two words; then she referred to her “most recent article on LinkedIn.” OK. Better to provide a link to that article and make it instantly available.
• One woman replied that it was an internal meeting and content would not be shared. Apparently, the photo of eight panelists, plus caption naming two of the speakers, was designed to showcase the company’s diverse employees. How nice. Why should anyone outside that business care?
• One speaker’s post asked “Missed my presentation on topic?” and linked to his slide deck. Fantastic. His discussion was excellent and now many can grasp his insights.

You may recall I discussed a similar approach regarding the use of the Like feature on LinkedIn when commenting on posts by contacts. Those observations hold true for one’s own promotional activity on LinkedIn.

Consider how a post about your speaking engagement (or attendance at a meeting) may become more inviting and informative to your contacts by citing the content discussed.

This Month’s Tip

When you prepare to give a talk, remember to promote it before and after the event. Assemble a list of three to five takeaways. Recruit someone to take a photo, if there is no official photographer. As an attendee, plan to take notes AND photos.

Post the highlights of the event and a photo, with a substantive caption, on your LinkedIn profile and in relevant groups, plus on your Twitter account.

See also: COPE: Create Once, Publish Everywhere and Work Up Your Workshop in a New Format

Contact

Ready to get more mileage from your speaking engagement? Two goals are to put you on the road for another talk and to meet with prospects who were impressed by your remarks.  Contact me at Janet@JanetLFalk.com , set an appointment here or call me at 212.677.5770 to learn how to share the wealth on social media.

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