Start Public Speaking to Increase Entrepreneurial Success

As an entrepreneur, you are the brand builder and primary lead generator. You can’t afford to turn down the honor of being visible and showing your expertise, no matter how small the forum or indirect the role. Plus, with so many aspiring entrepreneurs being afraid of public speaking, the competition is low. Here’s 3 reasons you should start participating in events as a speaker (or panelist or moderator):

1. You’ll be seen as an expert.  When there is an audience listening to you speak, you are the implied expert on the topic. Even as a moderator you clearly have some expertise on the topic to be able to interview panelists about the said topic, this provides your community proof that you indeed are the founder that can take your idea to market. It discourages competition, and can encourage collaboration.
   YOUR ACTION ITEM: Get on Meetup.com and message organizers of events relevant to your startup. Go!
   
2. You’ll have better networking opportunities.
   After each event where you speak, you’re much more qualified to talk to other speakers than everyone in the audience. Learn about their businesses, and add value that directly helps their bottom line. There’s nothing more powerful of a network of high-caliber speakers who you’ve already given a favor to.
   YOUR ACTION ITEM: Message one speaker, asking them to coffee, and help them selflessly.
   
3. You’ll improve your messaging & vision.
   Even Forbes argues that every entrepreneur needs to master public speaking, and it’s because entrepreneurial success basically requires a honed, concise brand and ‘elevator pitch.’ Take every opportunity you can to make your message more concise and exciting.
   YOUR ACTION ITEM: Record your pitch from your front facing camera right now and publish it on your YouTube channel. Ask 1 friend for feedback.

Yep! So there ya go. Launch your business in the Handshakin Startup Pre-accelerator or pitch publicly at a Startup Denver Meetup Event.