Every other month, I try to schedule some kind of speaking engagement to help promote my business, but I’m very particular about my speeches. I always make sure to provide valuable and practical information to my audience and not try to sell them on my services.

I’ve been to far too many lectures and panels where the speakers are doing nothing more than selling what they offer, and everyone leaves the event disappointed and often even angry. Ultimately, by being a great public speaker and providing truly useful information, you are selling yourself - and your products or services - in a much more effective way.

If you are thinking about public speaking in your area as a viable marketing tactic, here are some things to consider first.
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Note from Aliza - I have to confess it is strange hearing from an entrepreneur who has the same name as me! I have only met 3 other Aliza’s in my life although it is a popular girl’s name in Israel. Anyway, had to mention that because it really was an interesting experience!

Aliza Freud is founder and CEO of SheSpeaks, a national network of women who are interested in influencing the products and services around them. SheSpeaks provides women with a forum to express what they need and want as well as opportunities to connect with each other. The women’s opinions are then broadcasted to a broad audience including companies that develop products and services, the media and other women.

Aliza suggests the following tips to avoid missing critical connections with your customers.

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Donna Maria Coles Johnson of Indie Business Media, LLC is the “Lifestyle CEO” who helps women manage home and business through the resources she creates including a radio show and the book The Lifestyle CEO: Break All the Rules, Build Your Own Corporate Ladder & Create the Life You Love. In addition to all of her other accomplishments, she is also a lawyer. Here is what she has to say about trademark issues around building a brand.

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Are you a WBE? That’s a Women’s Business Enterprise, a certification recognized by thousands of U.S. corporations as well as numerous federal government agencies. To become a WBE, you first must qualify. Criteria include:

1. Be an independent business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women;

2. The female owners must be U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens;

3. The business must have been formed and be principally run in the U.S. (or U.S. territories);

4. The business management and daily operations must be controlled by one or more of the women owners.

Why would you want to be a certified WBE?

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