Did you know that service clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimist and Lions need speakers every week? Service clubs have meetings in every city and almost every town in the country. Speaking at service clubs is a great way to demonstrate your skills and expertise. Speaking is the best form of face-to-face marketing for lawyers there is. Audience members always come up and talk to the speaker after a presentation. This is your chance to exchange contact information and then follow-up with them later. This is a great way to get new clients that need your services. Here are some tips to get you started speaking and getting new clients:
Get Ready
If your public speaking skills could use some improvement or even if you’ve never done any public speaking before, join Toastmasters. Toastmasters exists to help people to become better public speakers. Find a Toastmasters club near you and go visit the club. Toastmasters clubs welcome visitors and you don’t have to speak when you visit. Find a club that meets on a day and time that is convenient for you and then join that club. Toastmasters is a great place to practice speaking before booking speaking engagements.
Write a Speech
Service clubs book speakers who present speeches on subjects of benefit to their members. Service clubs want to help their members reach their personal and professional goals. They do not want you to sell to them, they want you to provide useful information. For example, you could write a speech about writing a will or taking a case to small claims court. You are there to demonstrate your expertise so you don’t have to be a sales person or try to sell the members, instead, be giving of your knowledge on legal subjects. Speaking at service clubs will allow you to meet many people and network with them. This will lead to new clients.
Book Speaking Engagements
The best way to book speaking engagements with service clubs is by email. You can find club contact email addresses on the club’s website. You can then email each type of service club, such as Rotary or Kiwanis, a customized email. State how your presentation will benefit the club’s members and how it relates to the club’s motto or mission. For example, the Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” so mention how your presentation relates to this motto.
Speaking at service clubs is a great way to get new clients. If you are not already comfortable with public speaking, get comfortable and then get out and speak.