Tips to create awesome speaker demo video

Did you know that event organizers, planning committees and executives who hire speakers have plenty of options?

And I don't mean hiring at the $250 amount. I'm talking about hiring at the $2,500 amount, $5,000, $7,500+ amount. When you get into 4 digits, they'll expect to see demo video. And if you don't have it, they'll be moving on to the speaker who does.

So whether you're a new speaker just starting out or you're looking to build your speaking business, it's very important you realize that meeting planners are looking for reasons to rule speakers OUT in order to find the right speaker to hire IN. For example, if a speaker does not have demo video or has poor quality demo video, then they are very easy to rule OUT. Especially when they are being compared to 3-5 other speakers who do have video.

You don't want this to happen to you, so I'm going to share a few specific tips on demo video that can help whether you have video or not. So buckle up ... your next $2,500 or $7,500 speaking engagement will very likely be determined by what you do with the information I'll be sharing in this post. Look, I've missed out on so many speaking gigs in my earlier years because I settled for mediocre demo video. There were times I blamed it on my budget, foolishly convincing myself that demo video was too expensive, or that I didn't know how to make a demo video. Creating awesome demo video does not have to be expensive. And if you don't know how to make a demo video, I'll be sharing the perfect company recommendation for you in this blog post. In the beginning of my speaking career, video wasn't as important ... but now it is. In order to get consistent PAID speaking engagements, you're going to need awesome video that is better than most other speakers. And this is why I've invested in 4 new demo videos in 2019 alone. You can watch my newest 3-minute demo below. As you watch my demo video below, I encourage you to take notes. This is what I did when I was in your shoes. I watched dozens of other speaker videos to create the storyboard demo video outline for my video that you'll be watching. But take notes on these questions below:

* What do you like about my video? * What don't you like? * What are some of the different elements I included?

* How many different speeches do you think are included? * Why did (or didn't I) include testimonials? * Why did I select this video length as compared to shorter or longer? * What else did you notice?

Also, my style is likely going to be different from yours, and that's perfectly fine. Be YOUrself.

Watch the video below, and then keep reading underneath for some tips on creating awesome speaker demo video.

The outcome of an excellent, professional-quality demo video for a speaker is that the meeting planner already wants to hire you by the time the video ends. Your phone call becomes a logistics call rather than a sales call. When they already want you because they've seen excellent video, it makes for a far more enjoyable discussion! So if you don't have a demo video but want to get into speaking professionally, it's time you make one. And if you have a demo video, but you think it could be much better, it's time you make a new one. Below are some tips before you get started. Watch other speakers demo video and take notes.

A meeting planner will be watching other speakers so you should too. Comparing and contrasting your video to other speakers who you would might consider competition is akin to strategic research. Successful companies do this and you should too. You need to know your competition. Also, watching demo video from other speakers will inform you on elements that you should include in your own video and how to do it. You can share these clips with your video editor so they know exactly what you want.

I have a short, 1-minute demo video that you should watch, and it's on the top row of my demo video page here.

Include clips of different engagements. What you'll notice about all my demo videos (i.e. sizzle reels) is that they include samples of video clips from numerous presentations (i.e. called b-roll footage). Most of my b-roll footage isn't even that great because it's footage I personally captured by slapping a static camera on a tripod in the back of a room just before being introduced. A great demo video will demonstrate audience diversity and clearly show you've spoken to an audience more than just once. So if you don't have any video, then invest $350-500 in your own camera and tripod. Contact me and I can make recommendations. You can also hire a videographer who will record you, which I recommend at some point, but you'll need to be ready for that and also have the proper venue (i.e. lighting, staging, sound, etc.) that is conducive for capturing great video. Contact me for further venue explanation and a company recommendation. You need to know proper venue.

Write a storyboard from your demo video. Any great movie has a storyboard and your demo video should too. A storyboard is simply a detailed outline of exactly what's going on each second during your video. Don't have any idea how to make one? Contact me for a template. I include a template in "The Vault" which I provide access to in my speaker coaching programs. "The Vault" has templates, scripts, and samples of absolutely everything I use in my own speaking business so you don't have to create it on your own.

Plan on hiring a professional editor. I highly, highly, highly recommend that you not edit video yourself. Hire a professional. Because video is a top requirement for being a professional speaker, it has to be the absolute best it can be. And contrary to most people's assumption, video editing is not as expensive as you might think. The company that does my editing is Your Local Studio based in Cary, North Carolina and they are phenomenal at editing my video which makes me look good. Period. I've worked with other video editors and they weren't nearly as good as Your Local Studio.

When you finally get your first $3,500 speaking gig will be determined by whether you take action with the information I've shared with you. Would you prefer that now or later?

If you're not recording every presentation, start now.

If you're struggling with getting opportunities to speak, contact me for a complimentary discovery coaching call to learn how.

If you're serious about building a speaking business that you can live off of, and getting PAID to live your dream of speaking and helping people in the audiences listening to you, I'm here to help. Click here to take advantage of scheduling a complimentary call with me.

Don't focus on where you are; rather, focus on where you want to be.