Written by: Vickie Sullivan | June 25, 2020
How to Compete with Prominent Speakers
Checking out previous event speakers is a great way to suss out what organizers expect from their presenters. The downside, however, is that watching those speaker videos can be intimidating.
We look at the sizzle reels and compare ourselves to the speakers. We ask ourselves: Do I have that kind of background? Do I have those killer stories? Nope. Then maybe I shouldn’t throw my hat in the ring. Result: missed opportunity.
Instead, let’s explore a bigger question: How do we compete with those who have fame and fortune right now? Two things to remember:
• Oversaturated backgrounds. Anyone who has done something cool is now talking about it. The people selecting speakers are inundated with what I call the “cool kids.” Those are people who are leading a project that’s getting media attention. They are not considered different or unique anymore.
Listen: How to Position Against More Prominent Speakers
• Content from these famous speakers is unusually … general. The downside to the “cool kids” is lack of insight. Generally speaking (pun intended), their material includes a lot of platitudes and a few cool stories thrown in. Why: Speaking is a sideline for these speakers, not a serious pursuit. You can use their lack of focus to your advantage.
When facing a formidable competitor, it’s easy to forget your value. Don’t. Instead, remember that for every thing they do, there is something to take advantage of. Look at the flipside and be the alternative.
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