Being in business requires you to be recognized and to be heard. Like you invest in your brand to make it popular so that it may excel in the market place, you, the entrepreneur, must also try and build yourself as a brand to be respected in your circles. Speaking at events such as conferences or seminars is one way you can get mileage. This will ultimately help your business in the long run.

The "big guns" normally get invited to events as key speakers due to their stature and enormous knowledge in their respective fields. They do not have to put in much or any effort at all. But what happens to those who are just about making a mark? How can you share a dais with the whos who of the corporate world?

We give you some leads:

>Be relevant

Not all are capable of addressing large audiences or have the necessary knowledge to speak before their peers. So first, you should prepare yourself and identify the subject matter. Then, you should equip yourself with the requisite skills, before you go about dropping gentle hints of being "available" as a speaker on that subject.

It should be your endeavour to make an impact on the organisers as well as the audience in your first speech as an event speaker itself. Why? Simple. Enough people should remember you in order for you to be invited to other such events. Hence, as far as possible, be an "expert" in one particular field.

"If you are not good enough, why should any organiser take note of you? The latter invite two types of people, always. An expert or someone who is part of a regulatory body. If you are neither, then you must become an expert, you must also have a personality to make yourself relevant," says Kishore Kar, Vice-president, Pharma Secure.

>Go Direct

You could directly can get in touch with event organisers and let them know that you are available for participation in future events.

"You can directly write an e-mail to the organisers for an invitation. You must provide details about your achievements and specify your area of specialisation. You need to have patience. In case some speaker drops out, you may get an invite at the last moment," says Amit Grover, CEO, Nurture Talent Academy.

If you are reluctant in doing the direct approach, you could contact the organisers through somebody's reference. You could ask any of your influential friends to put in a word for you.

>Pay your way

Many people are known to pay to organisers to get invited. This may still be considered unethical and is somewhat like self-publishing, but this has been in practice for several years. As long as it is not illegal. Paying can get you a speaker's s lot 100 percent. But if word does get out, it could cause your image some damage. Then again, if you have created a great impression that first time, you never know. Organisers may want you back.

>Be publicly visible

You need to be visible in the media and other public platforms like Social Media, to be always at the back of people's minds.

"You must start taking a position to be noticed. Communicate in the social media and be different than others. Say something which others have not said. You need to write articles, both in print and online. You should get into TV interviews and discussions. This is the cheapest way to be visible and build you as a brand," says Pushpendra Mehta,

author, Tomorrow's Young Achievers.

To enhance your personality, you should even write a book. It could be an e-book.

"After speaking at the event and going back, you should write a blog about the event and what you said. Once people recognise you and realise that you are a subject matter, then they will call you to their events," advises Grover.

You can also ask your company's PR and Marketing team to promote you and your skills among event organisers to come board as a speaker.

All these methods will ensure that someone invites you once again to another event.

What are the benefits of being a Speaker?

* It is a 2-in-1 branding exercise. Your brand and yours

* Other speakers can be your potential customers

* The audience (potential customers) respects you for your knowledge

* Consultants get a tremendous leg up from such events

* It is a personal satisfaction that you are sharing your knowledge with others

New Age Content Services
smementor@moneycontrol.com