What Should Go On Your Speaker Website?
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If you’re a new speaker, or you sense that your speaker website needs a major overhaul, it can feel overwhelming to know what you should include to get strong results.
The three key principles that will help you with this are:
Your website needs to demonstrate the value you bring to the audience, not be "all about you".
People are busy. You need to communicate key points quickly, without assuming a viewer is going to read everything.
What is the ideal next step you want someone to take, after they view your speaker website?
Start with these basics on your speaker website
Clear, concise headlines to show your area of expertise.
Use specific language and avoid bland or generic phrases like motivational, empowering, next level, and so on.
Show your niche: event planners will value you more if you demonstrate special knowledge in one area, than if you speak about several topics.
Concrete language for the difference you will make to your audience.
What’s the outcome or immediate change that you bring about?
Professional-quality photos of you.
Ideally, get photos while you're speaking, but if you don’t have these yet, then use good, recent headshots.
Short video clips of you speaking.
Again, professional stage reel containing useful soundbites is best, but if not, at least record a simple homemade video.
Especially if you’re new, don’t invest massive money in a movie-style, glitzy trailer. Start with a few simple clips, nicely edited.
Contact info! Make this super easy to find…
…Along with a clear call to action for the next step in booking you. I recommend having your contact details show up on every page.
About you / bio. Again, focus on the outcome and value that you bring, instead of everything you've ever done.
Previous places you've spoken. Most speakers show logos, although, technically, you need permission to use someone else’s trademark in this way.
Praise or testimonials from previous event organizers and audience members. Choose specific phrases that talk about the outcome, not generic language about how “great” or “enjoyable” your speech was.
Bonus points if your testimonials are from people who are in the same industry as, or otherwise similar to, the decision makers who will book you for future appearances.
And don’t bury your testimonials on a separate page. Instead, “sprinkle” them among your other website content.
And add these to your public speaker website, when you can
If you have bandwidth for more, or you're improving your existing website:
Pages for your other income streams. Whether you’re getting paid for keynote speeches or your speaking is a business building activity, your website may need pages for:
Your book(s) (related: How to add a book to your business website)
Consulting services
Other courses, memberships, or programs that generate income for you
Your blog and/or podcast, although don’t fall into the trap of thinking you should blog, if you don’t want to
Possibly an event inquiry form, but don't go overboard gathering endless details. Don’t expect an event planner to spend a long time filling out your form: get the essentials to open a conversation.
An organizer’s kit, with the info an event planner will need after booking you. For example:
High resolution photos for printed materials
Text for introducing you
Your speaker (or program-specific) one-sheet
Your social media channels
Any specific tech requirements
An email list signup (and lead magnet), if growing your email list is part of your overall business strategy
Keywords and copy targeted for SEO, again if organic search is a strategic focus for your marketing
Start simple, then iterate
If your website is new, it's better to start with a few pages that are businesslike and attractive, then add to it later. Most speaker websites I review are missing the mark either because they:
are old and look cluttered (too much text especially), or
don't have good, modern photos and video
So focus on a clean, useful first impression, and later, you can build on it.
Compiling the content for your website can feel daunting, but it is also a chance to celebrate your previous successes, and the difference you make to your audience. Have fun!
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