I write on behalf of myself and many of my professional speaker friends and colleagues. No one loves speaking in front of a live audience as much as we do. We love the laughter, the head nods, the high fives and all the eye contact, the storytelling and all that human contact. We love delivering content, in the flesh, that matters, that makes a difference, that gets results for clients. We miss it.
My professional speaker friends and I spent months mourning the temporary end of those live meetings we loved. But like everyone else, we are reinventing what we do.
Hey, I’ve got to walk my own talk, right?
Dare to DO THE NEW.
If I’m inspiring others to step outside their comfort zone, face fears and push through their NO voice, well I’m going there too.
Still, I was a bit skeptical of the virtual keynote until my first. I recently went LIVE from my home office into the homes of 400 non profit leaders in Mexico City.
“Hola, from Philadelphia!”
Interaction? The chat was the way we “talked to each other”. Ideas, Q & A, we went back and forth. Even with a translator involved, I was amazed that we pushed through language barriers. The participation and interaction was fun and I know I was able to help lift people up where they were, (which could have easily been in their bathrobes at the kitchen table).
So why hire a virtual professional keynote speaker now?
- It’s a deal. Well, honestly it’s a steal! You don’t have to fly your speaker in or pay for a hotel. Virtual speaking fees are affordable for almost any size organization, even for organizations that couldn’t afford a speaker in the past.
- Now more than ever, your employees and teams need inspiration, motivation to push through all the pandemic challenges you are facing. The right speaker can boost morale.
- You need professionals who know how to get through the eye of that webcam with the kind of energy that engages and doesn’t fall flat in another Zzzzzz zoom meeting.
Like all first time experiences, I learned something.
I like virtually speaking.
I do! It reminds me of my TV news days, looking through the camera, imagining everyone at home, (if there’s too many participants to see the Brady Bunch boxes), working on delivering a message that is relevant and matters. And to be honest, I don’t miss killing a whole day or two traveling somewhere right now.
The work is in the preparation.
“Virtual” means we are working harder to rethink and build in engagement that touches and relates to each unique audience through the screen.
We are standing, moving, entertaining and eliciting responses as we would in person.
Do I long for a live audience in person? I do. But, we must deal with the reality that is, and so do any of you planning meetings and events or just trying to give a little extra boost to your team.
I’m proud to be one of thousands of members of the National Speakers Association. Check out your local NSA chapter and ESpeakers to find almost any kind of professional speaker you’re seeking. Look for speakers Certified as Virtual Speakers. Checkout 500Speakers specializing in virtual presenters only. Read the reviews.
We dare. Hope you do too.
