In her new book titled "Ask Before You Speak", award-winning writer, public speaker and consultant, Elizabeth Samuel, highlights the right questions to ask after receiving a public speaking invitation.
As the world evolves, public speaking has become a striving career path, as seminars and conferences have become avenues to educate, inform and create awareness on topical issues.
Getting a speaking engagement invitation is not a birthright, but navigating the art and asking the right questions before gracing the stage. Most public speakers, rather than ask the right questions after receiving a speaking engagement invitation, think that preparation is the first step.
Published in 2024, the book contains 180 pages, with 25 questions to ask after receiving a public speaking invitation. Each page contains tips on asking the right questions.
Questions such as: what is the history of the event, who is your target audience and how many attendees are you expecting, what is the topic and time frame of my session, who is the moderator, and how will my biography be read.
The author shared her experience as a naïve beginner who just wanted to impact lives with the words of her mouth, accepting speaking engagement blindly without asking the right question, as well as seeing every invitation as a miracle without scrupulous investigation about the event and organisers.
Explaining what motivated her to write the book, Elizabeth said, "One of the things that inspired me to write this book is that I don't want public speakers like me to make the same mistake I made. When I started, it took me years to learn and figure things out, but I want young people, who are trying to cave a career path in public speaking to get it right from the outset.
In this book, I have penned 25 important questions to ask your host before accepting a speaking engagement." This book is an accumulation of the experiences, knowledge, processes, and lessons I have garnered over the last few years of being a speaker. You must understand that assumption is the lowest form of intelligence. In this kingdom, assumptions don't win. So, don't assume; rather, ask the right questions. This is not just a book; it is a tool you will need in your public speaking career."
The book was designed to empower public speakers with the required knowledge and tools needed to succeed as a public speaker. By asking the right questions, they will be able to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and build a successful and sustainable speaking career.
On page 11 of the book, the author pinnacles the question, "what kind of event are you planning to host". Asking this question will enable the speaker to prepare adequately for the event, both physically and mentally.
Knowing the type of event will determine the right dress for the event, as well as avoiding unnecessary drama and stress. How you will dress to speak at a webinar or workshop differs from how you will dress to speak at an outdoor hangout.
On page 14, the author explains that every event has a history, and it is critical to ask about that history. "As a speaker, it is important to know the reputation of the convener of the event and the speakers. Are the past speakers people you know, and admire, what has been the turnout of the last edition? And the host, are they hospitable? What impact, legacy, or milestones has the event had on its participants? These will help you know if you feel comfortable attaching your name and brand to that event."
Another question to ask is highlighted on page 43, "What is the topic and time frame of your session?" It is unacceptable for the host of an event to send you the topic a week before the event. To avoid unforeseen situations, you must request your topic immediately after accepting the invitation.
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Let your host know that an automatic cancellation will occur if you do not receive your topic between 2 and 3 weeks before the event. Knowing your topic early helps you prepare, make necessary adjustments and grace the stage in confidence.
As revealed in this book, the author has not just overcome the naivety of being a young public speaker, who was hungry for the stage, and pay, but has grown to become a professional public speaker, holding a public speaking masterclass to train, educate, and inspire others in the field of public speaking. The book was written in simple language, easy to read and understand.
Elizabeth Samuel is a public speaker and consultant. She has edited and transformed over 350 manuscripts. She has written four books; The Transformed, Write Like You Speak, One Product, One Million, and Ask Before You Speak. She is the founder of Edit like a Boss Academy, training over 500 young writers, and public speakers.
