BEFORE YOU SAY 'YES' TO A SPEAKING INVITATION.
I turned up at a Church on the Cape flats where I was invited to Preach. I dressed in what is now called smart casual. A pair of Jean and a white shirt. Only to discover that congregants wore formal. Fast forward I made sure to put on formal when invited by the same Church.
Below are the few questions to ask before accepting a speaking engagement ;
1. WHAT
You can't just randomly be picked as a guest speaker at a climate change conference. The theme to the conference usually covers the topics/subjects close to your skill set. What is the conference about? Is it a Public Speaking Conference? Is it a symposium of writers? Is it a conference on Gender based violence? What exactly is the organizers expect you to speak about? Is that subject an area of your competence? If the topics are way out of your competence decline the invitation politely.
2. WHY
Why are they inviting you as a speaker in this conference? Is it because you were recommended by your previous hosts? Answering the why question helps you to prepare and deliver based on expectations.
3. WHEN
This question helps with your schedule. The dates on your invitation should be available in your diary. If you are not available politely decline the invitation.
Or if need be cancel your appointment on that day to accommodate this new invitation. The 'when' question helps in understanding the occasion too. If you are a preacher invited to preach at a church on dates that collide with Christmas, God Friday or Resurrection Sunday you might prepare your message that aligns with the occasion.
4. WHERE
'Where' does not only address a geographical position but helps in determining context. You can preach the same message in Cape Town, Tzanini and Rustenburg. Same content but different context. Context is key in public speaking. Context will also speak into your dress code. Organizers might not make it clear but you do well to find out about the dress code before turning up in shorts and slippers.
5. HOW MUCH?
Whether you are a paid speaker or not find out how much it will cost for you to appear and deliver a message. Find out who will pay for those costs. Long distance public speaking involves cost of flying, accommodation and food.
Never leave the cost to chance. There must be clarity between the invited Speaker and the Conference organizers on who should foot the bill of your appearance.
@UPS Coach we equip voices with tools for effective Public Speaking.
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