At the very beginning of starting my online coaching business, I started doing seminars. I’d reach out to local CrossFit gyms and offer a free nutrition seminar. It was the source of many of my first email addresses and many of my first clients. I still love the opportunity to speak…and that’s exactly what it is, an opportunity.

When my friend Aram (aka @4weeks2thebeach on the 'gram) told me about the Coach event he was planning, I was intrigued. The format would be community oriented, everyone sharing meals with the speakers. No main event, and 3 speakers going at one time. You could essentially fill your dance card for 2 days with the topics most interesting to you. The point of the event was to help coaches learn from others in the space. So when he asked me to speak - I was 100% in.

Rather than tell you what I talked about (you can snag the recordings below), I thought it might be helpful to give you the process I used to prepare for the event and other speaking opportunities. That way- if you have the opportunity to do an in-person seminar, an online summit, or any speaking event, you can utilize this process to deliver value, build relationships and nurture potential clients.

Here is my exact process on how to prepare:

1. Decide on the big takeaway. What is the point of your talk? If they could only take away one concept, idea or lesson, what would it be? 

2. What can you give away or offer at the end of your talk to provide additional value and help the audience utilize or take action on the big takeaway. Think of this as the logical next step. This could be free or paid. Choose how you will distribute your offer and collect leads.

   • Text opt in: For example: Text the word CARBS to this number and I will email you my Top Carbs For CrossFit Workout Guide.

   • Ipad Sign in: Collect email addresses in exchange for sending them a copy of your slides and materials.

   • Sale or Purchase: Set up a computer equipped with your sales page and take orders or signups on the spot after the presentation.

   • Invitation to next event or challenge: If there is a followup opportunity, utilize a landing page for a wait list for pre-registration. Have them open the URL during the talk and enter their information.

3. Organize your presentation into 3 supporting concepts. These should all help reinforce, illustrate or lead to your big takeaway. No more than 3.

4. Weave short stories into your 3 supporting concepts. When done correctly, these stories should follow the pattern of: the story of me (you and your realization), the story of you (this should directly address the problems or goals of the people in the audience) and the story of us, the last story should capture what will happen when they act on your core concept or idea (imagine stories are great here.)

Speaking at the Real Coach Summit was fantastic because of the connections I made. The event was designed with that in mind. But the most important thing to me was to deliver value during the event and afterwards to the people who chose to attend my talk.

I utilized all of the strategies above to organize my presentation and a few of the follow-up connection strategies. Specifically, I had people text the word FRAMEWORK to get a copy of the slides plus a free example of what I taught at the event. I also made an additional offer, that if they wanted to try the CBM software for free, I would give them the digital version of my lead magnet game, with emails and landing pages for free.

A handful of the connections made at the event are now clients, friends or both. I 100% plan to attend next year. And recommend you save the date.

So if you have the opportunity to speak at a local gym, a workplace or even on a stage, remember these tips and utilize this opportunity as a chance to connect, build relationships and deliver value.

If you want tickets for next year's Real Coach Summit, or want to see my presentation as well as the other 2023 presenters, you can get the recordings here: :https://www.realcoachessummit2023.com/tickets