This is the seventh lesson of the 'Get Started As A Speaker' email course.

Today, we'll talk about how to contact decision makers even if you’re an introvert who hates selling (like me

---

I’m guessing you’re excited right now in the process.

You’ve got your website and demo video ready. You spent some time Googling the inter-webs and found the perfect event for you!

Woohoo!

I’m not gonna lie…that’s a good feeling.

So now what?

Do you just cold call them and start selling? Umm no. That sounds horrible and haunting.

Our next step is to find the decision maker (usually it’s the main person like an ‘executive director’) and send them an email.

Now before you send them anything, remember this…this is a relationship business and people do business with people they know, like, and trust. Don’t make the mistake of burning a bridge with your first email.

Think of it like asking someone out for a first date. You’re not proposing. You’re not trying to start a family. You’re just building a connection and rapport with the other person.

Therefore your goal should be to make a connection and to build a bridge, NOT to get a booking right now.

I also recommend you keep your email short and sweet. The longer it is, the less likely it is to be read. Also, personalize it. You can tell the difference when you get an email if it was written specifically for you or if it’s a mass thing sent to a bunch of people.

When I email a potential client, I always try to ask a question and generate a dialogue. I might ask questions like...

• When is your next event? (assuming it’s not on their site…otherwise you look dumb
• Who are some speakers you’ve worked with before?
• Have you started planning your next conference yet?

I try to ask very simple questions with the goal being to just get them to reply. Remember, baby steps. I’m trying to build a relationship and rapport with this person.

Remember, you have one shot to make a first impression, so you don’t want to ruin it by sending a long, spammy, sales-y email.

The reality is a large majority of your emails will be ignored. Don’t get discouraged though. This is a bit of a numbers game. The more potential clients you contact, the more likely you’ll get booked.

Put yourself in the client’s position. How would you like to be presented with information that could really help without feeling pushed or pressured?

So let’s say you email them and they reply back and are even a little interested in booking you. Let’s say they even ask how much your fee is (HOLY CRAP!)...

Now what?

I’ll tell you in the next email (I hate when he does that :)...

Today's assignment is…….

Lesson 7 Worksheet: What will you say to that decision maker?

Copyright © 2015 BookedAndPaidToSpeak.com