Events Archives

4 Marketing Tips You Can Steal From Minor League Baseball

Customer Experience, Events, Marketing / Brittany Hodak

Want to make a major splash with your marketing campaign? Think more minor. I’ve always been a proponent of studying the marketing, promotion, and branding of businesses beyond your own immediate sphere of influence for a few reasons. First, whether you know it or not, your customers are comparing you to way more than just your closest competitors. That money they’re giving you could be spent in many other ways, some of which are, at best, tangentially connected to what you do. Second, it’s a great way to borrow creative ideas or concepts you might not have thought of otherwise. One of the best places to see low-budget, high-impact ideas come to life is in and around Minor League Baseball. I’ve talked about minor league baseball before because it’s something that nearly everyone in any field of business can learn from… and something that almost everyone is within driving distance to experience live. I might get some heat for this statement, but minor-league baseball teams almost always out-market their major-league counterparts. MLB teams benefit from their name. Tourists or out-of-town fans flock to ballparks to mark it off a bucket list or celebrate major occasions with friends and loved ones. And while some families buy season tickets or attend weekly games, at an average per-game cost of $266 for a family of four, MLB teams often model their marketing around hundreds of thousands of different fans coming fewer times per season than the same fans coming to lots of games. Minor league teams think differently. Sure, they have smaller stadiums to fill, but they also have much smaller budgets. So they get creative. They mix things up. They make customers think, “What a fun night! Let’s come back next week.” They know that it’s easier to get the same customer to come back again than it is to attract a brand new customer… and that if a current customer invites their friends to a game, that’s going to convert at a much higher rate than an ad on social media. Sound familiar? 🙂 Here are four areas where minor league marketing teams consistently knock it out of the park. Steal these strategies and tell me which ones turn into home runs for your business. ⚾ Think about what you’re really selling Minor league baseball parks know they’re not competing with major league teams for dollars… and not just because they aren’t in the same markets. Yes, it’s about baseball — but more than that, it’s about fun. It’s about finding an affordable outing for the entire family, or a cute date night activity. Stadiums these days have elaborate playgrounds, beer gardens, and even splash pads to draw in attendees. Whether or not baseball is your favorite sport, you will be entertained and have a blast at the ballpark. Don’t worry, I’m not advising you to turn your business into a playground. Think about what you’re really selling. Who are you competing with, both in terms of money and attention? Align your marketing campaigns around that underlying promise and make it easier for customers to say “yes.” Don’t be afraid to embrace your quirks When Huntsville, AL, was launching its first minor league team, they could have simply called themselves the Huntsville Raccoons <yawn>. Instead, after enlisting ideas from the community, they dubbed the team the Rocket City Trash Pandas. They introduced what has been widely hailed as one of the best logos in sports: Sprocket, an adorable raccoon (AKA Trash Panda) in a trash can rocketship. Not only does the logo pay homage to the community (Huntsville is home to several aerospace and enginering companies, plus the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, one of the best museums in America!), it also helped the team sell a lot of merch. Like, a LOT. How much? More than $4 million before the team had ever played their first game… and it keeps flying off the shelves! While not every team can compete with something like Trash Pandas, most have fun alternate identities they’ll play a few games as each year. Our Nashville Sounds sometimes become the Nashville Hot Chickens. It’s a a fun nod to their mascot Booster the Rooster and one of the city’s famous dishes. Hickory, NC’s Crawdads become the “Hickory Dickory Docks.” Maybe you can’t change your entire brand name. What can you do — either with a tagline or alternate logo or even just fun marketing copy — to set yourself apart from the crowd? Elevate your campaigns by leaning further into your uniqueness, and I bet you’ll see your ROI soar. Give everyone a turn in the spotlight When you’re at the ballpark, there will be plenty of chances to find your 15 minutes of fame. From audience shots (kiss cams! dance cams! muscle cams! filter cams!) and special fan messages on the jumbotron to roaming trivia contests and T-shirt tosses, anyone can feel like a star at a minor league baseball game. There are clubs for kids and clubs for grandmas! If you go to one game, you’ll walk away with countless free ways to recognize and honor your loyal customers. Case in point: Here’s a cute clip of my six-year-old being interviewed for a local TV news station when we went to a game on Mother’s Day. Are you giving your customers a chance to shine like the stars they are? From user-generated content to store signage, challenge yourself to find one new way to incorporate them into your brand storytelling. Create affinity groups One of the easiest and cheapest ways to bring your customers together is to create interest-based affinity groups. Minor league baseball teams really knock this out of the park. For instance, our Nashville Sounds have a Girl Scouts night, Harry Potter night, and First Responders night coming up. If a minor league baseball team doesn’t have a hobby group or affinity group for you, peep their schedule and you’re sure to find special nights that appeal to you. Star Wars

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Your Customer Experience Game Plan: Olympics Edition

Customer Experience, Events / Brittany Hodak

We’re only three days away from the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. I always enjoy watching the opening ceremony because it’s fascinating to see what each country chooses to put forward to represent itself. It’s a fun study in branding. What would you choose to represent your brand and share its story on a global scale? For example, Team Brazil plans to wear denim jackets adorned with the country’s native animals, while team USA is leaning into the “All-American” look by pairing Ralph Lauren jackets with casual jeans. Team Mongolia is already being praised as a winner for its traditional deels with beautifully embroidered details and pointed hats. It’s not just the branding that captivates my attention, though. The Olympics offers profound insights into what it takes to achieve greatness. What daily habits and mindset shifts separate the elite from the ordinary? I firmly believe that we can (and should!) find inspiration for our businesses from any industry. If a brand or entrepreneur is dominant at what they do, they’re probably doing a lot of things right… including things worth studying and emulating. So, let’s explore how the principles that drive Olympians to the pinnacle of success can inspire and elevate our approach to delivering exceptional customer experience (CX). Check out my five golden takeaways that will help you achieve medal-worthy CX.🏅 CX is the ultimate individual and team sport. One of my favorite Olympic sports is gymnastics because it’s both an individual and team sport. Each gymnast has to train and perform at an elite level, but it takes collective dominance to attain the coveted team gold medal. Similarly, CX is both an individual and company-wide pursuit. Every employee is in the experience department. In my Six Weeks to Superfans Masterclass, I introduce the ACE rule, which states: YOU, at any given time, are the Acting Chief of Experience (ACE) for your entire company. When you ACE the interaction (or routine 😉), customers will remember the experience. However, customer centricity isn’t something that can just be left to a few all-stars—it’s got to be instilled, enabled, and executed at each level of the organization. When the entire company rallies around the ACE rule, you will create world-class CX. Go all in on what you do best. Olympians are quite literally the best in the world at what they do. Usually, they aren’t just known for their sport, but a specific element of their sport that they particularly excel at. In my storytelling workshops, I ask entrepreneurs to identify what they’re the best at and why that matters to their prospects. The truth is, if you aren’t clear on this answer, your customers won’t be either. Any good marketer will tell you that when you try to attract everyone, you engage no one. And yet that’s what so many brands and businesspeople do: craft forgettable messages for mass consumption by large, general audiences. Go all in on what you do best. Don’t be a generalist who’s okay at a lot of things. Be the Olympian at your one thing, and you’ll attract the ideal customers for your business (and the right players for your team!). Customer experience is a daily discipline. Olympic athletes dedicate their lives to their sport – usually without much money or notoriety. While many fans may learn of the Olympians’ names and backstories during the competitions or at the medal ceremonies, these athletes have been training and competing for their ticket to Paris for years. Similarly, world-class customer experience is not just the flashy gestures that happen on stage in front of the customer. Creating superfans is something you’ve got to make a daily practice if you want to see results. As Christopher McCormick said, “A lot of people have fancy things to say about customer service, but it’s just a day-in, day-out, ongoing, never-ending, persevering, compassionate kind of activity.” Repetition is critical for amazing customer experience. The more systems and processes you create to ensure predictably positive outcomes for your customers, the better your reputation will be. Don’t leave the opportunity to “wow” a customer to chance; figure out how to make “wow” the standard, and then make it as easy as possible to replicate and iterate. Traditions can boost loyalty. Part of why the Olympics is so special is because it’s a tradition that dates back 3,000 years! Many historians believe the first games were held in 776 BC in Ancient Greece. Interestingly, they occurred every four years because time was counted in “Olympiads” (the term for a four-year interval) rather than years. In 1896, the “modern era” of the Olympics started. One company that is built around tradition is Rhea Lana’s. Rhea Lana’s is a semi-annual children’s consignment event. They sell used children’s clothing, but it’s not your average store like a Once Upon A Child. Franchise owners create highly anticipated events for their communities that act as much like biannual reunions as they do shopping trips. They work tirelessly throughout the year to engage with consignors, collect inventory, and set up shop in a rented warehouse space. Shoppers and consignors count down the days until they reconnect with each other and buy new pieces of clothing for the upcoming season. You may not be able to model your entire business around tradition, but I challenge you to think of one tactic you can implement to drum up excitement, gather your community, and stay top-of-mind with your customers. For example: Such traditions and shared memories help your customers feel included in your success and can boost retention and loyalty. Team morale helps you win. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the Olympics is the power of team morale. Watching an entire nation come together to cheer for its athletes and celebrate their achievements showcases the strength of unity and shared purpose. The Olympics unites the world, celebrating diversity while highlighting our shared humanity. In business, fostering a sense of belonging and enthusiasm among employees can lead to remarkable outcomes. Are your

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Keynote Speaker: Definition and How to Find the Perfect Fit

Customer Experience, Customer Service, Events, Marketing, Sales / Brittany Hodak

What is the role of a keynote speaker? A keynote speaker delivers the primary speech at an event and is typically the main act of a conference. They’re like an orchestra conductor, setting the event’s underlying tone and core message with the finesse of a maestro. Their speech isn’t just a monologue; it’s a carefully orchestrated symphony designed to inspire, motivate, or provide a central theme for the event. Fun Fact: Did you know that the term “keynote” originates from the practice of having a musical note played on a keyboard instrument, like a piano, to set the pitch for the rest of the musical performance? Similarly, a keynote speaker sets the pitch for the event, ensuring the audience is tuned in and ready for the following grand performance. Key Takeaways What makes a good keynote speaker? A stellar keynote speaker isn’t just the opening act; they’re the ignition switch for your event’s energy! Their purpose? To establish the central theme of a conference, convention, or any gathering and set it ablaze with interest and enthusiasm. It’s like they’re the storyteller who lights the fire of curiosity in everyone’s minds, compelling them to embrace the event’s message. But here’s the real magic: a great keynote speaker doesn’t just talk; they take the reins and steer the event in the right direction. They’re the ringleaders, rallying the crowd and guiding the entire show with finesse. They’re not just experts; they’re the Gandalfs of their fields, here to provide wisdom, a fresh perspective, and the kind of motivation that makes you want to move mountains. As influential figures, they can shine a spotlight on vital issues or lead you down a path of innovation, sparking inspiration. See Also: Hiring a Marketing Speaker: Watch for These 7 Things In a world of events, skilled keynote speakers are like the headliners at a music festival. They raise the bar, making the event an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Their speeches? They’re not just words but the building blocks of intellectual growth, continued learning, and individual development. Fun Fact: Did you know that the tradition of keynote speakers can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who would have philosophers kick off their symposiums with thought-provoking speeches? It’s a tradition that’s been lighting up intellectual fires for centuries. How to find the best keynote speaker for your event Finding the best keynote speaker can be a challenging process. With so many unique events, I made a step-by-step approach to help you find the best speaker for yours. However, if you are looking for a great customer service speaker, I made a guide, “5 Ways to Find a Customer Service Speaker,” just for you! Here is my approach below: Step 1: Define Your Event’s Goals and Theme Before you start searching for a keynote speaker, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your event’s goals, theme, and the message you want to convey. What key takeaways do you want your audience to gain from the event? Having a well-defined purpose will guide your speaker selection process. Step 2: Research Potential Speakers for Your Event After you define your event’s goals, you should conduct thorough research to identify potential keynote speakers. Be sure to find speakers who align with your event’s objectives. You can start by: Checking out my list of the top female motivational speakers. Step 3: Evaluation of Speaker Credentials Once you’ve gathered a list of potential speakers, evaluate their credentials and expertise. Look for the following: See also: How to Hire a Motivational Sales Speaker Step 4: Consider Audience Relevance In addition to vetting a speaker’s credentials, you need to ensure that they will relate to your attendees. Choosing a speaker who can connect with your specific audience is crucial. Consider the demographics, interests, and needs of your attendees. A speaker who can relate to your audience and deliver a message that resonates with them is likelier to have a lasting impact. Step 5: Request Proposal and Engage in Direct Communication Finally, reach out to the selected speakers to request proposals or quotes. In these communications, make sure to: Don’t hesitate to schedule a direct conversation with potential speakers. This will help you assess their communication skills, enthusiasm for your event, and whether they can tailor their presentation to your needs. Fun Fact: The TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) Conference, one of the most renowned speaking platforms globally, has a unique tradition: every speaker, regardless of their fame or expertise, has a strict maximum time limit of 18 minutes for their talk. Why only 18 minutes? It’s long enough to be substantial and short enough to hold the audience’s attention. It’s become a hallmark of TED talks and has led to some of the world’s most memorable and impactful presentations. How to know if a keynote speaker is the right fit Determining if a keynote speaker is the right fit for your event involves carefully considering various factors. Here are some critical steps and criteria to help you make this assessment: See also: Six Things to Look for in a Finance Speaker. Why is it important to find the right keynote speaker? A keynote speaker sets the underlying tone and summarizes the event’s core message or most important revelation. They are often well-known personalities or experts in the field, thus attracting attendees and generating interest for the event. Their speech isn’t just a standalone talk but the ‘key note’ of the larger conversation, stimulating thought, prompting dialogue, and steering the direction of multiple sessions or panels. Therefore, their insights and observations are significant and can shape the event’s overall success and impact. Examples of keynote speakers Examples: Fun Fact: In 2005, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., delivered a now-legendary commencement speech at Stanford University. During this speech, he shared three stories from his life, including a segment where he talked his termination from Apple, the company he co-founded. He ended this part of his speech by saying, “I didn’t see it

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How To Know It’s Time To Hire A Motivational Sales Speaker

Events, Sales / Brittany Hodak

A motivational sales speaker turns any event or topic into a call to action. If you’re looking to break your team out of a rut and create greater engagement, it might be time to hire a motivational sales speaker. With only 15% of employees feeling very engaged in the workplace, it could be worth investing in their success and motivation. With the majority of team members today just trying to get through the day, you need to make sure your team feels empowered and excited. Though things like kickoff meetings, company lunches, and new training can be effective, sometimes you don’t need something flashy to fix a motivation problem. The motivation and engagement of your sales team are what affect your productivity, bottom line, and employee satisfaction. Are you ready to improve the success of your sales department? If so, it’s time to make motivation your top priority. This is easier said than done, and you sometimes need to bring in a pro. A motivational sales speaker knows how to bring your team to the next level, using enthusiasm as a guide towards success. It’s time to say goodbye to being stuck in a rut. Aside from setting goals, reviewing analytics, and listening to feedback, you need to invest in the right sales speakers to suit your brand. If you identify with any of these experiences below, it’s time to hire a motivational sales speaker. You and your team are stuck in a routine. First, if you notice your team is stuck in a routine, it might be time to bring in someone to spark change. Perhaps your brand is outdated, your sales numbers are stagnant, or your day-to-day operations haven’t changed in years. These things could lead to a negative impact on your revenue. When this happens, your team needs a “jolt” to shake things up. It might seem harmless if your team is stuck in the same old routine, this could be more dangerous to your success than you think. With 75% of workers having experienced burnout, you could risk the well-being of your employees. Inviting a motivational sales speaker is an opportunity to shake things up. When your team is excited to improve, everyone benefits. Do you know if your team is stuck in a routine? Have you noticed any of these signs? On their own, these problems might seem small. However, over time, they add up to big issues in terms of employee satisfaction and even revenue. Productive teams need new ideas, and this can be a challenge without bringing in a professional. The right motivational sales speaker has the expertise to break this routine once and for all. You and your team aren’t excited to engage potential customers. Second, if you and your team aren’t excited to engage potential customers, this is a sign that something bigger might be wrong. This is true for both new teams and existing teams that are stuck in their routine. Everyone should be excited to share the brand’s products, services, and ideas with customers. Your team members are your biggest advocates. They’re partners in your success. This makes them some of your biggest superfans. If your team isn’t excited to share your brand with your audience, they need help. Engaging employees in your brand won’t happen overnight. In many cases, you need outside help from a professional. This is where a motivational sales speaker comes in. The right pro can help you: You’re navigating a merger, acquisition, or extreme growth. Third, if you’re navigating a company merger, acquisition, or growth, it’s important to be proactive. Getting teams working together isn’t always easy, especially if you’re blending companies. A speaker is a great way to bring everyone together behind the same goals and excitement. Change is always tricky, especially in professional settings. Having a speaker to guide you through the new normal is a great way to rally everyone under the same cause. It’s important to remember that sales teams are made of real people. Every person is bringing their own context, communication style, and experience to the table. It’s normal to have some imperfect moments along the way. When you push beyond these, that’s when you find real team success. Professional motivational sales speakers understand how to navigate these changes in the workforce with ease. They can adapt to your team’s needs to create an open, welcoming space for everyone to come together. While many leaders think they can do this alone, it’s not always so straightforward. After all, ego can kill collaboration. You’re not sure what sales-related things you could improve. Similarly, if you’re not sure what sales-related things you could improve, When you’re close to a problem, it’s not always easy to know how to fix it. You need a big-picture, fresh perspective. A speaker can address industry changes or trends in a way that’s easy to understand. Without sounding accusatory, they introduce new ideas and concepts with the clear vision of an outsider. On the other hand, if a boss brings up new ideas, team members can sometimes feel like they’re being criticized. This makes prior work feel less important, and it can be harmful to employee morale. Bringing in someone external gets rid of the risk that some might feel their past work needs improvement. What are some sales-related things a motivational sales speaker can talk about? In other words, if you don’t know how to improve, talk to the experts. There’s nothing wrong with seeking feedback from an outside source, especially when they’re in a position of expertise. You have ideas to share but aren’t confident on stage. Next, if you know what you need to change, you might not be prepared to bring these ideas to your entire team. Not everyone is a strong public speaker, and this is completely okay. Motivational sales speakers balance their experience, education, and real-world know-how with speaking skills. Simply having sales skills isn’t enough to empower others. This is a great opportunity to work closely with

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6 Things To Look For When Hiring A Finance Speaker

Customer Experience, Events / Brittany Hodak

When hiring a speaker, you’re looking for someone who weaves together information and storytelling in a way that’s actionable. Though many mistakenly think finance speakers have to be bland or boring, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, when hiring a finance speaker, you want to find someone who wows your audience members. Not every finance speaker is the right fit for every event. It’s important to understand your audience, your event needs, and your expectations. While it might make sense to splurge on high-profile speakers, it’s all about the real value you share with your audience. This means tapping into your speaker’s unique perspective, and letting your audience’s needs be your true guide. Thanks to the rise of the internet, it’s easy for anyone to call themselves a so-called expert in their field. With more “gurus” online than ever before, you want to cut through the noise to find people who really resonate with your brand. This is especially true in finance where trends change quickly. You need to know what to look for so you can cut through the noise when it matters the most. Are you hiring a finance speaker? If so, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll identify six things to look for when hiring a finance speaker. If you want to create an event your audience will rave about, you need to have the right strategy for hiring speakers. Past Speaking Experience In Finance-Related Industries First, you want your finance speakers to have past speaking experience. This should be in finance industries and also finance-related industries, like tech, mortgages, or anything else aligned with your brand. It’s not enough to take the speaker’s word for it. Anyone can paint themselves as a trusted thought leader online. In reality, actions speak louder than words. Have they done any past speaking events that resonate with your audience? More importantly, can you ask for references? Reaching out to these references yourself is the best way to get unfiltered thoughts and recommendations. Ask for references, then reach out to them yourself to get past clients’ unfiltered thoughts and recommendations. This is known as word-of-mouth marketing, and it’s highly efficient. A reported 92% of consumers believe suggestions from friends and family over advertisements. While a social media post, well-designed website, or ad is a great first step, this shouldn’t be your only step. You want to confirm that your prospective finance speaker doesn’t just talk the talk. They walk the walk. Real-life examples of past speaking experiences: You can see how big-name events and brands utilize past speaking experiences when promoting their upcoming speakers. An example of this is South by Southwest (SXSW). This Austin-based conference is a hub for startups from around the world, and they pride themselves in seeking the most up-and-coming speakers for their panels and keynotes. By highlighting the past experience of these speakers, they generate excitement for their upcoming session. Social Proof From Other Financial Organizations Next, it’s also important to make sure your speakers have valuable social proof. What is social proof? This is the psychological and social phenomenon where people copy the behavior of others. In other words, it’s a form of social influence. As a marketing tool, it’s unbelievably powerful. There are six main types of social proof: Generally, the more visible someone is online or in-person, the better. While you don’t necessarily need to hire the biggest name you can find, social proof does matter. When your event is backed by those who leverage social proof, this spreads to your organization or brand as well. Your finance speakers help promote the event, follow up with audience members, and build excitement. In other words, you can think of your finance speakers as partners in your success. They should be your biggest superfans, helping you create an event that wows your audience. Not only do they know how to build their own audiences, but they use that audience to build long-term trust. Credibility In Finance-Related Industries Another important thing to look for when hiring a finance speaker is credibility. This is especially true in finance-related industries. You can look for certifications or professional experience, as well as speaking experience. It’s sometimes hard to find someone who balances both speaking and finance skills. These are two separate things, but you need both to become a successful financial speaker. The world of finance is a large place. There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Consider your event goals, as well as the perspective of your audience. What do they want to know? What type of finance speaker would they benefit from? Some of the most common sectors in finance include: Ideally, this finance speaker will have experience working within the finance space. Whether they got their start in commercial banking or at an insurance company, they should know their stuff. Alternatively, they know how to apply outside knowledge within a finance space. From financial marketing to technology, there are a lot of overlapping services and expertise areas. A great first step is to understand exactly what your audience is looking for. Not sure what they want? Ask them yourself! From social media polls to anonymous surveys, don’t make assumptions about the type of finance speaker your audience is looking for. It might be as simple as asking them yourself. When you find someone with credibility that aligns with their needs, you’ve found the right fit. Evidence Of Their Own Financial Knowledge Similarly, your finance speaker should practice what they preach. This should go without saying, but you don’t want to hire a finance speaker who is barely scraping by themselves. For example, if their business is about to file bankruptcy, this perhaps isn’t the right fit. The dreaded fake entrepreneur can paint a convincing image of themselves, hiding the shambles of their real situation beneath the surface. While you aren’t likely to get a complete glimpse into a company or speaker’s financial status, you can learn from clues. If

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Hiring A Marketing Speaker? Watch For These 7 Things

Events, Marketing / Brittany Hodak

When looking for a marketing speaker for your event, company, or conference, it’s important to know what to look for. We’re in the digital age of marketing gurus, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. When it seems like everyone with a LinkedIn account is promoting themselves as a marketing guru, how do you hire a marketing speaker with confidence? A marketing speaker can transform your audience, providing more than just actionable advice. Through inspirational, energizing language, marketing speakers inspire their audience to reach new heights. This takes an equal amount of education, energy, and experience. Beyond understanding your audience, they also need to have real-world education and experience. The ideal marketing speaker is likable, trustworthy, and has a proven track record. With so many things to consider, where do you begin? The world of marketing is expanding rapidly. With the employment of advertising and marketing managers predicted to grow upwards of 10% by 2030, now is the time to invest in top leaders. Whether you’re planning an event, conference, or retreat, don’t waste time looking at the right things. It’s one thing to be a great marketer. It’s another thing entirely to be a great marketing speaker. If you’re ready to start the search for a marketing speaker, you’re in the right place. With over a decade of speaking experience, I understand the 7 things you should look for in any marketing speaker. While it’s tempting to go with the speaker who has the biggest social media following, it’s important to look at the big-picture. Knowledge Of Marketing Trends First, the right marketing speaker has a strong knowledge of marketing trends. It’s not enough nowadays to understand fundamentals. This is a fast-moving industry. What was true a year ago is no longer true today. That means the best marketing speakers are well-versed in up-and-coming trends like multi-channel marketing, personalization, and omnichannel marketing. Depending on your specific audience or event focus, you might want them to have experience with additional trends as well. Many marketers bring external education, research, and skills to the table along with their marketing know-how. For example, a software engineer turned marketer brings a unique perspective on tech trends to their marketing know-how. With that in mind, what marketing trends are likely to be the most relevant in the upcoming months and years? Though nothing is ever guaranteed, we can count on the following to be a big part of the marketing landscape: Content Creation/Contribution Next, make sure your marketing speaker practices what they preach. It’s easy to present about marketing, but real-world experience speaks for itself. In other words, they should be following their own advice about marketing. This usually means checking that this person knows what it means to create a strong marketing campaign, and they use this knowledge to build their own audience. This can take many forms. Today, it’s common for marketing speakers to have an active social media presence. In fact, 32% of consumers are more likely to check out a brand’s social media presence before checking out their website. In addition, many marketing speakers create their own websites, creating resources and high-value content for their followers. Through this, they prove they don’t just talk the talk. Similarly, marketing speakers also know the power of building upon their own audiences. Though they’re active on their own platforms, they also contribute to other sources. This includes podcasts, videos, popular blogs, and even news outlets. It’s important for marketers to demonstrate their expertise through content and contribution. To see this in action, look at marketing expert Amy Porterfield. Though she primarily sells online courses about marketing, she also practices what she preaches. By giving away free content, courses, and podcast episodes, she builds real trust with her audience. This is the type of marketing that converts long-term. Amy Porterfield isn’t just an online course teacher, she’s also a pro at building her audience of dedicated superfans. Action-Oriented Presentations Additionally, steer clear of those who fill their advice with cliches or fluff. The internet is full of so-called “gurus” who claim they have the next big marketing insight. While this might be true in rare cases, you need a marketing speaker who understands real results. There’s no such thing as an overnight success, and there are no shortcuts. The right marketing presentations are action-oriented and concrete. If you can’t understand real, actionable steps from the marketer’s advice, this isn’t a real expert. It’s easy to use inspirational language and trendy words, but these fall away if there’s nothing concrete behind it. How can you spot fluff and filler in marketers? Though there are some exceptions, avoid these common culprit words and phrases below: Referrals/Reviews From Past Clients Moreover, don’t underestimate the power of referrals. No matter what someone claims online, you shouldn’t always take their word for it. Referrals and reviews from past clients are worth their weight in gold. In fact, word of mouth is the most influential psychological driver for purchases. It affects 54% of purchase decisions. When making a big decision, like hiring a marketing speaker, you want to trust they’ll do a good job. By looking for referrals and reviews from past clients, it’s easier to build trust in working with them. This doesn’t have to be from big-name past clients, though that certainly doesn’t hurt. While you might have heard the phrase ‘talk is cheap,’ this isn’t the case when it comes to referral marketing. Before hiring any type of speaker, it’s a good idea to check referrals and reviews. Better yet, ask around at similar events in your industry to see who’s recommended. Consider any speakers you’ve had the pleasure of hearing in the past, whether in-person or online. Does anyone stand out with their experience or energy? This acts as a referral in its own right, and it’s how many event managers find their speakers. Social Proof Similar to referrals is social proof. This is a type of marketing that plays into human psychology, and it’s a

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20 Female Motivational Speakers To Follow This Year

Events / Brittany Hodak

While a picture is worth a thousand words, words have their own undeniable power. When you listen to a motivational speaker, for example, you’re watching words transform into art. While everyone has something worthwhile to say, few know how to wrap others in their emotional, actionable language. The top female motivational speakers demonstrate this again and again. Inspiration matters not just for daily life, but also businesses. In fact, engaged employees perform 20% better and are 87% less likely to leave their companies. When employees feel motivated and connected, they’re more passionate about the work they do. This translates into all areas of life. Whether you’re a brand looking to boost your revenue or you’re simply looking to boost your know-how as a professional, look to the speakers who do this best. Let’s face it—we can all use a bit of inspiration. We’ll highlight 20 female motivational speakers to follow this year. These speakers have proven experience affecting lives, making an impact, and delivering more than just “words.” Amy Purdy First, if you’re looking for a story about making the most of life’s challenges, look no further than Amy Purdy. After being diagnosed with Meningococcal Meningitis at age 19, she lost both of her legs below the knees. This experience sparked her into action. She turned to her creativity, passion for nature, and athleticism to become one of the top-ranked adaptive snowboarders in the world. “If your life were a book and you were the author, how would you want your story to go? That’s the question that changed my life forever.” Arianna Huffington Next, Arianna Huffington is no stranger to the world of business. As the co-founder of the Huffington Post and the current CEO of Thrive Global, she understands the power of hard work and dedication. Though she spent many years climbing the corporate ladder, she advocates for the balance of health, life, and career. “Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.” Brené Brown If you’ve ever needed someone fighting in your corner, turn to Brené Brown. Everyone has a story to tell, but it’s up to you to own your story and your courage. Though she began her career as a research professor at the University of Houston, she turned her focus to writing. Now, Brené Brown is a New York Times bestselling author of well-known books like Dare to Lead and The Gift of Imperfection. “We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.” Brittany Hodak According to Brittany Hodak, the world is full of superfans. Brittany Hodak is a co-founder of The Superfan Company, a fan engagement brand that collaborated with brands like Walmart, Disney, Katy Perry, and more. In 2015, she was offered deals by the Sharks on ABC’s hit Shark Tank at a valuation of over $4 million. In 2019, she left her company to follow her new passion: speaking and inspiring others. Today, she consults with companies of all shapes and sizes as part of the Experience.com expert team while continuing to speak. “At the beginning of 2019, I asked myself, ‘What are my personal and professional goals for this year and for the next decade?’ Now, if an opportunity isn’t aligned with those goals, I say ‘no.’ While it meant walking away from some projects and clients I truly enjoyed, it freed up my time and energy to pursue the things that matter most.” Dr. Bernice King Next, Dr. Bernice King is the youngest child of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and she’s earned a reputation as a global thought leader. Dr. King acts as the current CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. She continues to advocate for social change, communication, and innovation through her mentorship, Leadership Academy and Community Talks. Dr. King speaks regularly, however, can be found completely for free on her Community Talks page. “You will encounter misguided people from time to time. That’s part of life. The challenge is to educate them when you can, but always to keep your dignity and self-respect and persevere in your personal growth and development.” Elizabeth Gilbert You’re likely already familiar with Elizabeth Gilbert’s award-winning book Eat, Pray, Love, but this is only the beginning of her wide field of work. Though she got her start as a journalist, her most memorable work is in the form of memoirs about her own experiences. Beyond Eat, Pray, Love, she’s also known for Big Magic, a book that celebrates creativity in everyday life. “You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind.” Elizabeth Smart When it comes to perseverance, few know what it means to overcome challenges more than Elizabeth Smart. In 2002, days before her middle school graduation, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her home in Utah and held captive for months. Though her story is the stuff of nightmares, it only fueled Smart’s passion. Today, she is a strong advocate for victims of sexual assault. Aside from her work as a public speaker, Smart also shares stories of empowerment through her podcast, Smart Talks. “Feeling sorry for yourself that’s only allowing them more control, more power, and to steal more of your life from you. Don’t you dare give them another second of your life.” Iyanla Vanzant Next, Iyanla Vanzant is a well-known American speaker, lawyer, spiritual teacher, and TV personality. Today, she guides people of all backgrounds on a spiritual journey. Called Spiritual Spas, Vazant delivers 60 minutes of real talk on the first Thursday of the month. As someone with personal experience in grief, obstacles, and adversity, she guides others along the same path to

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20 Female Motivational Speakers To Follow This Year

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