When I attended the Women in Publishing Summit in March, a big theme I noticed during our networking sessions was that authors are concerned about how much it costs to produce a book. It didn’t matter whether we were talking about children’s books, self-help, memoir, fantasy, or leadership development—the conversations always came back to money and marketing woes. And it’s understandable. We know publishing a book is an investment because it takes both time and money. But is there a way to generate additional income from your book aside from just selling more copies?

Yes! You have options when it comes to using your book for multiple income streams, so this is the start of a series. Today, let’s talk about why authors benefit from public speaking, how to turn your book into talks, and where to find speaking engagements.

Why Should Authors Consider Speaking Publicly?

No one understands your ideas or knows your content better than you. You are an expert in your field. You’ve got a manuscript or published book showcasing your experience and knowledge. Why limit your expertise to words on a page?

Expand Your Reach

Speaking engagements help humanize your writing and makes it easier for your audience to connect with you. And when you connect with your audience, they’re more engaged. They’re more likely to recommend or share your content with their families, friends, or clients. That means your reach and visibility expand—and your book sales grow alongside your platform. People can’t buy your book, schedule a consultation, or recommend your products if they haven’t heard of you. When you are more visible, you make it easier for potential readers and clients to say yes to you.

Set Yourself Apart

Standing out from the crowd is hard, even if you have great online ads or a strong social media presence. Speaking gigs help you differentiate yourself from other authors in your space. And the personal connections you form with your audience during your speech help you find your ideal clients.

Test Your Material

Public speaking also gives you an opportunity to see which parts of your book resonate most with your audience. You can use that feedback to tailor your speech, but it will also help you refine your marketing strategy for your book. Tweak your sales page, book description, and ads based on audience responses to help you reach your target readers.

Increase Your Revenue

Speaking is one of the fastest ways to generate revenue. You have the research and content for your book. Restructuring that content opens up another income stream for you based on work you’ve already done. Repurposing your ideas is a smart, efficient, and effective way to maximize income related to a topic you’re an expert on.

How Can I Convert My Book into a Talk?

So how can you repurpose your content? Coming up with a speech can be intimidating, but ask yourself one question:

What’s the most digestible part of my message that I want readers to absorb?

That point is the basis of your talk. From there, look at the chapter structure of your manuscript. Which ones relate most strongly to that point? Find five things your readers need to know to understand or implement your big point.

Those five things will be your key lessons. Think of them as mini talks. When you combine them, they build up to your big point. Each of your key lessons should be succinct and vibrant. Use this three-part formula for your lessons:

1. Set up your lesson and show why it’s important.
2. Establish the scene and share a personal story.
3. Give your audience a headline to remember, a one-sentence takeaway.

And when it’s time to wrap up your talk, offer a way for people to connect with you. Have a short social media handle or website address that’s easy to remember, and share it with the audience as a way to keep the conversation going. If you’re going to hang out in the lobby or the back of the auditorium after your speech, mention that. Show your listeners that you’re available and approachable.

Where Can I Find Speaking Gigs?

Ok, your speech is ready. Where are you going to present it? Start by thinking about your personal and local connections. You have more than you may think.

If accessibility or travel is an issue for you, you can give your talk from home. Many of the groups listed above host virtual events. Podcasts are huge, and hosts are always looking for guests. Virtual networking events and communities also need guest speakers. If you’re not comfortable presenting live, pre-recording is also an option.

As your speaking skills and reach grow, more opportunities will open up for you:

There are options and opportunities for every author to get into speaking. It’s ok to start small. And if you aren’t yet comfortable delivering a talk, organizations like Toastmasters can help you develop your speaking skills. Mic Drop Workshop also offers free training and paid workshops for women looking to start or scale their speaking engagements. As you refine your technique and message, your confidence will grow and help you land more or larger stages.

Takeaways

When you’re an author, your book can be an excellent source of income—but it doesn’t need to be your only revenue stream. Adding speaking gigs to your offerings creates multiple benefits for you. Your talks help you create a stronger connection with your audience and keep them engaged. You’ll expand your reach and increase your visibility for potential readers and clients. Plus, speaking provides an additional income stream based on work you’ve already done. All you need to do is convert the material and expertise you have into a new format. In person, virtual, pre-recorded, or live, there’s an option for every author and speaker, from novice to expert.

Next month, we’ll discuss getting paid for your speaking engagements. Just as you can tailor the material for your talk, you can modify your payment options to maximize your talk’s impact on your business. When you’re working on materials for your presentations, contact me! I’d love to help refine your transcript, handouts, slide shows, contact cards, or course books. Together, we can make your writing—and speech—bulletproof.