Over the past decade, companies and executives have re-discovered the power of incorporating public speaking into the marketing mix. Some of the advantages include: Creating high-quality content that can be leveraged in many places Cost-effective way to reach a targeted audience with a message Good PR opportunities. Building a personal brand that also can accentuate a product and company brand (think of Richard Branson) Leveraging a position of personal thought leadership to promote a company This growing trend has impacted marketing strategies and transformed the professional speaking industry. One speaker told me that it is more difficult getting high-level paying engagements now because so many companies are willing to offer their executives as speakers for free. This opportunity is not often evaluated in terms of marketing strategy so Tom Webster and I thought it would be an ideal topic for our latest edition of The Marketing Companion podcast. We had a lot of fun on this episode and begin by rolling out a new content marketing "product" that includes "Breaking Bieber." You have to hear it to believe it! But we also roll up our sleeves and get into a discussion full of tips on how you can be more effective in adding public speaking to your marketing mix: Ideas on how to be a more effective and entertaining presenter Structuring your speech for maximum impact Overcoming nerves -- The introvert's guide to public speaking Rule the slides -- Keys to preparation Is your speech intellectual property that needs to be protected or do you want it to go viral? Leveraging speaking-related content in other marketing formats Are you ready to rumble? Of course you are!   Folks mentioned in this podcast: Mitch Joel Tom Martin Tamsen Webster