Speaking (in person) to groups can be a very powerful marketing strategy. Listed below are many of the benefits and results you can reap when you add speaking to your marketing plan:

1. Expand your visibility and increase your exposure

Get known locally, nationally, internationally - whichever one you're aiming for. Gain visibility amongst prospects, clients, your community, referral partners, peers, joint venture partners and affiliates - anyone really that you come in contact with in business.

2. Be seen as an expert

When you share your expertise and knowledge while speaking, you gain recognition as an expert in your specific field.

3. Give people a taste of what you offer

Speaking in front of people lets them hear first-hand what you do and how you can potentially help them. You can answer people's questions and leave them with a very clear picture of what you have to offer to them.

4. Build business and personal relationships

Speaking is another form of networking, as you can forge relationships before, during and after your talk. The people you meet at your talk can become your partners, referrers, customers, clients and friends. 5. Grow your list of prospects and clients

Let's face it, that's a big part of why a person would add speaking to their marketing repertoire - the chance to get in front of large groups of people - some of whom will become paying customers, then and/or later.

6. Open the door to bigger and more opportunities

As you get known as a speaker, other doors will open to you: you'll be asked to contribute to books, be interviewed by media, invited to speak at someone's event, be offered higher paid speaking gigs

7. Increase your skills

The more talks and presentations you write, prepare for and give, the better your professional skills get. You'll hone many skills that you can use in all facets of your business - not just speaking.

8. Leverage your time

You can better leverage your time by spending a few hours and connecting with a large number of people at once.

9. Build connection

A great presentation will move, inspire, motivate people and help them get to know, like and trust you. A face-to-face talk with a room full of people can establish instant rapport and help them feel they've built some kind of connection with you.