Welcome to SpeakerDrive! You're here because you're ready to build a thriving speaking, coaching, or training business, and while referrals are fantastic, relying solely on them can feel unpredictable. SpeakerDrive is designed to help you take control, providing the tools you need to find opportunities and connect with decision-makers.
But before we dive into how to use the platform, let's talk about the why. Success in outreach, especially cold outreach, often comes down to an important mindset shift.
The SpeakerDrive Philosophy: It Starts with a Conversation
We've seen many talented professionals spend hours crafting long emails, packed with every credential and topic, hoping that more information equals more bookings. But here's the truth: the biggest mistake isn't bad writing or timing; it's trying to close the sale before you've even started a conversation. Think of it like walking into a networking event and launching straight into a five-minute pitch – it rarely works.
The real purpose of your first cold email isn't to get booked or even to secure a meeting. It's simply to start a conversation.
A short, relevant message that gets a response is far more valuable than a long one that gets ignored. At SpeakerDrive, our AI-powered approach embraces this. We help you craft messages that are:
• Brief but Relevant: We focus on conciseness while adding specific details about the prospect or event.
• Value-Oriented: We help you naturally incorporate your unique value.
• Personal & Conversational: Every message should feel like a personal conversation starter.
This approach shows you've done your homework and respect their time, laying the groundwork for a real dialogue. Your impressive credentials matter most after you've sparked their interest. If your initial message connects, they'll naturally explore your profile or website.
Finding Your First Opportunity: The Practical Steps
Now, let's put this philosophy into practice by finding your first lead.
Check Your Profile: The Engine for Your Outreach
Before you even look for your first lead, it's important to ensure your SpeakerDrive profile is set up correctly. Think of your profile as the core source of truth for our AI.
When you first join, we create a detailed profile for you, but it's essential you review and personalize it. Why? Because this profile powers every personalized outreach message. The AI pulls details directly from your 'Bio' and 'Experience' sections to craft relevant messages.
Make sure it accurately reflects your expertise, past clients, and unique value. You can update it anytime.
Remember, your Profile provides the 'what' – your experience. For the 'how' – the tone and style of your messages – you'll use Voice Profiles, which you can set up separately.
Start Your Search:
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Head to the "Find Leads" page. You'll see "All," "Contacts" (decision-makers), and "Events" (conferences, etc.) at the top.
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Begin with "All" to get a broad view.
Use Filters (Simply):
While there are many powerful filters, let's keep it simple for your first search.
• Set Your Location: On the left, find the location filters. Decide if you want to look worldwide, in a specific country/region, or find virtual events. Setting this can help focus your results.
• Use the Search Bar: Now, use the main search bar at the top. Type in something broad – like your main industry (e.g., "Technology") or core topic ("Leadership"). This will give you a good initial feel for what's available.
Read the Lead List:
Each entry gives you key details: the name, organization, topic/role, and location. Look for the small icons – they show you the available Unlock Types (how you can reach out).
Taking Action: Where Philosophy Meets Platform
Found something interesting? Here's how to act on it:
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Explore the Lead: Click it to see full details, including the "At A Glance" summary and potential value.
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Unlock: Hit the "Unlock Email" or "Unlock URL" button.
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Generate Outreach: Click "Generate Outreach". This is where SpeakerDrive's philosophy comes alive through the Message Composer. The Composer considers the lead's details, your profile, and your selected Voice Profile, then generates message options designed to start conversations. It crafts relevant, concise messages, helping you avoid that "five-minute pitch".
Quick Tips & What's Next:
• Start broad with your search, then use more filters to narrow it down.
• Don't ignore past events; they often indicate future needs.
Learn More → FAQ: I see an event but it's already happened. Is it still useful?
• Try unlocking different lead types to see what works for you.
• Use the "View All Unlocks" button to see every way you can reach an organization.
• Remember that contacts don't need perfect job titles to be valuable.
Learn More → FAQ: What if the contact's job title isn't a perfect match?
• Experiment with generating different messages and search for similar events.
As you get more comfortable, explore advanced search options, learn more about evaluating lead details, and understand the different unlock types available.
The Power of Consistency
Outreach isn't always about immediate results; it's about consistent effort. Aiming for 10-20 consistent outreach emails a day is what truly books gigs, and SpeakerDrive makes this process much easier.
Remember, the goal isn't to land the booking in one email; it's to get that first response and start a conversation that leads to the booking. Now, go start some conversations!