The Ultimate Guide to Supporting Fellow Speakers (Before, During, and After Their Talk)

Doctors make the worst patients…

But, speakers make the BEST audience members!

That’s because one speaker in an audience can do a world of good for their fellow speaker on the stage.  Not only is this the pathway to forming a valuable relationship, but you can also help your fellow speaker perform better on the day.

Now, this isn’t really a new idea… and certainly not one I can take full credit for.

Grant Baldwin may have been the first person I ever heard discuss this publicly.  Not only is Grant a nice guy and an experienced speaker, but he’s also been very vocal about how speakers-supporting-other-speakers can benefit everyone involved.

You’ve probably also heard Michael Port and me proclaim that “speakers get speakers work!”  

We’re all in this together.  If speakers make it a habit to support one another, it results in valuable relationships, increased gig opportunities, and better speeches all around.

The simple act of sticking around to watch your fellow speakers can quickly turn into a much deeper relationship that will put your biz on the path to sustainability.

But, it all starts with being a truly EXCELLENT audience member.  

Here’s how…

BEFORE THE SPEECH

Start the Mission: Make First Contact 👽

Start your day’s mission by reviewing the agenda for your next event to see who else will be on the stage.

Don’t limit yourself to just the keynote speakers.  Look for breakout speakers or any sessions around topics that interest you.  Once you have a name in mind, try to connect with that speaker beforehand. I usually do this by sending an email to basically say...

“Hey. How’s it going?  I can’t wait to see your session on Saturday at 2pm!”  

Then, I'll ask if there’s anything specific they're working on that I should pay special attention to.  Perhaps there’s a new section in their speech that they're still developing, or a bit that they aren’t sure about.   

At the event, try to connect with them well in advance of their gig… maybe at the speaker dinner the night before.  Avoid showing up 30 minutes before they go on—it's too intrusive.

Become Their Pre-Show Zen Master

When you arrive at their session, make it your goal to be a calming presence.  Give them the space they need for their pre-speaking routine, but also make sure they know you’re available if they need anything.

For instance, if they don’t have a dongle, find one for them.  If they suddenly need more water, go get that water.

It’s better to ask...

“Hey, do you need anything before you go on?”

Rather than assuming they want something.  Don’t offer a list of things they may want, because it might not have been on their radar to begin with.  You don’t want to stress them out by suggesting they need something they don’t usually use.

Simply put, let them FOCUS.

Capture the Magic Before the Mic

Everybody has a camera these days.  So, whip out that phone to capture some candid prep moments.  Don’t be in their face about it.  Just stand back and take some snaps.  

If they’re doing their tech check or they're talking to the organizer, these powerful little moments can be used in follow up with the event organizer. They can say...

“My friend took a bunch of great pictures of us laughing before the session.  I figured I’d send them to you.”

These photos are also great for social content.  No one has pictures of themselves backstage, and it’s a really great thing to add to your website or social profiles.

Send Silent Signals of Support

You don’t have to be vocally encouraging before they speak beyond an enthusiastic...

“You’re gonna crush it!”  

Other than that little confidence booster, don’t say a lot more.  Just be visibly rooting for them.  In other words, don’t become absorbed in your phone, let yourself be drawn into a conversation elsewhere, or do anything that makes it look like you don’t care.

If they look over, give them a smile and a thumbs up.  Those small little gestures can make a world of difference to overcome pre-speech nerves.

DURING THE SPEECH