Bold color, big personality: Rocio Egio on authenticity in art
MOO speaks to designer Rocio Egio to find out how she marries an eye for perfection with a love of the bold and playful.
Graphic designer Rocio Egio talks to MOO about maintaining a playful authenticity through her bright and bold designs.
Born on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, and now based in Lausanne, Switzerland, Rocio Egio is a graphic designer and illustrator whose bold, modern designs are characterized by geometric shapes and bright, block colors.
With a background in architecture and a Master’s Degree in graphic design, Rocio blends her perfectionist tendencies and flamboyant personality to capture the joy of the everyday.
The result is a modern portfolio of designs – from typography to still lifes – applied to a wide range of media, including Stickers, jewelry, Greeting Cards and packaging.
MOO caught up with Rocio to discuss visual identity, what drove her to launch her own studio, and why authenticity is so crucial to her work.
What was your work experience before becoming a freelance designer?
I started as a freelancer very early in my professional career – I always wanted my own studio, and the sooner you make the decision, the sooner you can evolve to achieve your goal.
Before starting out on my own, I worked at a creative agency in Spain as a retail architect and graphic designer. Then, I worked for a luxury brand in Switzerland, where I was in charge of visual communication.
During those years, I worked with clients and on personal projects, until I saw the opportunity to dedicate 100% of my time to my own studio.
What prompted you to go freelance, and how did you go about building a network?
I wanted space to develop my personal brand – it’s a dream when people recognize you because of your design style. Being freelance also means I can participate in all phases of a creative project, from interacting with the client through to execution.
My enthusiastic and positive personality pushes me to new adventures and experiences, and I think that attitude is very important when you work as a freelancer. I’m a very active person, and I try to go to every design event that happens in my city.
I think it’s a good idea to start creating your network early, because the seeds planted before you go freelance can bear fruit later.
How did you develop your unique aesthetic?
It’s very dynamic and alive, and I like to think it’s always changing and evolving with every project and collaboration. It comes from a mix of my background and my experiences – for example, the way I handle color is related to my childhood by the sea, where colors are bright and saturated, with bold shadows.
Modernist architecture also plays an important role, and I often draw on simple geometry, symmetries and grids. I work with a primary color palette, perhaps because of my love for the Bauhaus school and Neoplasticism movement.
Finally, the joyful touch comes from my enthusiastic personality and my desire to spread delight with my work. The best piece of advice I ever received was, ‘The more you are yourself, the more you succeed’. It took me a while to realize the importance of knowing your ‘superpower’. It’s all about being aligned with yourself, your values, beliefs and qualities.
What’s your brainstorming process like?
When working on client briefs, I always try to stay true to their vision, while never forgetting my identity. I have dossiers full of art, design, architecture and illustration – every time I see something that inspires me, no matter the origin, I save it. Then, when I have a new job, the first thing I do is go to that folder.
I’m a perfectionist – precise in technique and execution – which comes from my architectural background. Then, by experimenting with colors, shapes and composition I add my personal, playful touch.
What role does social media play in your success?
I mainly use Instagram, where I try to maintain a visual identity – it’s my showcase, and the first impression a potential client is going to have of my work.
It’s easy to get connected with other designers, brands or artists that have an aesthetic similar to yours, and with whom you’d like to collaborate – you just have to send a message and introduce yourself. It doesn’t always work, but you won’t regret trying.
Tell us about your MOO products – how do you use your Business Cards?
Your visual identity speaks of you, your values, your personality and your work. It’s important to have a clear identity if you want to be recognized by your future clients.
I’m very happy with my MOO Business Cards – the colors and designs capture my personality very well. When I talk to someone then give them a card, they see my personality right away.
People love being able to choose a different color and design, and that adds a touch of playfulness to the card exchange.
What advice would you give to artists hoping to develop their style?
They must keep getting better, and avoid being conformist. Don’t be afraid to experiment and change. Style is alive, and must evolve, change and adapt along with your personality and work.
Showcase your style with a different design on every MOO Business Card with Printfinity.
Our MOOcrew are a talented team. Wonder what it’s like to work at our headquarters? Here’s what a typical day in the life of a MOOster is really like…
Chelsea Smith
Hi I’m Chelsea, I work in the service, sales and design support team and I’ve been at MOO for over a year now.
At MOO, I’m responsible for…
Working with the sales team to create great custom designs for our business customers. Our team works with a wide range of clients, from realtors, to salons, to tech companies. Every day we have a new brief and that’s what makes our job so exciting!
I got my role at MOO by…
Keeping my eye on the careers page for Design vacancies! I’d used MOO as a printer before and always loved the brand so I made sure to check back now and again in case they were looking for designers.
My morning routine…
Involves a Twix somewhere along the line from the MOOster-only cafe in the office – sometimes i’m not sure if its presence is a blessing or a curse!
A typical working day is…
Getting in and sorting through my workload so I can plan my day. I usually get small tasks done in the morning then move onto larger projects in the afternoon so I can put aside a few solid hours and really focus.
Something people don’t know about my role is…
We are also available over the phone for any customer that needs specific design software help or has questions or concerns about their artwork!
My proudest moment at MOO was…
Making a customer really happy by designing something that they really love. The design services team puts a lot of effort into really getting to know our client’s brand so that we can effectively convey their brand voice in their print designs, as well as creating something beautiful.
The thing I like most about working at MOO is…
The relaxed, friendly atmosphere and our amazing London offices. As a designer it really helps to be in an environment that isn’t overwhelmingly busy or cluttered. It’s hard to fall into creative block when there’s great design everywhere you look!
On the weekend, you’ll find me…
In London at a life drawing or creative class. Drawing and creating is my passion and there is always room for improvement. At the moment i’m studying modern calligraphy and sewing.
If I wasn’t doing this as a career…
I wouldn’t have a reason for being so paper-obsessed.
The best career advice I’ve ever been given…
“Do not seek praise, seek criticism”
Stay tuned. We’ll keep hosting guest blogs from one of our crew across the business to tell you what it’s really like to work at MOO HQ. Up next, we’ve got Robert, our IT support specialist.
Want to join our #MOOCrew? Check out our current vacancies
Freckled Fuchsia’s co-founder talks to MOO about designing Greeting Cards, marketing their work, and how designers can use Instagram for the greatest impact.
Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Freckled Fuchsia was founded by designers Chandlyr Jackson and Tyler Nelson, “with the authentic, empathic human in mind.”
Their Greeting Cards, wrapping paper and Postcards feature bold illustrations and vibrant hand-stamped designs that explore expression and movement with deft touches of color.
Their quirky brand name came about after a spot of self-examination: “The word Freckled comes from a place of subtlety and a bit of humility in myself, and Fuchsia comes from the practice of being bold,” Chandlyr explains.
MOO caught up with Chandlyr to talk about digital versus hand-drawn design, how designers can make the most of Instagram, and the benefits of creating Greeting Cards for life’s smaller moments.
How did you get into visual design and illustration?
As a toddler, my parents took the time to make crafts with me, and I have fond memories of illustrating fashion outfits in my basement with my best friend. I pursued a formal foundation in 3D product design, but never felt I completely ‘clicked’ with it.
I ended up exploring user experience and graphic design at Loft (an agency in Providence, Rhode Island) and fell in love with visual design. I remember telling my boyfriend I wanted to make t-shirts on the side – I thought it would be fun, and it was great to have something new to work towards. I eventually decided I shouldn’t narrow my focus, so I took a few steps back towards a more open-ended direction – and Freckled Fuchsia came out of that decision.
How would you characterize your illustration style?
In the past, my style was more literal – I’d draw with the intention of making something look as realistic as possible. I think that came from feeling less confident in my ability to push a concept into something more playful.
Now, I enjoy capturing the essence of an expression or pattern. I tend to sway back and forth between tighter linework and looser illustration. But I can definitely say my style rides on the bold side.
What’s the difference between creating digital and hand-drawn designs and prints?
I rarely start a concept on my tablet, because you lose the tactility of that pen-to-paper feel. But I love being able to take a hand-drawn concept and bring it into Photoshop to tweak small details, or create more color options – it allows me to scale up what I can offer to clients.
Lately, though, I’ve been experimenting more with illustration and pattern-making off the screen. I’ve created a collection of hand-carved stamps for creating black-ink, block-printed patterns. They allow me to slow down and create patterns with more intention, because each impression requires my full attention.
What’s the inspiration behind your Greeting Cards?
My Greeting Cards feature graphic patterns, expressive illustrations or brief slogans that communicate an emotion. I haven’t designed many cards for specific holidays or occasions, but rather for times of year, encouragement or celebration.
I think there’s been a shift towards celebrating the tiny moments and small victories in between the bigger ones. I love the idea of sending someone a card just because you’re thinking of them, or to tell them you love them. It’s something I want to do more of.
How do you decide on a palette for a particular piece?
Seasons are a big influence for me. I started Freckled Fuchsia in July, and was influenced by the warm, heavy hues that came with it. During winter, I’ve been playing with dark charcoal and softer eggshell and peach tones.
Aside from the seasons, I ask myself how I want to make people feel – mellow or energized? Is the piece serious, or is it playful? Then, I get an idea of what colors I’d like to use. I think it’s important to collect inspiration from fashion, textiles, and nature – subjects not directly related to what you’re doing.
How did you go about getting your prints stocked in shops?
I did my research on the shops I was interested in to gain a solid understanding of their style and mission, and check they’d be a good fit. Then, I wrote a message inside of one of my Greeting Cards, asking to join their collection, and hand-delivered it to them.
Not every shop has time to meet each designer in person, but I like to meet the founders of the local shops my work is sold in, because I value that personal connection.
How did you set up your studio space in a way that keeps you inspired?
It isn’t huge, so it definitely helps to be strategic about how materials and tools are stored – although I do enjoy a little bit of clutter! I like scattering ongoing projects out so they’re always in my visual space.
I find it helpful to place sticky notes with to-dos or words of inspiration on my walls, and I have an array of test prints, as well as other artists’ work, hanging right above my desk. Every time I look up, I’m reminded of my own progress, as well as the support of other artists I’ve connected with.
How important is it to have a brand identity in the design business?
Developing a brand identity is damn hard. But it’s so important to establish your visual brand language, as well as your messaging and voice. Consistency plays a huge part in people being able to recognize your style in a sea of other cards and prints. If you’re hoping to grow a loyal following, it’s important to communicate to others what you stand for, and stick with it.
How can aspiring designers grow their social media networks?
It’s important to maintain a balance, because social media can be distracting and time-consuming – but my favorite is Instagram, by far. Practice asking your followers questions, or for their opinion, and make your content thought-provoking – engagement is what fuels the algorithm.
I try to provide content that people can react to – although it’s also important to stick to what you believe in, and not let the opinions of others derail your messaging. Also, hashtags are more important than you think! If you’re looking to grow your network, it’s a great, free way to advertise yourself.
Create Greeting Cards to celebrate your own moments, big and small.
Got a big meeting, event or exhibition coming up and want to make heads turn? For an unforgettably premium card, choose Luxe, by MOO.
So you want to make a big impression, huh? Well, we’ve got just the paper for you – Luxe. Extra-thick and extra-fancy, made with four layers of Mohawk Superfine, it’s sure to make an instant connection.
These three creatives are using Luxe to grow their businesses in pretty cool ways. Get inspired by their designs and get to know the stories behind their businesses.
Liana Teresa
Liana Teresa is a designer and illustrator currently based in Harlem, NYC. Spending her college years honing her Adobe Illustrator skills through creating campus event flyers, Liana’s confidence and passion for design grew. After hours of practice and YouTube tutorials, the self-taught designer launched her very own design service.
“My biggest inspiration is my hometown, Miami,” explains Liana. “The contrast of the vibrant city against the swampy jungle has always blown my mind. The culture and tropical textures are ingrained in my aesthetic, but travel has also shaped my style. Japan taught me to embrace black lines; Portugal is where I sold my soul to ornate tile patterns; Morocco grew my love for rich terracotta and indigo hues. I’m a sponge to my surroundings because I believe there’s a lot we can learn outside of ourselves.”
When it came to promoting her business, Liana chose Luxe Business Cards to get across the quality of her services. “Handing someone a sturdy, nicely textured card speaks volumes about the calibre of your work and business. It makes an impression that a website just can’t deliver.” she says. “Plus, with Printfinity, I was able to capture the palette of colors that inspires my work, giving clients a taste of my style right off the bat. I haven’t shared a card with someone that hasn’t been wowed by the quality.”
‘Wow’ your clients with Luxe Business Cards
The Binding
Madeline Rawlings founded The Binding, an Australian-based branding and visual communication studio, after her freelance graphic design career began to grow. Three years later, she works with businesses around the world to create meaningful brand identities. Channeling her “crazy-passionate creative drive,” Madeline explored working in the startup scene before finding her career calling in her own studio.
“I jumped on every opportunity to upskill and connect,” Madeline says. “Links from designing for a software company and also in a co-working space then led me to co-founding a chatbot design agency. Unfortunately, the passion wasn’t there, so I went back full-throttle on The Binding.”
To make her designs truly impactful, Madeline printed both her personal and her client’s branding on Luxe Business Cards. “Everyone I give a card to compliments the thick, textured finish. I love that moment, because I know it’s going to leave a lasting impression which is the ideal situation really! Luxe ticks all the boxes.”
Make your brand memorable with Luxe Business Cards
Inkblot Design
Emily Mikaere founded her freelance graphic design and custom stationery business, Inkblot Design, ten years ago. After pausing her career to focus on a growing family, Emily is now building her client base from her home studio in the USA.
To find inspiration, Emily has embraced more traditional research methods. “I’ve been checking out interior design, fabric design and floral arrangement books from the library,” Emily tells us. “Working at home and having a lively workspace keeps my imagination going throughout the day, and my super-creative 6 year old daughter is such an inspiration too. Kids design without too much thought and just draw and create freely.”
For Emily, finding a business card that really captured her branding was key. “The signature color of my brand is cobalt blue – or ‘Inkblot blue’ – so I knew I wanted to replicate this in my printed branding. The Luxe colored seam is the perfect way to highlight my brand colors, and the premium paper stock takes my business card from ordinary to extraordinary – plus the rounded edges add a unique twist.”
Make your branding extraordinary with our Luxe range
Feeling is believing. Order a free sample pack and experience the Luxe premium paper stock for yourself.
Our MOOcrew are a super talented bunch. Want to see what it’s like to work at out headquarters? Take a peek at what it’s like to work a day in the life of a MOOster…
Pablo Garcia Alvarez
Hi I’m Pablo, I work in the Operations Engineering team and I’ve been at MOO for over 5 years.
At MOO, I’m responsible for…
The platform on which moo.com runs. That’s the servers, databases, and other geeky stuff, and also the house for Little MOO! And what is Little MOO I hear you asking? It’s basically our friendly name for a set of programs that take care of your order after you pay. It’ll notify you once your order is confirmed and after being delivered.
I got my role at MOO by…
Being hard working and being promoted. I started at MOO 5 years ago as a Junior Business Applications Analyst and here I am 5 years later working as an Operations Engineer.
My morning routine is…
Coffee & toast, check my messages and emails, and then I have my team meeting.
A typical working day is…
Very varied. We split work in my team in projects and BAU. While some of us work in a project to either improve the current platform, or implementing something new, the remaining members work on the business as usual stuff to provide support to our development teams.
Something people don’t know about my role is…
When the site stops working on a Saturday night at 3am guess who has to fix it?
My proudest moment at MOO was…
Migrating the infrastructure from being on-premises to the cloud. This was a half a year project that had pretty much everyone in Tech involved at MOO. It was a massive piece of work involving people from all over the business and a real team effort.
The thing I like most about working at MOO…
My colleagues. I honestly think I work with really smart and friendly people. Having made lots of friends on these 5 years, I can definitely say that the human factor is a tremendously important one at MOO.
On the weekend, you’ll find me…
Resting!Then I play 11-a-side football on Sundays (one of those infamous Sunday Leagues). Soon I’ll be doing less resting as I have a baby on the way! So exciting.
If I wasn’t doing this as a career, I’d be…
A police officer, that’s what I always wanted to be when I was a child. I’m not sure I would want the same nowadays, though. I do enjoy manual work so maybe something like carpentry or electronics.
The best career advice I’ve ever been given…
‘In our field, university is overrated.’ Luckily for people who like computers, internet is a massive source of good information, free courses, and plenty of things to do, and there’s always demand for professionals in our area. So don’t go crazy spending thousands of pounds in a university degree if you think this will make you a better computer scientist.
Stay tuned. We’ll keep hosting guest blogs from one of our crew across the business to tell you what it’s really like to work at MOO HQ. Up next, we’ve got Chelsea, our Junior Graphic Designer.
Want to join our #MOOCrew? Check out our current vacancies
Our MOOcrew are a talented bunch. Wonder what it’s like to work at out headquarters? Take a peek at what it’s like to work a day in the life of a MOOster…
Ana Sofia Araújo Vila Verde
Hi I’m Ana, I work in the Software Engineering team and I’ve been at MOO for 7 months.
At MOO, I’m responsible for…
Asking a lot of questions! As a new arrival at the Data Engineering team, I still have a lot to learn about their existing systems and their approaches to migrate them to the Cloud. In the meantime, I have also been implementing some new data feeds in their reporting database.
I got my role at MOO by…
The happy coincidence of meeting MOO’s former CTO (Meri Williams) at a “Women in Tech” conference. Meri’s great energy helped me decide to apply for a position at MOO.
My morning routine is…
Usually involves me either running into work or cycling/looking for an available “Boris bike”. Once I get in and after I get changed, I prepare a yummy breakfast (my latest discovery: granola, pear and cinnamon powder with greek yogurt and honey!). I take it to my desk to savour while I check my emails and prepare what I am going to do that day.
A typical working day is…
A lot of coding, a lot of work chats with colleagues and a lot of Google search reading and learning. There’s also a fair amount of meetings during the week that need to be mingled with the working day. And because working at MOO is not all about work, there is always time for the occasional pool match or table tennis challenge!
Something people don’t know about my role is…
That Data Engineering is responsible for the platform that collects the data used to provide daily reports to know how the company is growing.
My proudest moment at MOO was…
Being part of the team that built a synthesiser out of MOO products for the Hackathon. To push our software development, we were asked to work on absolutely any element of MOO’s tech which we’d like to improve. I had a fun day getting involved in something that I don’t currently work on, and it also gave me a chance to work with other MOOsters that I wouldn’t otherwise have met!
The thing I like most about working at MOO is…
The free ice cream! Very few things beat free ice cream! On a more serious note, I think MOO really makes an effort to ensure their employees have a good work/life balance.
On the weekend, you’ll find me…
Either playing volleyball, climbing, cycling, running, baking, playing board games or travelling.
If I wasn’t doing this as a career, I’d be…
I’d have probably continued to be a physicist.
The best career advice I’ve ever been given…
“PhD is not a sprint, but a marathon”. And now I try to apply the same concept in my everyday life.
Stay tuned. We’ll be hosting a guest blog every week from one of our crew across the business to tell you what it’s really like to work at MOO HQ. Up next, we’ve got Pablo, our Operations Engineer.
Want to join our #MOOCrew? Check out our current vacancies
Public speaking can be a quick and effective way to power up your business and your brand. Here’s how to get started in public speaking and find your first gig.
Why spend time learning public speaking?
Public speaking is a skill that comes in handy in almost every profession, from traditional business to start-ups to artisan trades.
Being able to speak confidently and effectively in front of an audience will pay dividends in a whole range of situations. For example, you might be supplementing your income or drumming up new business by taking to the stage regularly on a busy events circuit. Or maybe you’re a leader who needs to be able to inspire and motivate your staff during company Town Hall meetings.
If that’s not enough, there’s a new world of digital potential that opens up for confident public speakers.
You could find yourself presenting engaging and useful YouTube tutorials that gain great traction, putting together think-piece videos to share on LinkedIn or Twitter, or recording webinars that mark you out as a thought-leader in your field.
If things go really well, you could even market your webinars or tutorials as a paid-for product or service.
So whatever your goals, public speaking is a useful skill to add to your portfolio. Here’s how to make it happen.
Part 1: Getting ready – be prepared when opportunity knocks
Before you sign up for your first public speaking event, there are a few things you can do to get yourself stage-ready.
1. Develop your presentation style
Whatever you want to do with your public speaking skills, it all begins with developing a strong presentation style.
How you speak, move, stand and hold yourself while in front of an audience is just as important as the content of your speech – maybe even more so. Your stance and style can affect the way you feel as well, and could even boost your sense of well-being during a talk.
- Adopt a dominant stance
As we learned from TED speaker Amy Cuddy, it turns out that simply standing in a ‘dominant’ pose can boost your confidence hormone, testosterone, and reduce the stress-inducing hormone cortisol. Spend a couple of minutes before you go on stage standing up straight with your shoulders back and you’ll feel the benefit almost straight away.
- Dress for comfort as well as impact
Your clothes speak volumes before you even open your mouth – but you want them to say ‘confident and relaxed’, not ‘just bought this outfit and really not sure it fits’.
Choose clothes that give you freedom of movement to move around the stage, point to your slides and gesture to emphasise your points. It’s a good idea to choose an outfit you’ve worn before and know you feel good in.
- Pace your speech
Many of us tend to speak quickly when we feel nervous, and this can be amplified when you’re in front of an audience with nothing to slow you down.
To prevent your words running away with you, practice building pauses into your speech. A brief pause after you’ve made a point gives your audience time to think about what you’ve said, and gives you time to gather your thoughts too.
Get lots more confidence-boosting public speaking tips and tricks here
2. Construct your speech
So you’re going to be speaking in public – but what exactly are you going to say? Here are some ideas for getting your first speech just right.
- Pick your passion
When you’re first developing material for public speaking, work with what you know best and choose topics you feel real enthusiasm and passion for. Your positive emotions will come over in your talk and help make it more powerful and engaging.
Choosing subjects that are within your comfort zone will also help reduce your anxiety before a talk, because you’ll be in familiar territory. Your knowledge will allow you to negotiate audience questions with ease, too.
- Find a topical hook for your material
See if you can find a news story or popular topic that you can weave into the theme of your talk. For example, ‘Ways to succeed in digital marketing’ could become ‘How to be the Taylor Swift of digital marketing’.
This will help make your speech feel up-to-date and interesting. It could also pique the interest of audiences who see your speech title on a programme, and encourage them to choose your speech over other attractions on the schedule.
- Make it modular
However much you love public speaking, it’s no fun reconstructing your speech material to fit a longer or shorter time frame every time you get a gig. Use this tip to save yourself work right from the get-go.
Make a modular speech out of self-contained topic ‘blocks’, each with its own set of slides. For example, you might have an introductory block that’s helpful for audiences not familiar with your subject matter. You can remove it for an audience that already knows a bit about your topic. Or you could have a block that goes into detail about a particular method or technique, which can be removed if time is tight
As well as removing or adding blocks, you can shuffle them around to rejig your speech’s emphasis and focus.
It’s an easy way to adjust your subject matter for different events and audiences without re-writing the whole speech from scratch.
Part 2: Finding your first public speaking gig
So we’ve covered what you’ll say and how you’ll say it – now let’s explore how to find speaking engagements for your first speech.
- Community events
Check online and ask around your local community for events like regional festivals or business summits. Even if there’s no obvious route to applying as a speaker, don’t be put off. Find the name of the person organizing the event and drop them an email or phone call introducing yourself, and ask whether they have any guest speaking opportunities.
- Institutions and associations
In the US, most states and some towns have a Rotary Club or Chamber of Commerce with a calendar of events you could get involved with. It’s also worth checking with your local Public Library.
For more specialist groups, explore the world of associations to find potential events linked to your professional specialty or area of enthusiasm.
- Workplace presentations
If your workplace is above a certain size, there’s bound to be a speaking opportunity or two available, even if it’s only something as routine as giving a health and safety demonstration. It’s a great way to get started if you’re wondering where you can practice public speaking.
If not, you could try setting up a lunchtime seminar group where people give short talks on professional topics over lunch or coffee. Get in touch with your HR department to see if there’s help or funding available for this type of activity.
- School or college events
Got knowledge to share about how you developed your career? Or maybe you work in an interesting field that might appeal to young people planning their careers? Get in touch with your old high school or local college to see if you can speak as part of a careers event. They usually don’t just offer speaking opportunities for students.
- Public speaking groups
Although public speaking is a big fear for many people, there are many more who actively seek out opportunities to practice. Check out organizations like Toastmasters International where members have the opportunity to hone their skills and practice public speaking in front of an audience.
Part 3: develop your public speaking persona
Once you have a couple of events under your belt and you’ve decided public speaking is for you, it’s time to hone your game plan for a successful public speaking career. Here’s how to get into public speaking “for real”.
1. Be prepared to speak for free
Public speaking is like sports – you can’t expect to make money unless you’ve put in some serious practice, so put any thoughts of speaker fees to one side to begin with.
Offering to speak for free when you’re starting out means you’re a low-risk, low-cost option for event organizers, which should increase your chances of getting public speaking opportunities.
2. Set up a website and social accounts
A digital presence will help build your brand as a speaker, and will help people decide whether to hire you. Your site and socials will also come in handy when organizers are marketing their events, as they’ll be able to link through from their own sites or Flyers to provide more information about you.
Your website should include a short promo video that showcases your public speaking style and the kinds of topics you’ll be talking about. If you can get footage from a gig you’ve previously done, perfect. If not, a short to-camera introduction video will work too.
You can link your public speaking channels to your main business website and social media accounts to give your existing brands some extra traffic. Doing this will also add authenticity to your public speaking brand, so it’s a win-win.
3. Network with other speakers
Public speaking is all about personality, so it’s no surprise that personal connections really matter in this game. Jump on business networking sites like LinkedIn and find people in your local area or within your industry who are already doing public speaking engagements to find more public speaking events and meetups.
You could start the conversation by referencing speeches they’ve done and getting more details on the topics they covered, offer to swap referrals for public speaking opportunities or ask them for their advice on overcoming common issues like stage fright or handling audience questions.
Why not taking it even further and join a public speaking competition once you’re a bit more seasoned?
4. Develop your pitch
To get the best public speaking opportunities, you need a compelling pitch that will convince event organizers you’re the best choice for their audience.
Start off with a punchy elevator pitch that sums you up in a sentence. Then put together a short bio that outlines your business expertise, work history and experience, and what you have to offer the audience. Think about what kinds of questions the audience might want answers to at the gig. For example, will you share tips on getting started in business, or shed light on how to do digital marketing?
Your pitch should finish up with a call to action that includes your website, phone number and email address.
5. Compile a hit-list of events you’d like to speak at
What’s your dream public speaking opportunity? Think about where you’d love to see your name on the bill, and make a list of opportunities.
Maybe you’re not yet ready to pitch these kinds of events, but making the list will help shape your public speaking style and keep you focused on the kind of speaker you want to be. And who knows – opportunity may come knocking sooner than you think.
For more tips, take a look at our guide to creating a winning pitch
Our MOOcrew are pretty awesome. Wonder what it’s like to work at HQ? Take a peek behind the curtain at a day in the life of a MOOster…
Nick Bennett
Hi, I’m Nick. I work in MOO Business Services and I’ve been at MOO for four and a half years.
At MOO, I’m responsible for…
Looking after our business customers as part of the account management team. This involves a lot time on the phone helping people with their design and stationery needs.
I got my role at MOO by…
I started in customer service after an impromptu move to London from Sydney. After learning about all the lovely products MOO makes and understanding the brand, I wanted to move into a role that was more relationship based. Once an opportunity arose to move into an account management role, I jumped at the opportunity and have been helping our business customers ever since.
My morning routine is…
A chat with workmates in the kitchen and 2 slices of toast with peanut butter (always smooth – not a fan of crunchy!).
A typical working day is…
lots of calls! I’ll chat to people about anything from rebranding their company to the finishes and production techniques on our paper. I also love a chat with the crew in my team in between.
Something people don’t know about my role is…
Account management is like being a therapist. Many conversations about business card requirements turn into life chats and working through people’s personal dilemmas. It’s great to get to know so many people through my work and I really value this part of the job.
My proudest moment at MOO was…
Joining the business services team – they’re a top bunch!
The thing I like most about working at MOO is…
The people! There’s so many great people here and it makes coming to work a pleasure.
On the weekend, you’ll find me…
Eating and drinking with friends, searching for new music, and buying clothes and shoes I can’t afford.
If I wasn’t doing this as a career, I’d be…
Involved in music somehow. It’s been a big part of my life and I’ve been fortunate enough to travel and perform in the past. I’m big into soul, jazz, funk, hip-hop, house and garage, and spend way too much time seeking out new tunes.
The best career advice I’ve ever been given…
To find an occupation that’s in tune with your personality type. It’s worthwhile taking the time to learn about yourself so you can understand what occupation will work for you.
Stay tuned. We’ll be hosting a guest blog every week from one of our crew across the business to tell you what it’s really like to work at MOO HQ. Up next, we’ve got Ana, our Software Engineer.