The 5 Most Important Trends for the Speaking Industry in 2022

The speaking industry is always evolving, and in 2022, there will be five important trends to watch out for. These trends will impact both speakers and conference organizers, so it is important to be aware of them! In this blog post, we will discuss each trend in detail and explain why it is important. We hope that this information will help you plan your speaking career or events effectively!

The first trend is the rise of virtual conferences. With the pandemic still raging on in many parts of the world, it is no surprise that virtual conferences have become more popular. In fact, they are expected to become the norm in the next few years. This trend will present both opportunities and challenges for speakers. On one hand, you will be able to reach a wider audience with your message. On the other hand, you will need to learn how to engage with an audience online effectively.

Two virtual conferences that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend: AdobeMAX and Social Media Marketing World.

The second trend is the growth of micro-influencers. Micro-influencers are social media users with a smaller but highly engaged following. They are often seen as more relatable and trustworthy than traditional celebrities or influencers. This trend is important for speakers because it provides an opportunity to connect with a new audience. If you can tap into the power of micro-influencers, you can reach people who might not otherwise be interested in your message.

Check out the channel of the beautiful and wise Tabitha Brown and watch my client Kristin Petitt inform a commenter that she is transparent with EVERYTHING and if that bothers you, feel free to block her :-) Note that both of these women built their brands by being themselves. Authenticity has NO competition :-)

The third trend is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is already starting to change the way we live and work, and it will only become more prevalent in the next few years.

Check out these words of wisdom from Analytics Insight "The healthcare industry and pharmaceutical industry are using virtual event platforms to host medical conferences that are used for knowledge sharing, networking sharing, training, and discussions.

Augmented reality, virtual reality, and intelligence AI-driven bots are extracting maximum data from virtual events which are proving to be a gold mine. This is making virtual events more streamlined, focused, targeted, and personalized to deliver experiences that are just perfect."

As a speaker, you need to be aware of how AI is impacting your industry. You should also be prepared to use AI in your own work, whether that means using chatbots to promote your events or incorporating voice recognition into your presentations.

The fourth trend is the increasing popularity of audio content. In our fast-paced, constantly-connected world, people are looking for ways to consume content that is easy to digest. That's why audio content, such as podcasts and audiobooks, is becoming more popular.

You don't need me to remind you that Joe Rogan's podcast reaches an estimated 11 million people per episode, making it Spotify's most popular show.As a speaker, you can take advantage of this trend by creating audio versions of your presentations or offering exclusive Podcast interviews.

The fifth and final trend is the rise of social media platforms as marketing tools. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have already transformed the way we communicate. In the next few years, they will become even more important for promoting events and connecting with audiences. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, consider using social media to market your speaking engagements.

You can do this with Linkedin Lives, YouTube Shorts, Vimeo speaker demo reels, TikTok videos and Instagram Reels.

These are just a few of the trends that will shape the speaking industry in 2022. Keep these trends in mind as you plan your career or events! By understanding the changes that are happening, you can adapt and thrive in the ever-changing world of public speaking.

Do you have any other trends to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to check back next week for our next blog post! We'll be discussing how to make your presentations more engaging using storytelling techniques. Until then, happy speaking!