From “Let’s Connect” to Standing Ovations: A Speaker’s Guide to Real Momentum

We’ve all said it:“ Looking forward to connecting.” It’s polite. It’s professional. It’s also—if we’re honest—a dead end unless we act.

In the world of professional speaking, vague intentions don’t build reputations. Follow-through does.

Let me share something that changed my trajectory: instead of collecting connections, I started building conversations. I stopped posting “Can’t wait to chat!” and began offering value, collaboration, or specific outcomes.

Instead of “Let’s connect,” I wrote: 🟢 “I’d love to share 3 tested strategies I’ve used to get booked on health sector panels—let’s book a 10-minute Zoom.”
Instead of “We should talk sometime,” I messaged: 🟢 “I saw your post on youth resilience. I speak on this too. Want to co-create a webinar?”

Guess what happened? I didn’t just connect. I got booked. I got remembered. I got momentum.

Three Micro-Shifts That Deliver Macro-Results:

Be Specific – What do you want the connection to lead to? Say it.
Be Generous – Offer something first: a resource, a contact, a perspective.
Be Brave – The worst that happens is no reply. The best? An invitation to speak.

“Looking forward to connecting” is a fine opening—but don’t let it be the closing line of your potential.

Transform it into something that gets you on stage.

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