When most people think about advertising, they usually consider the more conventional forms of marketing. They may look at how to get a commercial on television, a flyer included in the local newspaper, or some sort of promotional item that can be distributed at a trade show. These can all be effective ways to get people to know about your company and your products, but you also have to consider less direct forms of marketing as well.

If you live or work in or near a major metropolitan area, there is a good chance that the local business community hosts different symposiums and similar events throughout the year. These could take on a more casual format like Tweetups and BarCamps, but these can also prove to be very valuable opportunities for networking with like-minded individuals. You don’t want to be the pushy salesperson at these meetings, but you can start building the foundation for great relationships down the road.

During these events, the organizers may look for speakers to give brief presentations on different topics. Are you an expert in WordPress? Search engine optimization? The real estate market? Whatever your expertise may be, this can be a great opportunity to be presented as an expert in your field. Your name and company will likely be featured in the agenda in some form, effectively giving you free advertising in exchange for a brief presentation. This can solidify your position in your niche.

Speaking opportunities can be great for your business, but make sure that when you are preparing for your speaking engagement that you don’t turn your presentation into a sales pitch. People don’t like that. They’re there for the valuable information and, if they view you as an expert, they’ll come to you for more advice down the line.