Every month I get numerous emails from people all over North America asking how I got into the speaking business and how they can do it too. To answer these questions, I wrote 121 Secrets to Successful Speaking. Here are ten timely tips, from my special report, to help you get started on the path to profitable public speaking.
1. You know you might have what it takes to become a speaker if you feel compelled to speak. The fact that you were drawn to this article and clicked on The Path to Profitable Speaking indicates a definite interest and possible compulsion. If you feel compelled to speak, you can easily learn how to do so. You can achieve what you set out to do.
2. Good speakers enjoy what they do and the audience feels their enjoyment and responds positively. Enthusiasm is essential in an effective speaker.
3. If you want to become a successful and well-paid speaker, you must become known. Promotion and publicity are vital to your success.
4. Leave your promotional footprints everywhere you go so people can find you easily.
5. After each speech, request a written testimonial from your hires. Use these testimonials, or parts of them, in your publicity and publicity. I have never had people refuse to give me a testimonial. Sometimes I have had to remind them, but no one has ever refused.
6. Access free advertising whenever possible. Write and send press releases frequently. Writers and editors are always looking for new story material and your press release could result in an interview and a story being written about you, your work and/or your publications.
7. Some new speakers say it’s hard to establish a reputation as a speaker when many companies are reluctant to hire strangers to train their employees. I solved this problem by offering to talk for free… with certain conditions attached, of course.
8. To get speaking engagements, you need to introduce yourself to people looking for speakers. Every community has a host of organizations, associations, and service groups that need speakers for their conferences, banquets, and training sessions. Get to know them.
9.Write and record material related to the topics you are speaking about and offer these products for sale as items in the back of the room after each speech. Sales of these back-of-the-room items often exceed the fee you receive for speaking. Publish on demand using your computer and printer. Only have your products professionally produced when you see they are selling well.
10. Promote yourself and your products in every speech, but in just the right amount. Too much self-promotion and you can turn your audience against you. Too little and they might ignore your products entirely.
Good luck on the road to profitable public speaking.