Every month I get numerous emails from people all over North America asking me how I got into the speaking business and how they can too. To answer these questions, I wrote 121 Secrets to Profitable 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 definite interest and possible compulsion. If you feel compelled to speak, you can easily learn how. 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 well-known. Promotion and advertising are vital to your success.
4. Leave your promotional footprints wherever you go so people can easily find you.
5. After each speech, request a written testimonial from those who hired you. Use these testimonials, or portions of them, in your advertising and publicity. I have never had people refuse to give me a testimonial. Sometimes I have had to remind him, 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 the writing of a story 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 must introduce yourself to people who are looking for speakers. Every community has a large number of organizations, associations, and service groups that need speakers for their conferences, banquets, and training sessions. Make yourself known to them.
9.Write and record material related to the topics you speak on and offer these products for sale as items in the back of the room after each speech. Sales of these items from the back of the room frequently exceed the fee you receive for speaking. Publish on demand using your computer and printer. Only have your products professionally produced when you see that they are selling well.
10. Promote yourself and your products in every speech, but just the right amount. Too much self-promotion and you can turn your audience against you. Too little and they might ignore your products altogether.
Good luck on the road to profitable speaking.
