Public Speaking Information


20 Tips to Becoming a Professional Speaker: How to be a Rising Star


Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting. It is an excellent environment where you can make a real difference in the lives of your audience. It is a rewarding and challenging industry to be part of. If you are keen to become a professional speaker, try these tips:

  • Find a buddy - make a friend with another speaker who is at a similar stage to you in their speaking career to be able to share ideas, questions, frustrations and wins with them.
  • Get a mentor - seek out a speaker who is an expert in their field and is willing to share one hour a month with you for 6 months. Create an agenda for each meeting, set up your expectations before the mentoring begins and reward them with your honesty, loyalty and promote them to others whenever you have an opportunity.
  • Create a mastermind group - find 3-4 other speakers who are new and willing to meet each month to brainstorm ideas, share learnings, provide tips and encourage each other on your path to become a successful professional speaker. You may schedule your meeting to occur before your monthly National Speakers Association meeting.
  • Contact speakers you admire - email, phone or write to speakers you admire and let them know you are new and you would like to learn from them. Most people are willing to give you time, provide advice and share their information with you.
  • Attend all National Speakers Association (NSA) meetings - make this a priority in your month to attend these meetings that will develop your skills, expose you to accomplished speakers and build relationships with people in your industry.
  • Attend an NSA convention - schedule an annual convention in your diary to expose yourself to the best in the speaking industry, build your skills and meet people who are achieving their speaking goals. You may like to combine this with a vacation to an overseas destination.
  • Get involved in the NSA committee - volunteer to assist your local chapter with the meeting, greeting new members, accreditation programs or logistics. There are so many roles that could be suitable for you. It is a very rewarding experience.
  • Attend toastmasters - find a good group and learn more about your craft.
  • Borrow resources from other speakers - when you start out you may not have significant capital so borrow tapes, videos, books and resources from other speakers. When you become a well known, highly paid speaker you can do the same for new speakers.
  • Subscribe to Professional Speaker Magazine and Voice of Experience CDs - invest in your self-development with some of the best tools in the industry.
  • Read Speaker Directories - learn what categories are available, check out what speakers call their presentations, review accreditation experience and read their testimonies - this will all inspire you.
  • Review websites - make time each day to visit the National Speakers Association websites from all over the world. Investigate other speaker's websites for tips, product information and ideas.
  • Create a one-page overview of you and your topic - use this page for marketing and sending to Speakers Bureaux as a summary of what you speak about.
  • Create a website - if you can't afford a whole site to start; create a home page with your photo, contact information and what you speak about. Expand the site as your funding and reputation grows.
  • Meet Speakers Bureaus - introduce yourself as a 'rising star' and develop relationships with them. Make time to contact them regularly with your progress reports, new marketing information, promotional videos or CDs and invite them to see you present. These people are one of the most valuable resources in your industry.
  • Speak at interest groups for free - there are many groups who regularly meet and have guest speakers including SWAP, Zonata, Rotary and many more. Find out your local networks and offer to speak to their members.
  • Get Accredited - find out how to improve your skills through the NSA accreditation system and complete each level. This will keep you motivated to achieve your next level and build your skills as you do it.
  • Do a Presentation Course - learn how the professionals do it. Many speakers' bureaus also run these programs so keep an eye out for them.
  • Seek voice coaching or enrol in a drama or dance class - learn more about your voice and body and how to increase your platform skills.
  • Be persistent - don't get discouraged when you don't have bookings, keep focused on your goal to become a professional speaker and remember? it takes time. Be patient.

  • This is one of the most exciting industries in the world - you can do it. Believe in yourself and you will become an exceptional professional speaker.

    Neen is a Global Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy - and where they focus their attention - Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more at http://neenjames.com/


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Best Syndication

    Fear Of Public Speaking and Panic Attacks
    Best Syndication, CA - Aug 18, 2008
    You might be surprised but the fear of public speaking is one of the greatest causes of panic attacks. It's almost ridiculous to think that basically some ...


    Rahul's new youth Congress
    Expressindia.com, India - 14 hours ago
    Rao feels that apart from his academic background, public speaking skills, integrity, extra-curricular activities and social skills led to his selection. ...


    Clubs and organizations
    Beaverton Valley Times, OR - 11 hours ago
    For fun and to fight your fear of public speaking. www.timbertalkers.com. Washington County Peak Oil group Book Study — 7 pm, fourth Tuesday of the month, ...


    Solomon Set to Speak on Authentic Public Speaking at NAWBO Meeting
    PR Web (press release), WA - Aug 13, 2008
    Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) August 13, 2008 -- Lou Solomon, owner of Interact Authentic Public Speaking and a member of the National Speakers Association, ...


    Peninsula On-line

    DOHA SCENE: Students get tips on public speaking at summer camp
    Peninsula On-line, Qatar - Aug 11, 2008
    DOHA • Students picked up tips on public speaking at the month-long summer camp 2008, held at the Noble Indian Kindergarten. "Even a child below five years ...


    Springfield Business Journal

    Executives balance work, public speaking
    Springfield Business Journal, MO - Aug 11, 2008
    “(Public speaking) takes on a life of its own once you get a book out there,” Stack said. Like Stack, many local executives use the speaking circuit as a ...


    4-H helps young people avoid getting glossophobia
    Canton Daily Ledger, IL - Aug 19, 2008
    This word is defined as “speech anxiety,” or the “fear of public speaking.” According to national surveys, fear of public speaking ranks among Americans' ...


    Manitoba Man to Compete in Calgary's World Championship of Public ...
    Canada NewsWire (press release), Canada - Aug 8, 2008
    On Saturday morning, August 16, 10 articulate Toastmasters will vie for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking at the TELUS Convention Centre in ...


    Boost your public speaking skills
    Peterborough Today, UK - Aug 8, 2008
    By Tara Dundon The Anglia Communicators Toastmasters Club has about 25 members, from students, pensioners and the self-employed to managers and ...


    Public speaking awards
    Ararat Advertiser, Australia - Aug 4, 2008
    ARARAT - Ararat Legacy will host its third annual Legacy Junior Public Speaking Awards in Ararat on Friday at the Midland Complex. The Legacy Junior Public ...

    Public-Speaking - Google News

    home | site map
    © 2007