Gold in the Gift of Gab
Are you an expert in your field? A seasoned professional with years of experience and advice to pass along? Whether you’re an educator, salesperson, consultant, executive, manager, celebrity, actor, athlete or a fitness trainer you might be missing out on an important source of your income: the speaking circuit. Anyone can learn to speak, just like anyone can learn to play an instrument. Studies show that the number one fear in adults is the fear of speaking. But, if you’re willing to work through the fear of speaking, the rewards can be incredible.
As business owners and soloists we are accountable and challenged to find ways of marketing ourselves. We must be creative with the shifting marketplaces, economic upheavals and a diversified population. Speaking is an excellent way to market you business and it can lead directly to new business. You can turn your experience into a speech that will bring you credibility, exposure and business.
There are hundreds of speaking opportunities every day. Corporations, organizations, libraries, trade and professional associations, women’s and civic groups, radio & TV talk show producers are hungry for speakers to give presentations on topics of interest to their members at breakfast, lunch or dinner meetings, in-house training’s, conferences, conventions and special events and even on cruise ships. Educational, informative, entertaining speakers––especially free ones––are in great demand.
For example, Joan Tinei, entrepreneur, actress, college professor and religious science practitioner decided to create a speaking career for herself. She began by offering free speeches to local businesses and church groups and various professional associations on practical ways to make your desires come true. Now after, hundreds of free speeches, Joan is receiving a fee for speaking and lots of private clients. Margaret Lofaro, a financial consultant has used her speeches and public appearances to boost her business while Elliot Katt, owner of the famous “Little Shop of Stars” performing bookstore in West Hollywood used free speaking to boost book sales for his shop and lecture business. Now Elliot is on the national speaking circuit and is represented by a speakers bureau.
Even though some of these events do not pay the speakers a fee the opportunity to present your information before the appropriate group is well worth the time and energy for the exposure and potential business. if you are an author or have product for sale you can sell your products in the back-of-the room. Did you know that the highest paid speakers sometimes make more money in the back-of-the room sales then from their fee for speaking?
Norman Vincent Peale said, “When you get people to listen to what you believe you get on fire yourself, big fires, little fires––that never go out.”
