How To Become a Professional Speaker

According to Webster's Dictionary, professional is defined as one who pursues as a business some vocation or occupation. If you are ready to pursue public speaking as a business and get paid, here are some steps to get you started.

1. Have a passion. Be specific. People will pay to learn something. Examine your background. What do you do that others find hard or don't know how to do? Don't talk about everything. Going deep is better than going broad. This is similar to someone looking for a job and saying, "I'll do anything." People are looking for someone specific.

2. Do your research. You need to become an expert. Read as much as you can about your subject.

3. Think about your audience. Again, be specific. Target your audience. Then consider the best way to get this message across to your audience. Consider their needs, learning methods and interests. Mold your message to their needs.

4. Be professional. Dress professionally. Speak professionally. Act professionally. Handle your business professionally.

5. Begin speaking. One of the best ways to start finding speaking engagement is to get listed with a speakers bureau. Here is one that I found that is affordable and can help you get started. Speaker Match This company will match you with people who are looking for speakers. Some are paid engagements and some are free. When you are getting started, you need to speak as often as possible so be open to speaking for free while you build your resume.

If you have ever made a class presentation, spoken up at a meeting, or given a toast at a wedding reception, you have spoken in public. Since public speaking is many people’s greatest fear, if you enjoyed the experience, you might have what it takes to become a motivational speaker. From the storyteller around the campfire to great spiritual and political leaders, speakers have motivated people throughout history. Today’s motivational speakers inspire students to stay in school, say no to drugs and gangs, and prepare for life after graduation. Adults are motivated by speakers to follow their dreams and achieve greater success in business and in life.

Here are 10 steps to breaking into this fab job, based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Motivational Speaker:

1. Do an inventory of your life experience. The first place to look for what to speak about is your own life. Make a list of the goals you have achieved, such as: graduating from college, landing your first job, finding someone to love, overcoming a bad habit, starting a business, raising children, or achieving a lifelong dream. Of course, it’s even better if you have achieved something extraordinary, such as winning an Olympic medal, publishing a bestselling book, or giving birth to septuplets! But even accomplishments that seem “ordinary” can provide material for speeches. People find it inspiring to hear about how others have overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. If you have ever had to deal with fear, rejection, financial hardship, or loss along the way to achieving your goals, chances are you have the basic material to give a motivational speech.

2. Identify what you have to offer. Unfortunately, unless you’re already famous, audiences won’t pay just to hear about your life. (Many people are happy to talk about themselves for free!) To be successful, you should identify how your speeches can help people solve their problems, achieve their goals, or otherwise improve their lives.

3. Choose a “niche.” People are unlikely to take you seriously if you promise that your speeches will solve all their problems and help them: get rich, lose weight, find the love of their life, become great leaders, get healthy, make more sales, be happy, etc., etc. Instead, pick one specialty or “niche” such as leadership. It’s important to have a niche because people like to hire experts. After all, if you needed surgery, wouldn’t you want your doctor to be “an expert”?

4. Know your target audience. It can be tempting to say “I want everyone to hear what I have to say!” The reality is that if you develop a speech bank executives love, chances are it won’t go over as well at the local elementary school. Depending on your niche, you could define your audience by characteristics such as: age, gender, geographic location, industry, interests, or any other traits that distinguish one group from another. Once you have identified your audience, you can target your efforts directly to that group.

5. Write your speech. If this is the part of becoming a speaker you fear most, the good news is there are people who can write a speech for you. You could check the Yellow Pages and hire a speechwriter, public relations firm, or speech coach. Prices can vary widely, so ask for a flat fee quote. If you want to write it yourself you can find numerous online resources to help you. There are numerous excellent speechwriting websites including sites offered by communication departments of several universities.

6. Polish your speaking skills. It’s fine to feel nervous when you first start speaking. But as a professional speaker, it’s your job not to let it show. Among the traits that can help you succeed as a speaker are confidence, credibility (a combination of likeability and expertise), and enthusiasm. Most colleges and universities offer evening classes in public speaking to help you develop these traits. Another idea is to join Toastmasters, an international non-profit organization that helps people to practice speaking skills at weekly meetings.

7. Prepare promotional materials. Once you have written your speech and are confident in your speaking skills, you’re ready to start marketing yourself to the people who can hire you. Your promotional materials include a “demo” tape and an information package. While professional speakers spend thousands of dollars on a demo tape, as a beginner, your demo tape can be as simple as a video recording of one of your speeches. (Set the camera up on a tripod at the back of the room.) Your information package can be a two pocket folder available from any stationery store. It includes such items as: a letter of introduction, a business card, your resume, a color photograph, a page summarizing your experience and the benefits of your speech, and testimonial (reference) letters from people who have heard you speak. To make my package stand out, I also like to include a small gift related to my speech, such as a postcard with an inspiring message.

8. Approach potential employers. Potential employers of speakers include: seminar companies, conventions, conferences, trade shows, corporations, non-profit associations, government agencies, continuing education departments, schools, colleges, and cruise ships. One of the best ways to approach potential employers is by phoning, faxing, or emailing them an invitation to see you speak. If they can’t come to see you in person, the next best thing is to send them your materials so they can see you on tape.

9. Get employers to approach you. Imagine if employers approached you, instead of the other way around. You can make it happen by becoming well known in your community. The most effective ways to become well known as a speaker include: get interviewed on radio and TV, write articles for publication in local newspapers and magazines, put up a website, attend networking events, give free speeches to community groups, and present your own seminars.

10. Get represented by speakers’ bureaus. Speakers bureaus are companies that can find work for you. Once you have some experience as a speaker, you can start approaching bureaus in your community to represent you.

This article is an excerpt from the FabJob Guide to Become a Motivational Speaker. The complete guide offers detailed information about how you can break into this career and get hired as a motivational speaker. Click here to Get The Complete Guide.