Every business, educational institution, club and sports team at some point requires the use of a professional speaker to help incorporate change, increase team morale or jump-start an organizational retreat. If you're a smart, dynamic person, than you can easily hone your innate skills to become a professional speaker.
Here are some tips to help you become a professional speaker:
- Establish your business. The single mistake most small business owners make is not becoming a recognized legal entity. Unless you register your name and business with the city and State Corporation Committee, you will run into problems with the IRS. Even professional speakers need to become a legally recognized entity before they can begin their business.
- Once you have established yourself in the eyes of the IRS, you can start marketing your professional speaking services. Start with your local Chamber of Commerce.
Once you become a member, you will have access to the membership database, usually of thousands of members. Most Chambers also send out email newsletters. Make an announcement about your services as a professional speaker or announce that you have just opened your business. It can be surprising how many people read the emails and how many people are in need of a professional speaker.
- Establish your Web site and market your services there. Next to your local constituents, the majority of your marketing budget should be dedicated to your Web site - as this will reach the national and international employees interested in obtaining the services of a professional speaker. Become the market shareholder. Offer tips and guidelines about being a professional speaker. The more information you offer, the more of an expert you will become in the eyes of the public, which means the higher rates you can request for your public speaking engagements.
- Become an industry expert. Study a particular topic or develop a series of speeches around a topic that you are already an expert in. If you're an artist, then become an expert on garnishing creativity. If you're a scientist, then develop a series of professional presentations on how science relates to business or team building. Once you have established a set of key articles around a key topic, you will become the recognized expert in that area of study. It's amazing how much word of mouth can spread amongst members of similar organizations. Before long, if you play your specialization card right, you will become a recognized go-to person for all organizations of a particular type.
The most important thing to remember while developing your career as a professional speaker is always follow-up with people you've met. You never know when the man in the checkout line next to you will be in need of a speaker of the upcoming company picnic.
As a speaker more than most other professions, your personal persona is what sells you. When in public, that persona has to always be on. Remember: you must show interest in your topic that extends beyond the office in order to be credible and affective.
As always, good luck with your new venture!
