After delivering a speech, oftentimes some people will approach me about doing what I do. That is public speaking. When they tell me that they are interested in becoming a public speaker, I often ask: “What is your message?” “Do you know the group that will be willing to listen to your message?” “Do you know how to market yourself?” “Do you know how to put a value on the delivery of your message?”
The responses may vary from: the deer in the headlights look, to some attempt at explaining how they can deliver any topic to any audience. This usually indicates to me that they have not done their homework and may be in for a rude awakening.
The speaking business is just that: a business. Some people may view it as something simple to do. It is not. If you do not have a plan, you will experience more failure than success. It is not an easy business to get going. But if you learn what to do and act on it, it can become a great business.
1) First, start with defining your message. If you say you can talk about any subject. You are wrong. If you are not an expert in a particular area or have no experience in some areas, you will not be a credible speaker. You don’t want to get in front of an audience and flop.
2) Define your target audience. Not everyone is going to listen to your message. Nor should you try to speak with everyone about your message. Be smart about it. Find your target audience and spend time speaking in front of them to get the most results.
3) Identify how you would deliver your messages to your audience. Is it through books, webinars, DVDs, online videos, workshops, etc. Learning the different methods and media to reach your audience is important.
4) What is your rate? I find that most people don’t know how to put a price value on the delivery of their messages…Really this is the price value of yourself! What experience do you have? How long did it take you to get it? How much will someone pay you for it? These are just a few of the questions that one has to determine to really put a true value on your intellectual property/knowledge.
Becoming a successful Public Speaker takes some work. One of my mentors, Dawnna St. Louis, will be conducting a workshop, The Platform Expert’s Speakers Mastermind Class, on June 13, 2015 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the Hampton Inn located at 1900 NW 150th Ave, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33028. You can link to register here: http://theplatformexpert.com/.
Here is some of what she will be covering:
- Pick Your Profitable Topic
- Position Yourself in the market for big money
- Build multiple streams of income while you sleep
- Market yourself Powerfully and Profitably
- Break 6 figures in the first year
- Set your speaking fees and earn more than you expected
- Create Books and Publications your audience crave
- And much more!
If you truly want to be a Paid Public Speaker, sign up to learn from Dawnna. I certainly did.
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Marlene M. Bryan is a Distinguished Toastmaster, DTM. She is a certified speaker and leader by Toastmasters International. She is currently the District 47 Public Relations Officer, and leader of the Public Relations Team. She provides her services to over 3800 members throughout the district. Marlene is the owner of Marlene M. Bryan, Corp and Small Biz Evolution, LLC. She is a speaker, an author, and a coach.