Strategies for Creating and Sustaining a Career as a Professional Speaker

Dr. Gary Arnold's Book
How the Top 1% of Speakers and Coaches Do Internet Marketing
Paperback: ISBN:978-1-57867-041-3; eBook: ISBN:978-1-57867-043-7

Many speakers chose to become professional speakers because they felt called to share a particular message with the world. Some enjoy the energized feeling they experience when they are in front of an audience. Regardless of the reason for entering the field, the truth is that many speakers are good, but they never become excellent speakers. Some wonder if becoming a professional speaker will be worth it in terms of personal satisfaction and financial gain. So, how do you get the most out of a career in public speaking? Here are some tips that will help you make your professional speaking career work for you.

#1 Get Into the Mind of Your Audience

Enjoying a high level of personal satisfaction as a speaker is wonderful, but it won't put food on the table. To really make your career work for you financially, you must look at what it is you have to say. One way to look at your presentation is from the perspective of your audience.

What would interest you? What inspires you? What motivates you? What problems do you have? What solutions are viable for those problems? Watch video of your talk with the mindset of an audience member. If you can really put yourself in your audience's place you are a step closer to a successful speaking career.

#2 Sell What You Know

Once you have developed a dynamite presentation, take the information you have and turn it into other products. With the help of the Internet you can extend your reach to a global market. You can create products such as audio and video materials, eBooks, teleseminars and subscription newsletters. Offer a variety of materials at different price points. Regardless of which products you decide to create, it is imperative that you provide something that is top quality and unique. Find a new twist on your niche; solve a problem for your customers. Keeping it fresh and cutting edge will help you stand out from the crowd. This is an important point if you want to achieve the success you are looking for. When you have other products to sell you are still making money even when you aren't speaking.

#3 Find Sustainable Platforms

It has been said, and it is true, that it is harder to close the first sale with a client than it is to close subsequent ones. This can be true for getting speaking engagements as well. Look for jobs that have the potential to offer repeat performances. For example, many businesses hold quarterly meetings for their employees, and may want you to develop a series of talks that can be presented over time. Some organizations have multiple locations, and may want a speaker to present the same talk at all locations. Become known as the "go to guy" in your field by becoming a subject matter expert.