After an initial training period you need to decide what you’re going to
speak about. As you see what others are doing, you’ll quickly notice that they
are looking for a niche to set them apart from hundreds of other speakers. The
bottom line is that in order to succeed you will need to have a topic that in
some way shows people how to make more money in one way or the other, or to be
more successful generally. This also most often means making money.
At one recent NSA seminar a lady was very pleased with herself because she
had come up with an unusual topic of doing a parody of “Winnie The Pooh.” As
good as it was it had very little appeal to the business world and a couple of
speaking veterans told her so. If she wished to pursue it “for free” and do
library readings for children that’s fine but it was unlikely that a company
would hire her.
One way or another you need to get your feet wet, so to speak. It is doubtful
you’ll be hired right away by a company so many speakers approach service clubs
and community groups. They are always looking for speakers and although they
don’t pay they provide a platform for learning. And you can get some nice
glowing testimonial letters for your marketing portfolio. The next step is to
approach small businesses or organizations in your community. It’s all about
getting the experience.
Who Hires Speakers?
Normally companies both large and small hold periodic meetings, mostly sales
oriented. They recognize that their employees get tired of hearing from the
same bosses within the organization so they routinely hire outside sales,
marketing, and success experts to come in and motivate the troops and make
everyone feel good. Trade organizations and associations also hire speakers for
their conventions. There is an association of professional meeting planners and
they scour the country looking for something new. So the opportunities
certainly exist.