Getting Started In The Speaking Business

Are you considering getting started in the 64 billion dollar, Speaking Industry?

That’s right… 64 billion dollars!  Yes indeed, there is a ton of money to be made, and I’m sure you wouldn’t mind getting your fair share of the pie!

However, before you ever dazzle your first audience, before you take the industry by storm, before you even pick up your first microphone — one of the most critical things that you must really grasp is the fact that you are entering into a business, not a hobby, and your success will be hugely impacted or derailed by your ability or inability to treat it as such.  It is equally important to be aware that a huge investment of your time, energy, finances and attention will be required.  And, as is the case with any industry, all the potential pitfalls, traps, and people of questionable character, will inevitably come into play.  Adequate time and commitment will also be key requirements for taking your business to the level you’re looking to achieve.

My personal recommendation, as you embark on your journey to “speak”, is to always remain true to the vision you have in your heart for the type of speaker you want to be.  I believe in what’s known as the “Model Impetrative”, which is simply identifying someone that’s already doing what you’re working toward, at the level you’re striving to do it — someone whom you may use as a model of excellence.  Now, I’m not suggesting that you attempt to duplicate another, but I would strongly advise you to use someone you admire as your guide, while your own greatness and uniqueness continue to unfold and develop.  Ultimately, much of your success will be determined by your ability to cultivate your own unique style, not by becoming a carbon copy of another.  So, whether you’ve become attracted to this career path after witnessing someone else on stage and thinking to yourself, “I can do that” — or perhaps, after attending a dynamic training session and visualizing yourself conducting — although I commend you on your resolve to take action, it may not be the wisest decision to up and quit your current job… just yet.  Firstly, invest the time to research, familiarize, and educate yourself about the pros and cons of the speaking industry, to be absolutely certain that you’re making an informed decision before moving forward.

So now, you’ve done your research and you’ve made up your mind!  You’re committed!  You’re ready!  You’ve got your model imperative and you’ve decided this is definitely for you!  Well, hold on just a minute… there are some very vital things you need to know, things I’ve learned along the way and would like to share with you.   Below are ten of the most powerful keys for getting started in the speaking business.  Implement them and you’ll be well on your way!

1.         Determine Your Readiness – How much time can you invest?  How much money can you invest? Who’s on your team, to support your efforts?  Make no mistake… it will require a team.  How serious are you?  What is your “WHY”– in other words, your reason, for pursuing this?

2.         What is Your Core Message? – Understanding your message, brand and being able to effectively communicate it, is critical.  What is it that you want to convey to your audience? Why should people listen to you?  Who are you?  Remember, YOU are the message that you deliver.

3.         Identify Your Target Audience – Determine the audience that is suitable for your message.  Everybody that has a pulse is not suited to be your target audience. Who can benefit from your message?  Whose pain do you feel?  What group would be willing to invest in your philosophy and strategies?

4.         Structure Your Business – Choose a fitting name for your business.  Make sure the name of your business is something relatively uncomplicated, which people can remember. This will be huge when you have to create a website.  Although I’m sure www.ChrisGlossTheProfessionalSpeaker.com would be a great name, it’s way too long and requires too much effort to remember.  Do your research to make an educated decision as to which business entity will work best for what you want to accomplish: sole proprietorship, corporation, non profit organization or LLC.  Be sure to consult an accountant, attorney or other professional,  for advice on setting up your business correctly.

5.         Create a Sound Business Plan – Again, this is a business not a hobby. What is your plan to generate revenue? What tools and equipment will you need to be successful? What is your marketing strategy?  How are you going to let the world know you are here and you have something to say?  If you were to ask most speakers about their plan, you’d discover that most do not even have one, and as a result, find themselves constantly frustrated and complaining, instead of fine-tuning a strategy to capitalize on the opportunities available.  Failure to create and execute a plan contributes greatly to the vast number of speakers who quit in their very first year in the business.  You MUST have a plan… and execute it!

6.         Develop Your Skills – One of the greatest teachers on the planet is experience. Speak as often as you can!  Join organizations like Toastmasters International (www.toastmasters.org), which is a place where you can develop your speaking skills and obtain valuable feedback on how to improve them.  It’s also great for seasoned speakers because you always want to keep your skills sharp.  Toastmasters will help keep you on your “A” game.  Also important for developing your skills, is to implement a Daily Regimen Program for personal success (go to www.ChrisGloss.com to pick up the best selling audio, the “Daily Regimen Program”).  Read at least one book a week, about the industry.  Listen to CD’s in your car about the industry, or your specific niche.  Always strive to improve your skills.

7.         Develop a Complete Promotional Package – Business cards, One Sheet, demo CD or DVD (showcasing your skills as a speaker), audience feedback, pictures (professional shots), a well written bio, news clippings, testimonies, website, and book. Do not allow not having these things to stop you from speaking!  Some of these essentials take time to acquire and will change several times throughout your career. So, “don’t despise small beginnings”, just do your best to upgrade everything to professional standards as soon as possible.  Please be sure to comprehend what I am telling you here, do not allow not having these tools readily available, to stop you from speaking – however, be sure to acquire them as soon as possible: they are very important and will be key requirements as your business/career starts to take off.

8.         Create a Buzz – Start speaking as often as possible.  Even if you have to start speaking for free, do it, just do it with a “fee mindset”.   Remember, free speeches do not equal zero income because although you are not charging a speaking fee, you do reserve the right to collect contact information, testimonies, sell products and market future events.  Another way to create a great buzz is by writing articles and submitting them to newspapers, magazines and websites. Also, be sure to send out press releases whenever you speak. Let the whole world now you have arrived!  Don’t be afraid to be controversial, as this can afford you a ton of publicity and in some cases publicity is better than advertising… plus it’s free!  The point is to go all out… get people talking about you!

9.         Record Yourself – You should always record your events, as videos and audios can prove to be valuable assets, and extremely effective promotional pieces for your products.  There will be times when you speak for an organization without a speaking budget, which is fine,  but if they have the ability to record video/audio, that will be your compensations.  Note: Always be sure to keep the master copies, this will allow you to turn that speech into a product to sell.

10.       Create Strong Alliances – You can not and will not be able to undertake this business alone!  You will need a professional team, as well as coaches to help you navigate through the opportunities and challenges you are certain to encounter in this $64 Billion Dollar Industry. You will need a Marketing Coach, Brand Coach, Life Coach, Skill Coach, Business Coach, Spiritual Coach and a Possibility Coach.  As you can imagine, it can become very expensive to get started, thus, creating and leveraging relationships along the way, can help eliminate much of the expense.  I’m not, by any means, suggesting that you attempt to acquire everything for free, but there is immense value in leveraging relationships in which you are not only receiving, but in turn providing a benefit to the other party, to make it an absolute win-win situation.

So, there you have it — 10 essential keys for getting started in the speaking business.

Do your self a huge favor and take the time to answer the questions I posed to you above, your answers will help direct your path. Yes, this is a great industry and you have a huge opportunity to leverage your skills, experience and knowledge to impact the lives of others and make a boat load of money in the process.  In essence, I guess you could say that this industry is a continuous self improvement course with a tremendous compensation plan… if you just do it right!

To get the full story on “How to Get Started in the Speaking Business” and test your readiness just follow this link to take a free assessment. http://bit.ly/lnfQK

Chris Gloss, a.k.a. “The Possibilitarian” is a Motivational Speaker, Author, & Success Coach.  For more info about booking Chris for your event, please visit www.chrisgloss.com or contact Chris directly at chris@chrisgloss.com . Sign up for free weekly coaching at www.ChrisGloss.com.

Copyright (c) 2009 Chris Gloss All rights reserved. Feel free to publish this article or send to other people as long as this article is sent or used in its entirety without deleting or modifying the anything including the contact information.