An Athletic Approach to Leadership and Life
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FAQs - Professional and Public Speaking © Mariah Burton Nelson 1) How Can I Become a Professional Speaker? Develop an expertise on a subject that is also of interest to others, and worth something to them, so they're willing to pay you for it. Practice -- out loud, in front of the mirror, then to whatever group will have you, including elementary school students, Rotary Clubs, PTA's, whatever. Join your local Toastmasters (check web listings or phone book). Read books about speaking (How to Speak, How to Listen, by Mortimer J. Adler, is one of many good ones.) Join or visit your local chapter of the National Speakers Association (480/968-2552). I've learned a lot and benefited tremendously by being a member of NSA. If you're interested in speaking more, earning more, getting more referrals and repeat business, and continually improving your speaking technique, stories, structure, humor, etc; do check out our membership and conferences. There are 38 local chapters with monthly meetings; that info is also on their website. See more about NSA below. 2) How Can I Find a Speakers Bureau or Lecture Agent? As with literary agents, lecture agents and speakers bureaus are interested in clients who have established credentials. In the case of professional speaking, this means having testimonial letters from clients, a videotape of a presentation or compilation of presentations, a flier describing you and your talks, and other evidence that you're experienced and good at what you do. There are numerous agents and bureaus listed on the web, but my best advice is to join professional organizations (namely, the National Speakers Association), learn about this business, and get connected. 3) I Am Moved Each Time I Hear a Great Speaker Speak Without Being Nervous. What Does It Take? PRACTICE! :-) 4) What's the Magic In It? Confidence and connection with the audience, which comes from practice. :-) 5) I Am Aspiring To Become An Admirable Presenter. Could You Please Tell Me How to Achieve That? Think less about "admirable" and more about "available, connected, authentic, useful, entertaining." Think less about YOU and more about THE AUDIENCE. Good luck! 6) You're a Former Chapter President of the National Speakers Association. Is It Worth IT To Attend Their Chapter and National Meetings? Yes! -- IF you want to build your business, using speaking as at least a part of that business. 7) Does NSA Provide Speaking Training? Yes. We also focus on business success. Toastmasters is best if you mostly want to practice technique yourself and get feedback. Many people do both. 8) What Next Step Should I Take In My Speaking Career? Unlike medicine and law, there's no roadmap for how to create a successful writing/speaking career – which is why it's so wonderful that in NSA, we have a spirit of helping each other however we can, including referring to other speakers as we get to know them. (I know I sound evangelical, but it's an incredible organization, and I can't overstate how much I've learned there, and how much it has helped my business.) You learn a little from everyone*, try things out, take what ideas and business models fit your personality, your industry, your financial goals, etc — and even then, after many years, continue to re-invent yourself and re-position yourself and re-brand yourself because times and audiences and interests (including one’s own) change. For me, that - changing with the times and with one’s own growth -- is what makes the life of the artist/businessperson perpetually engaging and challenging and fun. * We borrow CONCEPTS from each other, but have an ethical code that forbids us from using each other’s MATERIAL; it’s considered plagiarizing to use someone else’s story, joke, etc. For more tips on how to give great speeches, see my Articles page, especially A Good Speech is Like a Good Relationship.
Questions? Contact Mariah at Mariah@MariahBurtonNelson.com |