Public Speaking

How do I break into and become successful at speaking at events?

Getting speaking gigs and then successfully delivery them may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually very easy. Over the years, I?ve developed a system of steps anybody can take to begin the road to becoming a successful public speaker.

All through out high school, I was terrified of public speaking. As a result, I rarely got to practice and I was always one of the worst speakers in every group I was a part of. Things started to change when I decided that being able to speak in front of an audience would be crucial to success in my career path. As a result of this realization, I committed myself to learning how the speaking profession works and getting my name out there. Although, I have a long way to go, I?ve been fairly successful thus far. And if I can do it, I guarantee you can if you are committed!

Get the Gig

1. Start Small. Offer to speak for free anywhere you can at first to build your track record.
   
2. Become an expert. This is easier than you think, especially when you narrow down the topic you want to be an expert in . You can begin identifying an area by thinking about where you are unique. Once you?ve identified a topic, you may want to establish more credibility by writing articles, gaining success, and/or winning awards in that area.
   
3. Video record a speaking engagement and send the tape to potential venues where you?d like to speak if they want reassurance that you?re a good speaker.
   
4. Leverage your network. Do you know anybody who runs an event or knows somebody who does, where you could be a speaker?
   
5. Build trust with the event planners by strategically volunteering. You can do this by helping out at events, connecting them with other individuals who they might like to meet, or by simply asking them how you can help.
   
6. After you are finished speaking, ask for a testimonial from a student and the event planner so you can leverage your past speaking engagements for larger ones. Also, ask the event planners if they know any other organizations that you could speak at.

1. Practice. Take every chance you get to speak in front of an audience of any size. When you get the gig, deliver the presentation to your friends for feedback beforehand.
   
2. Visualize yourself speaking successfully.
   
3. Don?t wing it and don?t stress it. When you first start public speaking it is ok to use note cards. However, as you get more comfortable with your material it is good to stop using aids like note cards so you can focus your full attention on the audience.
   
4. Video record yourself speaking and critique yourself.
   
5. Take a public speaking class at your school.
   
6. Join or start a local Toastmasters club.
   
7. View tapes or live presentations of the world?s best public speakers.