To master public speaking requires fine tuning, practice in a public forum, and the utmost confidence in your , voice, and message. Still, it’s difficult for even the best public speakers to make a viable cmannerismareer of it. Here’s a few nuggets of advice that can help you find more work and make more money doing it.
Put your knowledge on the market
It’s hard to get a gig if you don’t have a lot of name recognition. Making books, videos, and audio files available to the market increases your prominence, and familiarizes the public with your message.
Get sponsorship
Consider your target audience, and seek out companies who would be interested in sponsoring you to reach that audience. Make a strong argument for yourself, after all, it’s what you do!
Collect payment directly
A good rule of thumb is to collect 50% of the payment before or the day of the event. Make your policy known initially as not to catch anyone with one foot off the merry-go-round.
Get up with a speakers bureau
More than likely, a speakers bureau will take a cut of your profit, but they’ll help to find you paying gigs and open up a great networking opportunity.
Public seminars
This requires a bit of self promotion. Arrange a public seminar and sell tickets online. Pitch tickets to companies to give to employees. There is the upfront expense of making, printing, and distributing brochures and booking a venue, but can be lucrative in the long run.
Telephone seminars
Create a telephone bridge line and have the audience call in and do the seminar over the phone. You can offer a more attractive price to prospective attendees this way and even work in your pajamas!
Webcasts
Similar to telephone seminars except through the internet instead of the phone line. This has the added benefit of being totally free to arrange and video capability.
Training companies
Speaking on behalf of a company as a hired hand can be disheartening, but it’s a good way to diversify your portfolio and open yourself to more gigs. In some instances, you may be able to help develop the training program.
Speak for free
You must get your name in message out to the public. Speaking for free is a great way to do this, at no monetary cost to you. Give an impressive speech, and pick up clients. Some people will share their experience online, putting your name out on the digital platform as well.
Speak as part of your job
Companies hire speakers for PR campaigns regularly. Try to get paid for your time at work by developing and delivering speeches. This will greatly benefit your portfolio, experience, and reputation within your company.