Professional Speakers

Myths abound about the lives and work of professional speakers. The very concept of a "professional" speaker strikes some as ludicrous. How could one possibly earn a full-time living speaking to groups if that person isn't doing something else with his or her life? It's a valid question, and one that a lot of beginning professional speakers ask themselves as they're setting out on their careers.

A great professional speaker starts from a place of passion. Those who have a true affinity for a subject, be it child-rearing, gourmet cooking, self-improvement, or finance and investing, already have their source material for their speeches. The bulk of the work then consists of developing their presence, refining their speech, and brushing up on both verbal and nonverbal delivery.

How Professional Speakers Start

Okay, so you've got the passion--now what? A million people are passionate about one thing or another. What separates great professional speakers from the pack? Well, for one thing, the need to share your passion with others is a must. Those speakers who are solely motivated by big bucks will find that audiences see right through them. Think about the great teachers in your own life. How many of them were thinking about their next paycheck while teaching you about algebra, Shakespeare, or the Civil War?

Second, professional speakers develop a consistent track record. They begin by speaking to one or two groups a year, then ramp up to one or two audiences per month. Over time, it's not unusual for some professional speakers to see three to five groups per week, though at this point there's little time left for other pursuits. Once you've arrived at this point, congratulations! You're almost assuredly a full-time professional speaker.