***Get Started as a Professional Speaker

To become a well paid speaker, it doesn't mean that you have to work yourself to death or frantically start a huge social media campaign etc. None of that will work for you if you don’t first have the vision.

So step one is to envision how you want your future to play out and hold that vision no matter how much ‘evidence’ you may see that seems to contradict or cancel your vision. The professional speaking field is changing quickly and you’ll need nerves of steel not to cave in and try to change to suit what you think the market wants.

You will need to change, of course, in order to grow and adapt to a new market but the only change you’ll ever need is to grow and develop yourself and your message; in other words, become MORE of who you really are.

Be fully confident and know who you are and what you have to offer. Be certain that your value proposition clearly conveys the great value you bring to audiences. It might be clear to you....is it also clear to anyone who doesn’t know you? To someone whose needs and objectives are different from yours?

How will hiring you as a speaker benefit the organization or association? Organizations these days want a speaker whose delivery is entertaining and who also delivers leave-behind value – something that audiences will remember and act on long after the event is over.

From the powerful vantage point of a compelling value proposition, develop an outstanding promotional page. It doesn’t have to be pricey if you’re just starting out but it does have to be highly professional. It needs to include your bio, your photo, your (up to three) speeches with bullet benefits, along with a client list (if you have one) and testimonials (which can be used in conjunction with or in lieu of a client list).

The more impressive the credentials, the more higher end gigs will come your way. Each new speaking engagement, published article or media appearance adds to your credentials as an expert in your field.

Create a 2-3 minute demo video which can be in front of an audience or just you speaking directly to the camera. Be honest, authentic and yourself. All viewers need to know is that you can captivate an audience and your speech is not canned.

Finally make sure that your website is professional, easy to navigate and captures any browser’s email address and name so that you can follow up.

And then get yourself out there. Attend meetings where your prospects hang out, join select associations and make yourself known, write articles for your target audience.
If you stick to this simple plan and continue to build on it, you’ll be really happy with the results.
If you’d like to learn more, go to www.cathleenfillmore.com/events.php - our annual seminar is coming up and we’d love to see you there.

Cathleen Fillmore
416-532-9886
Speakers Gold bureau