***If You Plan A Career in Public Speaking, Start With the 'Freebies'

In order to establish yourself in the business of public speaking, you should begin contacting local clubs and organizations in your area as soon as possible. It is important to understand that the majority of those engagements will not be paid. In fact, at this stage, I would doubt that any of those invitations will offer you any monetary gain. Therefore, if you already have a job, it would be a good idea not to quit your place of employment just yet!

While you may feel that the time and energy you spend in this process is worth more than a free presentation, if you are contemplating a career in public speaking, then the practice you will get will be worth more than you can imagine. In addition, there is every possibility that you will receive other invitations; and, those invitations may very well pay you a fee.

Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, and other specialty organizations such as insurance, real estate, women’s groups, and even professional organizations are always on the lookout for speakers. Often these groups have a speaker for their monthly meetings.

Business leads groups as well as chambers of commerce are definitely worth joining because the business referrals you will get from these types of organizations can jumpstart your career rather quickly.

Depending on your topic, it might be an idea to approach churches, synagogues and other religious establishments. If you are a financial planner or an insurance broker, for example, the board of directors for a place of worship might well be interested in your services.

It is also a good time to have your ‘elevator speech’ in mind. Throughout the course of your day in which you are possibly standing in line at Starbucks or a sporting event, waiting for an elevator or in one, or shopping for a new car or home, chance encounters can bring surprising results if you are willing to start the conversation.

If your delivery skills are good and your message of value, the word will spread and your career will take off. It may not happen as quickly as you want, but if you are patient and diligent in your search for opportunities, then you will reap the rewards.