10 Tips for launching your public speaking career

by Liz Ryan

After years of experience, you know you’re an expert in your field. You have something to say, and people tell you you’re a great speaker. But how do you launch your public speaking career, for real? Here are ten tips to get you started --- and build a database of testimonials to help land future speaking gigs:

Here are some ideas to get you started, Luisa:

1. Make a list of your speaking topics. Add them to your profile on LinkedIn so people who visit your profile will know your areas of speaking expertise.
2. Write some articles on these topics and post them at EzineArticles. They’ll get picked up by newsletter and website publishers, with your bio at the bottom of each article, promoting you as a speaker on these topics!
3. Do a few “trial” speaking engagements at your local library or the Chamber of Commerce. Make sure and get feedback from each of your ‘clients,’ the people who invite you to speak. If you can get a written testimonial, get it! And save it!
4. Get a good headshot that you are comfortable with and add it to your website – if you want a very simple website, you can contact CMIT Solutions which offers a really inexpensive website builder/hosting option. People really want to see what their speakers look like!
5. Write some articles for your industry trade publication(s). You may have to submit a few stories before one is selected, but don’t give up. Check out each publication’s editorial calendar online to see what topics they’ll be focusing on in upcoming issues – then write about those.
6. Create a blog! I have two Blogger blogs and they aren’t fancy, but they give me a chance to write and get feedback from people.
7. Add a tagline about your speaking career to your email signature. Include your favorite speaking topics.
8. Speak, speak, speak. Speak for free (when you are overbooked with free speaking gigs, you can begin to charge fees for speaking.) The more experience, the better. And get a testimonial every time!
9. Join www.speakermatch.com, to get hooked up with speaking gigs you wouldn’t hear about otherwise.
10. Lastly, when finances allow, create a speaking video. Use clips from your favorite speaking gigs --- this will help vault you to the next level.