20 Tips for new professional 'rising star' speakers

by Neen James

Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting. There are some simple things you can do to really boost your learning and accelerate your speaking career.

1. Find a buddy – make a friend with another speaker at a similar stage to you. This way you can both encourage each other along your journey, sharing your learnings and celebrate your successes.
2. Get a mentor –an expert in their field who is willing to share one hour a month with you. This is a critical part of your success. Mentors will share with you, expose you to new learnings and experiences, introduce you to their network and be your personal cheer squad. Treat your role as a mentee very seriously – for more tips on mentoring go to http://www.neenjames.com/tips.html#four 
3. Create a mastermind group – find 3-4 other speakers to meet each month - brainstorm ideas, provide tips and encourage each other. Your mastermind group will be an excellent source of feedback, encouragement and often a reality check for you.
4. Contact speakers you admire. Don’t be scared to ask for their help, opinions, and biggest learnings and just meet with them. This is the most generous industry on the planet, no other industry of supposed competitors are so willing to generously share their expertise. Just ask!
5. Attend all National Speakers Association (NSA) meetings – make this a priority in your month. These are the hub of NSA and a great place for connecting, investing in your personal development and serving this amazing association.
6. Attend an NSA convention. This event will blow your mind! You will experience the very best in the industry, hang out with legends, meet new rising stars, experience a sense of community and leave with more information and tools than you can possibly implement!
7. Get involved in the NSA committee – volunteer to assist your local chapter. Everyone should do this, serving is a wonderful way to give back to this community, meet new people and learn new skills.
8. Attend toastmasters – find a good group and learn more about your craft. If you are brand new to this profession, get good and quickly. Investigate your local toastmaster chapter for building skills.
9. Borrow resources from other speakers. When you start out you may have limited resources, borrow from others, they are generous. When you are doing well in your speaking business, share your wealth and your resources.
10. Subscribe to Professional Speaker Magazine and Voice of Experience CDS. This highly effective tool can be used over and over again, the information is current, helpful and practical – absorb yourself in each monthly edition.
11. Read Speaker Directories. Get to know what people do, what they speak on, what industries they help. Role model yourself on their great businesses.
12. Review websites – make time each day to visit the National Speakers Association websites from all over the world. Have an international focus in your business.
13. Create a one-page overview of you and your topic. Your ‘one sheet’ is a valuable tool and will be asked for by meeting planners, bureaus and potential clients. Invest in an editor to make this your best sales tool.
14. Create a website – this is non-negotiable. Invest time and money into a site the best describes you, your topic and how your audience will benefit from spending time with you.
15. Meet Speakers Bureaus – introduce yourself as a ‘rising star’ and develop relationships with them. This is a long-term investment, respect their expertise and get to know them and their business well.
16. Speak at interest groups for free – i.e. SWAP, Zonata, Rotary and many more. Practice your craft.
17. Get Accredited – find out how to improve your skills through the NSA accreditation system.
18. Do a Presentation Course – ask for recommendations to ensure you have good, clear technique for speaking and platform mechanics.
19. Seek voice coaching or enrol in a drama or dance class. Expand your skills, learn breathing techniques, have fun in your profession.
20. Be persistent – don’t get discouraged, focus on your goal and become a professional speaker. The world is waiting to hear your message.