You want to become a public speaking consultant. What is the first step?

1. Public speaking is a an art and skill that is honed over time. Practice by doing makes you better. 2. Define your subject areas and know them well. Do not speak on everything and anything. 3. Prepare - never wing it. 4. Identify what works for your delivery - for some people all they need is bullet points, other people need fully developed notes, others memorise their speeches/talks. All ways are valid so long as you connect with your audience. 5. Take note of what people say was great about your speech/talk - develop those.

Here is what helped me as I progressed as a speaker 1. Practice, practice, practice! :-) 2. Ask for feedback 3. Prepare thoughtfully 4. Accept to be vulnerable/nervous 5. Think about your 30sec elevator pitch - all the rest revolves around this backbone.

They say, practice makes perfect - but it's so true! The more prepared you are the better you're going to feel and the more confident you'll be on stage. Don't get too caught up in wanting to nail it word for word, but have your main ideas prepared and rehearsed. Secondly, engage! One way to do this is...INSERT humor! At the end of the day, keep your content engaging, get the audience to laugh, raise their hand, clap, stand up. Be human - the more you can connect, the better you're going to feel. Lastly, accept that life isn't perfect and if something doesn't go your way during your talk, that is OK! Assess how you did and choose to move forward afterwards learning new ways to improve and perfect your craft even more.

Build credibility!!! Without it, it’s an uphill battle. Answer the question “why should I listen to you?” Also think about the kind of clients you want to serve, based on the experience you have.

First and foremost, live by your principles. Be impeccable with your words and actions in service of your mission to help others elevate their ability to communicate in every aspect of their lives. Second, continue to improve your own speaking and acquire new techniques to refresh your service offerings. Use your past successes in related fields (mine was public relations and broadcasting) to inform your approach to public speaking coaching. But do not rest on your laurels. Seek coaching for yourself to stay sharp and current. Public speaking is organic not static.

For a start, one can use their social media pages as their portfolio. Sharing your speaking engagements informs people about what you do and your area of expertise. Since it’s in public, people you don’t even know can recommend you for a speaking gig or even reach out to book you for one.

I established my credibility by organizing my own events and developing a solid track record. This approach meant I didn’t have to justify my actions to anyone. Once I had a proven track record, people began to recognize me as a credible speaker. My philosophy is simple: don’t wait to be given a seat at the table; instead, create your own opportunities.

A portfolio is a collection of content showing your expertise and experience. 1. Select your niche of specialisation. Identify your audience requirements and the gap in the market. 2. Write clear and concise bio. Include your achievements and qualifications. 3. Collect and showcase the testimonials to bring credibility. Ask for feedback from your colleagues. 4. Curate short videos which shares your insights on a particular topic. Use previous presentation, webinar or interview footage. 5. Write a short, relevant and catchy title. Add the summary of the Bio in points. 6. Add your social media appearances to establish your credibility. Include your contact details such as email, website and social media links.

When building credibility, it's important to showcase your ability to present. First, pick a topic or niche you would like to focus on and share videos of yourself speaking about it. If you don't have anything published on an official source or widely shared, you can use your social media accounts to share videos. Beyond your own channels, consider appearing on podcasts, creating your own webinar, organizing an in-person event, or starting a YouTube channel. The more you can showcase your knowledge and abilities in an accessible way, the easier it will be for you to attract more clients and prove your talents. For an added bonus, get feedback of what people think of your presentations and ask how you can improve.

This is a great case of AI junk. Building a portfolio when you have not spoken before is a bit of a catch-22, but it's entirely doable with a bit of hustle. The trick? Dive into the world of free speaking gigs. Start pitching yourself for these opportunities, no matter how small they might seem at first. Every event you speak at is a chance to polish your skills, gather feedback, and speaking begets speaking.

Setting rates as a public speaking consultant involves considering not just the hours worked, but the value delivered to clients. I often ask myself, "What problem am I solving for my clients, and how does my expertise help them achieve their goals?" This question guides me in determining the true impact of my services and justifies the rates I set. Ultimately, I approach rate-setting as a balance between recognizing my value and remaining competitive in the market, ensuring that clients receive exceptional value for their investment.

Setting rates starts with considering your long term goal and working backwards. Can I work for free to start? Can I trade my skill for my clients skill (vs $$) to move myself forward in the long run? Does finding a niche/specialization help my long term goal become reality?

Setting your rates as a public speaking consultant can indeed be challenging, but it's essential to consider several factors to ensure fair compensation for your services. Start by assessing your experience and qualifications in the field of public speaking. Consider factors such as the number of years you've been speaking professionally, any certifications or training you've completed, and your track record of success.

It's essential to consider a few key factors that can significantly influence your pricing. First, think about the mode of the event—will it be in-person or virtual? Naturally, virtual events cut down on travel time and expenses, allowing for more flexibility in your rate. For in-person events, the distance and travel time become crucial. A local event that's just a few-hour commitment won't cost you as much in time or money, so you might price these opportunities more competitively. If you're looking at an engagement that requires a lengthy commute or even an overnight stay, your rate should reflect the additional time and financial commitment.

We don't work for the money. We work for the value we bring. Our unique perspective is all about getting people across the line and upskilled in the areas we know are valued and needed. We're selfish. We discuss the topics we want to see in the world to reach our vision. We're passionate about our vision and single-minded in ensuring its achievement. While it might seem like we're more focused on something other than the end goal, everything has a strategic purpose. Don't get bogged down when setting the rates. It's all about finding the right audience. Your rate is about getting rid of the tyre kickers.

I would actually put find your clients first. Know who the niche audience is that you speak specifically to and make sure you are able to hone your messaging for them. They are your loyal base and you want to ensure you are building a successful long-term relationship with them.

In my experience, it is best to be authentic and honest and genuine and go with the truth, which is sometimes unique and often includes putting across the situation that allows us to have the uncomfortable conversations.

Create a compelling profile that highlights your skills, experience, and value proposition, and actively seek out freelance or contract opportunities. Networking, both online and offline, is key to building your client base and growing your business as a public speaking consultant.

After content selection you need to find out good clients who are ready to pay for your sessions. You can go for one to one sessions, webinars , question and answers.

Or you can completely ignore the current advice and completely change the game. Why set yourself on in-person work and markets that are stuck in the old ways and can be disrupted with the flick of a pen and a viral pandemic? The internet is the marketplace. Find your voice, find your target customer (we make it even easier using our generative AI tools that focus on exactly this) and simply do it. There are so many under qualified and lack lustre presenters on the internet. It doesn't take much to stand out. Build a funnel. If you don't know how, or what a funnel is, ask. It doesn't take much to get started.

Use the modes of persuasion - Ethos, Logos and Pathos: As you start, present why you are a credible source of information. Your experience. Don't brag, but you must convince the audience why they should listen to what you have to say. Support your claims with facts and figures. The information you present has to be logical. When you speak, do it with passion! Even if you are the most credible expert with an important message, if you speak monotonously, you are bound to bore the audience. Miss any one of those and your message will not go through.

Promote your services through various channels such as social media, networking events, speaking engagements, and partnerships with complementary businesses. Consider offering workshops or seminars to showcase your expertise and attract potential clients. By Marketing your services, you will be able to engage more people around you and it will make you a better public speaking consultant.

Build Your Portfolio-is the key! Any speaking engagement that you are asked to do, do it! It’s not always about the money! The more you speak it helps builds your flow and delivery! Most importantly, your confidence! I never turn down any opportunity I have to build my network off of others success people or organizations! The opportunity doesn’t just give you a speaking engagement, it allows others to learn about you, your mission, products and services!!

Keep your audience's interest by weaving in a story at the beginning of your presentation/speech. That is the hook that reels your audience in and then do the "reveal" in how the story relates to the speaking topic.

Your customers are the vital point throughout the entire process, not just at the end. Don't ask. Tell. Market yourself. Push the services to them. Make them see the value you bring. Build a newsletter. But most of all, don't do it for the money.

A game-changing tip I received on handling travel expenses was this: establish a fixed travel fee based on the destination. The two most common ways are as a flat fee or a percentage of the speaking fee. This simplifies everything. I can arrange my travel details, and fly or drive according to my preferences, without the hassle of tracking and submitting every receipt. It streamlines the administrative side and is easily incorporated into the contract, setting clear expectations from the start.

Types Of Public Speaking Consultant: Clients generally have special requirements. Ask yourself which category, or a combination, do you belong to: -Consultant for Content: Are you a skilled content producer? Can you compose various types of material depending on industry or occasion? -Consultant for Delivery: Imagine a speaker who is not able to capture the audience’s attention. When he speaks, few are interested in listening. He is saddened by the lackadaisical response. Will you be able to mentor delivery and stagecraft? -Consultant For Speaker Marketing: Some clients are ready to deliver a speech. All they require is marketing assistance. Will you be able to help them sell their voices?

I think the best way to get into public speaking is: 1) network actively 2) let the way you present yourself be your pitch

Walk the talk. Be great in public speaking first. Build your personal brand via social media to showcase your expertise. Build a funnel by running workshops or courses.

The journey to become a Public Speaking Consultant shouldn't be confined to traditional paths of expertise. Instead of focusing solely on formal qualifications and experience, consider the potential for diverse backgrounds to bring fresh perspectives. Fields such as theatre, improv comedy, and gaming communities, where teamwork, leadership, and clear communication are essential, offer unique insights into effective communication techniques often overlooked by traditional experts. Embracing this diversity could lead to innovative approaches that resonate with a wider audience, fostering growth and creativity in the field.