“So, Where Can I Speak?”
“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” – Benjamin Franklin
So, you know you want to speak in public because you have something to say that can greatly benefit others. So where can you speak?
Organizations of all types are clamoring for speakers. They are looking to fill their programs for their daily/weekly/monthly meetings.
Below are some ideas on where you can speak:
Speak in Your Current Job Position
The inability of people not being able to get ahead abounds in the annals of human history. A large part of this is due to people not exploring opportunities right where they are. That’s right! Before you go exploring speaking opportunities elsewhere, fully explore and exhaust the opportunities in your current job position.
There are a number of advantages you have in speaking in your current job position. Number one, people know you and you know the organization. Therefore, you know or have an idea as to who to contact for speaking opportunities. Number two, you probably have an advocate or two in your company that can give you a reference. Number three, you don’t have to search outside your company where you may know no one. Though this is not impossible, it is many times harder to discover opportunities to speak when you look outside your company.
But, let’s say you want to still want to explore outside your company. Why not try to find speaking opportunities at colleges and universities.
Speak at Colleges and Universities
When adults go looking for training or education, they usually turn to their local or university. Now, with the widespread use of distance learning, far away universities in which people will never visit are also possibilities for you to speak.
So, your local and not-so-local colleges and universities are another avenue to explore for you to speak. Almost all colleges and universities have opportunities to teach regular classes in-person and on-line if you have expertise they need. A caveat though – to teach a regular college/university class, you will need to have a graduate or doctorate degree.
However, colleges and universities also have continuing education short courses. If you have a needed expertise in a short course, say in public speaking, short courses may be available for you to teach.
Speak in Your Own Business
This is the opportunity for which you might have been waiting. There are two types of speakers in their own business. There are those speakers who make their living solely by speaking. These are the keynote and seminar speakers. Then there are those who speak to market their business. There is also a hybrid business model that combines both.
In today’s world, the hybrid business model is the most prevalent. There are speakers that may speak at conferences and other meetings. Chances are though they also coach clients in a myriad of areas from leadership to presentation skills to life coaching and many more.
Speaking in your current job position, at colleges and universities, or in your own business are by no means the only places you can speak. The basic formula is to determine what your particular expertise can offer others, determine your target market and then show them how you can improve their lives. I know. Easier said than done, but possible.
So, go forth and speak but remember. When “one door closes another window opens.” Keep the faith, maintain confidence in yourself and you will discover opportunities to speak. It is a matter of when, not if!
Call to Action
In the next week, explore speaking opportunities with your manager in your current position or in another position in your company
In the next week, call five (5) colleges and universities to ask for the continuing education contact and then call this contact to discover what short-term speaking opportunities are available
Take inventory of your expertise, start taking notes on how your expertise can help others, and then talk to professional speakers to get advice on starting a speaking/coaching business
“Picture yourself in a living room having a chat with your friends. You would be relaxed and comfortable talking to them, the same applies when public speaking.” – Richard Branson
DiBartolomeo Consulting International’s (DCI) mission is to help technical professionals to inspire, motivate, and influence colleagues and other technical professionals through improving their presentation skills, communication, and personal presence.
Contact DCI at
info@speakleadandsucceed.com or
Office – (703) 815-1324
Cell/Text – (703) 509-4424