Public speaking as a Career

Public speaking is the process of passing information and connecting with an audience or a large gathering of people via speech. Hence a professional speaker is someone who talks to a large audience or group of people.

So how can you become a professional public speaker?

Before I go ahead, one thing you have to take note is that public speakers are confident, have very good oratory skills, good command of language, organized, outgoing and know how to motivate their audiences. Don’t be worried if you do not have any of these qualities yet as you can learn and acquire all these skills and qualities.

Most times we give public speeches to our families, neighbours, friends, colleagues at the office even when making a presentation to your supervisor or boss, we give speeches. What am I trying to get at here? I am letting you know that anybody can become a professional public speaker as you do not even need a specific degree before you become a public speaker.

A lot of people have made a decent career and earned huge income from public speaking, so before you decide to select public speaking as a career ensure that you have made adequate research about the job and how you can become a professional public speaker.

You can become an effective public speaker by following these processes;

Attend some public speaking course:

It is advisable to attend some courses on effective public speaking which will enable you learn how to develop your confidence, organization skills, command of language, oratory skills, communicating and motivational skills. 

Focus on specified areas that you are passionate about for example business, investment, health, culture, politics, etc. Also, try and take some courses in sociology and psychology or you can go the extra mile by getting a professional certification to let your audience that you are a professional speaker.

Know and Understand your Target Audience:

Before you delivery your speech it is advisable to do your homework and understand your audience. Make proper research about the people you are going to meet and speak to, learn their culture and language even if a little bit. This will enable you connect positively with them and create a good rapport with your audience. Make your speech on point and avoid cracking jokes unless you are very good at humour. 

Try to practice on a small audience first to boost your confidence by giving a speech to some group of friends, families or relatives. Let them give you feedback on how you coordinated and deliver your speech. You can also record your speech and work on areas that need adjustments. This will help you develop on yourself better.

Market yourself:

You have to advertise and market yourself to get offers to deliver a speech. Make your service free and even offer giving out free audio CDs, flyers and pamphlets of your previous speeches to some people in the audience stand and even the organizers of the program. This will go a long way as there might be someone who might come in contact with your audio CDs or flyers and fall in love your speech which will lead to them eventually contacting you.

Earn from speaking:

After you have advertised yourself and offering free speeches for some time, there will definitely be someone or company that will love your speech and invite you to deliver a speech at a specific amount. Once this happens, your career as a professional public speaker has been taken to a whole new level.

Overall, you have to be passionate about being a professional speaker and build a positive charisma to solidify your presence as a good orator.