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Letter to Grace:
Should You Become a
Professional Speaker??
Hi, Grace!
I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you
sooner. You wrote such a delightful letter, and I put it aside for
a moment when I had time to respond to you.
You asked what “wisdom” I might have
which might benefit you down the road as you pursue your dream of
becoming a motivational speaker… well, here goes! I’m not sure
that I would call it “wisdom,” but more appropriately, “lessons I’ve
learned.”
First, become an expert at something
you are passionate about. Professional speakers aren’t just
speakers; they are experts who speak. There is a big difference.
As you decide on colleges, make sure you go to one that will allow
you to blossom in an area you are passionate about.
Second, take every opportunity to
speak that you can. The more you speak, the more you speak. Get
it? Organizations like toastmasters are great places to sharpen
your skills. You can’t do it by reading about it; you’ve gotta DO
it! When people are paying you money to hear you speak, you’ve
GOTTA be good. And with your theatre and debate background, I’m sure
you’ll be great.
Third, learn about business. Being a
professional speaker means running a professional business. You
will have to get involved in everything related to your speaking
business from soup to nuts… Marketing, sales, networking,
budgeting, accounting, taxes (ugh,) business planning, even product
development! And more and more business is being done on the
internet, so make sure you are “internet savvy.” There is so much
more to being a professional speaker than just giving GREAT
presentations.
Fourth, develop your writing skills.
Experts who speak have a message to share with others; they can do
it in many ways, not just from the platform. Books and magazine
articles are some of the ways speakers share their messages with
others, so are CDs, tapes, and teleseminars. Someone once told me
that there are only two kinds of speakers: those who have written a
book and those who are “gonna!”
Finally, enjoy your life and your
work. People want to hire experts who are positive, well balanced,
and happy. Be patient with yourself as you learn more about this
profession; I hope some of the “lessons” I’ve shared with you don’t
sound overwhelming. You will learn what you need to as you go. You
have a long wonderful life ahead of you… live every minute of it.
I was impressed that you got my
information from the NSA website. The NSA is the premiere
organization for speakers, so I knew that you had done your homework
before writing to me. Their website has tons of great information
that will help you with your career. The NSA has great workshops;
every time I go to one, my head swims with all the new information!
If you ever go to one, let me know and I will be happy to host you
around.
I was honored that you chose to
contact me, as I, myself have been in the business only 3 years.
But I now have finally found my passion, (too) many years after
graduating from college. Not many high school seniors really know
what they want to be when they “grow up;” you do. Half your battle
is already won. The other half is right before you. Go at it with a
passion… oh, and let me know when you make it to Oprah, ok?
Best of luck,
Marsha
Marsha D. Egan
The Egan Group, Inc.
2 Seven Springs Drive
Reading, PA 19607-9766
877-544-4870
www.leadershiplights.com
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