What You Must Have as a Public Speaker

So, you want to be a Public Speaker. Have you ever thought about also being an Author. Perhaps so, and perhaps not. Well, if not, you are in for a world of hurt if you don’t change your thought process. As a Public Speaker, you must have a book. Why? Well, there are many reasons, but for now, let’s address a couple.

First, when first starting out as a Public Speaker, you will be speaking for free. Yes, I know, this sounds dreary, but, in all reality, you must intern before you get paid. You need these free speaking platforms as a stage to practice–to perfect your skill. I mean, think about it, if you just happened to land a $2,000 an hour speaking engagement, and you never perfected your skill, the meeting planner who hired you, would be ticked and tell the world how they got ripped off–your career would be ruined before it ever got started. Although you are speaking for free, you can be selling your book in order to earn some extra cash.

Second, if you speak for an hour and motivate your audience, what’s next for them? What’s next for you? What’s next for you and them as far as a business relationship goes? Well, without a book, they are merely going to, possibly, click the LIKE button on your Facebook page. It’s great to have followers, but it’s wonderful to have followers who pay you. Right?

So, picture this, you speak to an audience of 30 people (because that is more than likely your audience cap size without a book), and they loved your speech; but, you have nothing more to offer them except to show up at your next speaking engagement, or follow you on social media. Furthermore, if you have taken the Public Speaking Academy, then you are a great speaker, and people want to take a piece of you home with them…your book!

Next, say that there is a speaking gig available and the meeting planner is going to pay you $2,000. I know about the same speaking engagement. You send them your picture and bio; while I send them my speaking kit, along with a hard copy of my book. Who do you suppose they will hire–you or me? The truth is, they won’t even read my book, but they will hire me over you, simply because I have one. My book has positioned me as an expert, while your picture and bio positions you as an amateur–someone who nobody will pay to speak.

Now, perhaps you suck at writing. No worries, most Authors do. That is what the experts are for. People just like me who are Development Editors–we say what it is you meant to say. We take your unorganized thoughts, and incomplete thoughts and transform them into a masterpiece. Your only responsibility is to put your words on paper, and leave the rest to the experts.