How To Kick-Start Your Public Speaking Career in 2016

Posted on December 22, 2015

by Bryan Caplovitz

This article is going to give you a five-point action plan and strategy for achieving an amazing public speaking transformation in 2016. If you follow it, you will improve. We know your time is precious, so let’s skip right into it.


1. Take Stock of What You’re Doing Right and Wrong Right Now.
None of us are perfect. Most of us only get to do the odd occasional public speaking engagement, and a lack of practice means we’re bound to get things wrong. If you want to make 2016 your year for doing well with public speaking, then you have to know where you’re starting from. Record yourself right now. See where you’re at. Be honest, but not harsh. The whole point of this exercise is so that this time next year, you can do a separate recording and see how much better you are.


2. Plan to Capitalize on Your Strengths.
A good plan is worth a hundred (or a thousand!) hours of practice. If you have a stutter and you don’t address it when you speak publically, you’re training yourself to always speak with a stutter. Take five of the weaknesses you identified above and make them a priority – give them an action plan and a time table for getting them out of your system.


3. Give It Away Free.
Many public speakers are limited because of a lack of practice. There’s a way around that though: practice! 

“But how do I practice with no engagements?”

Offer your public speaking services for free. Target non-profits or small organizations. Perhaps instead of a technical speech in your chosen field of expertise, you can give a more generalized (but rousing) speech that’s motivational in nature. This way you can focus on the delivery rather than the content.  By giving free motivational speeches, you’re adding value to people’s lives and getting that elusive but necessary experience. 


4. Build Goodwill by Donating and Sharing.
If you want to make a name for yourself as a public speaker, then you’re going to have to build goodwill. Good will is essential for a public speaker. When you give a public speech, you are putting your soul on display as much as your words. If you are a charitable person who gives to charity, gives speeches for free and helps those who need it regardless of cost or price, then the audience will be warmer to you, and you’ll have a natural charisma that cannot be faked by any amount of deception. If you give a portion of your proceeds back to the institutions that let you speak there, you’re guaranteeing a good reception and a welcome back at a later date.


5. Set Great Goals… and Achieve Them.
Ultimately, planning will get you a long way, but it’s a boots-on-the-ground approach to making yourself a better speaker and person that will get you the real results. If you’ve done everything on this list, then you have the attitude and the planning that’s necessary. You’ll be a better speaker by the end of 2016, providing you do one thing; follow your plan and achieve your goals.

To help you stay on track, take advantage of our amazing end-of-the-year SALE at http://www.speakermatch.com/special/. Good luck!

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