| Public speaking. One end of the spectrum is you'd | | | | over and over. |
| rather be tortured for eternity. The other end is having | | | | The groups that are searching for no-fee speakers |
| a professional speaker's bureau represent you | | | | are business clubs such as Rotary; Kiwanis; Lions; |
| charging thousands of dollars per speech. There is life | | | | chambers of commerce; libraries; church groups; |
| in the middle, however, and that's the subject of this | | | | sorority and women's clubs; and retirement |
| post. | | | | communities. Typically, the audiences are as small as |
| Many people find that no-fee public speaking yields | | | | 12 people and as large as 150. Your talk will be brief, |
| wonderful advantages both personally and | | | | approximately 30 minutes (20 minutes of talk and 10 |
| professionally. First of all, it's terrific public relations. | | | | minutes for Q&A). Hand-outs are good, and don't |
| Second, it's networking at its finest, and third, it's | | | | forget the business cards. |
| goodwill and community service. | | | | The most important task of all, however, is to show up. |
| Let me relate a story. For almost ten years, I've been | | | | This seems obvious, but believe it or not, there is a |
| presenting my crash course in how to get publicity | | | | tendency to think that, because the talk is no-fee, the |
| from newspapers, radio and television. Let me relate a | | | | booking is optional. Not true! There is nothing worse |
| story. Each time I agree to speak, I drive off to the | | | | than a group of people, all fed and squirming in their |
| engagement mumbling and grumbling. After all, I've had | | | | seats, waiting for a speaker who never arrives. The |
| to a.) get up at an ungodly hour of the morning, or b.) | | | | program chairman is left holding the bag, and program |
| leave my office and the many projects on the desk, | | | | chairmen talk to other program chairmen. Honoring the |
| and c.) take time to brush up and rehearse. | | | | commitment is the number one priority. If you have |
| However during the talk, a metamorphosis occurs. I | | | | scheduling uncertainties, say no. |
| feel like a million dollars. I'm "on stage" and teaching | | | | If you say yes, arrive early and enjoy the meal with |
| about a true passion of mine - media relations. Yes, | | | | the group. You're the star of the meeting so you will |
| there is the occasional post-luncheon napper, but | | | | be treated royally. Provide the program chairman with |
| usually everyone is listening and providing plenty of | | | | a written introduction of yourself to be read right |
| positive feedback. | | | | before you begin. Once in front of the group |
| Following the talk, a number of people ask for my | | | | remember that it's OK to use notes, but with a little |
| business card. Let me share the really good news. | | | | experience, you'll find you won't need more than an |
| Some of these people actually do call, and a precious | | | | outline to keep you on track. If you're scared silly, feel |
| few have resulted in delightful clients for my public | | | | free to stay behind the lectern. Later you may venture |
| relations company. | | | | left or right, and soon you will find yourself moving |
| Driving back to my office I realize I've had an | | | | among the audience members, microphone permitting |
| absolutely terrific experience, made new friends, and I | | | | of course. |
| wonder that I don't do more public speaking! | | | | There are additional benefits. Public speaking provides |
| Now let's focus on you. You may be wondering what | | | | invaluable experience in communications; each and |
| topic to present. You might share your expertise in | | | | every time you speak you improve. No-fee speaking |
| business. Could you tell about your work in a way that | | | | can lead to free public relations since many groups |
| applies to an audience with a wide variety of interests | | | | send out press releases about you and your talk to |
| and businesses? How about your hobby? How about | | | | the newspapers (who, in turn, reach thousands of |
| inspiring and motivating people? You need to identify a | | | | readers). Another positive is that you have a grand |
| slam-dunk topic and write it, rehearse it aloud, rehearse | | | | opportunity to educate the public; and maybe most |
| it again and time it. All the effort is up-front. Once you | | | | important, you are giving something of yourself. |
| have a talk that works, you can customize it for use | | | | |