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How To Start A Speaking Business: The Ultimate Guide

Taylorr Payne

Ever wondered how you can take your passion for public speaking and turn it into profit? Maybe you’ve already spoken in the past and are looking to turn it into a full-time gig. All things considered, you’re here because you’re thinking about starting a speaking business. However, regardless of your speaking experience, doing so is a complex process. From balancing the books to balancing your travel plans, it’s safe to say that speaking professionally isn’t for the faint of heart. 

Thankfully, the SpeakerFlow team and I have your back. In this guide to starting a speaking business, we’ll cover the process of getting started. Although it’s not entirely comprehensive, as many of the legal processes described here will depending on your location, rest assured that by the end of this, you’ll know enough to hit the ground running. Please note that if you are a speaker most often represented by a college or university as your employer, this isn’t the guide for you. In the interest of clarity, this handbook is primarily meant for speakers intending to represent themselves.

Before we begin, below are the primary topics we’ll break down in this guide. In addition to covering foundational tasks, we’ll also touch on sales, marketing, and operations. That way, even if you can’t begin your speaking business immediately, you’ll know what you can do in the meantime. 👍

Defining Your Promise Statement

Speaking business sales tools, speaking business operations tools, setup for your speaking business.

Prior to being known as a speaker and bringing in speaking inquiries from event planners, there are some initial setup tasks to knock out. As with any business, some of these tasks are a little more stressful, while others are nothing but fun. Nethertheless, getting the legalities and setup out of the way is your best bet. 

Registering Your Speaking Business

First and foremost, your speaking business has to be exactly that: a business. Without a legal record, you are, in many cases, much less likely to be hired. This is especially true in a corporate setting. Unsurprisingly, the main reason for this is the tax concerns that come with accepting payment and not recording it as income. Registering your speaking business before beginning any outreach dispels those concerns immediately. In short, that means more event planners saying, “This speaker looks perfect for us”. 

To register your speaking business, the process varies by location. In the United States, the initial setup of your business involves registering with federal, state, and local agencies for small businesses, as described in this handy guide from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These agencies include the Internal Revenue Service and the government for your state as well as your city government (for licenses and permits). It’s also a good idea, when you register, to double check your federal and state requirements for business insurance and business taxes . After all, the last thing you want is a tremendously successful speaking business that gets unexpectedly slammed with taxes at the end of the year. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the website for the U.S. government’s guide to starting your own business is a great place to get started. Not only does it break down each of the processes outlined above. It also provides information regarding businesses owned by minorities or veterans, if either of those applies to your speaking business. For the sake of time, we can’t cover in detail the steps to start a business outside of the United States. That said, below are a few links to help you get started, if you’re reading this overseas. 🙂

• United Kingdom
• New Zealand

Developing a Personal Brand

Next up is the front end of your speaking business: your personal brand. How do you want event planners to perceive you when they visit your website? What are five words you would use to describe your brand? What colors do you feel represent you well? These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself as you’re developing your brand. Then, according to our in-house graphic designer, the next step is to choose fonts and colors that best represent those words and themes. You can read more about her process in our Resources page ’s speaker branding guide. However, in short, it goes something like this: Choose colors, then fonts, then a logo, then an icon. 

Choosing Brand Colors

First, choosing your brand’s colors begins with the connotations most commonly applied to each color. These include “powerful” or “confident” for red and “calm” or “trustworthy” for blue. 99 Designs has a stellar guide for choosing your brand color , if you’re new to color theory in the first place. From there, after you’ve chosen the basic color you want to represent your brand, you’ll want to choose three or four others to compliment it. Although there are several tips and tricks to choosing appropriate secondary colors, the primary goal is to choose one or two that are colorful (like your main color) and one or two that are more neutral. That said, as a general rule, your final color palette should include five colors total, at most. For inspiration, check out tools like Canva’s color palette generator or the collection at ColorPalettes.net . 

Choosing Brand Fonts

Likewise, for the second step in the process, choosing a font involves the same concern for others’ connotations. Sans serif fonts like that in the image on the right, for example, can be used to suggest a more modern brand than serif fonts. In the same way, more intricate or serif fonts can convey a sense of tradition or classicism. In the end, your main goal is to stay away from overused fonts, such as Impact, Comic Sans, Bradley Hand, and Papyrus. Remember, you want to be recalled for your skill and distinction in the speaking space, not how outrageous your font is. Canva’s guide to choosing a font is an easy stepping stone, if you’re not sure which fonts are on this list. 

Designing Your Logo and Icon

Finally, after choosing colors and fonts, the next steps are to develop your logo and icon. Although it’s optional, most brands have adopted icons in recent years for a number of reasons . These include the ease with which people can remember an image and the ability to use their icon for company social media profiles. In the same way, your speaking business should also be memorable and digitally accessible. Keep these goals in mind as you are either designing your own logo or working with a graphic designer. For example, looking at the image on the left, the logo on the right is large and bulky, making it ill-suited to the navigation bar of a website or social media. On the other hand, the one on the left is clean-cut, distinctive, and memorable. Your speaking business should be each of those things, too. 

That said, if you’re unsure where to start and don’t want to design your own logo and icon, freelancing platforms like 99 Designs , Fiverr , and Upwork are reliable and affordable places to check out. Each of these sites employ graphic designers to take the results of those initial questions and turn them into brands for you. That way, you can worry about the rest of the steps to building a speaking business and rest assured that your brand is in good hands. 

Building a Website

The fourth step in setting up your speaking business can be a huge help if you do it well. I’m talking about your speaker website. First, your website should show site visitors that you are an expert in addition to being a speaker. This means plenty of evidence of your authority in your niche and your speaking skills. For established speaking businesses, this includes logos from past clients, testimonials, and social proof from your fans or past speech attendees. With a new speaking business, if you have a few testimonials, just work with what you have and build as you go. Keep your sizzle reel front and center – always. Your primary goal, when it comes to providing proof, is to show trust from other clients and how awesome you are, so quality is better than quantity. 🙂

Second, your website’s homepage should demonstrate who you are, who you serve, and how to contact you. Websites like those for Jacob Green and Katrina Cravy are beautiful examples of what an ideal speaker website looks like. The homepages of both sites show past clients, present their sizzle reel immediately, and have a clear call-to-action button in the navigation bar. You can also schedule a call with them directly through their websites. 

This brings me to the last thing to keep in mind when designing your speaking business website: The more convenient it is to contact you, the more likely someone is to do so. On average, a visitor to your website will have made a decision as to whether or not they are interested within 50 milliseconds. That gives you 50 milliseconds to create a good first impression. So, to summarize, show your value and skill, give an easy way to contact you, and keep things clear and concise. 

Finally, the last piece to setting up your speaking business is your speaking business’s mission, vision, and core values. Although they seem a bit superfluous when it comes to a speaking business, outlining these aspects to your company shows not only your attention to detail. It also shows your willingness to adapt and make adjustments as you grow, so you are always trying to be the optimum version of yourself, as a speaker, business owner, and human being. Plus, what conveys trustworthiness to event planners more than that? 

First, your mission statement is a succinct description of what you and your speaking business do. Second, your vision statement is a description of your ideal vision of your company. Third, your core values are the principles by which you live up to your mission and vision. For example, at SpeakerFlow, our mission is “We combine cutting-edge technology with sales, marketing, and operations expertise to create the optimal business experience for professional speakers” and our vision is “The company that we see is the singular source of holistic evolution for thought leaders and their businesses.” In short, the vision is who we want to be, the mission is how we are going to get there, and the core values are our basic “rules of conduct”. For a breakdown of these three components, check out our “ Who We Are ” page. 

That said, in the speaking industry, speaker coach Jane Atkinson lumps these pieces together to create a “promise statement”. This statement defines what you will provide for your clients, such as Jane’s statement “Catapult Your Speaking Business”. To create your own promise statement, check out Jane’s guide for new speaking business owners. Then, be sure you add your new promise statement to your website. 🙌

The Basics of Sales for Speakers

Now that you have your speaking business set up, let’s talk about bringing in some clients! There are a ton of ins and out to selling in the speaking industry. Here, we’re going to start with just a few of the basic tips and tricks, including where to find leads, how to keep them organized, and how to get them to book you for their upcoming gig. 

Finding Speaking Leads

To start, before you can sell, you need to find leads in the first place. Leads for your speaking business can be found in a variety of places including association directories, lead generation systems, and educational databases. Depending on your focus industry(ies), one of these sources may be more appropriate than others. For example, if you are a retired professor who speaks about women in STEM fields, colleges and universities are ideal for two reasons. First, you already have the experience and credentials to show educational event planners you are trustworthy. Second, the list of educational institutions is huge, so the more you have on your roster, the easier it will be to sell to others. Keep these two questions in mind as you look for lead sources: “Where do I already have experience?” and “Where can my speaking experience compound?”

For some industry-specific guides to finding speaking gigs, check out any of our three guides below. If your industry or focus isn’t shown here, feel free to drop us a line, too! We’re always looking for ways to provide speakers with more top-notch information: 

• #1: “ How Do I Become A Public Speaker At Churches? ”
• #2: “ How Do I Become A Public Speaker At Colleges & Universities? ”
• #3: “ How Do I Become A Public Speaker In Schools? ”

Ultimately, your leads can come from multiple sources, including the ones mentioned above, personal referrals, speakers bureaus, and speakers associations. However, as you’re starting your speaking business, the most important things to remember are that you shouldn’t just rely on referrals (in other words, learn to love sales) and focus on the avenues that are bringing you gigs. Don’t get caught up in the many avenues that could bring you leads. Focus on where you’re already succeeding and follow that trail. 

Managing Speaking Leads

So, once you have leads, what do you do? To put it simply, the key to managing speaking leads is having a place to track them. Ideally, you’re able to track all of your information in a single tool, and you can set reminders within it. These reminders are intended to ensure you follow up with each lead until they either turn into a sale or unsubscribe from communication. Additionally, having a system for tracking your leads also allows you to collect information about them. If you applied to a 2019 conference, for example, and they told you “No,” a lead system would allow you to retain that contact and organization information. Then, in 2020, you can apply for their next event, fully prepared with who they are, what they need, and why they should hire you. The basic sales process looks something like the image on the right. 

Personally, we at SpeakerFlow (and many established speakers) recommend a customer relationship management system, or CRM, for tracking leads. CRMs are designed to give you a single place to track all of your contact, lead, and event information and set reminders related to it. Many CRMs also integrate with other tools, such as project management or invoicing software. Altogether, this means a network of tools working together to facilitate your sales process. We’ll talk more about CRMs in a bit, but the main point is that if you don’t have one already, you should start looking. For more information, check out our beginner’s guide to CRMs for professional speakers. 

Sales Data to Track

One of the other advantages to having a CRM – or any sales system, really – is the data it provides. By tracking and analyzing your sales data, you can quickly and accurately see where your leads are coming from, who is referring you, and which sales avenues aren’t worth pursuing any longer. At the very least, the most important sales metrics to track are the gigs you won and lost and their respective industries. Remember how I mentioned earlier in the sales section that focusing on a single sales avenue is good, as you’re getting started? Tracking sales data allows you to do so with confidence. If you can see in which industries you’re consistently getting booked, you can more effectively look for new leads in those industries. In the end, this saves you time spent looking for leads and chasing prospects, and it leads to more revenue. Win win! 

If you don’t have any data-related tools in place, there are a few awesome ones you can use right off the bat. First, as we mentioned already, is your CRM. Most CRMs have built-in reporting, so that as long as you have your leads in the CRM, it can auto-generate the analytics for you. In the next section, we’ll go over a few tech tools, in addition to a CRM, that can help maximize your sales process. 

Now, you may be thinking that we have unloaded a ton of information on you at this point, and you’re right! The good news is that you don’t have to handle all of the sales processes alone, not when there is technology at hand to do it for you. Below are a few of our go-to systems and tech for optimizing speaker sales and our best practices for using them. 

Speaker Intel Engine

First on the list of sales systems is a proven favorite, the Speaker Intel Engine . Created by speaker and pro salesman Sam Richter in early 2019, the Intel Engine functions as an overlay to Google searches. This means that it allows you to search using complex Boolean searches with a few simple clicks. As a result, using the Intel Engine, you’re given access to 100% of Google search results, compared to the 4% you see when you do a standard search. Additionally, because it was designed specifically for speakers, the Intel Engine also enables you to search for event planners, associations, even your competitors. In short, it gives you a quick and easy way to find information that is hyper-relevant to your speaking business. No wasted time. No wasted money. Just qualified leads and quality information. 

SpeakerFlow CRM & Operating System

Another awesome tool launched in 2019 is our tool, the SpeakerFlow operating system . We mentioned before that a CRM is a critical part of a speaking business for 7-figure speakers. However, until now, there wasn’t a high-quality option on the market, at least not one that was designed with speakers in mind. Now,, we’re happy to say that problem has been solved. With modules to track leads and contacts, in-app project and event management software, and extensive customization for speakers, it’s a steal for the cost. At only $45 per user per month, there isn’t a single CRM out there that gives you as many features for the price. Below are just a few of our favorites: 

• Module for eSpeakers
• Robust automation tools
• 5 TB of free cloud storage (with built-in analytics!)
• In-app esignatures
• Form building software for your website 
• Robust mobile app

Even more important is the fact that $45 covers an entire suite of apps along with the CRM. These include apps for email marketing, esignatures, file storage, and more. This allows you to manage your speaking business in a single place, all for a single monthly fee.  Like the Intel Engine, the SpeakerFlow operating system has a ton of additional features I can’t cover here, just for the sake of time. However, if you’d like to see more, feel free to book a demo with us , and we can show you around personally. 👍

CRM-Specific Features

That said, regardless of the CRM you choose, there are tons of CRM features to note. For example, did you know your account generally comes with automation, lead scoring, and productivity? For starters, automation can include simple processes, such as tracking emails, to more complex actions, like email campaigns. Each of these pieces fit into your sales cycle so that you can off-load some of the mindless tasks, as shown on the right. As a solopreneur, this is especially useful because you are managing many parts of a business simultaneously.

The next piece of the puzzle is lead scoring. We mentioned previously that the basic speaker sales process involves qualifying and disqualifying leads. This can be done immediately, based on an event planner’s response, such as a prompt “No thanks.” However, for less obvious cases, many CRMs also provide a lead scoring mechanism that lets you assign contacts in your account a higher score based on their actions. Someone just subscribed to your newsletter? They get a point. Now they viewed the “Contact Us” form on your website? Another point. All in all, the more points a given contact has, the more likely they are to be interested (i.e. you should reach out to them personally). 

The last piece, productivity features, are intended to streamline the processes that you can’t automate. These may include creation of tasks, email or text reminders for especially important tasks, or a calendar, so you can see your appointments and how they correspond to different contacts in your account. To keep things short and sweet, these features might not be flashy but, like automation and lead scoring, they can save you countless hours. Ultimately, that means more time on the phone with event planners or on the stage with clients. 

VoIP Dialing Software

Last but not least of the speaking business sales tools is “Voice over Internet Protocol” dialers, or VoIP dialers. As defined by the Federal Communications Commission , VoIP is “technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line”. In short, if you don’t want to use your personal phone number for sales calls, VoIP dialers are an alternative. Additionally, many dialers integrate with CRMs, so you can track sales calls within your contact, lead, or event records. Our SpeakerFlow sales gurus, Taylorr and Austin, have used a ton of VoIP options in the past and recommend them not only for the ease of use, but also for your own growth. To hear Taylorr say it, “With call recordings, you can see what sales techniques worked and which didn’t, making you a better salesperson and your speaking business more profitable”. 

Among the SpeakerFlow team, our favorite VoIP dialers are Kixie and Dialpad . Of the two apps, Dialpad is the more expensive of the two at $20/month compared to Kixie at $15/month , although both offer similar features for the price. Because of this, we generally recommend Kixie if you’re a new speaking business or a solopreneur. Furthermore, Kixie integrates flawlessly with the aforementioned SpeakerFlow CRM. What’s not to love about that? 

For a thorough breakdown of selling as a professional speaker, check out our ultimate guide to getting speaking gigs . 👍

The Basics of Operations for Speakers

At this point, we’ve covered how to setup your speaking business and bring more people to it, but what are the most effective ways to organize it? This section will cover the basics of business operations in the speaking industry as well as some tips from our head of operations, Austin Grammon . As always, we’ll also outline our favorite organizational technology and how you can implement it on your own. 

Organizing Your Speaking Business Information

Staying organized in your speaking business poses a lot of the same problems we saw with sales. More than anything, the largest obstacle to organization is the lack of a consistent process for systemizing your company’s information. In light of this, there are a few general rules we follow on the back end of SpeakerFlow to stay on target. 

First, when you have an important file, take a minute to upload it to your storage platform of choice at the time. Whether you use Google Drive , Dropbox , or OneDrive , taking care of it at the time means time saved later. Once you’re in the habit of doing this, you’ll also notice that you lose materials less and less. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you have your shit together, more people will want to hire you. More organization on the back end of your speaking business means smoother sailing on the front end. Plain and simple. 

Second, we are consistent in our organizational tools. As a team, we all use Google Drive for storage and we store everything there. Everything . As a new speaker, this will become increasingly important as you add to your team. It’s also important when you are hiring independent contractors. For example, if you hire a graphic designer to create a new one-sheet for you, share a Google Drive folder with them and instruct them to upload the final design there when it’s completed. 

This brings me to our last organizational rule of thumb: hold everyone to the same standards. As your speaking business grows, you are the leader of the pack. So, the more organized you can be from the beginning, the more easily your team members can take tasks off your plate and the smoother your operations will be. 

Automating Your Processes

The second key to successful speaking business operations is automation. Although we already discussed sales automation, there are a host of tools to help you automate operations, too. These include notifications for new calendar events and subscriptions to your newsletter and updates to your financial records. One of our tried and true favorites is Zapier . If you haven’t heard of it, Zapier is basically an app for connecting apps, even if they don’t natively integrate. 

Looking at the back end of SpeakerFlow once again, we use Zapier for a number of things. From notifications about new discovery calls to tracking for our affiliate program , so we can issue commission. On a daily basis, this saves us hundreds of emails and app notifications and countless hours of manual data entry. It also means that, although we could probably use an assistant, we’ve been able to thrive without one. All in all, our automations look something like the image on the right. Although it looks complicated at first, rest assured that the same efficiency is possible in your business, too. 

Managing Booked Events

Besides automation and organization, operations also means managing events. By “events,” I mean speaking gigs as well as daily appointments. Starting with speaking gigs, the primary goal is similar to that of staying organized. In short, you want to create a consistent process so every time you’re hired, you know what information to provide, what info you need, and what your next steps are. Generally, we recommend building a “For Event Planners” page on your website and a folder for it in your cloud storage platform. Both the page and the folder should include all information relevant to events, including headshots, audio/visual requirements, and your speaker biography. The idea is to give you a single place to store everything for event planners. That way, when they hire you, you can say, “Here is a link to a folder, which has everything you need”. 

As for events in your day-to-day schedule, we recommend adding an auto-scheduler to your website or, at the very least, in your sales emails. These platforms allow people to see your schedule and book an appointment with you when it’s convenient for both of you. You control your availability settings and the information included in the scheduling form. Ultimately, this allows people to book meetings with you and get automatic reminders without either of you having to lift a finger. Plus, you don’t have to have the back-and-forth availability conversation! 

We’ll go over a few software options for event management in a bit, for both speaking gigs and daily appointments. 

Operations Data to Track

But, before we jump into operations tools, let’s talk data again. When it comes to your speaking business operations, the most important data to track is obvious: revenue. Besides the gig-related information we recommended tracking in the “Sales” section, you also need to track the amount of money going out of your speaking business. It seems like a no-brainer, but for many speaking businesses this is still a problem. Unsurprisingly, this is especially true when it comes to technology. 

Let’s say you signed up for a trial of a CRM in the past and it asked you to input a credit card number, even though you were getting two weeks for free. Then, you had three gigs in a row and a family emergency. By the time those two weeks were up, you hadn’t even looked at your CRM, but you were billed anyway. Sound familiar? 

This happens over and over for speakers and many don’t even know how many tools they are paying for. To solve this, our general rules are, first, don’t sign up for a free trial when it also asks for a credit card. That’s just a recipe for unintended costs. Second, when you sign up for a new tool, record it in a document or project manager. The place you track it doesn’t matter – Just be sure you have a list somewhere of everything you’re paying for. That way, if you’re not sure of the cost for a tool or if you’re trying to cut costs, you have a reliable source of information. 

Now, for the part of speaking business operations I’ve been waiting for: the tools and technology. Needless to say, there are plenty of alternatives to the ones covered below. As with setup and sales tools, if you already have reliable tools that take the place of those below, don’t worry about it! No need to switch to our recommendations if you already have something working for you. 😊

A relatively well known piece of speaker tech that we haven’t mentioned so far is eSpeakers . Although eSpeakers can also be used for sales processes, one of the greatest features about it is their event management platform, Event CX. Built to make event management stress-free for speakers and event planners, this platform includes a calendar, meeting planner database, and a profile in the eSpeakers bureau. It also comes with task checklists, so you can prepare for gigs without worrying that you’ve missed something. Once again, when it comes to managing speaking gigs, the more organized you can be, the more gigs you can handle each year. In other words, the more organized you are, the more revenue rolls in. 

The text tech tip we have is one we’ve touched on a few times already: a project management system. Similarly to a CRM, the purpose of a project manager is organization. However, where a CRM is used primarily for sales, a project management system is for operations. Want a way to track your marketing projects? How about your content calendar for your blogs? Thinking about your financial tracking, too? All of these things can be tracked within a project management system, so you have a convenient place to double check that your speaking business is on target. From finances to company problems and solutions, it’s an easy way to be sure you’re working on your speaking business, not just in it. 

Our favorite project management system is Asana , for both the value and the extensive feature set. Besides the convenient organizational features it provides, it also comes with animations to liven up the process. Additionally, with different project layouts, free templates, and notifications, it takes minutes to get started and learn the system from A-Z. Plus, it starts free! That way, if you’re just starting your speaking business, you can save some money and upgrade as your team does.

Another top organizational tool is G Suite . A common choice for cloud storage, G Suite is awesome for many reasons. First, at less than $10/month , it’s incredibly affordable, even if you’re a one-man show. Second, it’s one of the most intuitive tools out there, when it comes to cloud storage. Even if you’re not terribly confident in your tech knowledge, you can master G Suite without a problem. Finally, in addition to being a convenient source of internal company organization, it’s also awesome when it comes to sharing information. Remember how I mentioned earlier, “The idea is to give you a single place to store everything for event planners. That way, when they hire you, you can say, ‘Here is a link to a folder, which has everything you need’”? G Suite is that place to store everything. Affordable, convenient, and incredibly useful – What more can you ask for?

Better Proposals

Fourth in our list of speaking business operations tools is Better Proposals . Intended to streamline the proposal-sending process, this software ties in closely to the aforementioned sales systems. After you’ve closed a sale and received a verbal “yes” from an event planner, you still need a legal contract with them. That’s where Better Proposals comes in. 

With templates included, the option to add your own branding information, and an awesome support team, you can create and send a proposal in less than a minute. As a bonus, event planners can also pay through your Better Proposals portal. So, if you’re on the road and emailing event planners while you’re at your hotel, you can close them all like a pro. No more missed opportunities because you’re on the road – just picture-perfect business operations. 

Last but not least of our recommended operations tools is Calendly . Created for large and small businesses alike, Calendly is an auto-scheduler, like we covered earlier. As with most auto-schedulers, you can connect your Calendly page to your website, so people can schedule a call as they browse your site. On the other hand, you can also share your Calendly link when you email someone. That way, they can jump right to your calendar and book a call with a few quick clicks. Additionally, you create different events within Calendly for different purposes, each of which has its own specific link. For example, if you want to keep your speaking client and consulting client meetings separated, you can create a Calendly event for each option. From there, when you connect your Calendly page to your Google or Outlook Calendar, you can see which events correspond to which group. 

Oh, and did I mention how affordable it is? Of the tools in this section, Calendly and Asana are the most useful on a day-to-day basis, and they’re both free. 🙌

The Basics of Marketing for Speakers

Now, to the fourth and final section of this massive guide: marketing for your speaking business. It goes without saying, but marketing is the third key piece of running a speaking business, along with sales and operations. With high-quality, well thought-out marketing efforts, not only can you attract people to your speaking business and your brand. You can also demonstrate your expertise outside of speaking. 

Optimizing Your Website

The first way in which you can build your marketing efforts is your speaker website. Way back at the beginning, we walked through the key features of a good speaker website. However, did you know that there are also tips and tricks to bring people to your site in the first place? The first of these tricks is Search Engine Optimization, or SEO. To put it simply, SEO is the perfection of your site or other digital content so that it ranks higher in a Google search. 

Although there are a ton of factors that contribute to good SEO, the primary ones to worry about, when it comes to your speaker website, are speed, design, and content. Ideally, your site should load in less than 3 seconds, mainly in order to keep people engaged. In fact, on average, people will decide whether or not to continue scrolling within 55 milliseconds. That means that the faster your site loads and the more engaging it is, the better your chance to keep the visitor’s attention. That brings me to design. As a web developer and designer myself, I cannot stress enough that design is critical. Keeping your brand consistent on your website and following modern design practices is a sure way to bring and retain web traffic. Kindra Hall and Mel Robbins have fantastic websites, in both of these regards, for example. 

Finally, include high-quality content throughout your site. This includes, blogs, guides, and downloadable content that visitors can take when they leave your site. In terms of SEO, the most important of these is your blog, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

Tips for High-Quality Content

You’ve probably already heard from one business owner or another how writing blogs helped bring more attention to their business. By now, almost everyone knows that you should have a blog, but how do you start from nothing? First and foremost, each blog should be at least 1,500 words and focused on a single word or phrase. This blog, for example, uses the phrase “speaking business”. Of our word count, “speaking business” makes up at least 1% of the text, as should your focus keyword or phrase. Your blog should also break up the text with headings to make it easier for the reader to digest. Additionally, graphics and images can be used to make these text breaks visually engaging and memorable. 

If you are trying to write a blog that out-ranks another blog in the Google search for your keyword, there are a few questions to keep in mind. These include: 

• Is my blog longer than theirs and more thorough?
• Does my blog use my focus keyword at least 1% of the time? 
• Do I have additional images and/or infographics, compared to my competitor? 

A “yes” to each of these questions, combined with more fine-tuned blog writing techniques, is guaranteed to put your new blog in a Google search. Plus, the more blogs you write, the easier it will get. For the full checklist for writing a killer blog, check out our “Resources” page and look for our “30 Point Blog Checklist”. 👍

Building Your Social Presence

Besides blogs, another great way to bring attention to your speaking business is through social media. It’s no secret that some of today’s biggest celebrities have grown their business to a new income bracket simply by maintaining a social presence. The same potential exists for speakers in their businesses, provided you follow a few key rules. 

First, be diverse in what and where you post. Include videos, try out Instagram Stories , share memes, and get serious once and awhile. Being diverse in your posts will keep people from getting bored. Plus, giving someone a laugh is a sure way to engage them moving forward. Second, be social. Interact with other speakers and business owners you admire, and reply to comments on your own posts. Showing people you’re a human behind your phone and not a faceless company will always win you more followers and cheerleaders. 

That brings me to the biggest rule of all on social media: Be yourself! Whatever you share or comment, make sure that it is actually something you would say. At the end of the day, staying true to yourself will make it easier to come up with social content and your candidness will be admired – I guarantee it. 

If you’re unsure where to start, blogs from social scheduling tools like Sprout , Later , and Hootsuite are great for finding info you can implement now, even if you’re starting from scratch.

Marketing Data to Track

Now, as with sales and operations, making data driven decisions in marketing is of the utmost importance. More than anything, that means tracking the growth of your business. Regarding your website, this means the number of visitors to your site each month, the amount of time they spend on your site, and how many pages are viewed in an average visit. Your ultimate goal, when looking at website data, is to see where people are going and make adjustments so that the other pages or areas of your site follow suit. 

The same is true when it comes to social media analytics. How many followers have I gained this week? Are my followers are in the speaking industry and, if so, how many? How many are event planners? All of your social media data will be much more fast-paced, but the idea remains the same. Look at what you are doing that is working on social media and focus on that. If videos are getting you more traffic than posting pictures of you on stage, invest in videos more. If you are gaining followers in a certain industry, take the time to follow or tag prominent members in that industry. The more you look at what is giving you traction and follow those trails, the more successful your marketing efforts – from website to social media – will be successful. 

Speaking Business Marketing Tools

As always, a SpeakerFlow blog wouldn’t be complete without a list of tech tools to take some of the work off your plate. Below are three of our favorite systems for mastering your marketing processes. 

Google Analytics

Far and away, one of the most useful and consistently updated marketing tools out there is Google Analytics . As a marketing expert myself, I rely on Google Analytics every day for everything from web performance to brand visibility. Within the Google Analytics dashboard, I can see not only where my leads are coming from but also which pages on my website they’re visiting the most. I can also see which blogs get the most attention and if people are finding the SpeakerFlow site from unconventional sources. For example, in spring 2019, we appeared on a podcast with Jane Atkinson, the creator of the “promise statement” we covered earlier. Now, because of that, people are visiting our site after first visiting hers. 

As a speaker, insights like this are especially important if you have collateral to sell, such as a book, for example. By pinpointing which blogs are working and where people are finding you, you can target those areas in multiple ways. Besides personally contacting people in those areas, if you ever decide to run paid ads for your collateral, you know how to target them. Better targeting means more collateral and more gigs sold, in the long run. Win win!

Another great marketing tool, especially when it comes to branding, is Canva . Besides being available for free, Canva is an amazing tool for countless reasons. For starters, it comes with pre-sized layouts for everything from brochures to business cards. That way, if you don’t have the money to hire a graphic designer right off the bat, you can do it yourself. Additionally, for each layout, there are dozens of templates . Even if you have no design skills, these ensure your design looks professional and on-brand, so you can share the finished product with confidence. 

Aside from print materials, Canva’s also excellent for digital content. Our in-house graphic designer uses it for quick and easy production of social media posts. For her, this is helpful because she handles many projects at once, so saving time is crucial. Likewise, in your speaking business, you can save time and get a beautiful result, completely free. 

Last but not least of our marketing tools is Buffer . As with all social media automators, Buffer allows you to take those gorgeous social media posts you made in Canva and pre-post them. If you’re between gigs, this might not be a huge concern. However, when you’re on the road, using a social scheduler allows you to plan it all ahead of time. That way, once your gig is over, you can go back to your hotel and rest easy, since it’s still posting for you in the background. 

Jumping back to our graphic designer at SpeakerFlow, who also manages our social accounts, Buffer is also great if you dislike social posting. As for our designer, for many speakers, being social isn’t top priority, simply because they don’t like it. Nevertheless, in this day and age, building a social presence is a guaranteed way to build your speaking business. So, if you want to take care of your social posting once a week and get it over with, a social scheduler like Buffer is definitely the solution. 

Well, that brings us to the end of this mega-guide for starting your speaking business! Thank you for sticking with me this far. Hopefully, with these tips and tricks in mind, you have more confidence to take your business to the next level. 😊

For more insider speaking business information, check out our companion blog, “ How To Get Speaking Gigs: The Ultimate Guide ”. 

Additionally, the vast majority of the tools and systems described in guide can be managed using the SpeakerFlow CRM. Book a free demo with us to learn more about it and see how you can run your speaking business almost entirely out of a single place!

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Can you do a bullet point list of the cost to set up a career as a public speaker? I can think of a few, the cost to build a website, run advertising campaigns on social media, hiring a publicist and more. But I’d like to hear from someone that is a successful public speaker, what the start up costs are and what they pay for. Google so far has 0 articles about that specific topic

Hey, Trever – Great question. 👌 There aren’t specific numbers listed anywhere because every speaking business is different, so the cost range is HUGE. Websites, for example, can cost anywhere from $0 to upwards of $20,000, depending on the features you want and the company/individual you hire to build it for you. Another example is CRMs, which can cost anywhere from $0/month to several hundred dollars/month.

Ultimately, the starting cost comes down to your budget and what tools/systems you need to get off the ground. Generally, we recommend ones that fit your goals and budget for the time being, then strategize additional ways to upgrade them as your speaking business grows. For more detailed strategy and guidance, ask for Taylorr and Austin here . 👍

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We add a flat rate 10% fee to any financed tier and own the rights to your accounts and its data until the amount is paid in full.

If you’re interested in a payment plan, please email [email protected] .

How to Start a Public Speaking Business

Main Sections In This Post Steps to Starting a Public Speaking Business Points to Consider Knowledge Is Power Featured Video

In this post, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to starting a public speaking business.

In addition, we will give you an overview of what you can expect from operating a public speaking business and help you make better decisions and gain clarity.

There is an abundance of information available to explore. If you like this post, consider sharing it with others and bookmarking it for future reference.

Let’s get started with the steps.

The Steps to Start Your Public Speaking Business

Below are the steps to starting a public speaking business.

Each step is linked to a specific section, allowing you to jump to your desired section or scroll to follow the steps in order.

• An Overview of What You’re Getting Into
• Public Speaking Business Overview
• Researching Your Public Speaking Business
• Looking Startup and Operating Costs
• Creating Your Mission Statement
• Creating A Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
• Choose a Public Speaking Business Name
• Register Your Company
• Create Your Corporate Identity
• Writing a Business Plan
• Banking Considerations
• Getting the Funds for Your Operation
• Software Setup
• Business Insurance Considerations
• Supplier and Service Provider Considerations
• Setting Your Prices
• Physical Setup
• Creating a Website
• Hiring Employees
• Getting Customers Through the Door

1. An Overview of  Business Ownership

The more you know what to expect, the better your decisions will be and the fewer surprises you’ll encounter.

Before starting your public speaking business, there are many points to consider. The following link provides information to help you make the right decisions.

See our page on Critical Points to Consider before starting your business.

2. Gaining an Overview of Owning a Public Speaking Business

Next, let’s discuss the issues that will give you an overview of what to expect from owning and running a public speaking business.

In this step, we will be looking at the following sections:

a.) A Quick Overview of Owning a Public Speaking Business b.) Public Speaking Business Models c.) Challenges You Could Face When Starting and Operating a Public Speaking Business

a.) A Quick Overview of Owning a Public Speaking Business

A public speaking business revolves around offering speaking services by individuals who are skilled in engaging and informing an audience on specific topics.

This can range from keynote speeches at conferences to motivational talks at corporate events.

The primary goal is to inform, entertain, or motivate audiences using well-crafted speeches and presentations.

These businesses often involve a single speaker or a team of speakers who specialize in various subjects, including personal development, business strategies, leadership, and industry-specific knowledge.

Daily Operations in a Public Speaking Business

• Client Interaction and Networking : Daily tasks include communicating with current and potential clients to discuss speaking opportunities. Networking plays a critical role in expanding client bases and sourcing new gigs.
• Content Development : Speakers spend considerable time researching and developing content tailored to their audience’s needs. This includes crafting speeches, creating presentations, and sometimes preparing handouts.
• Marketing and Promotion : Essential activities involve marketing the speaker’s expertise to target audiences. This could be through social media, blogs, newsletters, or public appearances on platforms like podcasts or webinars.
• Event Preparation : Before any speaking engagement, logistical preparations such as travel arrangements, event schedules, and technical setups need to be addressed. Speakers often rehearse extensively to refine their delivery.
• Administrative Tasks : Running a public speaking business also requires managing bookings, handling invoices and payments, and maintaining records. These administrative duties ensure the business operates smoothly and professionally.
• Feedback and Evaluation : After events, collecting feedback from the audience and the client is crucial for growth and improvement. Analyzing this feedback helps refine future presentations and enhance overall effectiveness.

These tasks, combined, ensure the successful operation of a public speaking business, fostering growth and allowing the speaker to make a significant impact on their audience.

b.) Public Speaking Business Models

Public speaking businesses can adopt various structures and models depending on their goals, the market they intend to serve, and their content delivery methods.

Here are some common setups:

• Solo Speaker : An individual offers their speaking services, specializing in certain topics based on their expertise. This model focuses on personal branding and direct client relationships.
• Speaker Agency : This model involves a business representing multiple speakers, managing their engagements, and promoting their expertise to potential clients. It allows for a broader range of topics and diversifies income sources.
• Training and Workshops : Beyond traditional speaking engagements, some businesses focus on interactive sessions such as workshops or training programs. These are often more detailed and hands-on than keynote speeches.
• Virtual Speaking Services : With the rise of digital platforms, some speakers specialize in webinars, online workshops, and virtual conferences. This model reduces travel costs and expands the potential audience globally.
• Consulting and Coaching : This model combines public speaking with personalized coaching or consulting services, offering more in-depth assistance to clients on particular issues.

Choosing the Right Business Model

Choosing a suitable business model from the beginning is crucial, as switching your model later is more challenging. Focusing on a niche allows you to adapt your products and services to a specific group of customers.

Consider becoming a specialist instead of trying to be a business that offers everything to everyone. Identifying a business model that feels right to you is essential and can give you a better chance of succeeding.

c.) Challenges You Could Face When Starting and Operating a Public Speaking Business

Challenges During the Startup Phase of a Public Speaking Business

Starting a public speaking business involves several challenges that can impact its initial setup and growth:

• Market Penetration : Gaining visibility and establishing credibility in a market filled with experienced speakers can be daunting. New entrants must work hard to differentiate themselves and attract their first clients.
• Capital Requirements : While not as capital intensive as other businesses, public speaking still requires investment in marketing, travel, equipment for high-quality presentations, and potentially venue hire for self-hosted events.
• Content Development : Developing compelling, original content that resonates with audiences can be time-consuming and requires deep expertise and insight into audience needs.
• Networking and Client Acquisition : Building a network that leads to speaking engagements involves significant effort in networking and relationship building, which can be challenging without prior connections.
• Navigating Fees and Pricing : Determining the right pricing structure to balance competitiveness with profitability can be tricky without market experience and brand recognition.

Challenges When Operating an Established Public Speaking Business

Once the business is up and running, the owner faces a different set of challenges:

• Maintaining Engagement : Keeping the content fresh and engaging to retain and grow the audience is critical, especially as competitors might also be vying for the same audience’s attention.
• Scaling the Business : Expanding the business without losing quality or personal touch can involve complex decisions about hiring additional speakers or staff and increasing the range of topics or services offered.
• Market Adaptability : Staying relevant in a rapidly changing market requires continuous learning and adaptation, particularly with the rise of digital platforms and changing audience preferences.
• Client Retention : Building and maintaining long-term client relationships requires consistent performance and the ability to adapt to client feedback and evolving needs.
• Time Management : Balancing time between speaking engagements, business management, content creation, and personal development can become increasingly challenging as the business grows.

These challenges necessitate strategic planning and adaptability to ensure sustained success and growth in the public speaking business.

3. Research

The right information plays a significant part of your success, Quality research is vital. The more you know, the easier it is to operate your business.

a.) Demand, the Competition and Your Location b.) Target Audience

a.) Demand, the Competition and Your Location

Before launching a public speaking business, assessing the market demand is critical. High quality and competitive pricing alone do not guarantee success; there must be substantial demand for your offerings.

Insufficient demand can result in business failure and significant financial losses.

Before proceeding, ensure a viable market exists for your services to avoid the pitfalls of unmanageable debt and business closure.

Market Saturation:

Another critical factor is the level of market saturation. A market flooded with similar offerings will pose challenges in gaining a significant market share.

It’s vital to offer distinct services or presentation styles that set you apart from existing competitors. Additionally, consider whether your business concept is easily replicable.

If so, established competitors could quickly adopt your innovations, diminishing your market advantage.

Competition:

Analyzing the competition is essential for understanding the landscape you are entering. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of current providers in the public speaking domain.

This analysis will help in positioning your business uniquely, allowing you to fill gaps in the market rather than directly competing with established entities for the same audience.

Choosing Your Location:

Selecting an optimal location is crucial for balancing demand with competition. The location should not only be affordable but also situated where demand for public speaking services is adequate.

High-traffic areas might offer more exposure but often come with higher operational costs. Conversely, lower rent areas might reduce costs but could lack sufficient demand to sustain the business.

Conclusion:

Selecting the right location involves more than just finding the cheapest option; it requires a strategic analysis of both supply and demand.

Extensive research and careful consideration of these factors are necessary to choose a location that supports the viability and growth of your public speaking business.

Ensure that you make an informed decision to position your business for success in a competitive market.

For more, see the Demand for Your Products and Services and Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.

b.) Target Audience

Understanding your target audience is fundamental to the success of a public speaking business. Knowledge of your audience allows you to tailor your presentations and offerings to meet their specific interests and needs.

By focusing on the preferences of your audience, you can enhance engagement and effectiveness, ensuring that your content resonates and delivers value.

This targeted approach eliminates the inefficiency of a one-size-fits-all strategy, reducing wasted resources and increasing customer satisfaction.

A deep understanding of your audience also enables you to anticipate market trends and adapt your services proactively, maintaining relevance and competitive edge.

Target Market Ideas:

• Corporate Clients : Companies looking for training, team building, or motivational speaking to boost employee morale and productivity.
• Educational Institutions : Schools and universities that require guest speakers for commencements, career days, or educational seminars.
• Event Organizers : Professionals organizing conferences, workshops, or industry-specific events who need keynote speakers or panel experts.
• Non-Profit Organizations : Non-profits and community groups seeking speakers for fundraising events or awareness campaigns.
• Professional Associations : Trade groups and professional associations hosting regular meetings, requiring experts to speak on industry trends and best practices.
• Self-Improvement Groups : Clubs and groups focused on personal development, looking for speakers on topics like public speaking, personal finance, or health and wellness.
• Government Agencies : Government entities that organize training sessions, public information events, or employee enrichment programs.
• Health and Wellness Centers : Facilities that focus on mental and physical health, interested in speakers who specialize in motivational and educational topics to support well-being.

4. Looking Startup and Operating Cost:

You will struggle to manage a successful operation without investing the time and effort necessary to understand the financial elements of your public speaking business.

This section has a lot to cover, and these are critical steps in starting and operating your business.

The section is broken up into the following:

a.) Start-up Cost:

In this step, we will look at the importance of getting accurate estimates and a simple list to help you understand your needs.

b.) Monthly Expenses:

Expenses must be monitored, or the operation could be jeopardized. A sample list of monthly expenses is provided, which can be used to generate ideas for your setup.

c.) Best Practices

Well take a look at what you can do to ensure you are always on top of the financial well being of your operation.

Let’s get started!

a.) Start-Up Costs:

Importance of Accurate Estimations

Accurately estimating startup costs is crucial for the successful launch of a public speaking business.

An underestimation of costs can lead to a shortfall in funds, potentially preventing the business from opening. Conversely, overestimating costs can make the business seem like a high-risk venture to investors or lenders.

Therefore, precision in the initial financial assessment is essential to secure funding and maintain operational viability from the outset.

Factors Influencing Startup Costs

The total startup costs will vary significantly based on several factors:

• Business Model : Whether you are operating solo or establishing an agency with multiple speakers will impact initial costs.
• Operation Size : The scale of your operations, from a small boutique firm to a larger enterprise, affects your financial outlay.
• Location : Costs can vary dramatically depending on whether your business is based in a high-cost urban area or a more affordable locale.
• Staffing : Decisions on hiring employees versus operating independently will influence your payroll expenses.
• Equipment : Depending on whether you buy new or used equipment, or if you need specialized audio/visual equipment, costs will differ.
• Facility : Costs are affected by whether you choose to rent space, operate online, or work from a home office.

Steps to Estimate Costs

To effectively estimate startup costs, follow these steps:

• List Requirements : Compile a comprehensive list of everything needed to start and run your business, including equipment, office space, marketing, and initial legal or professional fees.
• Research Prices : Obtain actual prices for each listed item. Consider different suppliers and options to ensure cost efficiency.
• Consider Additional Expenses : As you delve deeper into your planning, additional costs may emerge, such as insurance, licenses, and contingency funds for unforeseen expenses.

While no one can predict the exact cost to start a public speaking business due to varying factors, thorough research and precise cost estimation are vital.

Understanding these financial requirements will help you determine the feasibility of your business idea and lay a solid foundation for its future success.

Sample List: Startup Costs for a Public Speaking Business

The purpose of the list below is to focus on the items more than the numbers because these are general samples, and your figures will be different.

• Rent/Lease: $1,500 – $3,000
• Security Deposit: $1,500 – $3,000
• Laptop/Desktop Computer: $800 – $1,500
• Projector and Screen: $500 – $1,000
• Microphones and Speakers: $1,000 – $2,000
• Presentation Software: $200 – $500
• Video Recording Equipment: $1,500 – $3,000
• Office Desks and Chairs: $1,000 – $2,000
• Conference Table and Chairs: $500 – $1,000
• Shelving and Storage Units: $300 – $800
• Decor and Plants: $200 – $500
• Website Development: $1,000 – $3,000
• Logo Design: $500 – $1,500
• Business Cards and Stationery: $200 – $500
• Marketing Materials (Brochures, Flyers ): $300 – $800
• Advertising (Online, Print): $500 – $1,500
• Business Registration and Licensing: $200 – $500
• Legal Consultation (Contracts, Agreements): $500 – $1,500
• Accounting Software or Services: $300 – $800
• Public Speaking Workshops or Courses: $1,000 – $3,000
• Professional Development Books and Resources: $200 – $500
• General Liability Insurance: $500 – $1,500
• Professional Liability Insurance: $500 – $1,500
• Office Supplies (Paper, Pens, etc.): $200 – $500
• Utilities Setup (Internet, Phone): $300 – $800
• Travel Expenses (Networking, Conferences): $500 – $1,500

Grand Total Estimated Startup Costs: Low End: $14,100 High End: $32,600

For more, refer to our article on Estimating Startup Costs.

b.) Monthly Operating Costs:

Factors Influencing Monthly Expenses

The monthly operating costs of a public speaking business are influenced by various factors, similar to startup costs. These factors include:

• Business Structure : Operating independently usually incurs lower expenses compared to managing a fully staffed business.
• Location : The cost of your business location significantly affects monthly expenses. A high-traffic, prime location typically comes with higher rental costs compared to a more modest area.

Examples of Monthly Expenses

Monthly expenses can vary widely but typically include the following:

• Utilities : These are essential for maintaining an office or venue, including electricity, water, and internet services.
• Payroll : If you have employees, payroll will be a significant part of your monthly expenses.
• Operating Costs : This broad category includes day-to-day expenses necessary for running your business, such as supplies, minor equipment repairs, and travel expenses for speaking engagements.
• Marketing : Ongoing marketing campaigns to attract new clients can be costly but are vital for business growth.
• Loan Payments : If you’ve taken out loans to start your business, the monthly repayments will impact your budget.
• Repairs and Maintenance : Regular maintenance of equipment and facilities ensures your business operations run smoothly without unexpected disruptions.

Managing Expenses

To maintain financial health and adapt to revenue fluctuations, it’s crucial to manage your expenses effectively. Some strategies include:

• Prioritize Quality : Reduce costs where possible without compromising the quality of your presentations, customer service, or operational efficiency.
• Review and Adjust : Regularly review your expenses to identify areas where you can cut costs or where increased spending could lead to better returns.
• Strategic Spending : Invest in areas that directly contribute to client satisfaction and business growth, such as quality marketing and professional development for speakers.

Effective management of monthly expenses is essential for the sustainability of a public speaking business.

By understanding and carefully managing these costs, you can ensure that your business remains profitable and competitive in the long term.

Sample List of Monthly Expenses for a Mid-Sized Public Speaking Business

Again, the purpose of the list below is to focus on the items in the list more than the numbers. The numbers are a general idea, and your numbers will differ.

• Rent/Lease: $2,000 – $4,000
• Utilities (Electricity, Water, Internet, Phone): $500 – $1,000
• Public Speakers: $8,000 – $15,000
• Administrative Staff: $3,000 – $6,000
• Total Payroll: $11,000 – $21,000
• Loan Repayments (if applicable): $500 – $1,500
• Online Advertising (Google Ads, Social Media): $500 – $1,500
• Print Advertising (Brochures, Flyers): $300 – $800
• Total Marketing: $800 – $2,300
• General Liability Insurance: $200 – $500
• Professional Liability Insurance: $200 – $500
• Total Insurance: $400 – $1,000
• Office Supplies and Miscellaneous Expenses: $300 – $800
• Professional Development and Training: $500 – $1,500
• Maintenance and Repairs: $200 – $500
• Software Subscriptions (Presentation, Accounting, etc.): $200 – $500

Grand Total Estimated Monthly Expenses and Operating Costs: Low End: $16,500 High End: $34,300

c.) Best  Practices

Effective financial management is crucial to succeed. By doing so, you will clearly understand how your public speaking business is performing and make changes as needed.

For more, see, Critical Points About Small Business Finances

5. Create Your Mission Statement

A mission statement serves as a guiding principle for a public speaking business, clarifying its purpose and the value it aims to deliver to its audience and community.

By articulating the primary benefit it offers, a mission statement helps maintain focus and ensures alignment with the business’s objectives.

It acts as a reminder of the core mission, guiding decision-making processes and strategic initiatives.

Examples of mission statements for a public speaking business:

• “Empowering individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential through impactful communication and compelling storytelling.”
• “Inspiring positive change and transformation by delivering engaging, motivational speeches that resonate with audiences worldwide.”
• “Dedicated to equipping leaders with the communication skills and confidence needed to drive meaningful connections and drive success in today’s dynamic world.”

For more, see How To Create a Mission Statement.

6. Creating A Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

A Unique Selling Proposition (USP) distinguishes a public speaking business from competitors by highlighting its unique features or benefits.

It helps in crafting a compelling value proposition and differentiating the business in the marketplace.

Examples of USPs for a Public Speaking Business:

• Tailored Solutions: Offering customized speech content tailored to each client’s specific needs and objectives.
• Interactive Presentations: Engaging audiences through interactive presentations that encourage participation and learning.
• Industry Expertise: Providing expert insights and specialized knowledge in a particular industry or niche.
• Multimedia Integration: Incorporating multimedia elements such as videos, animations, and graphics to enhance presentations.
• Guaranteed Results: Guaranteeing measurable outcomes, such as improved communication skills or increased audience engagement, to clients.

7. Choose a Business Name

Choosing a Business Name for Your Public Speaking Business

Selecting a business name for your public speaking venture requires careful consideration. It should be catchy, relevant to your industry, easy to remember, and have an available domain name.

Since business names are relatively permanent, take your time to ensure it aligns with your brand identity.

Here Is a List of Sample Public Speaking Business Names:

• Articulate Advantages
• ClearSpeak Solutions
• Dynamic Dialogue Group
• Expressive Edge Enterprises
• Fluent Force Presentations
• Impactful Insights Institute
• Masterful Message Mastery
• Persuasive Podium Partners
• Rhetoric Realm Resources
• Stellar Speakers Studio
• Vivid Voice Ventures
• Eloquent Endeavors Inc.
• Engage Elevation Enterprises
• Motivational Magnitude LLC
• Precision Presentations Partners
• Resonate Rhetoric Resources
• SpeakWell Solutions
• Charismatic Communications Co.
• Elevate Eloquence Enterprises
• Inspire Impact Institute
• Proclaim Proficiency Partners
• Riveting Rhetoric Resources
• Storytelling Savvy Solutions
• TalkWise Training
• ClearFocus Presentations
• DynamicOrator Dynamics
• Flourish in Fluency Firm
• Motivate Momentum Mastery
• SpeakStrong Strategies
• VibrantVoice Ventures

This list can inspire your creativity to develop an original and fitting name for your public speaking business.

For more, see the following articles:

• How To Register a Business Name
• Registering a Domain Name For Your Business

8. Register Your Company

Legal Considerations for Your Public Speaking Business

• Ensure legal compliance and optimal setup for tax benefits and liability by consulting with a professional.
• Various registrations are necessary for a public speaking business to operate legally.
• Permits and licenses are essential to obtain for regulatory compliance and credibility.
• Becoming a bondable business can enhance customer confidence and credibility.

Common Types of Registrations for a Public Speaking Business:

• Business Entity Registration (LLC, Corporation, Partnership)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS
• State Business Licenses

Permits and Licenses to Consider for a Public Speaking Business:

• Business Operation License
• Professional Speaking Permit (if required by local regulations)
• Sales Tax Permit
• Music License (if using copyrighted music)
• Fire Safety Permit (if hosting events)
• Zoning Permit (if operating from a commercial location)
• Health Department Permit (if serving food or beverages)
• Signage Permit

Consider Becoming a Bondable Business:

• Bondable businesses provide assurance to customers by ensuring employees have passed background checks.
• Being bondable can improve trust and confidence in your public speaking services.

Registration:

• How to Register Your Business
• How To Register a DBA
• How to Register a Trademark
• How to Get a Business License

Business Structures:

• How to Choose a Business Structure
• Pros & Cons of a Sole Proprietorship
• How To Form an LLC
• How To Register a Business Partnership
• How To Form a Corporation
• How To Choose a Business Registration Service

9. Create Your Corporate Identity

A Corporate ID, or corporate identity, encompasses various visual elements that represent your business’s brand. These components include the logo, business cards, website, signage, stationery, and promotional materials.

Consistency in design across these elements is crucial for leaving a professional impression on both potential and existing customers.

A well-executed corporate identity communicates reliability, professionalism, and establishes a memorable brand presence in the market.

You can see our pages for an overview of your logo , business cards , website , and business sign , or see A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages.

10. Writing a Business Plan

The Role of a Business Plan in a Public Speaking Business

Essential Tool for Financing and Guidance A business plan is a critical document for anyone starting or running a public speaking business.

It serves multiple purposes, notably as a requirement when applying for financing or attracting investors.

Beyond financial implications, a business plan acts as a strategic guide, ensuring that you remain aligned with your business goals during the startup phase and as your business matures.

Creating Your Business Plan

The creation of a business plan requires considerable time, thought, and effort but is a worthwhile endeavor. It provides a clear vision of what the business aims to achieve and details the roadmap to get there.

Here are the options available for creating your business plan:

• Write from Scratch : Building your business plan from the ground up allows for complete customization but requires a deep understanding of business planning.
• Hire a Professional : Engaging a professional to write your business plan ensures that it is comprehensive and polished. It is crucial to work closely with the consultant to accurately convey your business vision and operations.
• Use a Template : Templates offer a structured way to write a business plan, providing an outline that covers essential sections needed in a standard plan.
• Business Plan Software : These tools provide guidance, resources, and support as you draft your business plan, making the process more manageable.

Adaptability of the Business Plan

It is important to recognize that your business plan is not static. As your business grows and the market evolves, revisiting and revising your business plan is necessary:

• Experience and Learning : Gaining more insight into the public speaking market can lead to adjustments in your business strategy.
• Operational Changes : As your business develops, changes in operations may necessitate updates to your business plan.
• Market Evolution : Shifts in market dynamics might require tweaks to your business model to stay competitive.

Periodic Review

Regularly reviewing and updating your business plan is advisable. This practice helps you stay on top of changes and ensures that your business adapts effectively to new challenges and opportunities.

Keeping your business plan current enhances your strategic operations and aligns with your long-term success goals.

Business Plan Sample Template for a Public Speaking Business

Below is a template you can use as a starting point for your business plan, you can adapt it to fit your public speaking business.

Business Plan Template for a Public Speaking Business

Executive Summary

• Business Name : State the name of your public speaking business.
• Business Structure : Specify whether it is a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.
• Mission Statement : Briefly describe the core goals and values of the business.
• Location : Detail the geographical location and the operational premises.
• Services Offered : Outline the types of public speaking services you provide.
• Target Market : Define the demographic and psychographic profile of your target audience.
• Financial Summary : Provide a high-level view of the startup costs, projected revenue, and profitability.
• Objectives : List short-term and long-term objectives for the business.

Company Description

• Industry Background : Describe the public speaking industry, current trends, and future potential.
• Business History and Background : If applicable, detail the history and evolution of your business.
• Vision : What is the long-term vision of your company in the marketplace?

Market Analysis

• Market Needs : Specify the needs of your market and how your business intends to meet them.
• Target Audience : Detailed description of your audience, including geographic, demographic, and behavioral factors.
• Market Size and Growth : Quantify the size of your market and its potential for growth.
• Competitive Analysis : Identify major competitors and analyze their strengths, weaknesses, market position, and strategies.
• SWOT Analysis : Detail the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats facing your business.

Organization and Management

• Organizational Structure : Outline your business’s structure including key roles and responsibilities.
• Management Team : Profiles of key management team members, including their backgrounds and relevant experience.
• Legal Structure : Information on the legal structure of your business (e.g., LLC, corporation).

Services Offered

• Detailed Description of Services : Explain the public speaking services you offer.
• Pricing Strategy : How you will price your services to remain competitive yet profitable.
• Service Development : Describe how your services will evolve to meet client needs and market demands.

Marketing and Sales Strategy

• Marketing Strategy : Outline how you plan to attract and retain customers.
• Sales Strategy : Detail how you will sell your services, including sales tactics and tools.
• Promotion and Advertising : Plans for promotional tactics and advertising channels to be used.

Funding Request

• Current Funding Requirement : State the total amount of funding you are seeking.
• Future Funding Requirements : Outline any anticipated needs for additional funding in the future.
• Use of Funds : Describe how the funds will be used (e.g., marketing, equipment, hiring).

Financial Projections

• Profit and Loss Statement : Forecast for the next three to five years, showing revenue, expenses, and profits.
• Cash Flow Statement : Month-by-month prediction for at least the first year.
• Balance Sheet : Snapshot of your business’s financial standing at startup and future projections.
• Break-even Analysis : Calculate the break-even point to understand when your business will become profitable.

• Supporting Documents : Include any additional documents that support your business plan, such as market studies, legal agreements, resumes of key employees, or technical specifications.

This template provides a structured guide to help tailor a business plan for a public speaking business. Each section should be detailed and adapted based on specific business needs and market conditions.

See How to Write a Business Plan for information on creating yours.

11. Banking Considerations

When selecting a bank for your small business, prioritize proximity, financial stability, and a reputable presence in the industry.

Cultivating a professional relationship with your banker is crucial for accessing guidance and support during both prosperous and challenging periods.

A dedicated business account ensures clear separation of personal and business finances, facilitating expense tracking, reporting, and tax filing.

Additionally, having a merchant account enables you to accept credit and debit card payments, enhancing sales opportunities and customer convenience.

Choose a bank that offers streamlined application processes and comprehensive financial services to meet your business needs effectively.

For more, see How to Open a Business Bank Account. You may also want to look at What Is a Merchant Account and How to Get One.

12. Getting the Funds for Your Operation

To secure funding for your public speaking business, explore various options including traditional lenders, private loans, seeking investors, or selling personal assets.

Additionally, investigate potential government grants tailored to support entrepreneurial ventures in your field.

Considerations When Meeting with a Loan Officer:

• Clearly articulate your business plan, detailing your target market, revenue projections, and growth strategy.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of your industry, highlighting competitive advantages and market opportunities.
• Be prepared to discuss your personal credit history, financial stability, and collateral options.
• Emphasize your commitment to the business’s success and your ability to manage risks effectively.

Documents Needed to Apply for a New Public Speaking Business Loan:

• Business Plan: Outlining your business goals, target market, marketing strategies, and financial projections.
• Personal and Business Financial Statements: Including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow projections.
• Tax Returns: Providing personal and business tax returns for the past few years.
• Legal Documents: Such as business licenses, permits, and registrations.
• Collateral Information: Documentation of assets that can be used as collateral to secure the loan.
• Credit History: Personal and business credit reports to assess creditworthiness.
• Resumes: Highlighting relevant experience and qualifications in the public speaking industry.
• References: Professional references or letters of recommendation to attest to your credibility and competence.

For more, see the following:

• Getting a Small Business Loan
• SBA Small Business Grants
• Search: Public Speaking Business Start-up Loans
• Search: Grants For a Public Speaking Business

13. Software Setup

Researching software options before implementation is crucial to avoid the hassle of switching systems later. Prioritize companies with a proven track record to ensure reliable future support.

Take advantage of software demos to assess suitability before making a commitment. Reviews and forums offer valuable insights into user experiences.

Look for software with available training resources for optimal utilization. Additionally, consider expense tracking and financial document preparation software to facilitate tax filing. Consulting with a bookkeeper or accountant can provide valuable guidance in selecting accounting software.

Types of Software for Public Speaking Business Management and Operations:

• Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
• Event Management Software
• Online Booking and Scheduling Software
• Financial Management and Accounting Software
• Expense Tracking Software
• Video Conferencing and Webinar Software
• Project Management Software
• Marketing Automation Software
• Social Media Management Tools

Check out Google’s latest search results for software packages for a public speaking business.

14. Get The Right Business Insurance

Business insurance is essential to mitigate financial risks associated with unforeseen incidents that can occur during business operations.

Having the right insurance coverage in place before any business activity is crucial to protect various stakeholders and assets.

Types of Insurance to Consider:

• General Liability Insurance: Protects against claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury arising from business operations or premises.
• Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as errors and omissions insurance, it provides coverage against lawsuits alleging negligence or errors in professional services provided.
• Property Insurance: Covers physical assets such as equipment, furniture, and office space against damage or loss due to fire, theft, vandalism, or other covered perils.
• Business Interruption Insurance: Provides financial support in case of a temporary shutdown due to covered incidents, such as fire or natural disasters, helping cover ongoing expenses and lost income during the interruption.

Utilizing the expertise of a competent insurance broker is advisable to assess your specific business risks and ensure adequate coverage.

They can guide you in selecting the right insurance policies tailored to your public speaking business’s needs, ensuring comprehensive protection against potential liabilities and financial losses.

For more, see What to Know About Business Insurance . You can also browse the latest Google search results for public speaking business insurance .

15. Suppliers and Service Providers

Building Strong Relationships with Suppliers and Service Providers

Establishing a dependable relationship with suppliers and service providers is vital for the success of your public speaking business.

A reliable supplier ensures timely delivery of quality products or services, contributing to your business’s efficiency and reputation.

Benefits of a Strong Relationship:

• Competitive Pricing: Suppliers offering competitive prices enable you to offer competitive rates to your customers, enhancing your business’s profitability.
• Reliable Supply: Ensuring a consistent and uninterrupted flow of essential supplies and services is critical for maintaining operational efficiency.
• Mutual Benefit: Treating suppliers and service providers fairly and ensuring they also benefit financially fosters a positive and mutually beneficial partnership.

Items and Services Public Speaking Business Might Need:

• Audiovisual Equipment (Microphones, Speakers, Projectors)
• Office Supplies (Paper, Pens, Stationery)
• Printing Services (Business Cards, Flyers, Brochures)
• Event Venue Rental
• Catering Services
• Transportation Services (for speakers or equipment)
• Website Design and Development
• Marketing and Advertising Services
• Legal and Accounting Services
• Insurance Coverage (General Liability, Professional Liability)

For more information, see How To Choose a Supplier.

16. Setting Prices

Researching Pricing for Your Public Speaking Business

Conducting thorough pricing research is crucial when launching a public speaking business to ensure competitiveness and profitability.

Benefits of Pricing Research:

• Maximizing Sales: Setting prices at the right level ensures you attract customers without pricing yourself out of the market.
• Maintaining Profitability: Avoiding excessively low prices preserves profitability and ensures you can cover expenses and generate sustainable revenue.
• Emphasizing Value: Finding the right balance allows you to highlight the value proposition of your services while remaining competitive in the market.

Finding the Right Balance:

• Competitive Pricing: Aligning your prices with prevailing market rates helps you remain competitive and attract customers.
• Value Emphasis: Highlighting the unique value and benefits you offer allows you to justify your pricing while distinguishing yourself from competitors.
• Profitability Focus: Ensuring your prices generate sufficient profit margin enables you to sustain and grow your business effectively.

See the following for more:

• Setting the Price of Your Products and Services
• Search Results for Pricing Strategies for a Public Speaking Business.

17. Physical Setup

Considerations for Public Speaking Business Layout:

• Space Utilization: Optimize space to accommodate various activities such as presentations, meetings, and administrative tasks efficiently.
• Safety Measures: Ensure compliance with safety regulations, including emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.
• Accessibility: Ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities and consider ergonomic principles for comfortable workspace design.

Setting Up Business Signs:

• Main Business Sign: Install a prominent and professionally designed sign to identify your public speaking business and attract potential clients.
• Location Signage: Add signs to relevant areas, exits, and specific zones within your premises for easy navigation and information dissemination.
• Professional Image: Well-designed signs enhance the professionalism of your business and instill confidence in clients and visitors.

Managing Your Office Setup:

• Time Management: Efficiently manage your business operations by establishing clear workflows and routines.
• Productivity Boost: An organized office environment promotes productivity by reducing clutter and distractions.
• Equipped Office: Ensure your office is equipped with essential tools and resources, including computers, communication devices, and office supplies, to facilitate effective management of your public speaking business.
• Considerations for the Setup of Your Office
• Considerations for Your Company Sign.

18. Creating a Website

A website serves as a crucial hub for your public speaking business, providing a centralized platform to showcase your offerings, promotions, and key information.

Unlike social media accounts, a website offers ownership and control when you host and register a domain name.

It also functions as a powerful marketing tool, allowing you to engage with customers through blogging and sharing valuable insights tailored to your audience, thereby building trust and positioning yourself as an expert in your industry.

For more, see How to Build a Website for Your Business .

19. Hiring Employees

Running a Public Speaking Business Alone

Running your public speaking business solo in the early stages can help control costs, especially considering payroll expenses.

However, as your business expands, managing operations alone may become overwhelming, necessitating the hiring of employees.

Considerations for Hiring Personnel:

• Qualifications: Hire individuals with relevant skills and experience in areas crucial to your business’s success.
• Work Ethics: Seek candidates with strong work ethics and dedication to achieving business objectives.
• Right Fit: Ensure each new hire is well-suited for their role and aligns with your business’s values and culture.

Job Positions or Outsourced Services to Consider:

• Event Coordinator
• Administrative Assistant
• Marketing Specialist
• Content Writer or Blogger
• Graphic Designer
• Web Developer
• Customer Service Representative
• Bookkeeper or Accountant
• Legal Counsel
• Human Resources Consultant

For more, see How and When to Hire a New Employee.

20. Getting Customers Through the Door

When you have reached this step, your business is set up and ready to go, with one more final step, which is important: getting customers through the door.

There are numerous ways to do this, like advertising, having a grand opening , word of mouth, etc.

The following sections will give you a few ideas to spark your creativity and draw attention to your new public speaking business.

In this step, we’ll cover the following sections:

a.) Marketing Considerations b.) The Market Can Guide You c.) Sample Ad Ideas d.) Joint Venture Ideas

Let’s dig a little deeper into the following sections.

a.) Marketing Considerations

Attracting Customers to Your Public Speaking Business

A successful public speaking business relies on attracting the right customers, especially in its early stages when awareness is limited.

Building Reputation and Experience:

• Initially challenging due to newness, but reputation and marketing experience improve over time.
• Reputation building facilitates customer attraction as trust in your services grows.

Ongoing Marketing Efforts:

• Continuous marketing is essential for sustained business growth and revenue generation.
• Effective marketing investments yield higher returns in customer acquisition and business success .

Simplified Marketing Approach:

• Marketing doesn’t always require professional assistance but can be outsourced when necessary.
• Simplify marketing by focusing on raising awareness of your business whenever opportunities arise.

Simple Methods to Promote Your Business:

• Utilize Social Media: Share valuable content, engage with followers, and leverage platforms like LinkedIn and X to reach potential clients.
• Networking: Attend industry events, join professional groups, and engage in networking activities to connect with potential clients and collaborators.
• Offer Free Workshops: Provide free workshops or seminars to showcase your expertise and attract interested individuals or organizations.
• Create a Blog: Share insights, tips, and resources related to public speaking on your website’s blog to establish credibility and attract organic traffic.
• Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influential figures in your industry or related fields to expand your reach and credibility through their networks.

See How To Get Customers Through the Door and our marketing section for ideas on promoting your business.

b.) The Market Can Guide You

Listening to Customer Needs

Staying attuned to customer preferences and market demand is crucial for the success of your public speaking business.

Market Signals:

• While you may have a specific product or service in mind, be open to variations or adjustments that align with market demand.
• Ignoring market signals could lead to missed opportunities for business growth and success.

Resisting Change:

• It’s understandable to prioritize your business vision, but being flexible to adapt to changing market needs can be beneficial in the long run.
• Assess the potential impact of ignoring persistent market signals on your business’s growth and viability.

Decision Making:

• Ultimately, the direction of your business is your prerogative, but consider the implications of disregarding evident market demand.
• Taking a step back to evaluate market feedback can inform strategic decisions and potentially lead to a more thriving business.

c.) Sample Ad Ideas

Display Ad 1: Headline: “Master the Art of Public Speaking!”

Unlock your potential with expert guidance from our experienced public speaking coaches. Join our workshops today!

Display Ad 2: Headline: “Speak with Confidence, Succeed with Impact!”

Elevate your communication skills with our dynamic public speaking courses. Enroll now for proven strategies and techniques!

Display Ad 3: Headline: “Transform Your Presentations into Powerful Messages!”

Gain the skills to captivate your audience and deliver compelling speeches. Discover our tailored training programs today!

Display Ad 4: Headline: “Unleash Your Voice, Ignite Your Influence!”

Become a persuasive and influential speaker with our comprehensive public speaking workshops. Reserve your spot now!

Display Ad 5: Headline: “Stand Out with Stellar Communication Skills!”

Enhance your professional profile and command attention with our expert-led public speaking seminars. Register for our upcoming sessions!”

d.) Joint Venture Ideas

Joint Venture Ideas for Public Speaking Business

Joint ventures offer opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses, whether for short-term projects or long-term collaborations.

Benefits of Joint Ventures:

• Expanded Reach: Partnering with complementary businesses enables access to new customer bases and markets.
• Enhanced Offerings: Joint ventures allow businesses to offer a broader range of products or services to their customers.
• Cost Efficiency: Sharing resources and expertise with partners can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency.
• Strategic Alliances: Collaborating with other businesses can strengthen brand reputation and credibility.

Applicable Businesses for Joint Ventures:

• Event Management Companies: Collaborate to offer integrated event planning services, combining public speaking engagements with event organization.
• Professional Development Firms: Partner to provide comprehensive training programs, incorporating public speaking skills development alongside other professional skills.
• Marketing Agencies: Jointly promote public speaking workshops or seminars as part of integrated marketing campaigns, leveraging each other’s networks and expertise.
• Corporate Training Providers: Collaborate to deliver tailored training programs for businesses, combining public speaking training with other corporate development initiatives.
• Technology Companies: Partner to develop online public speaking platforms or tools, offering innovative solutions for virtual presentations and communication training.
• Educational Institutions: Collaborate to offer public speaking courses or workshops as part of continuing education programs or extracurricular activities for students and professionals.
• Community Organizations: Partner to organize public speaking events or seminars aimed at community engagement and empowerment, leveraging local networks and resources.

Also see How To Create A Joint Venture

Points To Consider

Next, for your public speaking business, let’s review essential points to consider

We will cover sections, including tips to improve the setup of your public speaking business, equipment, alternatives to starting from scratch, and more.

After that, you’ll reach the “Knowledge Is Power,” section, where you can access resources to external information.

Key Points to Succeed in a Public Speaking Business

Critical Points to Succeed in the Setup Phase of a Public Speaking Business:

• Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify target audience, competitors, and market trends.
• Business Plan: Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, target market, services offered, and financial projections.
• Legal Structure: Choose an appropriate legal structure for your business, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation.
• Branding and Marketing: Establish a strong brand identity and marketing strategy to attract clients and differentiate your business.
• Networking: Build relationships with industry professionals, potential clients, and partners to create opportunities for collaboration and referrals.
• Financial Management: Set up accounting systems and secure financing, if necessary, to ensure sound financial management from the outset.
• Training and Development: Invest in professional development to enhance your public speaking skills and stay aware of industry trends.
• Technology Integration: Utilize technology tools and platforms to streamline business operations, communication, and marketing efforts.
• Compliance and Regulation: Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, such as business licenses, permits, and tax obligations.
• Customer Service: Focus on providing exceptional customer service to build trust and credibility with clients from the beginning.

Critical Points to Succeed in the Operation Phase of a Public Speaking Business:

• Quality Service Delivery: Maintain high standards of service delivery to meet or exceed client expectations and build a positive reputation.
• Staffing and Training: Recruit and retain qualified staff members who align with your business values and provide ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Employee Turnover Management: Implement strategies to reduce employee turnover , such as offering competitive compensation, providing a positive work environment, and fostering career growth opportunities.
• Client Relationship Management: Nurture relationships with existing clients through regular communication, follow-up, and personalized service to encourage repeat business and referrals.
• Marketing and Promotion: Continue to invest in marketing and promotional activities to attract new clients and expand your reach in the market.
• Financial Management: Monitor financial performance closely, track expenses, and optimize revenue streams to ensure profitability and sustainability.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamline business processes and workflows to improve efficiency and productivity, leveraging technology and automation where possible.
• Continuous Improvement: Seek feedback from clients and employees to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for continuous growth and enhancement.
• Adaptability: Stay agile and adaptable in response to changing market conditions, emerging trends, and client needs to remain competitive and relevant in the industry.
• Legal and Compliance: Stay updated on relevant laws and regulations affecting your business operations and ensure ongoing compliance to avoid legal issues or penalties.

Ideas to Make a Public Speaking Business Stand Out:

• Specialized Niche: Focus on a specific niche or industry segment within public speaking, such as executive coaching, TED-style talks, or presentation skills for technical professionals, to differentiate your services and target a specific audience.
• Unique Training Methods: Develop innovative training methods or proprietary techniques that set your business apart from competitors and deliver tangible results for clients.
• High-Profile Speakers: Partner with renowned speakers or industry experts to offer exclusive workshops, seminars, or keynote presentations that attract attention and establish credibility for your business.
• Online Presence: Build a strong online presence through a professional website, active social media presence, and engaging content marketing to showcase your expertise, attract clients, and drive engagement.
• Client Testimonials and Case Studies: Highlight success stories and testimonials from satisfied clients to demonstrate the effectiveness of your services and build trust with potential customers.
• Customized Solutions: Offer personalized coaching or training programs tailored to the specific needs and goals of individual clients, providing a personalized experience that sets you apart from one-size-fits-all solutions.
• Networking and Partnerships: Establish partnerships with complementary businesses or industry associations to expand your reach, access new clients, and create opportunities for collaboration and referral business.
• Continuous Improvement: Invest in ongoing professional development, stay updated on industry trends and best practices, and continuously refine and enhance your offerings to stay ahead of the competition and meet evolving client needs.

Ideas for Add-ons for a Public Speaking Business:

• Video Recording Services: Offer professional video recording and editing services to clients who want to capture and polish their presentations for promotional or training purposes.
• Speechwriting Assistance: Provide speechwriting assistance to clients who need help crafting compelling speeches or presentations, offering customized content creation services tailored to their specific needs and audience.
• Visual Aids Design: Offer design services for visual aids such as PowerPoint slides, infographics, or handouts to enhance the effectiveness and visual appeal of client presentations.
• Virtual Presentation Training: Develop training programs specifically tailored to help clients improve their virtual presentation skills, including techniques for engaging remote audiences and navigating online platforms effectively.
• Public Speaking Workshops for Teams: Organize workshops or training sessions specifically designed for teams or groups within organizations, focusing on building communication and presentation skills to enhance teamwork and collaboration.
• Coaching Packages with Follow-up Support: Create coaching packages that include ongoing support and follow-up sessions to help clients reinforce their skills, overcome challenges, and sustain their growth and development over time.

Hours of Operation:

• Typically, standard business hours may range from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
• However, flexibility may be necessary to accommodate client schedules and event requirements.
• Some tasks, such as client consultations, event preparation, and post-event evaluations, may require additional time outside of regular business hours to ensure quality service delivery.

Equipment and Supplies

A List of Equipment and Supplies to Consider for a Public Speaking Business:

Audio Equipment:

• Microphones (handheld, lapel, headset)
• Portable PA system
• Speakers and monitors

Visual Equipment:

• Projection screens
• LED displays or TVs
• Laser pointers

Presentation Aids:

• Flip charts and markers
• Whiteboards or chalkboards
• Presentation remotes

Recording and Playback Devices:

• Video cameras or camcorders
• Digital audio recorders
• Laptop or tablet for presentations
• DVD or Blu-ray players

Computer and Software:

• Laptop or desktop computer
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote)
• Video editing software
• Screen recording software

Stage and Podium:

• Portable stages or platforms
• Lectern or podium
• Stage lighting equipment
• Backdrop or banners

Furniture and Accessories:

• Chairs and tables
• Comfortable seating for audience
• Tablecloths or drapes
• Signage and banners

Communication Tools:

• Telephone or VoIP system
• Internet connection
• Wi-Fi router
• Conference call equipment

Safety and Emergency Equipment:

• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Emergency evacuation plan
• Emergency lighting

Miscellaneous Supplies:

• Extension cords and power strips
• Batteries (for microphones, remotes, etc.)
• Cable ties and Velcro straps
• Cleaning supplies for equipment maintenance

It’s crucial to assess your skill set when considering starting a public speaking business as your expertise directly impacts business success.

Identifying strengths allows you to leverage them effectively, while recognizing weaknesses prompts skill development or delegation.

Public speaking necessitates diverse abilities beyond communication proficiency. Essential skills include:

• Public Speaking Mastery: Proficiency in delivering engaging, articulate speeches is paramount.
• Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication fosters rapport with clients and audiences.
• Business Acumen: Understanding business fundamentals like budgeting, marketing, and strategic planning is vital for sustained success.
• Networking Abilities: Building and maintaining professional relationships expands clientele and partnership opportunities.
• Adaptability: Flexibility in responding to diverse audience needs and unexpected circumstances ensures seamless presentations.
• Leadership Qualities: Inspiring confidence and motivating others cultivates a strong presence and credibility.
• Organizational Skills: Efficiently managing schedules, resources, and logistics optimizes event planning and execution.
• Creativity: Crafting innovative speeches and presentations captivates audiences and differentiates your services.
• Problem-Solving Aptitude: Swiftly resolving challenges during presentations enhances professionalism and client satisfaction.
• Tech Savvy: Proficiency with presentation software, audiovisual equipment, and online platforms enhances efficiency and effectiveness.

Evaluation of these skills guides business strategy, training initiatives, and potential partnerships to ensure optimal performance and client satisfaction.

For more, see The Essential Skills To Run a Business

Terminology

Being familiar with the terminology in your industry is a must. You can pick it up as you gain more experience.

For now, you can see the list below to get you started.

• Keynote Address: A primary speech delivered at an event, typically setting the tone or theme.
• TED Talk: A presentation format renowned for its concise, compelling delivery on diverse topics.
• Master of Ceremonies (MC): The host or facilitator of an event, responsible for introducing speakers and maintaining audience engagement.
• Panel Discussion: A structured conversation among a group of experts or stakeholders on a specific topic.
• Workshop: A hands-on, interactive session focused on skill development or knowledge acquisition.
• Seminar: A formal presentation or series of presentations on a particular subject, often led by an expert.
• Webinar: A seminar conducted over the internet, typically interactive and accessible to remote participants.
• Key Takeaways: The main points or lessons learned from a presentation or event.
• Audience Engagement: Techniques or strategies employed to involve and captivate audience members.
• Visual Aids: Supplementary materials, such as slides or props, used to enhance presentations.
• Q&A Session: A period following a presentation during which the audience can ask questions and engage with the speaker.
• Elevator Pitch: A concise, persuasive speech designed to quickly convey a business idea or proposal.
• Stage Fright: Anxiety or nervousness experienced before or during public speaking engagements.
• Feedback Loop: The process of soliciting and incorporating feedback to improve future presentations.
• Nonverbal Communication: Gestures, facial expressions, and body language used to convey messages during a presentation.
• Storytelling: The art of using narratives to convey information, evoke emotion, and engage the audience.
• Pitch Deck: A visual presentation used to pitch ideas, products, or services to potential investors or clients.
• Power Pose: A body posture believed to convey confidence and assertiveness, often used before speaking engagements.
• Speechwriter: A professional writer hired to craft speeches or presentations on behalf of a client.

Knowledge Is Power if You Use It!

There are many sources of information to increase your knowledge for starting and running a public speaking business.

The good news is that the sections below lead to material, and I have made it easy for you by providing links to Search Results.

You don’t have to focus on what to look for; instead, click the links that interest you and explore the search results that can deliver a wealth of information.

Trends and Statistics

See the latest search results for trends and statistics related to the public speaking industry.

Associations

See the search results for associations for a public speaking business and the benefits of Joining the Chamber of Commerce.

The Top Public Speakers

See the latest search results for the public speakers .

Customer Expectations

See the search results related to customer expectations for public speaking.

Tips for Public Speaking

See the latest search results for public speaking to gain tips and insights.

What to Avoid When Running a Public Speaking Business

See the latest search results about mistakes to avoid in your public speaking business.

Interviews With Public Speakers

See the latest search results for interviews with public speakers.

See the search results for public speaking books.

Discussion Forums

See the latest search results related to public speaking discussion forums.

See the latest courses that could benefit a public speaking business owner . Also, see our management articles for tips and insights for managing your business.

Blogs Public Speaking

Look at the latest search results for top public speaking blogs to follow.

service Based Business Tips

Look at the latest search results for service tips and insights to follow.

See the latest results for public speaking news.

YouTube videos related to public speaking.

Privacy Overview

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How to Create a 12-month Paid Public Speaking Business Plan

Last updated on January 22nd, 2019 at 01:50 pm

Creating Clarity and Purpose for Your Public Speaking Business Plan in 12 Months

Clarity and Purpose are two important words for paid motivational speakers–get used to these two words if your dream is to be one. Public speaking is a hard enough business, but not knowing where you are going (or why) makes it all the more difficult.

Every 12 months I create a new plan that helps me focus on what needs to be done to improve my speaking business in the year ahead.

These are the 8 steps I take to run my speaking business instead of letting my speaking business run me:

1. what didn’t work over the last 12 months..

I look at the past 12 months to see what activities bring me closer to my goals, and what activities distract me from them. I have specific goals and projects, both personal and professional, and I evaluate the time and energy I spend doing them.  When I do this I determine the things that are sucking on my time instead of feeding my goals .

I create a plan to handle these types of distractions for the next 12 months or to eliminate them entirely.

2. What Did Work Over The Last 12 Months.

I look at what forces drive business to me over the last 12 months in all the areas where I generate income–to make sure I keep doing the good ones and maybe even improve on them.

Build upon success.

3. The Joy Piece.

I’ve always focused on what I need to do to drive my business. But in looking back at the past 12 months, I see that I need to focus more on what really, really brings me joy in my business. Writing a novel doesn’t make business sense when you look at my public speaking brand. But the very idea of it lights me up from the inside out.

I’ve chosen to write joy into this dream plan for the next 12 months–for no other reason than joy for joy’s sake. And, who knows, maybe it will turn out to be a smart business decision. Don’t know; don’t care.

4. New Ideas for Growth.

I look at any new ideas that may help me reach my goals and whether I have room to add them to the list. I’ve learned that if you try to do too much, you don’t really get anything done well.

Prioritize the new.

5. Overhead.

I look at the money I’ve made and the money I’ve spent to determine whether any changes need to be made in my business finances. It’s not really about how much you make, it’s about how much you keep.

Budgets help keep you focused and motivated.

6. Five Buckets.

I determine everything I need to do and continue to do and sort them into five major categories or buckets (e.g. Close More Sales, Leverage Current Customers, Sell More Product, etc.).   Then under each bucket, I create a strategy to accomplish them over the course of 12 months.

“All you need is the plan, the roadmap, and the courage to press on to your destination.” –Earl Nightingale.

7. Weekly Processes.

I determine how many hours I want to allocate to each bucket per week. This will become my weekly homework. All tasks MUST be on this list, or they get moved to another 12 months down the road. These buckets are locked in.  Everything else must wait until homework is done.

This is new for me. I’m used to having big business plans, and I’m used to working hard. But I kept being overwhelmed each day. There is too much to do and every project seems big, so I never get to the big ones and I focus on tiny projects that are never in my original 12-month business plan.

Over the next 12 months, I’ll be more focused on the tasks I have chosen, and I have a way to divert all other things until I’m ready to look at them.

8. Systems.

I tweak my inner office systems to fit this new laser-focus goal.  I don’t like to see emails stack up, so I know they’ll sit there taunting me all day, reminding me that people are asking for things. I create a system to get them out of the email and off to somewhere else. Details aren’t important.

The point is that I’ve allowed emails to rule my days, leaving me no time or energy for the stuff that matters most.

My 12-month plan is already working! By pinpointing where my distractions are coming from, and crafting a workable weekly checklist where I simply work my way through the list, I accomplish my priorities. Now, if I can just keep it up.  As with any plan, creating the plan is the easy part; following it is key!

Create a 12-month plan for your public speaking career and may it help you find clarity, purpose, and more income too.

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, motivational speaker, Huffington Post Contributor, and cast member of The Fashion Hero television show airing on Amazon Prime. She is also the author of Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale, The Land of If Only, The Story Formula, and The Affirmation Journal for Positive Thinking. She was a featured entertainer for Holland America Cruise Lines, keynote speaker for the International Toastmasters Convention, and has keynoted major conferences and corporate events from coast to coast. She just launched her one-woman show Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale in theaters, and it is being booked all over the country. In July of 2022, she was inducted into the National Speakers Association Speaker Hall of Fame.

Note: Articles by Kelly may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

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How To Create a Public Speaking Coaching Business Plan: Checklist

By alex ryzhkov, resources on public speaking coaching services.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Marketing Plan

Are you passionate about helping others overcome their fear of public speaking and deliver impactful presentations? If so, starting a public speaking coaching service might be the perfect business idea for you. The demand for public speaking coaching services is on the rise, with statistics showing a steady growth in the industry . As more professionals and students recognize the importance of effective communication skills, the need for comprehensive training programs becomes increasingly essential.

In order to successfully launch your public speaking coaching business, it's essential to have a well-crafted business plan in place. This 9-step checklist will guide you through the process, ensuring that you cover all the necessary aspects for success.

Define the target audience: Begin by identifying the specific individuals or groups who will benefit from your coaching services. Are you targeting professionals in a specific industry? Students preparing for presentations and speeches? Understanding your target audience will help you tailor your services to meet their specific needs.

Conduct market research: Before diving into your business venture, it's crucial to gain a deep understanding of the market. Research your target audience's preferences, competitors in the industry, and current market trends. This will allow you to position your coaching services effectively and stand out from the competition.

Identify potential competition: It's important to be aware of other public speaking coaching services in your area or online. Study their offerings, pricing models, and marketing tactics. This will help you identify gaps in the market and differentiate your services.

Determine pricing and revenue model: Outline how you will generate revenue from your coaching services. Will you charge by the hour, per session, or offer package deals? Consider factors such as your target audience's budget, the value you provide, and your competitors' pricing.

Establish the unique selling proposition: Determine what sets your coaching services apart from others. Highlight the unique benefits and advantages you offer to potential clients. This will help you differentiate yourself and attract customers who align with your unique approach.

Outline the services offered: Clearly define and describe the coaching services you will provide. Will you offer one-on-one personalized coaching sessions, workshops/group training, or online resources? Be specific about the areas you will focus on, such as overcoming anxiety, improving articulation, and developing effective communication techniques.

Set goals and objectives: Outline your short-term and long-term goals for your public speaking coaching business. Define the milestones you want to achieve and the timeframe in which you hope to accomplish them. This will help keep you focused and motivated.

Create a marketing and promotional strategy: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan to reach your target audience effectively. Identify the most appropriate channels and tactics for promoting your coaching services. Utilize online platforms, networking events, and partnerships with relevant organizations to raise awareness and attract clients.

Develop financial projections: Finally, create a financial plan that outlines your projected revenue, expenses, and cash flow. Consider factors such as your pricing, marketing expenses, and any additional costs for resources or equipment. This will help you gauge the profitability and sustainability of your business.

Define The Target Audience

Defining the target audience is an essential first step in creating a successful business plan for public speaking coaching services. The target audience refers to the specific group of individuals who will benefit the most from your services and have a need for them. To effectively define your target audience, consider the following:

• Demographics: Start by considering the basic characteristics of your target audience, such as age, gender, education level, occupation, and income. Understanding these demographic factors will help you tailor your coaching programs and resources to meet their specific needs.
• Psychographics: Dive deeper into your target audience's psychographics, including their beliefs, values, interests, and motivations. This information will allow you to create coaching sessions and workshops that resonate with their goals and aspirations.
• Needs and Challenges: Identify the primary needs and challenges faced by your target audience when it comes to public speaking. Are they struggling with overcoming anxiety, organizing their thoughts, or delivering persuasive speeches? Understanding these pain points will enable you to develop coaching programs that address their specific concerns.

Tips for Defining Your Target Audience:

• Conduct surveys or interviews with potential clients to gather insights on their public speaking needs and preferences.
• Research industry trends and best practices to identify emerging target audience segments.
• Consider partnering with industry influencers or organizations that cater to your target audience to expand your reach.
• Regularly review and update your target audience definition to stay relevant and meet evolving market demands.

By clearly defining your target audience, you can customize your public speaking coaching services to cater to their specific needs, resulting in a more effective and appealing offering.

Conduct Market Research

Conducting market research is a crucial step in developing a business plan for your public speaking coaching services. It allows you to gather valuable insights about your target audience, competition, and overall market trends. By thoroughly understanding the market dynamics, you can effectively position your services and make informed decisions to maximize your chances of success.

When conducting market research for your public speaking coaching services, consider the following:

Tips for Conducting Effective Market Research:

• Identify your target audience: Determine who your ideal clients are, such as professionals looking to improve their presentation skills or students preparing for public speaking engagements.
• Analyze the competition: Identify existing public speaking coaching services in your area or online and assess their strengths, weaknesses, and pricing strategies.
• Study industry trends: Stay updated with the latest trends, advancements, and changes in the field of public speaking coaching services to adapt your offerings and stay ahead of the competition.
• Seek customer feedback: Engage with potential clients to understand their needs, challenges, and preferences in order to tailor your services and differentiate yourself in the market.
• Explore potential partnerships: Consider collaborating with complementary businesses or organizations that can help you expand your reach and attract more clients.

By conducting thorough market research, you will gain valuable knowledge that will influence various aspects of your business plan, including your target audience, pricing strategy, unique selling proposition, and marketing efforts. Keep in mind that market research is an ongoing process, and it is vital to regularly reassess and adapt your strategies based on new information and changing market conditions.

Identify Potential Competition

Identifying potential competition is a crucial step in developing a business plan for public speaking coaching services. Understanding who your competitors are and what they offer can help you differentiate your offerings and position your services effectively in the market.

Start by conducting thorough research to identify the key players in the public speaking coaching industry. Look for established coaching companies, individual coaches, and online platforms that provide similar services. Analyze their strengths, weaknesses, target audience, pricing strategies, and unique selling propositions.

An effective way to gather information about your competitors is by visiting their websites, attending their workshops or training sessions, and reading customer reviews. Take note of the areas where they excel and areas where they could be improved.

Here are some tips to consider:

• Pay attention to the specific target audience each competitor serves and how they tailor their services to meet their needs.
• Identify the unique selling propositions of your competitors and evaluate how yours can stand out from the crowd.
• Assess the pricing models of your competitors and determine how you can offer competitive rates or additional value.
• Consider the geographical reach of your competition and identify any gaps in the market that you can capitalize on.

By thoroughly researching and understanding your competition, you can identify opportunities for differentiation, develop a competitive pricing strategy, and fine-tune your services to meet the unique needs of your target audience.

Determine Pricing And Revenue Model

Setting the right pricing and revenue model is crucial for the success of your public speaking coaching services. It requires careful consideration of various factors, including the value you provide, your target audience, and the competitive landscape. Here are the steps to help you determine the ideal pricing and revenue model:

• Research the market: Conduct a thorough analysis of the market to understand the pricing trends for similar services. Look at the pricing models used by your competitors and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
• Define your value proposition: Clearly define the unique value that your public speaking coaching services offer. Highlight how your approach, expertise, and resources differentiate you from others in the market. This will help you justify your pricing to potential clients.
• Consider your target audience: Understand the budget and willingness to pay of your target audience. Assess the value they place on improving their public speaking skills and tailor your pricing accordingly.
• Evaluate your costs: Determine the cost of delivering your coaching services, including trainer fees, materials, and overhead expenses. Calculate a profit margin that allows your business to thrive while remaining competitive.
• Choose a pricing model: Based on your research and analysis, decide on a pricing model that aligns with your value proposition and target audience. Common models include hourly rates, package pricing, or subscription-based plans.
• Consider tiered pricing: Implementing tiered pricing by offering different levels of coaching programs can cater to a wider range of clients. This allows individuals to choose the level of support and resources that align with their needs and budget.

Tips for determining pricing and revenue model:

• Keep your pricing transparent and easy to understand for potential clients.
• Consider offering promotions or discounts to attract initial clients and build a strong customer base.
• Regularly evaluate your pricing strategy and adjust it based on market demand, customer feedback, and business growth.
• Stay updated on industry trends and adjust your pricing model accordingly to remain competitive.

By carefully determining your pricing and revenue model, you can ensure that your public speaking coaching services are not only sustainable but also attractive to your target audience. Remember, finding the right balance between value and affordability is key to attracting and retaining clients.

Establish The Unique Selling Proposition

In order to stand out in the competitive market of public speaking coaching services, it is crucial to establish a unique selling proposition (USP) that sets your business apart from the rest. This USP should highlight what makes your services distinct and valuable to potential clients.

Here are some key steps to help you establish your unique selling proposition:

• Analyze the competition: Begin by researching other public speaking coaching services in your area or niche. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and determine how you can differentiate yourself.
• Identify your strengths: Assess your own expertise, experience, and unique approach to coaching public speaking. Consider the specific methodologies you employ, the success stories you have had, and the positive feedback from past clients.
• Understand your target audience: Gain a deep understanding of the needs, challenges, and goals of your target audience. This will enable you to tailor your unique selling proposition to address their specific pain points.
• Focus on specialization: Consider specializing in a particular niche or industry, such as corporate executives, entrepreneurs, or students preparing for presentations. By positioning yourself as an expert in a specific area, you can attract clients seeking specialized coaching.
• Emphasize benefits: Clearly communicate the benefits and outcomes that clients can expect from your coaching services. Whether it's gaining confidence, improving delivery skills, or effectively conveying their message, highlight how your services will add value to their public speaking endeavors.
• Offer additional value: Think about any unique features or additional services you can provide to enhance the overall client experience. This could include post-coaching support, access to exclusive resources, or the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies in your training programs.

Tips for Establishing Your Unique Selling Proposition:

• Invest time in market research to identify gaps in the public speaking coaching industry.
• Consider conducting surveys or interviews with potential clients to understand their needs and preferences.
• Showcase your credentials, certifications, and success stories to build credibility.
• Highlight any unique coaching methodologies or techniques that differentiate you from competitors.
• Testimonials and case studies can serve as powerful tools to demonstrate the effectiveness of your coaching services.
• Regularly update and refine your unique selling proposition to stay relevant as industry trends evolve.

Outline The Services Offered

Public Speaking Coaching Services offers a range of comprehensive training programs designed to enhance individuals' public speaking skills. Our services are tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients, whether they are professionals looking to excel in their careers or students seeking to boost their confidence in public speaking engagements. Our team of experienced coaches will provide personalized coaching sessions, workshops, and online resources to ensure that each client receives the tailored guidance necessary to overcome anxiety, improve articulation, and develop effective communication techniques.

Our services include:

• Personalized Coaching Sessions: We offer one-on-one coaching sessions with our experienced trainers, who will provide individualized feedback and guidance to help clients overcome their specific public speaking challenges. These sessions will focus on enhancing presentation skills, improving body language, and mastering effective storytelling techniques.
• Workshops: We conduct interactive workshops where participants can learn and practice public speaking skills in a supportive group setting. These workshops cover various aspects of public speaking, such as structuring speeches, delivering powerful presentations, and engaging with an audience.
• Online Resources: We provide a comprehensive library of online resources, including video tutorials, e-books, and exercises, which clients can access at their convenience. These resources are designed to reinforce the techniques learned during coaching sessions and workshops, enabling clients to continue their development outside of scheduled sessions.

Tips for Choosing the Right Coaching Service:

• Consider the qualifications and experience of the coaching team.
• Look for a coaching service that offers tailored guidance and feedback.
• Ask about the specific techniques and methodologies used for improving public speaking skills.
• Review testimonials and success stories from past clients.
• Make sure the coaching service offers a variety of training formats to suit your preferences and availability.

By offering these comprehensive services, Public Speaking Coaching Services ensures that our clients receive the necessary support and resources to excel in their public speaking endeavors. Our focus on practical application and tailored guidance sets us apart, empowering individuals to effectively convey their messages, boost their confidence, and achieve success in public speaking engagements.

Set Goals And Objectives

Setting clear and measurable goals is essential for the success of any business, including public speaking coaching services. These goals will provide direction and serve as a roadmap for the growth and development of your business. Here are important steps to consider when setting goals and objectives for your public speaking coaching services:

• Identify your long-term vision: Begin by defining your long-term vision for your public speaking coaching services. This will help you establish a clear direction and purpose for your business.
• Break down your vision into specific objectives: Once you have identified your long-term vision, break it down into smaller, specific objectives. These objectives should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to ensure they are achievable and realistic.
• Focus on both business and client-oriented goals: While it's important to set goals that align with the growth and success of your business, also prioritize goals that cater to the needs and expectations of your clients. This will help you enhance the overall value and satisfaction of your services.
• Evaluate your current performance: Assess your current performance and identify areas for improvement. This will help you set goals that target specific weaknesses and areas where you can enhance your offerings.
• Consider industry benchmarks: Research and analyze industry benchmarks to gain insights into the standards and expectations in the public speaking coaching services field. Setting goals that align with these benchmarks will help you stay competitive and relevant.
• Regularly review and revise your goals: As your business grows and evolves, it's crucial to review and revise your goals accordingly. This will ensure that your goals remain aligned with your current business landscape.
• Communicate your goals with your team: If you have a team of trainers or staff members, it's important to communicate your goals and objectives to them. This will foster a sense of shared purpose and motivate everyone to work towards a common goal.
• Track and measure progress: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track and measure your progress towards achieving your goals. Regularly monitor these KPIs and make adjustments as necessary to stay on track.

Setting goals and objectives for your public speaking coaching services is essential for defining the direction and growth of your business. By following these steps and considering the tips provided, you can ensure that your goals are realistic, measurable, and aligned with the needs of your target audience.

Create A Marketing And Promotional Strategy

Once you have defined your target audience, conducted market research, and studied your potential competition, it is crucial to develop a robust marketing and promotional strategy to effectively reach your desired customers.

1. Identify your key marketing channels: Determine which platforms and channels will be the most effective in reaching your target audience. This could include social media platforms, industry-specific websites, networking events, or traditional advertising mediums.

2. Create compelling content: Develop high-quality content that showcases your expertise and highlights the benefits of your public speaking coaching services. This could include blog posts, articles, videos, or downloadable resources. Ensure that your content is engaging, informative, and resonates with your target audience.

3. Utilize social media: Leverage the power of social media platforms to promote your services and engage with potential clients. Create a strong online presence by regularly posting valuable content, engaging with your audience, and utilizing targeted advertising campaigns.

• Choose social media platforms that are popular among your target audience.
• Use hashtags relevant to public speaking, coaching, and personal development to increase visibility.
• Share testimonials and success stories from satisfied clients to build trust and credibility.

4. Partner with industry influencers: Collaborate with influential individuals in the public speaking industry who have a strong following or reputation. Consider offering them complimentary coaching sessions or workshops in exchange for promoting your services to their audience.

5. Offer free resources: Provide valuable resources such as e-books, guides, or webinars to capture leads and build a relationship with potential clients. Collect contact information in exchange for access to these resources, allowing you to follow up with targeted marketing efforts.

6. Build strategic partnerships: Identify organizations or associations that cater to your target audience and explore partnership opportunities. This could involve sponsoring events, speaking at conferences, or collaborating on joint marketing initiatives.

7. Implement referral programs: Encourage satisfied clients to refer your services to their network by offering incentives or discounts. Word-of-mouth marketing can be a powerful tool in promoting your public speaking coaching services.

8. Measure and analyze results: Regularly track and evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing strategies. Use analytics tools to monitor website traffic, engagement rates, conversion rates, and other key performance indicators. Adjust your approach based on the data to maximize your marketing efforts.

By creating a comprehensive marketing and promotional strategy, you can raise awareness about your public speaking coaching services and attract your target audience. Remember to continuously refine your strategies based on feedback and market trends to stay ahead of the competition.

Develop Financial Projections

Developing financial projections is a crucial step in creating a business plan for your Public Speaking Coaching Services. These projections will help you assess the financial feasibility of your venture, set realistic goals, and attract potential investors or lenders. Here are some key elements to consider when developing your financial projections.

1. Revenue Forecast: Start by estimating your potential revenue sources. This might include fees for coaching sessions, workshop registrations, online course sales, or any other revenue streams you plan to incorporate. It is essential to base these projections on market research and consider the size of your target audience.

2. Cost Analysis: Identify all the costs associated with running your coaching services. This may include trainer salaries, rental costs for facilities, marketing expenses, and the costs of developing online resources. Additionally, consider any overhead costs such as utilities or administrative expenses. By accurately analyzing your costs, you can determine your break-even point and set appropriate pricing strategies.

3. Cash Flow Projections: Develop a cash flow projection to assess the inflow and outflow of funds in your business. This will help you identify any potential cash shortages or surpluses and enable you to make informed decisions about financing options or adjusting your expenses.

Tips for Developing Financial Projections:

• Research similar businesses to gain insights into their revenue models and financial performance.
• Consider utilizing financial software or tools to streamline the process and ensure accuracy.
• Stay conservative with your revenue projections to avoid overestimating potential earnings.
• Regularly review and update your financial projections as your business evolves and new data becomes available.

4. Break-Even Analysis: Conduct a break-even analysis to determine the point at which your revenue equals your expenses. This analysis will help you assess the financial viability of your coaching services and identify how many clients or sales you need to reach profitability.

5. Profit and Loss Statement: Create a profit and loss statement to outline your projected revenues, costs, and expenses over a specific period. This statement will provide a clear snapshot of your business's financial health and allow you to identify areas where you can potentially increase profitability.

6. Return on Investment (ROI): Calculating the ROI of your coaching services will enable you to evaluate the effectiveness of your business operations and determine the value you are providing to your clients. Consider both financial returns and intangible benefits, such as improved public speaking skills or increased confidence, when assessing your ROI.

By developing comprehensive financial projections, you will have a clear understanding of the financial aspects of your Public Speaking Coaching Services. These projections will serve as a roadmap for your business's financial success and aid in making informed decisions to achieve your goals.

In conclusion, writing a business plan for public speaking coaching services requires careful consideration and thorough research. By following the nine-step checklist outlined in this article, entrepreneurs can create a solid foundation for their business and set themselves up for success. By understanding their target audience, analyzing the market, and identifying competition, they can position their services uniquely. With defined pricing and revenue models, a strong USP, and a range of services, they can attract and retain clients. Setting clear goals, developing a marketing strategy, and creating financial projections are essential to driving growth and profitability in this industry. With dedication and strategic planning, entrepreneurs can establish reputable and successful public speaking coaching services.

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How to Build a Speaking Business

How would you like to travel the world? Make a meaningful difference in the lives of others? Get paid for sharing your expertise and life experience?

That was my dream when I walked away from my corporate career eight years ago.

My dream also had a deadline: Five years. Within five years I wanted to be consistently booking 50 live events annually and earn an income equal to what I had just walked away from in that corporate job. I promptly hired a coach (like any serious professional committed to breakthrough success does), and she challenged me to dream quite a bit bigger.

I was inspired by the vision she shared in her book,  “The Wealthy Speaker” :

“Imagine you’re at the height of your speaking career. You’ve just walked off the stage after speaking to 1,000 people who jumped to their feet in appreciation of your message. The standing ovation is music to your ears and you are being paid more than you ever thought possible. How does this sound so far? Is it a dream or reality? Well, right now you might think this is a dream, but it’s been a reality for many speakers that I’ve represented and the speakers who have contributed to my book, ‘The Wealthy Speaker.’ And, it can be a reality for you, too.”

My coach, Jane Atkinson, believed so much more was possible if I was willing to develop the right game plan and follow through in doing the work.

Years later I am grateful to say, she was right. We absolutely destroyed my original five-year plan, and it still feels like we are just getting started!

How can I get paid to speak?

People ask me all the time for advice on how to get paid to speak, and I’m happy to share what I’ve learned in my career as a professional speaker.

The business of public speaking and training has experienced a dramatic reset in the new economy. There is an abundance of opportunity for emerging speakers to embrace a new set of principles and tactics to capitalize on the shift in the marketplace. There is a big appetite for new voices and expert perspectives. However, one constant remains true: You have to both deliver from the platform and develop a rock-solid sales and marketing strategy to stay booked.

Here are my favorite tips to help you as you are learning how to build a speaking business.

Speak Every Chance You Get

The more you speak, the more speaking opportunities you’ll generate. The more you speak, the better you’ll get. Most people I know that speak professionally did a lot of free speaking prior to getting good enough to get paid. If you speak and immediately generate more requests to speak as a result, that is a good sign you are good enough  to do the work.

Make time to Write

A bestselling book is a reliable gateway to getting paid speaking engagements. While you’re working on your book, find other ways to publish your content. Writing helps organize your thinking, accelerate your credibility and connect you to people and opportunities. This blog has certainly been a catalyst for growth in my business. The real secret to writing is that you are ultimately doing it for yourself.

Study the craft

The business of speaking has its own industry norms and quirks.

If you’d like to start with a book, I recommend The Wealthy Speaker  and  Confessions of a Public Speaker . The Wealthy Speaker is a valuable “how to” guide from an experienced speaker coach, and Confessions breaks down the business from the entertaining perspective of a pro. The Why Speakers Earn $30,000 an Hour  excerpt offers a bit of insight into the getting paid part of the business.

You can learn a lot about the business of speaking by connecting with other speakers, via social media or associations.

I also recommend checking out the National Speakers Association . I am a graduate of both of their Professional Development programs for emerging speakers, and they have a ton of great resources for emerging and experienced speakers.

When I registered for the National Speakers Association Minnesota Chapter Speaker Academy years ago, I was working full time as an ad agency executive and in truth, the idea of getting paid to speak seemed a little far-fetched and even a bit self-indulgent at the time. However, I was keen on learning more and improving my presentation skills that were an important part of my job.

That course was the catalyst that led me down a path to completely change my career , build a new business and transform my life.

Invest In Your Speaking Business

While the barrier to entry and fixed capital costs to start a speaking business are low, the best professional speakers run their operations like any other business. That means establishing a budget and a business plan with specific and measurable objectives. That also means investing in your growth. Website. Video. Marketing. One of the best investments I’ve made is a professional coach .

Dedicate time for Selling

You have to know how to sell yourself first before anyone else can succeed selling for you. We have scheduled selling time built into the calendar every week. Third-party platforms can accelerate sales growth for a professional speaker; however, it takes time and patience to cultivate the right bureau and meeting planner relationships. It also takes a demonstrated track record of success.

Speaking is competitive. It takes practice, patience and persistence to break into the business. It can also be very rewarding and worthwhile as a hobby, part-time endeavor or full-time career, depending on what is right for you.

Your experience is unique. Your expertise is valuable. Your ideas and insights are worthwhile and can most certainly have an impact. Every opportunity to speak is an opportunity to make a difference.

Read more from the blog

Make Baseball Fun and Put Fans First

Winning in the Experience Economy

How Flywheel Takes Spinning to the Next Level

A B2B Product Launch the Motorola Way

Defining Your Brand DNA

And join our email community to receive bi-weekly insights with actionable tips and videos, new research, and inspiration and ideas for cultivating growth in business and life.

Original text

I frequently speak at events for small business owners, both in my area and around the country. I’ve logged a lot of frequent flyer miles! Traveling so much for events can be tiring, but it’s all worth it. That’s because public speaking is a great tool to grow my business. It can be just as effective for your business, too.

Benefits of Public Speaking for Business Owners

Why is public speaking so effective as a marketing tool for small business owners? There are several reasons it can help.

• Public speaking helps build your brand. By getting your name and your business name out there in the community at speaking events, you help to build awareness for your business.
• It builds your reputation as an expert. When people hear you speak as an authority, they believe you’re an expert in your industry. This can help boost your reputation among potential customers and clients.
• It enhances your confidence and your sales skills. Even if you have salespeople promoting your business, as the business owner, you are an integral part of “selling” your products and services to the world. If you’re not comfortable selling or engaging with others, public speaking can help. The more you speak, the more confidence you’ll gain, until eventually, you’ll feel comfortable talking to just about anyone.

How to Get Over Your Fears

Of course, if you’re like most people, you don’t relish the idea of standing up in front of a crowd. How can you get over your nerves? Try these tips.

• Learn. Get online and watch popular TED talks on YouTube to see what successful speakers do. Keep in mind that some of these people are new to public speaking, too, and you’ll feel inspired.
• Practice. Start by giving your talk in front of a mirror. Then move on to delivering it in front of a friend or loved one you can trust to be honest with you. Ask for feedback and work to improve. You can even ask someone to record you so you can watch yourself and learn.
• Get help. If you really want to improve your technique, you can look for professional coaching in your area. A more affordable method: Look for your local chapter of Toastmasters International, an organization that helps people learn to speak in front of a group. In addition to gaining confidence with public speaking, you’ll also meet other businesspeople.

Plan Your Public Speaking Campaign

Once you’re ready to start public speaking, develop a plan to find the right organizations to speak to.

• Set a goal. Decide what prospects you want to target, being as specific as possible.
• Find your prospects. Identify events your prospective customers attend and organizations they belong to. For instance, if you’re trying to target small business owners as clients for your accounting business, you could speak at chamber of commerce meetings in neighboring communities, associations that help small business owners, or local networking groups.
• Craft your topic. Figure out what topics you could speak on that would appeal to the organizations or events you’re targeting and offer benefits to their members. For instance, an accountant could speak to small business owners about year-end tax planning strategies or the tax benefits of hiring relatives.
• Tie your topic into your offer. Finally, figure out a way to work your product or service offerings into your talk. Don’t be blatant, but do create a tie-in. For example, if you’re talking about year-end tax planning strategies, you could offer a special free consultation or a discount on tax planning services for people in the audience.

Ready, Set, Speak

Ready to start your public speaking career?

• Reach out to leaders of the organizations or events you’ve identified. Find out about their needs and offer to speak at their events.
• Bring marketing materials. Have plenty of business cards, fliers, or introductory discounts for your product or service available when you speak in front of groups.
• Gather contact information. Get business cards from attendees and ask them to sign up to receive emails so you can follow up with them in the future. Offering something of value in return, such as the chance to be entered into a prize drawing or a free e-book, can motivate more sign-ups.

Over time, you’ll gain enough confidence to start speaking at bigger events such as industry conferences or trade shows. Who knows? You could even find yourself becoming a sought-after speaker in your own right, holding seminars or workshops, and even charging people to attend.

Public speaking can open up a huge range of possibilities for your small business. Don’t wait any longer to start now getting over your fears and start speaking out!

A SCORE mentor can help you plan out your public speaking strategy and offer constructive criticism. If you don’t have a mentor, find one today.

What Makes a PR Pitch Work? What are journalists and other members of the media looking for when they read your business’s press release?

How to Represent Your Brand In-Person How do you personally represent your business brand? Learn those components to be “presentable” when you’re trying to make an impression in person.

Copyright © 2024 SCORE Association, SCORE.org

Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

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The Complete, 20-Step Guide to Ace Public Speaking Public speaking is a valuable skill for entrepreneurs as it can help them effectively communicate their ideas, build credibility and trust with potential investors, partners, and customers, and ultimately grow their businesses. Strong public speaking skills can also enhance an entrepreneur's leadership abilities and overall professional development

By Christopher Massimine • Apr 6, 2023

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

When I was running professional theatrical organizations, public speaking was a huge part of my job. I would be tasked with delivering speeches at various events and to multiple audiences on different topics. Most of the time, I was comfortable giving these talks. I became used to the expectation that I had to deliver information in a clear, articulate way and use my theatrical background to add impact and emotion to my words where necessary.

Now and then, I would get hit with a case of stage fright . Even though I had delivered countless speeches before, something about standing up in front of strangers made me nervous — my palms would start to sweat, and my heart would race.

But when this happened, I always remembered one thing: When it comes to public speaking, it's essential not to be too hard on yourself. Instead of dwelling on potential mistakes or missteps, focus on connecting with your audience and delivering the message you set out to give. After all, if you can relate to them and make an impact through your words, that's what matters most.

While some people are natural-born communicators , others may need to put in a bit more work to hone their skills. If you fall into the latter category, don't worry — with a bit of practice and guidance, you can ace public speaking!

This comprehensive step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to do it. So whether you're starting from scratch or just looking to brush up on your existing skills, read on for everything you need to know about how to ace public speaking.

Related: 10 Tips to Beat Your Fear of Public Speaking

What is public speaking, and why is it important?

Topping the list of worldwide phobias is public speaking anxiety, also known as Glossophobia, impacting somewhere between 73%-77% of the population .

Public speaking is the ability to intelligently communicate an idea, product or service that resonates with audiences and inspires and motivates them to take action.

It can be an invaluable skill that helps you succeed professionally and personally. Studies show that people who are confident speakers are more likely to get a job, earn higher salaries and have better relationships with their peers. Data suggests that communication skills are becoming increasingly important in today's workplace:

• According to the US Department of Labor , 75.3% of workers are required to communicate with the general public; this includes making presentations and delivering public speeches.
• According to a Prezi survey, 70% of Americans who give presentations agree that presentation skills are vital to success.
• A survey by Gallup found that 60% of respondents believe public speaking is the most essential skill for success in their field.

Being successful is all about connecting with people, and public speaking is one of the central tools you need to make those connections. You can share your vision for your business, network with potential investors or partners and win over your audience with compelling stories — but only if you can speak confidently in front of others. With the right tools and guidance, successful public speaking can become second nature and open up s many possibilities.

While it's natural to be intimidated by stepping onto the stage, with the proper preparation and guidance, you'll have the skills necessary to speak up and stand out!

Related: 5 Insider Tips for Improving Your Confidence as a Public Speaker

1. Understand your audience

It's important to know what makes your audience tick. You must be aware of their interests and passions — this will help inform how you speak and allow you to demonstrate a genuine interest in the topic and how it relates to their lives.

Knowing their background, struggles, goals and values allows you to craft messages that captivate your audience, leaving an impactful impression.

2. Define your goal

Knowing precisely what you want to achieve before giving a public speaking engagement can help shape your presentation's overall direction and flow. You'll likely have complex goals , so it pays to take a deeper dive into what you hope to accomplish with your engagement.

Defining your goal upfront — whether touting a new product or inspiring potential investors – will inform other aspects of the speech, such as the content, tone and structure. Ultimately, defining your goal ahead of time allows you to give a practical and concise talk that will leave listeners eager to hear more from you.

3. Research your topic

Whether you're aiming to make a keynote speech or simply presenting your business plan, research is essential to ensure you can convey meaningful information and connection in an engaging way effectively. For public speaking success, it's essential to be well informed on the topic, as it will serve as a foundation for your presentation.

Gathering relevant details enhances your confidence and helps you solidify valuable relationships with your audience. Speakers who take adequate time to research their topic reported higher confidence when delivering their speeches.

As entrepreneurs, we can draw from our own experiences and prepare supplementary resources that can be used as case studies and more.

4. Write an outline (start thinking about visuals)

You'll want to ensure you're speech will be concise, coherent and well-structured . Writing an outline is precisely where you need to start before diving into the script itself. When outlining your talk, break it down into manageable sections so you feel prepared and confident. Spend time researching each point and the supporting materials that will bring your points alive.

Write out a few central talking points for each section. This allows you to refer back to them as needed during the presentation. The outline aims to equip you with enough knowledge so you not only sound conversant on your topic but impress and engage with the audience.

You'll also want to be sure to denote when and where you'll be using visuals within your presentation. According to research , incorporating powerful visuals increases retention rates 6x more than words alone. Moreover, three days following a presentation, 60% of an audience can recall the visuals.

Taking the time to write a comprehensive outline is one of the most ignored elements of successful public speaking for entrepreneurs, but if you break down the process into easily achievable goals, writing the script will be much more powerful, and your anxiety levels will be much lower!

5. Draft a script (open with a relevant story)

Storytelling is a great way to capture your audience's attention. Relevant narratives can help paint a vivid picture of what you are trying to convey, making it easier for everyone to understand.

Consider sprinkling in metaphors, analogies, similes and rhetorical questions within your script. These words will provide a breath of fresh air as they break up the monotony and allow you to express your message in more creative ways that keep it exciting and engaging.

All these literary techniques have proven successful in inspiring audiences and providing them with valuable insights, so take advantage of them!

Related: 3 Timeless Elements of Storytelling That Will Grow Your Business

6. Practice reading the script out loud

As entrepreneurs, it's crucial to be able to use public speaking to advocate for your business goals effectively. A successful and engaging presentation requires practicing with a script beforehand.

A report from the BBC has revealed reading out loud taps into the "production effect," which uncovers any flaws or mispronunciations while improving comprehension. In addition, doing so gives you a chance to get comfortable with the talking points and become proficient in providing powerful and persuasive speeches.

When you practice reading the script, make sure you accentuate key points, pause for emphasis and regulate your breathing to keep a steady pace. This will help project your message more dynamically and give you an air of confidence.

7. Experiment with your voice

As an entrepreneur, one of the essential skills to develop is the ability to confidently and effectively communicate your ideas. With so much riding on you convincing others, investing time in perfecting your public speaking abilities could take you from good to great.

According to Lynn Meade's book Advanced Public Speaking , published by the University of Arkansas, speakers who vary their vocal tones while delivering a speech experience higher engagement from the audience.

Experimenting with your voice will give you the confidence to ensure that your message is not only being heard but being heard clearly and loudly. Having a voice that resonates with authority and clarity sets a positive tone for any presentation and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Related: How to Master the Art of Public Speaking, Even If Your Anxiety Is Through the Roof

8. Incorporate hand gestures and choreographed hand motions

When it comes to public speaking, hand gestures and choreographed motions are significant for engaging an audience. Adding that "wow" factor to your presentation can help keep your audience tuned in as you present. That's why entrepreneurs must incorporate hand gestures and choreographed hand motions into their presentations!

Hand motions will help emphasize the intended points of each topic and will help contribute to a more professional tone of voice when you're presenting in front of large groups of people. According to research from UCLA, 7% of the message comes from words, 36% comes from voice, and 57% comes from nonverbal communication.

9. Get live feedback from a small group if possible

For entrepreneurs looking to master the art of public speaking, getting live feedback from a small group can be an invaluable learning experience. Not only will this help you build confidence and hone your presentation, but it can also alleviate some of those infamous pre-speech nerves.

According to a glance test carried out by Durate in 2022, you have 3 seconds to capture an audience, so getting live feedback is paramount to your speech's success.

Whether it's an audience of two or 20, having a real-time response to what you're saying helps create a more natural environment for you and your listeners. So don't be afraid to pipe up — ask some friends to listen in and take note of their suggestions for improvement as you speak!

10. Revise the script

After fine-tuning your public speaking script and delivering it, you undoubtedly will receive feedback from the audience on how to improve it. Revising the script based on this feedback is essential in becoming an effective public speaker .

Take the time to analyze what worked and what didn't, then adjust your speech accordingly. It's essential to be willing to reflect and make the changes necessary for a stronger presentation next time.

11. Memorize your speech (but don't be afraid to go off script)

When it comes to public speaking, memorizing the speech can be a great way to ensure you cover all the points you need. However, it is also essential to be open to going off script and allowing yourself some flexibility while delivering. It might feel intimidating at first, but you can take advantage of unexpected opportunities, such as audience reactions.

This can help keep your speech engaging and ensure your message resonates with the audience. Practicing your speech beforehand will help create a solid foundation and boost your confidence while permitting you to explore different paths.

A study from Kennesaw State University reveals that audience attention levels spike after the presenter talks off-script.

12. Practice often — when you think you're ready, practice again

When it comes to public speaking, practice does make perfect. It takes 27 seconds for a speaker to make their first impression, so being certain you're ready versus feeling you're ready makes a significant difference. Rehearsing a speech can lead to higher engagement levels among audiences, boosting retention rates for important information shared in the presentation.

It's important to carve out time in your schedule to rehearse and hone your skills. This includes both physical preparations of materials and vocal exercises. Presentations don't always come naturally, but with enough dedication, you'll find yourself on the road to success. If you think you're ready to give a speech, try giving it once more before you take the stage.

13. Allow for questions and prepare answers

According to ZoHo, 25% of any presentation should be allocated to a Q&A. Different audiences can have different questions about a particular topic, so for every presentation given, it's highly advantageous to anticipate potential questions that your audience may ask and come prepared with nuanced answers.

Take the time to brainstorm the top questions related to the content of your presentation, as well as how best to answer those thoughtfully and effectively. Doing this legwork before you present will ensure that you cover all of your bases and situate yourself as an expert in the field you're presenting on.

14. Field questions with a trusted friend/mentor

Practicing your public speaking beforehand is essential when it comes to presenting like a pro. Running through your speech and responses to possible questions is imperative for ensuring your delivery goes smoothly.

Why not give the presentation to someone you trust? Ask for their honest feedback , constructive criticism and input — the more reps in the practice phase, the better equipped you'll be for those real-life talks!

15. Conduct breathing exercises before your speech

Before getting up to present, take a few moments to breathe. Around 75% of people suffer from speech anxiety just before stepping on stage. Deep breaths can help you stay relaxed and warm you up before speaking in front of a room full of people.

Whether you choose to close your eyes and be mindful or do some yoga exercises, these breathing techniques can be an essential part of preparing for public speaking. When it comes to anxiety-inducing tasks like presenting in front of others, established breathing exercises can make all the difference.

16. Present with confidence, but leave arrogance at home

For success as an entrepreneur, you need to be able to deliver a compelling speech that engages the audience. Presenting your ideas with confidence makes you appear more prepared and can help you make the best out of any speaking situation.

With practice and the right tools, presenting with confidence is easily achievable. Yet, while sounding confident is important, it's equally important to leave arrogance at home - an underrated skill that often comes with practice and a dose of humility.

17. Make eye contact and engage

Engaging your audience while you are speaking is essential to public speaking. A fantastic way to do this is to make direct eye contact with different audience members as you deliver your speech. This will capture their attention, allowing them to become invested in what you have to say.

Of course, it can be intimidating to look out into a group of strangers, but that's where introducing humor, dolling out charisma, and keeping your focus on the task at hand can break the ice necessary to keep nerves low and engagement high.

According to research from Corporate Communications Experts, 3 seconds is the "sweet spot" for eye-to-eye engagement.

Related: How to Tell If Someone Is Manipulating You Based on Their Body Language

18. Keep going if you stumble

Public speaking can be stressful, especially for entrepreneurs. Let's be honest: We all experience a few hiccups occasionally. But don't let them trip you up - keep going! If a mistake or slip-up leaves you flustered, take a breath and move on.

So there's no need to apologize. Compose yourself and continue with your presentation. Don't let a misstep or two slow down the momentum of your speech! Fumbles are normal — but they don't have to derail the passion and enthusiasm of your talk.

19. If you go off script, come back to where you left off

Being an entrepreneur is all about being flexible and resilient, which can also be applied to public speaking! Experts agree that going off script establishes rapport with the audience and encourages them to engage with the presenter on a deeper level.

Of course, it's always great to stick to your script for time efficiency, but if you do happen to stray off the path a bit, don't forget to keep track of the time! The last thing you'd want is to lose track of an idea that could've been potentially a room silencer — so jot down any ideas you may have while still under the microscope. Afterward, return to what you discussed before delving into your new concept. This way, your speech or presentation will stay organized and coherent despite occasional variations.

20. Close big and leave them wanting more

As an entrepreneur, perfecting your public speaking skills can be a huge asset. But how do you make sure to finish off with a bang?

A great way to close big is to end your speech with a memorable line that stays in the minds of your audience long after you've left the room. With the proper use of rhetoric and knowing how and when to employ specific tactics such as referencing metaphors, figures of speech, and even humor, you'll have all the tools you need to deliver powerful closing statements every time!

Public speaking is a skill that is often overlooked, but it is crucial for entrepreneurs. By following the above steps, you will be on your way to becoming a public speaking pro in no time! Just remember to be confident (but not arrogant), engage with your audience, and always leave them wanting more.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

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How to Start a Public Speaking Instruction Business

Public speaking instruction may be one-on-one or in small groups or in larger classrooms. The clients may be preparing to speak for special events, upcoming presentations, or simply become better communicators at their job.

Learn how to start your own Public Speaking Instruction Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a public speaking instruction business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Public Speaking Instruction Business
• Form your Public Speaking Instruction Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Public Speaking Instruction Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Public Speaking Instruction Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Public Speaking Instruction Business
• Get Public Speaking Instruction Business Insurance
• Define your Public Speaking Instruction Business Brand
• Create your Public Speaking Instruction Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your public speaking instruction business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Public Speaking Instruction Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your public speaking instruction business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a public speaking instruction business.

The cost of opening this business is very low. This is because it is possible to start your business from home. You may conduct classes and workshops where clients already are, including at their jobs (corporate speaking workshops can be very popular) and their homes. You may also be able to work with local colleges and libraries to conduct classes and workshops at those places.

With that in mind, you can effectively open your business for $3,000 or less. You should spend around $500 to have a professionally designed website. Spend most of the remaining money on newspaper and radio ads for your business, and don't forget to save some to print out professional business cards you can hand to prospective clients.

What are the ongoing expenses for a public speaking instruction business?

If you are working from home, this job has very few ongoing expenses. You must pay for gasoline to travel from one location to another, and you may periodically invest in additional advertising via radio and newspaper. However, when starting out, you have no expensive lease, no extra utilities, no employees to pay, and no special equipment you must purchase. All of this dramatically reduces your overhead.

Who is the target market?

Some of your best clients will be those in their late 20's or early 30's. This audience is likeliest to have increased speaking responsibilities as part of recent promotions or new jobs but also be worried since they have not done much public speaking since college. This makes them see the value of your classes.

How does a public speaking instruction business make money?

A public speaking instruction business makes money by charging clients for workshops and ongoing lessons in public speaking.

How much you can charge clients depends on your area, your competition, and the exact format of the lesson. Some instructors, for instance, charge $300 for eight four-hour lessons. This provides great value to students, but only offers value to the instructor if you have enough students signed up. Some experienced instructors charge as much as $995 for an intensive, two-day course. Others establish a flat, hourly rate, such as $25 to $30 an hour per person. When pricing, one thing to keep in mind is competition, both from other public speaking instructors and the cost of taking a speech class at the local college or university.

How much profit can a public speaking instruction business make?

How much profit you can make depends on how you charge clients, how much you charge clients, and how many clients you have. If you see twenty clients a week for fifty weeks of the year for four hours a week and $25 an hour, for instance, you will make $100,000 a year. Your first year is less likely to be this profitable, though increased community awareness should lead to increased revenue each year.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Try a business model that encourages multiple sessions that clients pay for upfront. Be sure to include client testimonials on your website and social media pages so that future clients can see how you have helped others. Finally, don't be afraid to charge more as your business becomes more established and you have a portfolio of demonstrated results.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your public speaking instruction business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a public speaking instruction business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits . In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Public Speaking Instruction Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Public Speaking Instruction Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a public speaking instruction business

Consider offering short, free workshops at libraries and community college campuses that help demonstrate your value. Make sure you have a social media presence so that your business is visible via mobile devices. Try to build a relationship with Human Resources departments so that they can refer you to prospective clients who want to improve their public speaking to get a promotion or new job.

How to keep customers coming back

Between your website, advertising, and social media presence (as well as traditional networking in your community), it should be easy to attract customers. In order to retain them, make sure every lesson ties to the real world in tangible ways. When they see how being a better communicator can help with everything from getting a promotion to improving their love life, they will keep coming back.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This job is great for those who are good at public speaking. Former teachers do well in this job due to their experience writing and conducting lectures. Writers are also good at this job because part of good speech instruction is knowing which words will have certain effects on certain audiences.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a public speaking instruction business?

Your daily activities include preparing and delivering instruction to clients about how to improve their public speaking. You may also spend time communicating with existing clients and potential clients that have contacted you. You may spend time driving to where clients are and spend downtime both researching public speaking strategies and advertising your business.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful public speaking instruction business?

If it has been a long time, try to take a speech class or two at your local community college to brush up on skills. Sit down with local business managers and ask them what speaking skills they wish their workers had so you can incorporate these into lessons. Finally, make sure to do as much of your own public speaking as you can to build up your own skills and develop stories you can share with students.

What is the growth potential for a public speaking instruction business?

The growth potential of this job is modest. The need for public speaking instruction grows as the businesses requiring these skills grow, and jobs such as “sales representative” (which requires ample speaking) are expected to grow by seven percent between 2014 and 2024.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a public speaking instruction business?

Consider specializing in a certain field such as “corporate leadership.” This can net you ongoing business from multiple corporations in training their executives to improve communication. Take the time to interview speech professors about their teaching strategies and what they have learned. Finally, don't be afraid to start slow and do this as a side business long enough for you to establish your brand within the community.

How and when to build a team

Most public speaking instruction businesses start as solo practices. However, if you build a steady stream of clients and can no longer personally fit them into your schedule, you should take on a partner or build a small team to deliver workshops and lessons.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• MOOC list of public speaking
• 9 places to learn public speaking for free
• National Speaker Association

Real World Examples

• The Eleni Group
• Toastmaster
• Brian Tracy International

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

5 key metrics to growing your speaking business

• Carolyn Manion Kinnie
• July 14, 2022

Table of Contents

Introduction.

If you’re looking to grow your business, you’re probably really passionate about speaking.

That’s great. It’s absolutely essential.

But unfortunately, being really good at speaking is not necessarily enough to launch a successful business–no matter how great a speaker you are.

You could have the most inspirational, original message in the world, but if you aren’t consistently measuring and tracking the health of your business, your bottom line will suffer.

If that sounds intimidating because you’re not a “numbers person,” we’re here to help. Together with our founder Grant Baldwin, TSL alumnus, speaking coach, and author Erick Rheam did an entire podcast on the five key metrics to growing your speaking business.

While we highly recommend giving the whole thing a listen, today we’re breaking down the basics of each metric.

In case you’re wondering why you should take our advice, here’s a little background. Erick was an early student of The Speaker Lab program Booked and Paid to Speak. Just a few years ago, speaking was a side hustle Erick squeezed around his day job. Now he makes multiple six figures per year speaking at both in-person and virtual events. He didn’t miss a beat during COVID and has seen his business soar in the last two years.

Well, aside from working with The Speaker Lab, what’s the secret to his success? How can you build your speaking business?

*Drumroll* it’s systems .

The five metrics which we’ll go over today are one of the most important systems Erick implemented to drive his speaking career forward. We hope they do the same for you! Feel free to refer to this piece as a guide while you’re getting your systems set up for your speaking business!

(Want to know more about the Speaker Lab’s programs, such as how much The Speaker Lab’s programs cost ? Get started with TSL here .)

Free Download: 6 Proven Steps to Book More Paid Speaking Gigs in 2024​

Download our 18-page guide and start booking more paid speaking gigs today!

Why metrics matter

Becoming a professional speaker requires both gaining momentum at the beginning of your career and sustaining that momentum for years to come. In order to do that, you need to get really serious about recognizing indicators that show whether or not you’re succeeding. In the exciting whirlwind of traveling, networking, and life in general, it’s easy to fall off the fastest path to your goals. One way to stay on that path is to have a dashboard with a few key stats that show you at a glance how your business is performing.

Even if you think your business is going one way, your metrics could tell you something entirely different. Trusting in those metrics is a surefire way to stay on track despite the frequent ups and downs of your career. Tracking metrics can give you hope when you’re in a slow season and feel like you’ll never get paid to speak again. Those same metrics will also raise red flags before you might notice them otherwise–giving you a chance to change things up before you dig yourself into a hole. Those invaluable insights make a difference from the very beginning, so don’t waste any time putting a metrics system into place!

We use a lot of examples and numbers in this piece that come straight from Erick Rheam’s experience. Keep in mind that Erick shared these metrics when he was already several years into his speaking journey. Your target metrics could be totally different based on your lifestyle, speaker fee , desired income, and the types of events you do. Focus on how these numbers are used and what they can tell you rather than the actual numerical values.

Without further ado, let’s dig into Erick Rheam’s five key metrics and learn how you can build your speaking business.

Metric #1: Gigs per month

Whether the business you’re starting is in speaking or basket-weaving, you probably have some sort of goal revenue in mind. Especially if you have a spouse, kids, or other family to support, you want to make enough for them to live and eat indoors. Identify your yearly revenue goal and work backwards to how many times you want to speak per year based on your speaking fee, e.g. 40 gigs, at $5,000 per gig, for a total of $200,000.

Now it’s time to break it down by month. Well, you can’t speak exactly 3.33333 times per month. Keeping in mind that certain seasons (e.g. December–January) will likely be slow, you can refine your goal to four gigs per month for ten months with a two-month buffer.

What’s the best way to integrate this goal into your business plan? How far out you book your gigs will vary significantly from speaker to speaker. Let’s say you usually lock down a date about four months out. In January you should be looking to fill May with at least four speaking engagements. Keeping this metric in mind throughout the year will allow you to continuously plan several months ahead on a rolling basis.

Keeping the fluctuations of the speaking industry in mind, you will probably end up booking your busy months further out than four months, giving you some leeway to get a last-minute gig here and there during the slow season. At the same time, if you realize the gigs on your calendar consistently number below four gigs per month, it’s time to hustle.

Your actual rate of gigs per month is what’s called a “lagging indicator.” This metric tells you how far you come as a result of your “leading indicators,” like how often you’re cold-calling clients, or your marketing strategy. A red flag raised by a lagging indicator allows you to adapt and modify your leading indicators to better achieve your goals.

(Want to learn more about how to build and grow your speaking business? Check out our podcast, “How to Build Your Speaking Business and Not Just Get Gigs,” here.)

Metric #2: Revenue per gig

Above, we used the example of 40 gigs, at $5,000 per gig as a yearly goal. However, it’s very unlikely that you’ll bring in exactly the same dollar amount for every speaking engagement. That means you can speak for less than $5,000 a few times so long as you have a plan for raising that average over the course of the year.

For example, let’s say you have 16 gigs under contract during the next four months. You average out the amount you’re going to make per gig and it comes out to about $4,800. Should you feel disappointed? Does this mean you’re failing?

Not at all!

Remember, metrics are there to help you stay on track and adapt. If you’re planning to speak 40 times in the coming year, you have 24 more opportunities to bring that average up. If the first five gigs after those 16 make you $7000 each, you’ve shot past your goal! Maybe it’s time to hike prices, or aim for more elite events.

This metric doesn’t just help you calculate when to raise your prices in the short term. If you consistently book gigs above your average target, it might be time to stop taking any less. Overhauling your fee structure will allow you to take fewer gigs per year while still hitting your revenue target. On the other hand, if you are making good money with each contract but struggle to hit your target gigs per month, it might be time to take a few lower-paying engagements here and there.

Pricing your speaking services is really more of an art than a science, so getting this metric right will require some trial and error. Paying attention to the market is key. What are other speakers making at the same events you go to? How much are you bringing to the table in comparison to your competition? Can you add value in small ways that would allow you to raise prices without raising eyebrows? As you experiment, see how the market responds, and eventually you will have a clear price range within which all your gigs fall.

Similarly to Uber surge pricing, you can usually make more per gig during busy seasons when demand is high. Conversely, you should feel comfortable taking a lower-paying gig during a slow season like the winter holidays…when it’s a miracle to get booked at all!

Metric #3: Prospective gigs in the pipeline

Most of the work to hit your target of gigs per month happens months in advance. That means juggling dozens of prospective clients at once. As you keep track of this metric, you will figure out how many you need to have in your pipeline to keep hitting your business goals. This metric tells you a lot about the future health of your business so you can tell if you need to ramp up your marketing or if you have turned into a hot commodity.

On the podcast, Erick details the five “stages” of a client pipeline across which you want those prospects to be distributed. Those stages are:

• Contact Made.
• Phone Meeting scheduled.
• Proposal sent.
• Contract negotiation.

Ideally, about half of your prospective gigs in the pipeline will be in phase 4 or 5–that’s the point where your revenue is almost guaranteed.

With the example numbers we’ve been using, a reasonable goal for this metric is 25. Similarly to the other metrics, the goal is not to have exactly 25 prospects in your pipeline at all times. The number will fluctuate, and as your business grows it should grow too. But if at any point in your metrics tracking you see this number going down consistently, it’s time to devote more time to your pipeline.

How do you track these stages? Investing in a CRM like Pipedrive can be really helpful with tracking prospects and getting even more granular with your data. But an excel spreadsheet meticulously updated with the same data will work just fine. With all your prospect data in one place, you can calculate a “win rate” and “loss rate” to see what percentage of your leads turn into paid gigs. Once you know your win rate, you can adjust your goal numbers based on what percentage you can confidently lock down.

This metric will help you out a little extra when the entrepreneurial lifestyle feels less-than-stable. If your last gig went poorly or you’re at the low point of a slow season, it’s easy to start panicking. But then when you check your metrics and see how many clients you have populating your pipeline, you’ll remember that good times are ahead.

That all sounds great, but how on earth do you get 25+ prospective clients at once? Our fourth metric can help.

Metric #4: Gigs booked from gigs

One hallmark of a great speaker is that when people hear you speak, they immediately want to book you for their own events. If you can book two additional gigs based on your performance at each speaking engagement, you know you are gaining momentum.

That could sound crazy to you right now, but this industry truly is based on relationships. Giving a great talk is the best possible marketing asset for your speaking business. Learn how to tactfully let your event planner and audience know you are a professional speaker looking for business without making every talk a sales pitch (more strategies for that here) . This takes time and experimentation, but if you take the time to interface with your audience members, they will start inviting you to speak!

As you track your prospects, it’s essential to explicitly connect leads to their sources in your data. Let’s say six months from now you look at the next event on your calendar. You cannot afford to scratch your head wondering…Where did that come from? Was that an event planner I met at a conference, or did a friend introduce us? If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’ll miss key indicators, like which events are your most lucrative source of gigs. Don’t overthink this aspect of metric tracking–it’s as easy as adding a column to a spreadsheet.

Metric #5: Percentage of gigs that are repeat customers

There’s a common perception in the speaking industry that you can’t get hired back by the same client. The reasoning goes that they want someone different every year or their audience members will get bored!

However, Erick Rheam has found that many event planners want to work with a “known commodity” who they trust to be legit and deliver the value they need. This has great ramifications for the sustainability of your speaking business. If 70% of your gigs come from previous customers, you only have to work on the remaining 30% (which will hopefully come from audience connections, making up metric #4).

Building toward this goal takes time, but if speaking is your long-term passion, it will pay off to establish those strong client connections that lead to repeat gigs. Many of your prospects likely organize multiple different conferences per year. The same big association could have an engineering conference, a customer service conference, and a leadership conference. Each of these entails a group of attendees that haven’t seen you yet, allowing you to bypass the concern of “boring” your audience! If you make a great impression with one of these clients at your first event, they will likely ask if you have anything to offer for their other audiences. Be ready with answers! Have a pitch for your leadership presentation ready if you are a big hit at the customer service conference.

Don’t limit this category to repetitions of the same type of engagement. A great repeat customer could mean you do one big keynote and then several small-scale workshops with the same organization. Those workshops in turn could turn into contracts for individualized consulting projects. And as you get older, you might value the opportunity to travel less for keynotes and focus on consulting or other ventures that blossom out of those client relationships.

If your clients aren’t organizing multiple conferences per year, you might have a hard time headlining their event consecutive years in a row. But what about every three years, once the audience and the event have evolved? Many of these events are planned so far in advance, it’s not at all unreasonable to have repeat gigs on a multi-year cycle.

Remember: event planners are in the risk mitigation business. They don’t want to put a speaker on stage who will embarrass them or be a pain to work with. Sure, some gigs will be one-and-done. But cultivating an attitude of helpfulness, of gratitude, and of trust goes a long way. Many speakers are total prima donnas! Be amazing to work with both on and off stage, and you’re well on your way to securing loyal customers. Always express your gratitude to clients for trusting you to speak on their stage. Maintain openness to feedback and being the best you can be for the audience you’re hired to speak to.

These are just a few ways you can take extra worries off your client’s plate and open the door to a repeat gig. Next time they need a speaker, they’ll think of their favorite person to work with–you! What time you used to spend cold-calling will be spent fielding requests.

Building momentum to the point where you’re at this level of high demand can take years, but you can plant the seeds early on. Start by reaching out to a few former clients rather than cold-calling new contacts. Over time, the snowball effect will take hold and your metrics will start inching toward great milestones (like 100% of your business coming from repeat customers and gigs booked from gigs)!

What Type Of Speaker Are You?

Click below to discover your Speaker Archetype and how to start getting booked and paid to speak!

It’s important to keep all these granular metrics in perspective. The goal of putting these programs and metrics and measures in place is helping you do what you love as you build and grow your speaking business. If you are serious about being successful, you will put in the work to stay on top of the numbers. In a solopreneur field like speaking, giving your all in every area of the business is a non-negotiable. If you don’t track your metrics, you’ll end up wasting time staying on top of things and miss out on key indicators that inform how you’re progressing toward your goals.

While these five metrics got Erick Rheam to where he is today, you might find one or more not on this list that add insight into your business specifically. Find the four or five that really work for your goals and stick to them. Maybe you’re in an industry where booking repeat customers isn’t really feasible…find another metric that can help you optimize your business goals and start tracking it. Trust us…future you will be grateful!

You can listen to the whole scoop on these five metrics on our podcast with Grant and Erick here.

• Last Updated: February 29, 2024

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How to Start My Own Public Speaking Company

• Small Business
• Setting Up a New Business
• Starting Your Own Company
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Starting your own public-speaking company can be a rewarding experience. A public-speaking company will give you the opportunity to speak in front of a wide diverse group of people from industry professionals, clubs and nonprofit organizations. Starting a public-speaking business gives you the opportunity to meet potential clients, establish credibility and set your own fees.

Before starting your new business, hone your speaking skills. Prepare yourself for your speeches by practicing and studying the principles of speechwriting and public speaking. Write original material or an original angle on your material. Ask yourself if this material has been done before or if it has been said this way, and be sure to practice, practice, practice.

Prepare a brochure on your company. Including your biographical information and professional background. Mention articles that you've written, and industries you have spoken to. Include your photo in the brochure.

Establish your client base. Speak to as many people and groups as you can. This not only helps you financially but gives you practice and helps improve your presentation skills. Speak at clubs, professional organizations and nonprofit organizations to promote your business. Network after your speech by passing out business cards, brochures and you can talk to people after your speech. Ask for referrals after giving a speech. Ask for pro-bono work when you are first starting out because it may produce future business.

Gain expertise on a particular topic. Research as much as you can so you establish yourself as a go-to expert on the subject. Write articles and send queries to trade journals and business publications to get noticed. Writing articles helps to get your name in front of your audience and is a form of public relations.

Acquire a "Doing Business As," DBA. Register a legal name for your business if you are going to use a name other than your own name. Apply for the DBA with a registration form with your state and local government. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service if you have hired employees. You can work from a home office to keep your expenses low. Install a second phone line as your office phone and design letterhead stationary, business cards, and a website.

Set up a checking account for your new public-speaking company. Print business cards. Start a website that you can direct clients to with your contact information. Make it easy for prospects to get in touch with you on your website by providing an email address and phone number in case they want to book you for a future speech.

• Inc; Consider a Career in Public Speaking; Patricia Fripp; 2000
• Entrepreneur; How to Get Started in Public Speaking; Christopher Witt; 2004
• SBA: 5 Steps to Registering Your Business
• Join your local Chamber of Commerce to increase your opportunities and to network with other small businesses.

Lanee' Blunt has been writing professionally since 1997. As a freelance copywriter for advertising, public relations and articles, she has handled projects in accounting, mortgages, contracting services and other industries. Blunt holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, as well as several writing certificates.

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Speaker Business Plan Sample

OCT.02, 2015

Making a Good Impression: Speaker business plan

There is always a market for good speakers, but the targeted market depends on the type of speeches or presentations delivered. There are four types of public speaking, and the speaker business plan will first identify the speech types in the Executive Summary that the entrepreneur plans on delivering.

• Informative – sharing knowledge and expertise in a particular area • Entertaining – designed to amuse, divert, or please listeners • Persuasive – convince listeners to adopt a particular belief, act in a certain manner, or agree with a particular opinion • Inspirational – motivational speech that inspires the audience

Due to technology, speakers are not limited to live presentations. There are speaker businesses that record and sell presentations that are downloadable or sold on CDs. Another approach to the speaker business is to write and sell speeches that others deliver.

More Than One Way

The design of the business will determine how much funding is needed. A business comprised of one speaker – the business owner – who only delivers material in person at workshops, conventions, or other venues, needs a strong marketing plan that builds a network of referrals. Businesses that offer speaking engagements and sell recorded speeches will need high quality recording equipments and a solid marketing plan. Successful speaking businesses can also eventually branch out into franchising.

The speaking industry is highly competitive because it has low barriers to entry. Typically, entrepreneurs that apply for funding need financing to purchase high-quality recording equipment and money for marketing. The speaker business plan will:

• Describe the type of speech material • Describe the entrepreneur’s expertise that is marketable through speeches and presentations • Identify the target market, which includes businesses, public conventions and trade shows, government agencies, nonprofits including religious organizations, schools, libraries, and other venues • Include a marketing plan that packages, prices, promotes, and sells the speaker’s expertise through a website, networking, personal selling, advertising, and joining a speaker’s bureau • Identify the cities, regions, and/or countries the speaker will target for sales • If applicable, address plans for growth by adding new speakers • Identify competitors and what differentiates the speaker from others • Develop a five-year projected financial plan that includes projected fees, and travel expenses and other expenses

Every Business Needs a Speaker Business Plan

Whatever business structure is chosen, investors will assess the new enterprise based on its ability to achieve profitability within a reasonable period of times. If no investors are needed at startup, it is still important to develop a solid business plan. The speaker business plan is a guide for decision-making to keep the business on-mission.

OGS Capital professional business plan writers help entrepreneurs get their businesses up and running by sharing industry expertise and knowledge during business plan development. If it is time to pursue business goals, complete and submit the short online contact form.

Download Speaker Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGS capital professional writers specialized also in themes such as define a strategic plan , wedding planning business startup , business plan for music festival , business plan for a funeral home , business plan for an event planner , etc.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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How to Use Public Speaking to Grow Your Business

Public speaking, whether done in-person or virtually , is one of the best ways to grow your business.

By engaging in more public speaking events, you build trust and credibility with your visibility. And if you’re a skilled orator, you can more quickly establish yourself as a go-to expert in your field. Plus, regular public speaking can exponentially grow your network of connections and generate a consistent flow of new leads for your business.

Hands down, public speaking can help grow your business. In fact, in 2017, Warren Buffett famously put a dollar value on the skill of public speaking when addressing a group of Columbia business students — stating they could improve their value by 50% just by learning public speaking.

Now that we’ve covered the “ Why ” you should use public speaking to grow your business, the rest of this blog will share the details on “ How ” you can.

1) What to Talk About

You’ll want to focus on your expertise. What do you know better than anyone else? What are you passionate about?

Since we are focusing on growing your business: what does your business or brand solve? How does it help people? If you already know who your target audience is for your business, then you might already know the answers to these questions and can start from there.

Keep in mind, when sharing your expertise the entire talk should not be a sales pitch. Your audience is there to learn, so you need to make sure you deliver valuable insights they can use. Your business should almost be an afterthought. This is especially important for paid events.

You should briefly mention what you do at the beginning (this can help establish credibility), and again at the end and how to reach you. You can also share a link to a free consult about the very topic you covered or a link to a landing page which might give them even more information and an upsell.

The key is to provide value, and any connection to your products or services should be subtle.

2) How to Become a Thought Leader

Becoming a public speaker goes hand in hand with being a thought leader.

A thought leader is someone who contributes a unique voice and meaningful information about  a specific subject. As a thought leader, you bring increased knowledge and awareness to your target audience.

If you aren’t already creating content about your business niche then you should start. That includes blog content, short video blurbs, posts on social media, and more. Ideally, you could use multiple platforms, but if you don’t have the time or resources, social media is a great place to star t.

Try hosting a virtual webinar or workshop where you talk about a certain problem and provide tips or insights on how to solve it. Since you’re trying to grow your business through this, you’ll want to figure out a way to tie your products and services into your talk.

Creating and sharing regular content will help you cultivate your status as a thought leader. And if you put the effort in, you will get more speaking opportunities and your business and brand will flourish.

3) How to Find Speaking Opportunities

Start by attending more local events at places where you might like to speak. This might include local schools, universities, organizations (like the Chamber of Commerce) and clubs (Lions Club and Rotary). Be sure to check out local business publications as they usually list industry events.

At the events you attend, connect with the programming chair or event organizer. Let them know you’re a local business owner and public speaker and if they need anyone to fill in to give you a call (and leave your contact info or followup on social media). The more you are around and the more familiar you become, the more likely you will be asked to speak or your request to do so will be accepted.

And you can always use social media and Google as tools to find virtual events as well as worldwide industry events and more. If you want to know more about finding speaking opportunities, check out this in-depth article focused on just that: 7 Ways to Find & Consistently Get Paid Speaking Gigs .

4) How To Improve

If you need help improving your public speaking skills, the best thing you can do is check out what other successful speakers are doing and practice.

Practice in front of the mirror , your family, your friends, your pets and/or your plants! Practice will help you become more comfortable and ease into your authentic way of speaking.

To learn from other speakers, you can simply look online at some of the most popular, but you should also consider joining an organization or network specific to speakers. There are plenty of professional speakers out there who provide tips to help others get started.. A lot of them are NSA members, so check out our events and range of membership levels to see if one appeals to you.

In Closing...

The more public speaking you participate in and experience, the more your confidence will grow and the more your business will grow.  And who knows? Perhaps you will find out that being a speaker is your passion and calling! Regardless of where your career goes, if you want to grow your business and open up a range of opportunities, public speaking can help to do so.

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The 13 Step Plan to Getting Started with Public Speaking

In The In-Demand Marketing Agency: How to Use Public Speaking to Become an Agency of Choice by Karl Sakas , you’ll find straightforward, actionable advice on developing your speaking career.

Sakas holds nothing back and I was impressed at how useful the material in this book is even outside of an agency setting.

Not only agency leaders, but any entrepreneur or business leader could use the information from this book to launch a successful speaking career.

Sakas covers the entire process from planning to execution.

How to Create a Speaking Plan

According to Sakas, creating a speaking plan is one of the best ways to quickly grow your career as a public speaker.  

Not only will you be more prepared, but this speaking plan, filled with Sakas' advice, will help you build momentum by giving talks at smaller, intimate venues before building up to larger keynotes.

Below are the guideline Sakas provides for creating a speaking plan. He recommends doing the following tasks over the next 3-12 months:

1. Write an “advance retrospective”

Your advance retrospective is a brief summary about where you intend to be in the future as a speaker and as a business leader.

2. Block-out “heads down” time in your calendar for doing your speaking work

The process of launching your speaking career requires dedicated attention, especially as the skill of public speaking requires refinement on its own. Just like all business endeavors, you need to prioritize more of your time in the beginning if you are to lay a strong foundation. Blocking out this dedicated time will help you do that.

3. Develop titles and blurbs for your highest-potential topics

Whenever you pitch a speaking engagement, you’ll use these titles and blurbs to provide a summary of what could be included in your talk.

Sakas repeatedly emphasizes the value of case studies, so include one if you can.  

Here’s an example of how David Meerman Scott does this on his website:

4. Flesh out your highest-potential talk as an outline

Sakas recommends holding off on creating your full slide deck until you’ve actually got a speaking gig booked. Having a confirmed venue is an instant motivation booster that makes it easier to finish the slides and also allows you to adapt them for that venue and audience.

5. Give your first talk in lower-profile venues

The same way that comics test out new material in small comedy clubs before introducing them to a wide audience, all public speakers should practice their presentation at smaller venues.

Once you’ve gotten your feet wet, you can then use that feedback to make changes and improve your routine.  

After you’ve practiced, you’ll feel more confident presenting in front of your larger audience.

6. Build social proof

Compile a list of testimonials, venues from previous speaking engagements, and an estimate of your “talks per year” count.

Outside of your actual presentations, this social proof along with your speaker resume will make the biggest impact on the quality and quantity of speaking gigs you book.  

For example, motivational speaker and author, Tony Robbins highlights testimonials from high-profile celebrities like Usher, Maria Menounos, and Derek Hough, while Seth Godin mentions his appearances at “Disney, Cadillac, eBay, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Adobe, American Eagle, Eddie Bauer and hundreds of others.”

To continue, click "keep reading" below.

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Start a Public Speaking Instruction Business

Unleash Your Oratory Magic: Turning Stage Frights into Spotlight Delights

PUBLIC SPEAKING INSTRUCTION BUSINESS

Related business ideas, discover your perfect domain, public speaking instruction mini business plan, expected percent margin:, earnings expectations:, actions to hit those numbers:, course material and expertise:, marketing and customer acquisition:, teaching structure:, price structure:, credibility:, not what you had in mind here are more ideas, grab your business website name, step 1: determine if the business is right for you, examples on ways to make money, breakdown of startup expenses, breakdown of ongoing expenses, step 2: name the business, step 3: develop a business plan, tips for creating a business plan, step 4: obtain licenses and permits, how to obtain licenses and permits, step 5: secure financing, estimate startup costs, estimate ongoing expenses, create a budget, apply for financing, step 6: market your business, develop a marketing plan, utilize online marketing, invest in advertising, step 7: hire employees, training employees, step 8: set prices, estimate costs, consider other revenue streams, develop a pricing strategy, step 9: make money, advertising, online presence, explore more categories, take the next steps.

Features and Solutions

• Email Marketing
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• Grow Your Audience
• Increase Your Reach
• Make More Sales
• Improve Your Writing & Design
• Customer Playbooks

How to start a coaching business: A blueprint for success

By rhonda bradley october 24, 2023.

Have you ever dreamed of turning your expertise and passion into a successful coaching business? 

You’ve probably heard of people earning $100 – $300 an hour coaching. Or of ambitious coaches who’ve built 7-figure businesses over the course of several years. 

But time constraints, startup costs, and the idea of drumming up clients for a new business can be daunting and easily overwhelm your desire to coach.

Yet, the rewards—like flexible work schedules, personal fulfillment, and the potential for growth—are too compelling to ignore. And the opportunity to get in on a quickly growing industry that has a high demand for people like you presents a golden opportunity.

Overcome your hesitations and fears with a coaching business blueprint that coaches you through the entire process. 

We’ve answered your questions, created to-do lists, and provided examples, resources, tips, and coaching FAQs to guide you through starting a coaching business from scratch.

Pressed for time? On a budget? Unsure where to start? This guide was written with you in mind, and we’ve got you covered!

Ready coach? Let’s go!

What is a coaching business?

Benefits of starting a coaching business, step-by-step guide to starting a coaching business, 9 tips to grow your coaching business, coaching business resources, coaching business faqs.

A coaching business is a professional service that provides goal-based guidance to clients. Good coaches are excited and passionate about helping their clients, which often leads to impressive results.

Business coach Luisa Zhou encourages her clients to think of her as the “cool big sister” who has your back and will help you build your business . 

Some of the most popular coaching services include:

• Health & Wellness
• Relationship
• Mindset And Confidence

If you have a skill or experience that can improve people’s lives (or businesses), consider launching a career as a coach . You can work with clients online or in person, full-time or part-time. You can get started on a budget. And, depending on your niche, you probably won’t need a certification to get started coaching.

Coaching is a $1.5 billion dollar industry projected to grow by at least 4.9% over the next five years. Top coaches enjoy high profits, and the growing demand for services means this may be an excellent time for you to get started.

Starting your own coaching business can generate big profits over time. It’s not unusual for independent coaches to earn between $100 – $300 per hour and collect additional streams of income from book sales and speaking engagements.

Profits aren’t the only reason people love coaching. The benefits extend far beyond a sweet salary. 

Many top coaches love their jobs for three main reasons:

• The connection and relationships you form with clients
• The accelerated rate of personal development you experience in yourself
• The satisfaction of helping people uncover their true potential

For example, Zhou helps entrepreneurs build six and seven-figure businesses. In one instance, she helped a client build her business while working a 9 – 5 job and the client earned $10,000 in sales within the first eight weeks.

Life coach Lynda Hoffman is highly motivated by her clients’ success . 

“It inspires me every time a client has a breakthrough. It’s a privilege to witness how life coaching transforms a client’s perception of themselves.” – Lynda Hoffman, Life coach

Whether your niche is finance, fitness, or life, starting a coaching business provides an opportunity for both profit and personal rewards.

Follow these six steps to develop your coaching services in a way that sets your new business up for success. 

Step 1: Choose your niche

The more experience you have in your niche, the more earning potential you’ll enjoy in the beginning. 

However, niching in something you’re passionate about will provide you with even better long-term potential for success and earnings .

For example, if you have ten years of finance experience, you can probably find good-paying clients quickly. But if it’s not something you love doing, you may not have the energy and drive it takes to excel at coaching over the long term.

Your past experience may help you get started with a coaching business. But ultimately, your drive and pursuit of mastery will play an even greater role in your long-term success. That’s why choosing a niche you truly enjoy is important.

Step 2: Define your coaching style

To define your coaching style, write down the answers to the following questions:

• Will you coach one-on-one or in groups? 
• Will you work with individuals or businesses? 
• Will you coach by video, phone, face-to-face, or another method of communication?
• Will you provide additional coaching materials such as workbooks, webinars, or chat support?

If you’re a solopreneur (one person), don’t overwhelm yourself with a long list of things to do or services to create. Instead, keep your business model simple and expand your offerings as you grow.

Step 3: Set your pricing

Set your hourly pricing by balancing industry standards with your financial goals. 

Consider these three points when determining your hourly rate:

• Competitors’ pricing
• Demand for services in your niche
• Desired annual income

Once you determine your hourly pricing, you can set your session and package pricing using your hourly rates as a guide.

Step 4: Lay down your business infrastructure

Congratulations! You’ve chosen your niche, defined your coaching style, and set your prices. Now, it’s time to turn your coaching business into a reality. 

Follow the checklist below to lay down the business basics for your new coaching service.

• Register your business
• Obtain State and federal tax ID numbers
• Obtain licenses/permits
• Open a business bank account
• Purchase business or liability insurance

You may not need to do all of the above to get started. Requirements change according to what type of coaching you do and where you do it (in person or online).

Step 5: Sketch out a business plan

Developing a business plan provides a roadmap to guide you through the different stages of growth your business will experience.

If you’re one person intending to work with a small handful of clients, then your business plan should reflect that. Keep it simple! 

Are you hoping to work with dozens of clients and hire some people to help run your business? Consider developing a comprehensive business plan .

Include the following elements in your business plan:

• Executive summary
• Company description and mission statement
• Your business goals
• Market and competitive research
• List of services you will offer
• Financial plan

Put a plan in writing — before you get started — to boost the chances of success for your coaching business.

Step 6: Sketch out a marketing plan

Today’s content creation tools make marketing easy, even if you’re on a budget. 

But when faced with endless choices and opportunities, it’s easy to get sidetracked. As a coach, you can’t afford the time and expense of getting sidetracked!

Launching your new business will take less time and prove more successful when you write out a marketing plan in advance.

Include the following in your marketing plan:

• Description of your target audience and ideal client
• 3, 6, and 12-month goals
• Outline of how you’ll promote your services
• Short, medium, and long version descriptions of your business to use for social and other media
• Short, medium, and long versions of your personal profile to use for social and other media
• Formal mission statement
• List of the platforms, tools, apps, and software you’ll use
• Content marketing plan (for social media, email marketing, etc.) that outlines what type of content you’ll publish, where you’ll publish it, and how often you’ll create new content.

Planning is a business’s best friend, but keeping it simple is critical when running a business independently. You can lose months of precious time to over-preparation. Or, you can keep it simple and complete your planning in a day or two .

Following the above six steps will help lay down a solid business foundation for your coaching business. For more help and guidance, check out the coaching business resources section below.

Find out how to get your first clients and build a steady stream of business for your coaching services.

1: Tell everyone you know!

Word of mouth is a powerful marketing practice. Tell everyone you know and everyone you meet about your coaching services. 

Certified master life coach Stacey Brass-Russell runs multiple six-figure coaching businesses. Her popular weekly podcast, “Passionate & Prosperous,” teaches coaches and creative people how to succeed in business. 

From finding the right audience to attracting clients, Stacey makes it her business to help other coaches succeed. And she swears by word-of-mouth marketing.

“The most effective client-attracting strategy is talking to as many people as possible and telling everyone what you do.” Brass-Russell explains, “Coaching businesses are built through relationships and conversations!” “Coaching Businesses are built through relationships and conversations!”  – Stacey Brass-Russell , Life & business coach, host of “Passionate & Prosperous” podcast

Online and offline networking is an excellent way to generate new clients for your coaching business.

Consider joining Facebook and LinkedIn groups and forums. Check out associations and organizations related to your industry.

Focus on cultivating relationships and supporting others in these groups (not promoting yourself), and business will follow naturally.

3: Choose one social media channel and post consistently

So many social media channels, so little time! 

Starting with one social media channel (only) is a good policy for any business. 

Limiting yourself to one social platform gives you the chance to learn about your audience and build a successful channel. It also helps you avoid spending too much time on marketing.

4: Send an email newsletter

Encourage people to sign up for your email list , then send a weekly “how to” or “tips” style newsletter that includes a call-to-action.

5: Create a landing page

You don’t need a website to start a coaching business! 

If you’re a busy person looking to start your coaching business on a budget, you can skip the time and expense of building and maintaining a full website. In its place, you can send people to your landing page, an effective sales tool designed to convert visitors to subscribers or clients.

For example, Alycia, a Zumba instructor and fitness coach, replaced her Facebook signup link with her landing page link — which resulted in a signup increase of 100% . 

Landing pages allow you to include more details about your services without having to invest the time and expense of building a full website. 

Try using a landing page on your social media sites to find out if it increases your conversion rates, too! 

6: Get a coaching certification

Obtaining a coaching certification can improve your credibility and expand your network. 

You may not need a certification to run your coaching business. However, training and certification is an excellent way to expand your knowledge, network, and credibility .

7: Publish an ebook

Publishing an ebook allows you to help more people with your expertise. It can also validate your expertise as a coach, which leads to more clients. 

Not sure where to begin? Try using Chat GPT or another AI tool to help you generate topic ideas for your coaching niche.

8: Book speaking engagements

Coaching and public speaking go hand-in-hand. Delivering your message live to a large audience can drive clients, book sales, and increase your notoriety. 

If you have a knack for public speaking, consider using non-paid and paid speaking opportunities to market your business.

9: Start a podcast

Reach a wider audience by creating a podcast that’s valuable to your target audience. Broadcast consistently and invite special guests to join you. Doing so will widen your audience, help establish your reputation, and drive more client signups. 

Below is a list of resources to help you get started with your new coaching business.

• Business plan templates: GrowThink
• Email and landing page software: AWeber
• Examples of package pricing: Paperbell
• Social media management software: Sprout Social , Hootsuite , Buffer
• Graphics tool (great for non-graphics people!): Canva
• Coaching platforms: Coach Accountable , Nudge Coach
• Coaching certifications: International Coaching Federation
• Coaching education: Coursera
• More information on starting a small business: Small Business Administration  

Do I need a certification to start a coaching business?

In most cases, you do not need a certification to become a coach unless you’re in the health or mental health field. Check with your local and state laws and your insurance company to confirm whether a certification is required.

Do I need insurance for my coaching business? 

Whether you need insurance depends on your niche and your desire to insure. Check coaching organizations and blogs in your industry to find out whether coaches in your niche typically purchase liability insurance.

How profitable is a coaching business?

How much money you make coaching depends on your niche, experience, and success with clients. For some, coaching generates six or seven figures a year. Others may start as low as $25 – 35 an hour and work their way to better pay.

How do I get my first coaching clients?

Word of mouth and networking are the quickest ways to find new clients. Tell everyone you know about your coaching business!

Starting your first coaching business

Do you have a skill, training, or experience that can improve or transform people’s lives? If so, consider coaching.

In this guide, we’ve outlined the steps you need to take to start a coaching business. 

From choosing your niche to developing business and marketing plans, this blueprint will guide you along the entire process.

Email marketing is an essential tool for any marketing plan. When you’re choosing email software for your coaching business, consider AWeber! 

Try AWeber free today

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Rhonda Bradley

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Public Speaking Business Plan Sample PDF Example | Free Download Presented by BizMove

Watch This Video Before Starting Your Public Speaking Business Plan PDF!

Checklist for Starting a Public Speaking Business: Essential Ingredients for Success

If you are thinking about going into business, it is imperative that you watch this video first! it will take you by the hand and walk you through each and every phase of starting a business. It features all the essential aspects you must consider BEFORE you start a Public Speaking business. This will allow you to predict problems before they happen and keep you from losing your shirt on dog business ideas. Ignore it at your own peril!

For more insightful videos visit our Small Business and Management Skills YouTube Chanel .

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Copy the following link to your browser and save the file to your PC:

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A great tip for anyone contemplating a vehicle purchase is to ask friends and family members if they are privy to any manufacturer's discount programs that may result in a lower overall price. Many car makers and parts suppliers operate "friends and family" discount programs in which employees can provide others with discount codes that can be used to generate substantial savings on new cars and trucks. Taking advantage of such opportunities is a great way to make your dollar stretch even further at the dealership.

Don't you feel much better about your chances when it comes to purchasing a vehicle now? You should now think about how to apply the information you've learned. Get ready, and go to the dealership like you can tell them how business is done. It's time for you to get the deals you deserve!

Always ask the seller if they are willing to let you do a test drive. While some private sellers may not offer you the chance to do a test drive, there are many that will. You should try to do your deal with someone who will allow you to see how the car runs.

Go into the dealership with a bottom line price in mind. The salesman might try to focus on the monthly payments or financing terms, but your goal should be to get the price you want on the car you want. You can always negotiate the financing terms later, or even finance with your own bank outside of the dealership.

If you are in the market for a used car, you should always get a CarFax report. The CarFax report will let you know if the car has been in an accident. If the car has been in an accident, you probably want to keep searching and not buy that car.

When buying a used car, a great way to tell if the car has been in an accident is to look into the door frames. Usually when a car is repainted, you will notice over spray in this area. This is not proof that a car was in an accident, but it will let you know it was repainted.

You may be at the car lot for a good amount of time when trying to buy a car. You don't want to feel like you're rushed when trying to get comfortable about a deal. You should allocate at least a full afternoon. When you run out of time, leave and come again later.

Have a firm budget set before you go shopping for a new car. You should never purchase a vehicle if you cannot really afford it. The dealer is not the one who will be paying for the car for 6 years, you are.

When you are car shopping, you need to make sure it has plenty of the most important safety features. Never purchase a vehicle that does not have an anti-lock brake system, or ABS. Airbags are also crucial, and your vehicle can never have too many. After all, you'll be in your vehicle alot. Therefore, safety is important.

Search for your new car online before you ever visit a dealership. Searching online allows you to look at inventory from multiple dealerships, and it makes you privy to information about online only pricing. This is a great way to comparison shop and really make sure you are getting the best deal.

A great tip for those looking to buy a used car would be to research what the resale value of the car is. Look at the Kelly Blue Book value and compare it to the condition that the vehicle is currently in to see whether or not the price is fair.

Consider shopping for your new car towards the last week of the month. Most car dealerships have monthly quotas they must reach. Some salespeople want to make a deal because they are desperate to meet their monthly goal.

If you plan to trade in your old car, find out how much it's worth and factor that into your budget. If you think, your car is worth a lot, and it's not, you may be in for a shock when you reach the lot. Knowing as much as possible before you leave your house is the key.

Understand the financing office. Most dealerships make the bulk of their money in the financing office. Your interest rate, extended warranties and other add ons are all sold at a premium once you are in there. Understand this, and select any of those options carefully. Most are not necessary for the average car owner.

When purchasing a car, do not fall for the salesman's ploy that you must make a deal now to get the special pricing. Instead, tell the salesman you are going to get something to eat and will return in an hour. This will allow time for your emotional attachment to lessen making you able to negotiate the best terms and price.

Whenever buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, try and find out what the return policy is, or even if one exists. If one does, make sure you understand how long it is and whether or not you will get registration and licence fees refunded along with sales tax for the vehicle.

If you are considering trading your car in when purchasing a car, you should take your car into a neutral place to get it appraised. You want to be sure that you are getting a fair value for your car when trading it in. Be sure to include an adjustment for what you will be saving regarding taxes.

A Supervisor can lose A great deal of money before suspecting that embezzlement might be happening. That is because by definition that this crime is committed by someone in a position of trust. The loss may involve a tiny amount taken by an employee by the cash register. Or a substantial sum stolen through an elaborate plot of juggling the books. Simple controls Built into the accounting system may often forestall any such practices on your operation. Whatever the case, the proper internal controls may help document incriminating evidence, and it is hard to gauge your loss for insurance purposes or even to establish that it resulted from a crime. This preventing Embezzlement Guide offers suggestions about how it is possible to thwart unethical practices. Additionally, it discusses what you need to do if it appears that one of your employees has embezzled from your business. You may not Have has any expertise with embezzlers. But a lot of owner-managers have. Everyday you will find newspaper stories on how a unethical worker has managed to divert business funds to their own pocket. It happens Frequently enough to make it worth your while to provide the topic some thought and also to examine your record-keeping and auditing procedures to make sure there are no enticing loopholes. Embezzlement is"the Fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted." That is what Makes this offense different from ordinary theft or larceny. The embezzler is somebody in your company whom you are interested. You Want to Have a system of internal control to safeguard money and other property subject to embezzlement. Obviously, no one would like to run a company like an armed camp. But in case you have an integrated control system, manage it closely, and audit it regularly, you may prevent attempts of embezzlement. At any rate, you'll have the means to collect evidence that may expose a crime. Embezzlers Usually believe they are smart - brighter than the owner-manager and adorable enough to beat the machine. Before you set about to outwit them, it Is a Great idea to be familiar with a Number of their approaches The embezzler Is usually a trusted employee who is taking advantage of their company's confidence. Oftentimes the embezzler has been given more power than the position calls for. Approaches of embezzling are limited only by creativity. In the simplest Situation, cash is received along with the employee only pockets it without making a record of the transaction. A theft of this type is hard to prevent or detect if the trade is a cash sale without a following entry is essential in receipt or accounts receivable records. To reduce temptation, prenumbered sales invoices or cash receipts should be used for all sales regardless of the amount. Spot checks and other tracking processes may also help guarantee you that money sales are now being listed. A somewhat more Complicated type of embezzlement is called lapping. This entails the temporary withholding of receipts such as payments on accounts receivable. Lapping is a continuing scheme which usually begins with a little amount but can encounter thousands of dollars until it's detected. For instance, take an employee who opens email or receives checks and cash as payment on open accounts. The worker holds out a 100 dollar cash payment made by customer"A" on March 1. To avoid arousing suspicion on"A's" part, $100 is then taken from a $200 payment made by customer"B" on March 4. This is sent on, along with the necessary documentation, for processing and crediting to the account of"A." The embezzler pockets that the remaining $100, which raises the shortage to $200. As this "borrowing" process continues, the employee makes away with increasingly larger amounts of money involving more and more accounts. A fraud of this nature can run on for years. Of course, it demands detailed record-keeping by the embezzler in order to keep tabs on the deficit and move it from one account to another to prevent suspicion. Any sign that a worker is maintaining personal records of business transactions outside your regular books of accounts ought to be considered. Occasionally an Embezzler who's taking on a lapping scheme also has access to accounts receivable records and statements. In this case, he or she is in a position to change the statements mailed out to clients. Hence the fraud can continue undetected over a long period of time, until something unusual occurs. A customer criticism may indicate the circumstance. Or the matter may be surfaced through audit processes such as confirmation of accounts receivable. 1 embezzler who handled the client complaints managed to avoid detection for many years. The amount of deficit reached such proportions and covered so many accounts that he dared not take a holiday. He even ate lunch in his desk lest some other employee receive a question from a customer concerning a discrepancy in a statement. The owner-manager for whom he labored admired his pursuit and loyalty. Fellow workers marveled that his apparent frugality enable him to enjoy a fairly high standard of living. Nevertheless, the inevitable finally happened. This worker was hospitalized with a severe ailment, and in his absence his fraudulent scheme came to light. 1 reason many companies require regular vacations is to keep some"indispensable man" from dispensing with business funds illegally. Occasionally Company bank accounts are used for check-kiting. In fact, losses from a large check-kiting schemes have been great enough to cause a company to go bankrupt. From the usual Scheme, the check-kiter has to be in the place to write checks on and make Deposits in two or more bank accounts. 1 account could be the embezzler's Private account and another a business checking account. If the embezzler Has an accomplice in another company, two business accounts might be used. If Your company has more than one checking account at different banks, these Accounts might be utilized to carry out the fraud.

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10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to calm the nerves and deliverable memorable orations.

Marjorie North

Snakes? Fine. Flying? No problem. Public speaking? Yikes! Just thinking about public speaking — routinely described as one of the greatest (and most common) fears — can make your palms sweat. But there are many ways to tackle this anxiety and learn to deliver a memorable speech.

In part one of this series,  Mastering the Basics of Communication , I shared strategies to improve how you communicate. In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace , I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace. For the third and final part of this series, I’m providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance.

Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking:

1. nervousness is normal. practice and prepare.

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best performance.

The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice — a lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to critique your performance.

Communication Strategies: Presenting with Impact

Search all Communication programs.

2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Come Through.

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head — in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.

Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your audience’s attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can provide that.

7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.

Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.

Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about X”? Most people don’t. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.

Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them.

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About the Author

North is a consultant for political candidates, physicians, and lawyers, and runs a private practice specializing in public speaking, and executive communication skills. Previously, she was the clinical director in the department of speech and language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University.

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Hotel 'housing English-speaking mercenaries' targeted in drone strike

The Russian defence ministry says it destroyed 17 Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine claims Shahed-131/136 type drones launched by Russia caused damage to a hotel and heat-generating infrastructure.

Sunday 28 April 2024 10:08, UK

• Ukrainian hotel housing 'English-speaking mercenaries' targeted
• Russia destroys 17 drones launched by Ukraine
• Zelenskyy says Russian attack targeted energy facility 'crucial' to EU supply
• Russia murder rate 'up 900%'
• Explained : Why is Chasiv Yar the next target for Russia?
• Your questions answered: Will Ukraine launch another spring offensive?
• Listen to the Sky News Daily above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting by Lauren Russell

Ukraine is very likely to stabilise the frontlines in the coming months, with the possibility of starting a counteroffensive later this year.

According to analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces are suffering from widespread tactical failures.

As long as the Russian military continues with these struggles, Ukrainian forces will be able to exploit them, especially with the help of military aid from the US.

If so, a counteroffensive later this year or early next could be possible, the ISW says.

A 57-year-old Russian national has been arrested in connection to the murder of two Ukrainians who died after being stabbed at a German shopping centre.

Upper Bavaria South Police said in a statement yesterday that a 36-year-old Ukrainian man died from his injuries near the Tengelmann Centre in the market town of Murnau, Bavaria.

The second Ukrainian man, 23, died in a nearby hospital later the same evening.

The suspect was arrested at his home, which police said was not far from the crime scene.

It is not clear if the suspect has been charged or not.

The foreign office in Tajikistan has advised all citizens to "temporarily refrain" from travelling to Russia.

The advisory was issued after officials expressed concerns about Tajiks being "unjustifiably" denied entry to Russia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Human rights organisations have also reported rising levels of prejudice against people from Central Asia in Russia after the shooting at a concert hall in Moscow on 22 March.

Islamist terror group Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack in which at least 130 people were killed.

All four of the accused gunmen are from Tajikistan.

Yesterday, a 12th person - also a Tajik citizen - was detained in connection with the attack.

Two Russian journalists who worked for a group founded by the late opposition politician, Alexei Navalny, have been arrested on "extremism" charges.

Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin are accused of preparing material for a YouTube channel run by Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which is outlawed by Russian authorities. 

Both denied the charges, for which they will be detained for a minimum of two months, before any trials begin. 

They face a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of six years for alleged "participation in an extremist organisation," according to Russian courts.

On Friday, a journalist working for the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, Sergei Mingazov, was detained on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military.

The arrests are the latest in a crackdown on dissent and independent media by the Russian government. 

Mr Gabov, who was detained in Moscow, is a freelance producer who has worked for the likes of Reuters.

Mr Karelin - who has dual citizenship with Israel - has worked for a number of outlets, including The Associated Press. 

He was a cameraman for German media outlet Deutsche Welle until the Kremlin banned the outlet from operating in Russia in February 2022.

Ukrainian forces that are "well-provisioned" will likely be able to prevent Russian advances in an expected summer offensive. 

In the past, Ukrainian forces have prevented Russian forces from making tactical gains in large-scale offensive efforts, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says.

The ISW predicts that it is unlikely any sort of summer offensive from the Russians will be significantly larger or more intense than their previous efforts.

However, the key factor is Ukraine being "well-provisioned". 

The ISW adds that Russian forces will make tactical gains in the coming weeks as Ukraine waits for military aid from the US to arrive. 

Russian forces have opportunities to make significant tactical gains in the Avdiivka area and pursue an operationally significant objective with the seizure of Chasiv Yar," the ISW says, adding that neither of these efforts is likely to develop in the near future.

Following on from our last post, Ukraine has claimed a Russian drone attack heavily damaged a hotel in the southern city of Mykolaiv.

Mykolaiv's governor Vitaly Kim said Shahed-131/136 type drones were used in the strike which "heavily damaged" the hotel building. 

"A fire broke out, which was quickly extinguished... there are no casualties," Mr Kim said. 

A heat-generating infrastructure was damaged as well as the windows of a separate hotel.

Russia's RIA state news agency, citing Russian underground fighters in the region, confirmed they had hit a shipbuilding plant and a hotel in Mykolaiv where English-speaking mercenaries fighting in Ukraine were housed.

Ukraine's air force said four other drones launched by Russia were destroyed around the capital, Kyiv, the central Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad regions, and over the western Khmelnytskyi region.

Russia's air defence systems destroyed 17 Ukrainian drones, the defence ministry has said.

The attack targeted an oil storage facility in the Kaluga region - just south of Moscow, according to Vladislav Shapsha, regional governor of Kaluga.

He said three drones were downed in the region and that there were no casualties or damage.

A further nine drones were destroyed over the Bryansk region, three over the Kursk region and two over the Belgorod region. 

Welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. 

Yesterday, Russia bombarded Ukraine once again in an attack that hit energy infrastructure. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes had targeted facilities "crucial" to the European Union's gas supply. 

Moscow, for its part, claimed the attacks were "in response to attempts by the Kyiv regime to damage Russian energy and industrial facilities". 

Elsewhere, it was reported that US intelligence agencies had determined Vladimir Putin most likely did not order Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's death. 

Mr Navalny died at an Arctic prison camp in February at the age of 47.

Before we bring you today's news, here are more updates from the last 24 hours... 

• The British Ministry of Defence said a sharp increase in murders in Russia is being caused by war-related chronic poor mental health issues suffered by soldiers
• A 12th person was arrested in connection with the shooting massacre at a Moscow concert hall last month
• Russia stepped up its offensive on the eastern Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne 
• A Russian oil refinery suspended operations after a Ukrainian drone attack in the Krasnoyarsk region. 

That's it for our live coverage for tonight, but you can scroll back for all of today's updates.

British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has shared this footage of the UK's Storm Shadow missiles being produced.

The long-range cruise missiles have been among the aid sent to Ukraine by the UK, and have been used to strike deep into Russian-controlled territory.

Earlier this week, the UK said it would commit even more Storm Shadows to Ukraine. 

The missiles have an official range in excess of 155 miles - although some experts have suggested they may be able to go further. 

Mr Shapps said the missiles were also being created to add to British stockpiles to "fight any future wars". 

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PUBLIC SPEAKING - ONE DAY VIRTUAL TRAINING

Want to improve your public speaking skills, and become more influential in business & life, this is a MUST-attend TRAINING.

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About this event.

Are you tired of feeling underestimated, and undervalued because of your communication skills?

Do you want to improve your public speaking abilities and become more influential in both business and life?

This intensive 1-day training is designed for leaders, professionals, business owners, and anyone who wants to dominate their industry with their words.

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By the end of the training, you'll feel more confident and relaxed when speaking in front of any audience, and have the skills to deliver successful presentations that leave a lasting impression.

Certificate: Course Completion Certificate

Language: English

Duration: 5 Hours

Course Delivery: Classroom/ Virtual Live

Course Overview:

Learning Objectives:

In This Training, You'll Learn how to overcome stage fright and become a dynamic speaker

Boost confidence to unprecedented levels

Gain deeper insights into group dynamics and audience psychology

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Control time for maximum impact and effectiveness

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By the end of this one-day public speaking program, participants will have a strong foundation in essential public speaking skills and techniques. They will have gained greater confidence, insight, and expertise in developing and delivering powerful presentations that engage and persuade their audience.

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MASTERING NON VERBAL

Module 7: Body Language: The concept of LOOK, FEEL and SOUND is incredibly powerful. Once you learn this you'll realize how everything is connected. We will discuss all the awkward postures you might not be aware of as a presenter. Once you see these postures. you can not unsee them and will not make these mistakes for good.

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Exercises are designed to overcome any fear, anxiety or panic episodes and transform you into an influential Speaker.

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After your presentation, the coach will guide you on the adjustments and tweaks needed. No harsh criticism is passed, it's a supportive environment for every student to thrive.

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