Practice makes perfect

If you plan on practicing as you go along, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind.  You don’t have to worry about how to make money as a professional speaker. The first is to keep your rehearsals short. You don't want to overdo it, but you also don't want to slack. Also, understand that the process of practicing public speaking can be done from the comfort of your home. As mike Anderson, president and CEO of excell meeting planners, advises, “put on a favorite talk you've given before and think about where you're going to improve. Even if you're only giving a 45-minute presentation, get specific about what you want to address, including problem areas.” Get creative most importantly, before you perform a talk for money, get as creative as you can.

Now, here’s the most important part: to do any of this well and earn a steady stream of income, you need to get experience. If you can’t speak at events regularly, it’s impossible to become an expert at what you want to speak about. Instead, you need to find a local club or organization that’s willing to train you. Not only is that good for your pocketbook, but it's a great place to network. Most members of a club would love to see you succeed, and it could help you land a few more speaking opportunities. Refine your expertise once you have more experience under your belt, you can start branching out. Think about your topic of expertise and then find local associations that are a perfect fit. The key is to find something you love and are passionate about.

Though there may be challenges to overcome and obstacles to clear, if you can embrace the idea that "you can never improve if you don't admit that you have a problem" you can take your speaking skills to the next level, benefiting your personal brand and your bottom line. Let the world hear what you have to say.