Public speaking is a powerful form of networking. Think aboutit: when you’re in a gathering, who do you remember mosteasily - someone in the crowd or the lady who’s just given a presentation?
Get into the habit of giving talks whenever you can. Givefr*ee talks at places like the Chambers of Commerce, Rotaryclub, Kiwanis or anyplace where people in your target marketmeet.
Give information-laden talks, not sales speeches. Show yourexpertise through presentations.
There are several benefits to doing this: aside from the publicity you get, you can generate extra income by sellingsome of your own material as back-end products (booklets,tapes, etc). Your credibility as an expert in your field also increases when you speak in public on your topic.
As you improve (and yes you will become better and more proficientwith practice), you may start getting paid speaking engagements -yet another income stream. All this happening while you promoteyour business.
If you’re like most people, you’re probably scared to death of speaking in public. Why not aim to be like the minority thatdo it anyway and are very successful? The fear will always bethere, make no mistake, but don’t let it paralyze you and prevent you from utilizing this very powerful and effectivebusiness- and credibility- building activity.
To get practice and training in public speaking, visit your localtoastmasters club (http://www.toastmasters.org/). This organization provides a safe and friendly environment for you to hone your public speaking skills.
Seek out public speaking venues and get started on the wayto even more exposure for your business when you do.