Career Options

Identify what you have to offer

Unfortunately, unless you’re already famous, audiences won’t pay just to hear about your life. (Many people are happy to talk about themselves for free!)

Tag and Catherine Goulet

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Tag and Catherine Goulet
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To be successful, you should identify how your speeches can help people solve their problems, achieve their goals, or otherwise improve their lives.

If you can do that, there are many people who could benefit from what you have to say. Thousands of speakers are hired every year to speak for: seminar companies, conventions, conferences, corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, continuing education departments, schools, colleges, and even cruise ships.

Choose a “niche”


It can be tempting to say “I want everyone to hear what I have to say!” However, the reality is that if you develop a speech that bank executives will benefit from, chances are that speech will not be popular at the local elementary school.


It’s important to specialize not only in who you speak to, but what you speak about. People are unlikely to take you seriously if you promise that your speeches will solve all their problems and help them: get rich, lose weight, find the love of their life, become great leaders, get healthy, make more sales, be happy, etc., etc. Instead, pick one specialty or “niche” such as leadership. It’s important to have a niche because people like to hire experts. After all, if you needed surgery, wouldn’t you want your doctor to be “an expert”?

Polish your speaking skills


It’s fine to feel nervous when you first start speaking. But as a professional speaker, it’s your job not to let it show. Among the traits that can help you succeed as a speaker are confidence, credibility (a combination of likeability and expertise), and enthusiasm. Many post-secondary institutions offer classes in public speaking to help you develop these traits. Another idea is to join Toastmasters, an international non-profit organization that helps people to practice speaking skills at weekly meetings.

Since public speaking is many people’s greatest fear, if you enjoy the experience and have a story to tell, you might have what it takes to become a motivational speaker.

Tag and Catherine Goulet are authors of Dream Careers and founders of FabJob.com. Visit www.FabJob.com to discover your dream career or to ask a question.



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