The World's Highest Paid Profession

[Willie Crawford]

My friend John Childers refers to platform speaking as
"the world's highest paid profession." I can think of many
professions that pay better for many of us, but it can be
very profitable for the right person with the right "platform."

Most people are actually scared silly of getting on stage.
I've often sat near the stage and watched TRAINED
professional speakers noticeably shaking when they first
get started. Once they get into the groove that usually
stops, but I guess the nervousness is natural for most.

Anyway, I think that platform speaking is one of the
fastest ways to position yourself as an expert.

Writing a book is faster and usually cheaper, but generally
nowhere near as profitable.

I'm curious as to who here has secret dreams of one
day being on-stage. Do you already have your topic
laid out, and if you are in a space where it's normal to
offer a product at the end of your presentation, do you
already have a product ready or in development?

I don't actually speak THAT often anymore but have to
admit that it can be a blast. I particularly enjoyed speaking
in front of about 800 people in Singapore, and then stepping
off-stage to be bombarded by really cute girls wanting to
take pictures with me

Do you personally want to be a speaker some day, and
why?

Willie

[Big Al]

Bizarrely enough I'd like to become and expert in my field but have zero aspirations to become a 'platform speaker'...

... which now I think about it isn't odd (or even uncommon) but does make the task a lot harder. I don't like limelight and fuss but then you sell it well "bombarded by really cute girls wanting to take pictures with me"

[Michael Meaney]

Largest audience I've spoken to was only around 200 and I've never been so scared... Apart from maybe the night my son was born.

Do you already have your topic laid out?

Yes, I wouldn't be able to wing it. Even on camera at home I wouldn't be able to wing it.

do you already have a product ready or in development?

Selling stuff has never really been on the agenda (weird right?) but there's always been products ready to go.

Do you personally want to be a speaker some day, and why?

I'd do it again, only if I had something to say that was worth listening to - so highly unlikely

[BIG Mike]

That's one of the few things from my corporate life that I miss. It is a blast - and it always surprised me how many people struggle with doing it.

Among other things, I used to give a monthly presentation on emergency preparedness to our management team and local government reps (city, county and state). Generally around 250 people, doubling that at quarterly events.

Something that really amazed me was that our CEO and COO were the epitome of nervousness on stage. Surprising because in smaller groups or one-on-one they were very self-confident. Over the span of ten years or so, I never observed them becoming comfortable with doing it.

In other situations, where I've been pulled in to help close the deal on multi-million dollar projects (engineering related, communications and healthcare [bio-medical engineering]), I was brought in specifically to wing it. These however, were generally much smaller groups - 20 to 30 people...usually the organization's board of directors, key personnel, etc.

Do I really want to be a speaker again? Not really...except for family trips, the travel involved got old for me after years of doing it. Probably my age catching up with me...but still, for those willing to do it, it's a great way to promote almost anything.

I do still hold local seminars, but those are in a classroom environment and not sales related (I do these at our EFL school - I don't get paid for doing them). Those are always a great time and strictly benefit the participants (students).

[rohitsinha]

The biggest reason I got into IM is that I am an introvert and want to avoid face to face communication and public speaking as much as possible.

So, no, this is not for me, though I can understand how others who have no such hangups can benefit from it.

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by rohitsinha

The biggest reason I got into IM is that I am an introvert and want to avoid face to face communication and public speaking as much as possible.

So, no, this is not for me, though I can understand how others who have no such hangups can benefit from it.

Yes, a lot of people prefer the anonymity, although when you get
into higher priced products, you need the one-on-one interaction.
That's why prospects for higher priced programs are often driven to
phone banks.

Willie

[TBInternetMarketing]

I've always been pretty good at public speaking, but it's not something I've really thought about doing as a profession.

[DGFletcher]

I *love* speaking in public!!

I'm a bit weird when it comes to 'winging it'. If I try to prep more than just a tiny bit, *that* is when I freeze and it sucks. I've been doing instrument improv for an eternity and got out all my stage fright doing that. Speeches are like doing improv.

With improv, you pick a key and a motif and go until the song stops.

With speeches, you pick your topic and plan your motif and then go until the speech stops.

My current big fear is that I have a place to go do speeches at, but I'm a bit scared they won't take me seriously... >_<

[Andyhenry]

Hey Willie,

I LOVE speaking on stage.

It's one of the best things there is.

I know it's much easier to write books and sell info products (I do that too), but I love to be able to look people in the eye when I talk to them, so that a) I know they're paying attention and b) they know I know what I'm talking about.

Andy

[TiffLee]

I wouldn't mind doing public speaking ... and, personally, I think I'd be pretty good at it.

Unfortunately, I'd need a stack of phone books to reach the microphone.

[TrafficBot]

Speaking in front of 800 people? Wow did you have the jitters although I know you've been in the IM game for many years.

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by TrafficBot

Speaking in front of 800 people? Wow did you have the jitters although I know you've been in the IM game for many years.

No jitters, but I made the mistake of running from the back of the
room, upfront, and onto the stage. It took me a few minutes before
I didn't sound like I was out of breath :-)

[freemen14]

I worked in the University system for 17 years and part of my job description was to teach so it was normal for me to have classes of 150-200 first year students. I am very comfortable with it and have spoken to groups up to 800-900 people.

Having said that I would much rather speak to 1000 people than to 10. Funny enough the smaller and more intimate the group or setting the more nervous I get. No idea why.

[Melanie Mendelson]

If someone is afraid of public speaking, the best thing they can do for themselves is join Toastmasters. Toastmasters is a club where the people who are in the same boat (afraid of public speaking) practice their speaking skills and build up their confidence. There are Toastmasters locations are all over the world, just Google for them.

I used to be absolutely terrified of public speaking, then I joined Toastmasters, and after a year was able to teach college classes without fear!

[williamp]

I like public speaking and would like to do more of it. Any recommendations on how to get started?

[ahlexis]

I would like nothing more than to get up in front of a room full of people and give a presentation at a public speaking event!

Oddly enough, I've heard the stories of people just getting absolutely sick over the prospect. I'd read that even Janet Jackson gets absolutely nauseated and horribly sick just before going on stage for a concert.

During a unique training session I've gone through in the past I was required to get up in front of a room full of people and sing a song. It was the strangest feeling in the world to me because as I did it I did NOT get nervous, and instead didn't do anywhere near as bad as I thought I would when I first learned I was going to have to do it.

The reason for my desire to do this is because, since I did not get nervous in the middle of singing an impromptu song at the spur of the moment in front of a group of strangers, I have come to realize there is a whole world of things out there that I am probably very good at that I have yet to do . . . !

[Joe Benjamin]

Yes, I do.

I love speaking as I speak so very little during
personal conversations or group interactions.

(I speak maybe 20% - 30% of the time during
conversations). So...

the opportunity to speak and getting paid to
do so is definitely at the top of my list. I have
a lot to share especially to others looking to
make money as entrepreneurs.

I'm not sure I can speak in front of hundreds
of people - never did it before - but I do know
I can speak into up to around 100.

It's hardly near the hundreds but I'm curious to
find out what happens.

[tpw]

I thought you was going to say copy writer... LOL

But public speaking is certainly a good one.

I have done it before, and I enjoy it.

But after my surgery last year, I am having to train myself how to talk again and fully enunciate my words.

[Randall Magwood]

Originally Posted by Willie Crawford

My friend John Childers refers to platform speaking as
"the world's highest paid profession." I can think of many
professions that pay better for many of us, but it can be
very profitable for the right person with the right "platform."

I thought you were going to say become a Pharmacist lol.

[Miles Kral]

I have been in my field for a number of years but I don't know if I would call myself a true expert, there's always something new to learn. In my field public speaking is not an option because so much of my business is built on trust and being discreet. Having a public presence would only hurt my business.

[Rick Wilson]

Oh No ... NOT me. AIN'T gonna happen in my lifetime, Willie! Uh Uh...

I'll leave that stuff to you professionals!


Rick Wilson aka CorpRebel

[williamrs]

No, I think I prefer to be an anonymous guys... I know it's probably not the most profitable thing, but I always had a simple lifestyle and I really don't wnat to change.

I can make way more money now as and IMer than when I was a programmer, but that hasn't changed who I am. I still have the same lifestyle and the same friends, and I just want to keep things this way.


W

[Michael Mayo]

Originally Posted by Willie Crawford

No jitters, but I made the mistake of running from the back of the
room, upfront, and onto the stage. It took me a few minutes before
I didn't sound like I was out of breath :-)

LOL...Willie, That gave me a great Idea for the title of my next book.
Breathe and Grow Rich...

Have a Great Day!
Michael

[Mary Wilhite]

I speak to groups hold webinars weekly. It's no big deal.

[myob]

I used to speak to very large groups, but they always ended up being very small groups before I finished.

[kea55]

I would like to speak some day, and that's because I love speaking in front of people. Maybe I get some sort of ego boost from it. I'm not really sure.

[Don Schenk]

Willie,

I have some numbers from Ron Legrand.

In 2004 I attended one of his info-marketing 5-day bootcamps (pitchfest). A half dozen or so of the heavy-hitters in the info business were in the audience.

At one point Ron told the audience his highest sales numbers from spealing for an hour and a half at events. I just looked it up in my notes, and here is what he said,

"Ron's highest day selling stuff

$475,000 gross - speaking not teaching
$407,000 in 2 hours speaking not teaching
Many days at $250,000"

Of course he had to split this with the seminar planner, but still, it's a lot of money for a short time frame.

The largest audience I've been in front of was 2,000 people. It was a long time ago, and silly me, I didn't have a clue about selling to them.

I love talking to a group.

:-Don

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by tpw

I thought you was going to say copy writer... LOL

But public speaking is certainly a good one.

I have done it before, and I enjoy it.

But after my surgery last year, I am having to train myself how to talk again and fully enunciate my words.

Copywriting can be harder work for many but when you get really
good at it, and can write fast, it can make you millions per year.

I know platform speakers who make that kind of money though. One
is a good friend that I'm thinking about spending a few days mentoring
under even though I'm a graduate of John Childers' $30,000 Speaker
Training.

In the IM space it generally depends upon how good a closer you are...
which incidentally is a criteria many seminar hosts look at in inviting
speakers.

Willie

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by TiffLee

I wouldn't mind doing public speaking ... and, personally, I think I'd be pretty good at it.

Unfortunately, I'd need a stack of phone books to reach the microphone.

You would probably do well too, and size is not really a challenge
with the wireless headset mikes so commonly used today.

Incidentally at my first speaking engagement, we had a mike and
podium, and I basically hid behind the podium for most of the
presentation. Today, it's difficult to get me to shut up, and I
am VERY comfortable speaking.

Willie

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by myob

I used to speak to very large groups, but they always ended up being very small groups before I finished.

It would get your attention if half the room suddenly had to use
the rest room, or politely leave the room to answer phones that
they pretended were vibrating as the exited the room, shortly after
you get into your presentation.

Willie

[hardraysnight]

Originally Posted by Michael Mayo

LOL...Willie, That gave me a great Idea for the title of my next book.
Breath and Grow Rich...

Have a Great Day!
Michael

im halfway there

one out of two aint bad

i need to google breathe for a few pointers

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by Don Schenk

"Ron's highest day selling stuff

$475,000 gross - speaking not teaching
$407,000 in 2 hours speaking not teaching
Many days at $250,000"

Of course he had to split this with the seminar planner, but still, it's a lot of money for a short time frame.

I'd be willing to take that pay cut in average hourly
earnings

The largest audience I've been in front of was 2,000 people. It was a long time ago, and silly me, I didn't have a clue about selling to them.

I love talking to a group.

:-Don

I've been in front of groups of about 1500... military formations.

There is something special about "podium power!"

Willie

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

Here in Kuwait, I've had the honor of briefing some 20+ General officers just through the months of November and December alone. While the delegations themselves haven't been over 20 people, the "importance" of the people has been just as high up the military/congressional ranks that you can get. I admit, when I first began doing these briefings as the Accountable Officer of the Theater Redistribution Center in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, the nerves were incredibly intense. There was a time where I'd stutter and fall over my own words. While speaking, I'd draw blanks and glance at my boss for prompting.

With time, I do think public speaking become easier. You just have to really commit yourself to it, venture past the unknown and uncertainty, and have confidence that your words will be powerful and resonate. Since November, the highest ranking officer I've briefed was the TRANSCOM 4-Star General. This gentleman--and several other Generals I have briefed--I am confident have gone strait back to the Commander-in-Chief himself to relay the data and information I have given them regarding the responsible drawdown of Iraq.

On a side note, if anyone is particularly interested in what I've been doing in Kuwait....and how my mission here is directly related to the saving of millions upon millions of dollars of government and taxpayer's money (with this economy, and extent of fiscal irresponsibility lately, I actually find this quite comforting....), check out this video. They didn't use my actual interview, but they do have some footage of me (I have the black, U.S. Army, 1st Lieutenant bar on my chest):

ABC11 with the 1st TSC in Kuwait | Video | abc11.com

[richardtj]

I would agree with those posters wholeheartedly. As a post University PostGrad, I positioned myself to such an extent that I was required to speak publicly on a weekly basis- it's great for self confidence, particlaurly when it's a field you're extremely competent in. If you want to get to grips with public/ seminar speaking, then sign up for your local Business networking events- it really helps as you're thrown in at the deep end with loads of like-minded entrepeneurs and I guarantee you'll be the only one there that is an internet marketer- giving you an open field to work your magic on

[AndyBlackSEO]

I'm not really the type of person to get up on a stage and speak openly and consistantly for a set period of time. I'd be like a rabbit caught between the headlights.

I have done some public speaking before, ie - at local networking events but it's not something I'd feel comfortable getting into... although... I do appreciate that this area could be extremely profitable and is a very good way of moving your business forward and creating exposure for yourself and your profits.

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

Originally Posted by richardtj

I would agree with those posters wholeheartedly. As a post University PostGrad, I positioned myself to such an extent that I was required to speak publicly on a weekly basis- it's great for self confidence, particlaurly when it's a field you're extremely competent in. If you want to get to grips with public/ seminar speaking, then sign up for your local Business networking events- it really helps as you're thrown in at the deep end with loads of like-minded entrepeneurs and I guarantee you'll be the only one there that is an internet marketer- giving you an open field to work your magic on

It's funny how you mention being "required" to speak publicly. Perhaps it's my military mindset of simply being thrown into something, and being expected to meet the challenge...and excel. Public speaking was just something I HAD to do. I was really given no other alternative but to succeed. If anyone has ever heard of Sun Tzu--he's one of my favorites and you'll see some of his work mentioned in some of my posts here--I'm a firm believer that he'd be all about just throwing people into otherwise challenging positions. Perhaps "war" is a little extreme in relation to "public speaking", but his approach was embodied quite well in the landing and invasion of Normandy.

Thousands of Soldiers were placed in a position where they must either rise to the occasion, or die. There was no alternative.

Of course, as a leader, I do think it would be gravely irresponsible not to provide people with at least the tools necessary to succeed.

[rooze]

I've done the corporate presentation thing in my past but generally hated it, until after it was over, then I convinced myself that it was a good time

A few years ago I owned a wine/retail/art business in a popular tourist destination. We had a daily (I mean 7 days/week for 4 months) Trolley bus company bring tourists through my business for a wine presentation, which of course I found myself delivering in person
That was a blast and a great lesson is selling. There would be one bus of 25 people during the week and two buses arriving at the same time on weekends and Holidays. They stayed exactly 60 minutes, so the presentation had to be perfected to 45 minutes and it had to result in people leaving the presentation and buying bottles/cases of wine.
The best results were always to get them drinking more and having a laugh, which occasionally meant I had to drink too.
Good times, fond memories, huge hole in the bank account

[heevyhivy]

For me it depends on the mix of people. I've seen so many teachers of art doing platform lectures. And they all have their own ways of talking. None of them are pro speakers, and usually talk like their talking to their friends, but hey they have everyone hanging on their word, so a lame joke doesn't come across as so lame lol.

In my guitar performing days, I've done stage performances in front of about 1000 before, mostly 700-800 otherwise. The stage has annoying obstacles, the 'red head' spot lights alone makes you sweat so bad lol, that made me nervous more than anything else.

Joe Satriania, one of my idols says he wears shades to overcome nerves since he can't see audience very well, making it less scary.

I'm short-sighted so I would just not wear glasses or lenses.

[kayshaw]

Thanks for posting this question...It's fun to think about. That is actually one of my dreams, to be a lecturer that is. I was a stage actress for 6 years and gave it up to go to college, which I'm glad I did because I now have a BA in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy which I feel gives me more confidence and credibility in talking about my niche.
But how does one get into that? Surely its not just something you fall in, but have to have successful products out there that people will want to pay to hear about?

[simontts]

A couple of people have asked about how to get public speaking engagements. If you click on the CommentLuv Directory in my sig there is a site called Speaking Agent (not mine) that gets people public speaking engagements.

You could also just look up conferences that are related to your niche and put yourself forward as a speaker - while some will be grateful and maybe pay you a fee, others will charge you for speaking because it is a great sales opportunity for you.

I do a lot of public speaking (and I also teach others to do so) and I would ONLY speak on something where I had deep expertise. It is from this expertise that confidence comes because I know that I can give my audience value for their time and attention.

[Osman_M]

I would love to be a speaker and be able to teach people one day on stage. I like passing along knowledge and it would be a blast doing it in front of 1000 plus people.

[travlinguy]

As a content writer I credit my "selling from the podium" days to my ability to also write effective sales copy. And it's interesting that you mention John Childers.

Years ago I bought a ticket to a pretty expensive real estate seminar based on one of his compelling presentations. Many years later, when I found myself pursuing the podium, John was the trainer for the presenters in the company I was speaking for. He really knows his stuff and also has the ability to teach it as well.

Someone mentioned Toastmasters. I wholeheartedly agree that this is an excellent free resource to get started. And it's free. Anyone interested in getting started as a speaker should check it out and get involved. I was speaking publicly before joinint and my presentations got much better after having gone through their program.

I haven't been up in front of a group in quite a while and miss it. Though I do feel I will be relatively soon.

[savvybizbuilder]

If you are a businessman, its natural to become a speaker at the same time.

[WriterWahm]

I don't know if I ever had any ambition of being on stage (except as an actress ;-) ) But from when I was 17 I found myself on stage speaking to hundreds of people. First it was in the Christian community and now it is on blogging, social media, etc. Does that establish me as an expert? I guess so. I just haven't learned to leverage on it yet. I only just started developing info products to offer but they are all digital for now.

[Thomas Buckley]

I had to speak to 1200 students about youtube one of the worst things i have ever done
I forgot what i had written down to speak about so i just started talking about Youtube off the top of my head just tried to structure it best i could and cracked a few jokes and that was it.Longest 10 minutes of my life so far, Will hopefully never doing anything like that again.
But i got a certificate so it was worth it

[benroger]

I am a teacher by profession and to speak in front of large crowd is a routine work for me. It certainly takes lot of skills to be extrovert in front of crowd.

[HairyPoppins]

I could never handle speaking in public. Not so much because I'm afraid of everybody or anything like that. I just hate being the center of attention and that's about as dead center as you're going to get. If it wasn't for that I actually wouldn't mind it. It can be a cool experience when you educate people on something you know a lot about.

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by kayshaw

But how does one get into that? Surely its not just something you fall in, but have to have successful products out there that people will want to pay to hear about?

It differs depending upon the niche or circuit that you want
to speak on.

In the internet marketing space, where I speak most often, you
get invited, or you ask someone to put you on stage, because
you have unique knowledge that they want to present to their
audience.

However, since the seminars are also an engine for selling
information products, you also need a product that you can
offer at the end of your presentation, and split the sales
proceeds with the event host.

For that reason, many seminar hosts are very interested
in how well you CLOSE from stage. They want to know that
if they put you in a room with a certain number of attendees,
that a certain percentage will end up buying. So, it's not
uncommon to be asked for your closing rate.

Seminar hosts, such as my good friend Armand Morin, use
to also want to know that you had been professionally
trained. I trained under John Childers BECAUSE Armand had
also trained under him,and recommended John. John's training
did increase my sales substantially, and also made me a bit
of an expert at some aspects of NLP.

John taught me how to roll a sales presentation into a
seminar presentation, that often didn't feel like I was
selling

If you are not professionally trained then you are more of a
risk, because seminar hosts, such as my friend Ken McArthur,
host of JV Alert, will get DOZENS of requests to speak at
some of his events. He has to say no to most, including close
friends, because he can only fit so many onto the schedule.

In saying yes to one speaker, he is usually saying no to several
alternatives. So, he's depending upon you to deliver tremendous
perceived value, and at the same time, be able to sell from
stage.

So, having professional training, or a track record that you
can point to, is how you get invited to speak at a LOT of these
events. I get invited to speak a dozens of events each
year... some by people who have never hosted an event,
which always scares me unless they have studied under an
expert at hosting events

Willie

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by HairyPoppins

I could never handle speaking in public. Not so much because I'm afraid of everybody or anything like that. I just hate being the center of attention and that's about as dead center as you're going to get. If it wasn't for that I actually wouldn't mind it. It can be a cool experience when you educate people on something you know a lot about.

Yes, you do need to grab and hold their attention.

You need to be able to educate, entertain, fascinate them,
and of course gain their trust. The trust part is easy if you really
know your topic, and if you don't audiences can usually sense
that.

Willie

[Willie Crawford]

Originally Posted by WhoIsBenjamin

I'm not sure I can speak in front of hundreds
of people - never did it before - but I do know
I can speak into up to around 100.

It's hardly near the hundreds but I'm curious to
find out what happens.

As someone else observed, it's often more comfortable
speaking in front of HUGE groups than smaller groups. I
personally focus on individual faces as I scan my
audience anyway, reading body language, etc., so I
only really see those near the front of the room clearly
anyway.... and those are who I interact with.

Willie