Archive for December, 2007

I’m often asked by aspiring professional speakers “what is the easiest way to learn about and get started as a professional speaker?” If they are in New York City, I invite them to attend a meeting of the National Speakers Association New York Chapter. Especially since I am president of the New York Chapter, I try to extend an invitation to everyone. I also advise people to try to become a member of the National Speakers Association.

However, this does present a chicken and egg situation. You can’t become a member of NSA unless you can document a certain number of professionally paid speeches you have given. And lots of people can’t figure out how to get paid gigs without the knowledge provided by the NSA. So, where to start? I advise people who are exploring the professional speaking market to take a simple, easy and inexpensive start into the professional speaking market by simply subscribing to the NSA monthly magazine called Speaker (you don’t have to be a member to subscribe). The magazine only costs $49 a year and is full of practical business tips on entering and advancing in the world of paid speaking. In fact, back in the day, I subscribed to the magazine for several years before making the plunge and becoming a professional member of the NSA. I still read the magazine each month and recommend it to others.