Over the next six months many of you will be attending various programs, workshops and conventions.  A few of you are going to get the bug to be a speaker.  Here’s how the idea will most likely get started:

You’re going to go to a program and hear a speaker who’s either mediocre or really good, but who has your same philosophy.  You’ll return home and wake up the next morning with a revelation, “I can do that!”  You’ve now got the bug and just like “new car fever” you’re not going to rest until your vision becomes reality.  So, here are some thoughts on getting on the speaker circuit.   If nothing else, let’s see if we can help you keep it in perspective.

1. Pay attention to the presentations of the great icons - their timing is incredible and they know how to communicate.  Just because you’re a great photographer doesn’t mean you have what it takes to pass on your knowledge.  You obviously need to be able to express yourself, but too often there’s a speaker out there who’s got a great message getting lost in a sea of poor communication skills.

2. Find things to make your message unique.  The industry needs new topics as well as presentations that hit old subjects in a new way.  For example, there are only a handful of great instructors like Tony Corbell talking about lighting or Clay Blackmore, Doug Gordon and David Ziser talking about traditional posing.

3. Baby steps!  I know you’re good, but everyone wants to start at the top and have a platform at IUSA, PPE or WPPI. That isn’t going to happen.  You need to have a track record before you get the big gigs.  Start with local guilds and professional photographic groups.  Have a blog that shares good information with an educational aspect.  I’ve always been amazed at people who think they deserve a platform program simply because they’ve done well in print competition – sorry, but that in itself isn’t enough.

4. Are you sponsored?  Getting a vendor on your side definitely helps your cause.  It expands your reach, but be careful on choosing your sponsors.  You need to believe in their products, not just be looking for a company to pick up the tab.  Plus, you’ll lose credibility if you start changing products.  You have to pick your sponsors and stick with them.  Also, don’t align yourself with too many sponsors – after a while you’ll look like a NASCAR race and the potential exposure for any sponsor is lost with everybody else.

5. Practice, practice, practice!   This is where practice really does make perfect, but only if you work hard to have a smoot presentation.  You need to be able to deliver your message in a way that’s professional.  No hesitation, no “ums” as you’re talking and images that are outstanding.   Work to develop a message that’s a call to action with the attendees in your program.  Give people “how to” ideas they can implement the next day in their own business.

6. Don’t be greedy!  Everyone wants big bucks for speaking and there are a handful of speakers who are worth it, but don’t forget your roots.  Be generous with your time and information.  It’s important for you to be compensated fairly, but it’s also important for you to be perceived as giving back to the community.

7. Don’t spend a lot of time talking about yourself.  Nobody is interested in a lot of detail about how you got started.  I used to kid Don Blair, who always spent too much time thanking everybody in his life whoever helped him, starting with his first grade teacher.  (Oh do I miss ”Big Daddy Blair”)  Don could get away with it, but most photographers can’t! After a few minutes there are just too many “I”’s and people tune out.

8. Stick to the topic.  Make sure your program description and presentation match! 

9. Answer questions without directing people to buy your DVD, CD or books.  There’s nothing that turns a crowd off faster than a sales pitch!  I once heard a speaker, after being asked a question, say, “You’ll find that answer in my DVD collection at the back of the room.”  Ouch!

Being a great speaker is all about exceeding expectations.  In fact, your philosophy on speaking, if that’s where you want to go in life, should be no different than your relationship with your clients.  Deliver more than expected.  Deliver what the client ordered and deliver your message with the highest quality.

And from the late George Jessel, emphasizing the need to constantly practice your presentation:  The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.