What did you think of this week’s STAGE TIME article about starting a public speaking business?
Share your comments here!
Biz Time,
Darren
Darren LaCroix learned how to be funny the hard way by experience. He is a keynote speaker with a thriving publc speaking career. He authored books, CD’s, DVD’s, & other public speaking courses. He gives motivational speeches all over the world including Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Just what I need to read and digest!
Patricia
Thanks for coming to district 23’s conference. I took your advice to heart and decided to step up to the plate and speak outside the club with the idea of getting paid, soon. When I told a fellow club member about my goal, he invited me to give an inspirational speech to the Neighborhood Association of which he is the president. I accepted and am scheduled to speak next week. I asked a Kiwanis friend if they needed a guest speaker and he said “Of course!” and gave me his Educational vice president’s phone number. One of our main members in our evening club passed away and the club was kicked out of the community room at the Senior Center. I asked a local store if we could meet in their community room for free if we ran a Speechcraft for their staff. They got excited and said that is exactly what their staff needs. Could we handle 20 speech-crafters? We might end up with a few new members out of the class, maybe 20. WOW! If you don’t ask they can’t say yes! Thanks for the wake up call.
Just thought I’d let you know that I got paid to speak for my last two speeches. This wasn’t exactly your corporate crowd. My audience members did not arrive in suits and power ties. They came in blue jeans and maternity tops–some with a faint aroma of soured milk. Despite the lack of impressive wardrobe, these are some of the most powerful executives in the world: MOPS–Mothers of Pre-Schoolers. At the end of one speech, the coordinator presented me with a lovely card which contained a twenty dollar bill and five ones. At the end of the other, I got a thank you card with a $50 gift certificate to a steak house. I have a few more probable gigs lined up. You said to let you know when we first got paid. I did! And I truly believe the biggest payment is intangible. Thanks for the help!
Roxann (Champ Camp, June 2008, Las Vegas)
Darren,
Keep the inspiring emails coming. I’m trying to move from children’s magician to corporate speaker/entertainer but I am having trouble focusing. My funds are limited & I’m getting burned out & overhelmed from all of the books I’m reading.
I keep looking into getting one of your packages, but can’t decide which one, either because of money or because of content.
I know that I have the personality for this (& the humor) but I’m not sure how to focus on writing an entertaining speech (although I have written MANY routines for myself, others & magazines).
Anyway, you’re an inspiration!
YEEEESSSSSS!!!!
Exactly what I talk with folks about. Even if you have one of those things called “a job” you need to think of yourself as self-employed…because you are! And you need more than one income stream or at least potential income stream. If you only have your job it’s like a company with one customer. Her in Michigan I say to people, “Imagine you are an auto parts supplier with one customer…General Motors. How secure would you feel right now?”
Of course, here in the Lansing, Michigan area many people work for GM, and that is their job and only source of income. They need to start now to find new ways to make money while they still have their day (or night) job. My advice to them is to Do Something Different!
You are absolutely right in every single word you said. This week I attended Division E (in Qatar) to give a one-hour keynote speech during their annual conference. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to be a key note speaker seconding a public speaking world champion “Lance Miller”.
The past 30 days were so special in my life. I had the great opportunity of meeting yourself & Ed Tate in Saudi Arabia first and two weeks later I met with a third World champion “Jim key” in Saudi Arabia. And this week I met the fourth one in Qatar.
I really learnt a lot from you. You have already shortened my learning curve.
I still need your help to change public speaking from just a hoppy into an income source. I am very confident that I can impress any audience by delivering outstanding speeches, seminars and workshop. They had always surrounded me after my speeches and gave me spectacular testimonials.
What I still can’t do is make the talents/capabilities I have, which became the way they are after I had spent major investments, sources for income.
I would certainly need your help in that regard.
Thanks for such an excellent article.
Best Regards
Darren,
Thanks for your inspiring words.
I can’t say more for fear of spoiling the broth.