I enjoy speaking to audiences! But, sometimes I do not take full pleasure in the necessary writing of the speech, the crafting of the speech insiders would say. It takes time to find the right words, and then better words after you have found those. In the past I always wanted to come off as totally spontaneous and as if the speech just came off the top of my head. I learned that without preparation, and practice it just does not happen that way!

As a professional speaker I admit I wanted to be the Robin Williams of speakers. Surely, you have noticed Mr. Williams' frenetic energy, and his...spontaneity. Not quite Mister Williams. You see, I am also a stand up comedian. I traveled in those circles (and still stand at the periphery looking in) I happen to know that Mr. Williams spontaneous act is hardly spontaneous. It is planned. Well thought out, even practiced. What makes Mr. Williams carry that off with precision is simply that precision. He is a professional. Notice how professionals always make what they do appear to look easy? And then YOU attempt to do it and it is god awful hard! Mr. Williams has perfected his craft.

The two great things about public speaking (ahh, finally the reward for reading this!) are...well number one is Toastmasters. Previously, I thought that Toastmasters was for, well, for people at the amateur stage of public speaking. Man was I wrong. I learned how wrong I was at a well regarded Speakers convention where the best, brightest and most successful speakers took to the stage. I was shocked at how many of those speakers drilled into the audience the importance of joining and actively participating in Toastmasters! Toastmasters affords you the ability to practice, evolve as a speaker, as well as honing your writing talent in a supportive community.

Here is great thing number two, the National Speakers Association (NSA) I belong to NSAOhio chapter. Every Sunday meeting that I attend is overarchingly beneficial in crafting and honing both my speaking ability and growing my business as a speaker. NSA is the professional business development part of the speaking business. Our NSAOhio chapter is incredible in that we are well regarded (well deserved regard) and therefore able to attract the best speakers to present at our meetings.

So, there you have it. Now go out and do it. Join a Toastmasters and participate at every meeting! Join a chapter of NSA in your state or locality or directly at the national level. See you at a convention!