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So you want to be a speaker?Ruby often gets asked how she got started as a speaker. Here is her story, in her own words, along with a few hints and resources to explore if you are interested in pursuing the speaking business..
Ruby's Story…After coaching swimming for 20 years, I developed Hypersensitivity
Pneumonitis or “HP” as the doctors called it. I basically
became allergic to pool air by spending up to 16 hours a day in
the damp environment. The doctors told me that if I wanted to clear
up my sinus problems and get rid of my cough, I needed to get out
of that pool environment. I figured if I couldn’t coach from
the pool deck anymore, perhaps I could become a “coach”
from another venue. That started my journey to professional speaking.
After three years of building up my clientele and creating seventeen different training programs, I had enough experience to make it in the speaking world. But all along I followed the advice of many speakers who say … “Don’t quit your day job until you are really ready and have business lined up.” Otherwise it makes it pretty tough to make the mortgage payment every month. That was clear back in 1996 when I made the leap to full-time professional speaking and it has been a great journey ever since. With the great support of my husband and friends, here I am with 1000 programs under my belt and my Certified Professional Speaker designation. If you are interested in pursuing this career and are ready to work night and day to become a speaker …here are some great resources that helped me along the way! ResourcesThe National Speakers Association is a tremendous resource for experts who speak professionally. Check out their web site for links to state chapters and information about upcoming educational conferences. Early in my career I attended every National Speakers Association Colorado Chapter meeting I could. If you are interested in finding a local chapter near you, please see the National Speakers Association website linked above. Other International Speakers Associations: The National Speakers Association of Australia Canadian Association of Professional Speakers
American Society for Training and Development Toastmasters International Organization Shopping Cart System: Affordable and Powerful. Click Here to try the World's Smartest Shopping Cart system. Practice Pay Solutions delivers personalized, convenient, and affordable credit card, electronic check, and e-commerce processing solutions. Selling by Phone: Learn How to Sell More, in Less Time, With No Rejection, When Using the Phone... Click Here for Details. A great book for anyone pursuing a speaking career: “Speak and Grow Rich” by Dottie and Lilly Walters. Link to their web site at: http://www.walters-intl.com. There you can sign up for a great e-zine or check out some of the great resources they offer. Another great e-zine newsletter is SpeakerNetNews created by Ken Braly and Rebecca Morgan, CSP, CMC. Tom Antion offers beginning speakers some great hints through his frequent e-zine. Check out Tom’s other products and sign up for his e-zine at: http://www.antion.com To sign up for a free magazine and e-zine about presentations visit – www.presentations.com Before you invest in any projector, check out prices and ratings at www.projectorcentral.com For creative training techniques check out my favorite trainer, Bob Pike at http://www.bobpikegroup.com VistaPrint - Best Printing, Best Price. Use this link to receive a special discount.
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