First, the way you speak is the most prominent aspect of your personal brand. Yes, you do have a brand. You manage it either consciously or otherwise. Your brand is the sum total of everything people expect of you when you show up. Everything from what you normally wear to the things that you always do and say, and how you say them.



If you are curious as to what your brand looks like, here is a quick way to check out the status. Ask five of your friends to each give you five words that describe you, one of which is how you sound. This exercise is usually an eye opener.

If you think you dont give many presentations, think again. You are ALWAYS presenting. Whether you are speaking to your staff, a vendor or your supervisor you are presenting your opinion or view, and often you dont even need to say anything. Your body language is speaking volumes about you.

Secondly, ask yourself what is the main function of speech. What are we normally doing when we talk? Most of the time when we are communicating information, we try to influence or persuade someone to agree with us, or do something we want. Maybe its to persuade someone to hire us, or buy some of our stuff.

So, look around you. Do you have all the things you want? Are your relationships, finances and career where you want them to be? Are you as persuasive as you can be or are you sometimes disappointed?

Motivational speakers are skilled at presenting a compelling visual picture that other people will naturally aspire to. These are the skills that will pay top dollar.

Lastly, have you ever been asked to speak before some group? Do you remember how nervous and scared you were? I remember when I was learning to speak, I was so nervous before I was called to the stage I almost lost my lunch. I never wanted to be that afraid again.

This is the fear that holds many people back from being able to present in public. But, over the years I have found an easy method for managing this fear. It is a Tibetan breathing technique, coupled with some simple instruction and a little visualization that keeps tension easily under control. I have covered all the details of that technique in another article.

Consider this. The main difference between the really talented kid playing basketball behind the school and the really talented professional athlete who gets paid to play is a coach. Are you serious about making money by speaking? Then get real. Get a coach. Its the only way to get to professional grade.