I’ve always enjoyed speaking in front of people. It probably helped that I was a cheerleader in high school. Fellow students enjoyed my book reports, and supervisors appreciated my engaging persona. Toastmasters was even easier for me. Neither extemporaneous and nor prepared presentations were frightening to me, and I realize that is not the case for everyone. However, it has only been in the last 5 years that I learned to make presentations that generate revenue.

I’m not always the smartest person in the room (no surprise, there), but my presentations are engaging, educational and entertaining. They draw people in. As I consider hiring people in the next year, these are the qualities that help Scientifically Speaking make money:

• Personality – People get facts and information from books and magazines. They listen to and pay people to speak because the speaker brings something special. Your personality draws them in. The audience feels like they are part of the event. Build a community of listeners when you speak, and they will pay you well.
• Change – My presentations change people’s lives and businesses. Professionals attend my webinars and workshops to improve their sales, relationships with customers and business operations. My quarterly list of top apps change how they use their iPhones and iPads. 
• Education – Everyone is an expert at something. My oldest daughter is an artist. My sister has 25 years experience teaching French. Presentations that generate revenue teach people something. Don’t ramble when you speak. The audience showed up to learn something. Put their education in bite-sized chunks and teach them.

Pitching Ideas to Investors

• Be Prepared – I arrive to my events 1-1/2 hours in advance…at least. My backpack has dozens of chords, cables and connectors. There are back ups of everything I need. When things go wrong during a presentation, I keep talking and don’t miss a beat. My preparation keeps the audience’s attention on me and what I am saying.
• Engaging – Dynamic preachers don’t stand behind the podium. They walk around on stage. Tony Robbins walks into the audience and touches people. He looks them in the eye. I am paid well to speak because I have conversations with the audience. During webinars I call people by name because they are part of our community. 

Public speaking is not easy. Giving presentations that generate revenue is even more difficult. I have been doing it for more that 20 years, and it doesn’t get easier. However, practice delivering presentations that are engaging, educational and entertaining, and people will pay handsomely for it. Preparing to pitch to investors or a non-technical group? We’d love to help!

Scientifically Speaking, of course…