How often do you wish you were more proficient at public speaking? Public speaking or giving presentations can take you places you might not ever get to go otherwise. It gives you the opportunity to meet people outside your circle and it opens doors that might have remained closed.

Did you have a chance to speak at an event or meeting in 2004? Did you take advantage of it or did you decline? Were you given an interview opportunity? Did you capitalize on it or defer to another?

What stopped you? * Afraid of public speaking * Embarrassed that you will seem too brash or unprofessional * Feel like you might not look or present your best * Concerned no one will take you seriously

These are not legitimate reasons for passing up a valuable chance to enhance your visibility and credibility.

There a countless opportunities to speak before groups large and small. Organizations are always on the lookout for interesting topics and new faces. Make it your goal to follow though on at least one professional speaking opportunity monthly for the rest of this year.

Start by seeking out organizations in your industry. Look for associations with local chapters, upcoming conferences and trade events. Look at the conference program. Is there an angle that showcases your expertise? Is there some newsworthy event or activity that relates to your background?

Scan headlines and look at the current trends. Be creative in what topics you can speak to. This is spring so everyone is weight conscious and wants to look good for summer -- bathing suit time. Let's explore that initiative. Here are some program angles: * Diets * Fashions * Skin care * Vacation spots/planning * Swimsuits * Memorial Day * Picnics * Food poisoning * Bugs * Airplanes * Gas prices

Get the picture? It's easy to pick something newsworthy and put a spin on it that allows you to speak about. Remember sometimes controversy is a good door opener especially if you can give a different slant to "hot button” topics. Are there any POPE experts in the audience? Just kidding, but do consider current events and your position on them when identifying speaking engagements.

Organizations are always on the lookout for interesting topics. The cleverer you spin your angle the more interested the booking team will be. Come up with a witty title. That is what will sell them on your presentation. They need people to come to the event so the more interesting your topic the more people it will draw. TIP: Stay away from overdone or common place topics and topics with a clear delineation of the so-called experts. On the other hand, remember this if no one is speaking about your topic there probably isn't any interest in it.

Keep in mind the time factor. The larger the event the farther out they generally book speakers. This is where the Web really helps out. Search the site and find the contact person for booking speakers. The information you need could b

e on the speaker proposal page, call for presentations or abstracts section of the site. Spend time reading the guidelines posted or available as a PDF. Many times you will find this info in the FAQ section. Look at the information carefully. Many times there are special stipulations. This is also the time to find out if you will get paid, have travel expenses covered and get free hotel accommodations. In most cases, this is negotiable. Start by asking for everything and honorarium plus expenses then deal down as necessary.

If there is no money, look for other ways to make up for it: a free booth, a place to sell your stuff, additional days at the hotel at the staff rate, discounts for attendees. You can also look for a sponsor to defray expense. Just make sure what you will be doing for the sponsorship dollars is very clear.

Once the gig is set don't forget the obvious: market, market, market. The more you market yourself as a speaker the more engagements will come your way. Sign up for speakers bureaus too. Some of these can be utilized at a very nominal cost. See http://www.womeninpackaging.org/packaging-speakers.html as an example.

Put together a personal press kit to use when pitching your presentation. This packet should contain: * Clever pitch letter * Personal press release for trade pubs general publication. * List of some of the free pr distribution services * A creative catchy SIG file * A 30 second elevator pitch * A hook to reel them in * Up to date photo

So don't wait to get started speaking your way to fame and fortune.

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