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I want to help you start your motivational speaking business and train you to make more and more money in your motivational speaking career. One question I get all the time is, “James, how do I get paid public speaking jobs?” These jobs are out there but you need to know where to look in order to find them. Here are just a few ideas.

1) Look for organizations that serve the niche you’re in. For example in the niche I’m in, I’d take a look at DECA marketing organizations, FCCLA. If you’re in the real estate industry, take a look at investor associations, the national board of realtors or even local community associations.

2) Research public speaking jobs in related associations within your niche. Don’t be afraid to network yourself and get the contact information of the conference coordinator even if you weren’t hired as their keynote speaker.

3) Creating a database of potential clients who may be searching for conference speakers in the future can help increase your professional speaking success. You can do this by contacting universities, colleges and professors. Be sure to also try and contact your local speakers bureaus, non-profit organizations, corporations and even libraries.

4) You may want to check out the speaker forums for jobs when starting a professional speaking business. Many jobs aren’t paid ones, you’ll find, but they may be useful in helping you create credibility in your niche. It is key that you remember eventually go after higher and higher paying jobs instead of working for free.

5) As you figure out how to get bookings for motivational speaking, you’ll develop a system to keep track of all the places you’ll market yourself to. The internet is also going to be very helpful in providing contact information for organizations and conferences that are hiring motivational speakers. Just do a search for “calls for speakers” or “speakers wanted” and you’ll have a hefty listing to work through.

6) In order to find all the paying markets in your particular area of expertise you can use directories. Do try to remember however that no directory is complete, but it will help provide enough contact to keep your business up and running. The three main directories that are helpful when trying to do research: The National Trade and Professional Associations Directory, The Directory of Association Meeting Planners and the Directory of Corporate Meeting Planners. They’ll make researching your niche easier than ever however these directories do cost a bit to acquire.

7) Referrals are the last source of potential paid public speaking jobs. Building up a network of peers and clients in your area of expertise can create referrals, helping to bring your name to the attention of event coordinators looking to hire. The person who markets first to event coordinator is the one who will get the job when they are ready to hire. Make sure you are the one there first!

One last thing I’ve got to share with you. Be sure to remember that you can always find the people who have the money you need to pay to hear you speak. With these resources you can get started on researching your particular area of expertise. And once you done a number of gigs, get out there and go after the big money!

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