It begins with being very clear about exactly what it is you want. Create a list of what you’d like to have in your life.

You may want publicity, higher income, higher profile, becoming known internationally, getting a publisher, an editor, a web designer, a mentor, a mastermind group, more travel, better technology, a logo.

It all starts with a wish list. Make a long one and revise it on a monthly basis. If you take this process seriously, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll fulfill your wishes. When you do create your wish list, think big.

What’s on your wish list?

Here’s how I started claiming my power – on a very small scale initially! Ten years ago, I went to Nova Scotia to make a career change from teaching to speaking and writing. I was completely unknown, finding a new direction, breaking into a new field and rapidly running out of money.

That’s a great formula for stress. I buried all my bills deep in my filing cabinet but I swear I could smell them smoldering away!

Well, clearly I’m the kind of person who loves a challenge because although I was sweating about the possibility of total abject failure, I was also really having fun exploring new ideas and options.

Steven Covey was holding a day long seminar that I really wanted to attend – but I just didn’t have the funds… This was not a new situation for me. In fact, this was repeated over and over again. I had to say no too many things I wanted to do but I just didn’t have the funds. So I kept saying ‘No’ until I decided not to say No to things I wanted ever again.  Ever.

Instead I would say No to such limited thinking on my part. A big NO!! This was the moment I said ENOUGH! I will not live like this any longer. And that was the moment my life changed. I swear with that loud resounding NO, the entire universe rearranged itself. The events that followed certainly made it seem like that.

So, with a new mindset, I phoned the Stephen Covey organizer and said “I’d like a press pass for this event. I’d be happy to write a review for the local paper. And I know some people. I can help you publicize this event.”

Never mind that the local paper had a very small distribution, I not only attended the event, I got to meet and interview Steven Covey afterwards.  Not everyone’s a writer but anyone can write an article for the local newspaper.

And I’m not suggesting you need to come from a place of frustration as I did before you begin to wield your influence. In fact, you’ll be more effective when you come from a place of strength.

Check out an event you’d like to attend. How about a weekend long retreat in Hawaii led by someone who inspires you to new heights? Someone who can help you build your business? Whatever it is that appeals to you. Or wherever. You CAN pay for it of course, but you may decide you’d rather use those funds for something else.

Tally up exactly what it is that you have to offer. When you create a list, you’ll see that you have more than you think. Part of that list is to map out the sphere of influence you already have. How many people do you know? How can you reach them? Do you have an online newsletter or are you a member of different groups?

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Don’t ask which topics are the most requested. It’s the wrong question. You need to ask what you’re most passionate about and then find a link between your passion, your topic and what the marketplace is looking for. What’s really important to the buyer and to your audience is your strong and powerful connection to your topic. There are many many ways you can spin in so that it addresses a need in the market. But don’t start out trying to please the market, please yourself and the market will love you. YOUR market will, in any case. And that’s all you’ll need.

The field of professional speaking is a very poorly understood market.  Most people just kind of accidentally fall into it rather than taking control of their own future from the very beginning by being proactive in their careers, by deciding for themselves what to charge, what speeches they want to give, what they stand for and who their prospective clients are.

Over and over again, I see speakers underplay their hand, they’re way too modest in how they’re describing themselves and their marketing material doesn’t stand out at all so they get lost in the crowd.  That’s where I’ve been really helpful with my clients because I can see the bigger picture much easier than they can.

In this business, I’m sure you’ve discovered that you’re not selling yourself as much as you’re selling your package. After all, it’s the package, not you, that gets passed around to committee members at the decision-making meeting. It’s fair to assume that you’ll have some stiff competition.

Does your promotional material truly represent you? Does it have great design along with strong testimonials from people with great credentials? How about a solid client list of groups that you’ve spoken to? And a recent professional photo? Those are the basics you’ll need to just compete and here’s – in my very biased view– what will make you outstanding? Great speech titles are essential, much like the handle on your coffee mug.

You want titles that will draw in your prospect and make them inclined to hire you because they personally would like to hear your speech. Rarely does one person have decision-making power but each person on the committee certainly has persuasive power. Would YOU hire you?  If not, you’ve got some work to do!

I’ve created an assessment form that has proven to be an extremely useful clarifying exercise for the speakers I work with one-on-one. It really opens their eyes to their strengths and weaknesses in their speaking career. I’ve recently spent hours making it even more comprehensive and thorough.

Jamie Clarke was one of the best speakers I’ve ever seen. I was sitting at the back of the auditorium out of the fear that listening to a speaker for an hour would be boring and I could escape easily if I needed to. There was no need!

Jamie ran onstage and rather than loud music and huge fanfare, picked up the microphone and said quietly “Good evening ladies and gentlemen.” It was as though he spoke directly to each of us and he had us all in the palm of his hand from that moment on.

After that, he showed fabulous slides of his journey walking across the Saharan desert and mentioned briefly his climb up Mount Everest. He had us enthralled and took us on his adventure with him.  So we all felt like heroes although we were safely in our seats!

 When we left, a woman turned to her husband and said “I know he climbed Mt. Everest but how did he do this here tonight?”  And I thought, “Right. This was a great accomplishment!” And a rare one. How good a speaker are you? And how can you become the champion speaker?