My Journey in Five Leaps of Training
Leap #1 - TOASTMASTERS
No matter what level of speaker you are, you can benefit from the practice and feedback you get from joining a local Toastmasters club. I am shy and it took a great deal of effort to speak in public, especially to a group of more than four people. I've been in Toastmasters for almost seven years and am not only able to give prepared talks but am more comfortable with speaking off the cuff.
With its updated education program, you can chose from 11 Pathways to help you develop greater leadership as well as communication skills. What's even better - the low cost. My clubs cost $51/6 monthsGo to Toastmasters.org to find a club.
Leap #2 - STAGETIME UNIVERSITY
Even though Stagetime is more expensive, I've found it to be a real turning point in how I give speeches. In the Presentation Mastery series, you can find content given by World Champion speaker, Darren La Croix and speech master Patricia Fripp. Fripps speech model outline has changed how I organize my content. Of course, the most important thing is what you want your audience to walk away with at the end. Starting with your message and audience take away, you then organize your points, examples and finally, you create your opening and closing.
In addition to content from Fripps and La Croix, you'll have access to storytelling with La Croix and Craig Valentine and weekly live coaching calls with other World Class speakers and presenters.
The Presentation Mastery series is $47/month as of this writing.
I've been a part of the Business Mastery series for 2 years. With information on how to get paid as a speaker, marketing, and logistics of a speaking career, I have my game plan on improving my business model with speaking and coaching at the forefront. The Business Mastery series runs $77/month and includes the Presentation Mastery series.
Go to StagetimeUniversity.com for more information on the variety of programs offered in each series.
Leap #3 - CRAIG VALENTINE's 52SPEAKINGTIPS.COM
I discovered Craig Valentine in the video from the Toastmasters International Convention in 2019. Craig's speaking style, message and humor inspired me to improve my speaking skills, especially delivery. You can get Craig's speaking tips by signing up for 52speakingtips.com. In this free series, you'll get to experience some of Craig's best stories and learn to improve your speaking skills.
Craig has additional content from in StageTime University's Presentation programs and additional programs at his website CraigValentine.com.
Leap #4 - WORLD CLASS SPEAKING COACH TRAINING
Once you are on the mailing lists for Craig Valentine, you'll probably come across a link for this training. Certified World Class Speaking Coach training is lead by Craig Valentine and Mitch Meyerson, who developed the Guerrilla Marketing Coaching program. Mitch is an expert on Mastering Online Marketing and has authored numerous books on marketing and coaching.
Wait for special discounts on this once a year training usually held starting in July for 12 weeks. I know that I paid less than $2000 and found it worth my time and energy, not only in learning to coach others, but also improving my own speaking skills. The best part - a three-person accountability group that met once a week to practice our homework exercises.
To find out more, go to MasteringOnlineMarketing.com.
Leap #5 - NATIONAL SPEAKERS ASSOCIATION
This is a new step for me. I am an academy member since I do not currently earn more than $25,000/year as a speaker. The cost is $75 new member fee plus $560 for an annual membership.
I have already found another speaking mentor - Bill Stainton. I love his style, his message and his delivery (didn't I say the same thing about Craig Valentine?).
This membership has the benefits of a new archive of presentation materials, contacts and inspirations. Find out more at NSASpeaker.org.