My #1 takeaway from the National Speakers Association Conference, Toastmasters International Convention, and More! 🔥

Wow, what a whirlwind month it has been!

Between my own speaking engagements, I flew to Denver for the National Speakers Association (NSA) annual conference and tuned into the Toastmasters International Convention virtually.

I also had the incredible opportunity to witness NSA’s inaugural storytelling competition, "Last Story Standing," and the exhilarating World Championship of Public Speaking finals at Toastmasters. Both events were intense and riveting!

For the past three weeks, I’ve been deeply immersed in my own development, networking with fellow speakers, and observing top-tier speakers deliver their finest performances.

After reflecting on my notes and experiences from watching dozens of speeches, here’s my #1 takeaway:

Top Takeaway: The most powerful and influential speeches are not merely outlined—they are meticulously crafted with intention and artistry.

Professional speakers are akin to artists; yet our canvas is the audience. Mastering this art requires time, dedication, and an ongoing commitment to refinement.

Great speeches are not created overnight. They are honed through countless hours of design, practice, and refinement.

Each speech is unique, tailored to different audiences, objectives, and contexts. As I’ve often shared in my book, PAID to $PEAK: "A great speaker makes a great speech look easy."

As an audience member, it’s easy to be dazzled by a great speech and overlook the immense effort behind it. Whether it’s a five-minute story, a seven-minute World Championship speech, a sixty-minute keynote or a full day training, the brilliance you see delivered to an audience is the result of extensive preparation and strategic evolution over time.

The audience will rarely think about the extraordinary amount of time investment from the speaker. However, they will feel the experience created by the speaker.

"A great speech is a pre-requisite for getting PAID to $PEAK!"

This is why I have dedicated an entire chapter (i.e. Module 2) for how to craft a great speech inside PAID to $PEAK. In this Module I share my tips for not just drafting your speech outline, but more importantly how to magically create a 'heartbeat' experience with your audience.

Every second you invest in your speech is important and the ROI should pay off, literally!

Even with over 20 years of speaking experience and over 1,500 audiences across all 50 states, I am continually amazed by the depth of artistry, delivery techniques, and business acumen involved in professional speaking.

I share this not to discourage you, but to empower you. Crafting a compelling speech is a journey of dedication, risk-taking, and relentless improvement.

Many new speakers underestimate the time and effort required to perfect their craft and secure paid speaking engagements.

Will it happen overnight? No. But with perseverance and a long-game approach, success becomes more achievable.

There have been countless moments in my career when I’ve questioned why I cannot just seem to “show up” instead of investing extensive time in preparation. In these moments, I remind myself of the importance of continual growth and refinement, to try new things and study my client so I know how to best make influence and impact for them.

My involvement with organizations you see below fuel my passion for learning and sharing with other speakers:

So here’s my challenge to you ... embrace the artistry and professionalism of speaking. Commit to continuous learning and never settle into complacency.

If you’re ready to commit to this path, you’re on your way to greatness and mastery in your craft. Remember, as an artist, your audience is your canvas.

Keep honing your craft, and let your speeches reflect your dedication and artistry!

I wrote PAID to $PEAK to help you not only achieve your speaking goals, but accelerate and enjoy the journey!

Earn greatness today! Onward and upward!

Want to speak professionally, part-time or full-time?

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I've been honored to present for over 1,000,000 people through 1,150+ audiences in all 50 states and several countries. Whether I'm on a stage or in a training room with professionals or students, I absolutely LOVE motivating and inspiring people for higher performance. And in addition to my own speaking business, I have a passion for helping and coaching speakers learn how to catapult their speaking whether part-time or full-time. My book, PAID to SPEAK, outlines a proven model for speakers and is now an online course as well! Click here for online course info!

If you are serious about becoming a professional speaker, explore my coaching and mentorship options. I don't want you to flounder like I did and be frustrated.