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. Increase your professional speaking success by creating a database of potential clients who may be hiring conference speakers in the future. Contact universities, colleges and professors. You can also try contacting your local speaker bureaus, non-profit organizations, corporations and even libraries.

4. When starting a motivational speaking business, you may want to check the speaker forums for jobs. You’ll find that many jobs aren’t paid ones, but they may help you build your credibility in your niche. The key thing to remember is to 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. There are directories that are published that list all the paying markets within a niche. No directory is ever complete, but it will provide you enough contact to keep your business going. There are three main directories that can be helpful with research: The National Trade and Professional Associations Directory, The Directory of Association Meeting Planners and the Directory of Corporate Meeting Planners. These directories do cost a bit to acquire, but they’ll make researching your niche easier than ever!

7. The last source of potential paid public speaking jobs are referrals. As you build up a network of peers and clients in your niche market, referrals will help bring your name to the forefront when conference planners are looking to hire. One thing I know is that the person who markets first to the conference planner when they are ready to hire will get the job. Your job is to be there first!

I’ve got one last thing to share with you. Remember that you can find the people who have the money to pay you to speak. You’ve got a number of resources to help you with researching your niche market. Once you get started working a few gigs, don’t be afraid to go after the big money!

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