Additional Information
Whether you're interested in giving lectures, seminars or workshops, you'll
need to have training or experience in whatever you're interested in talking
about. If you're planning to give workshops on desktop publishing, you'd better
have some training in the field.
It's also a good idea to see public speakers whenever you can. You can
learn a lot just by watching others do it.
"Get lots of experience first before you set out on your own," says Bob
Davis, a corporate speaker from New Jersey.
You can also talk to a speaker and get some advice from them.
"When you find a speaker you like, talk to them and try and stay connected
with them," says Jim Mulvaney, who holds seminars on using the Internet.
There are no college or university programs for public speaking. However,
institutions sometimes offer individual classes on public speaking. Check
with a local college or community association for more information on this.
Also look into associations like Toastmasters International, Dale Carnegie
Incorporated or other public speaking associations.
Finally, it's important to be yourself when you're speaking in public.
"You have to be real up there -- you have to be yourself. You can't be
up there trying to look good," says Mulvaney.