At NCR, Ira Hayes developed a sales training program based on his success selling cash registers.  He had one professional program, Keeping Pace with Tomorrow.  He liked saying, "It's easier to find a new audience than develop a new program."

"After I gave a speech on customer service to my women's professional group, I was asked,  'How much do you charge?'"  Patricia Fripp, Past President of the National Speakers Association, whose men's hair styling business was renowned for customer service.

Two others were standup comics who created unique ways to use their skill at meetings.

Another was a successful lawyer and rancher, a humorist in the Twain and Rogers tradition, who spoke wherever he was asked, whenever he could.  He was invited to Wolftrap.

My story is different, too.  When I was laid off in 1986 I became a consultant.  A friend urged me to develop and teach technical seminars which I did until I retired in 2001.

Important Note:  Every successful professional speaker I know, a) became a top speaker first and b) a professional second.  Many (most?) failed aspirants short change part a).

Recommendation:  Spend all the time you can with pros.  We're in the same business, but we're not.  Our SMEs set us apart.  Becoming a professional member of the National Speakers Association accelerated my professional development.