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From the Soapbox to the Stage: How to Use Your Passion to Start a Speaking Business
Inside every adult is an instinctive desire to help and serve others. It's also part of our nature to want to do things that keep us engaged and excited about getting up in the morning. If you've figured out how to bring this balance into your life, others will want to hear about the information, ideas, knowledge and strategies you've used to build and live a more fulfilling life. You are an expert at something, and we all possess knowledge or information that can help others. We just don't always have the opportunity to share it because we spent most of our time working to achieve other people's agendas. It doesn't have to be that way. In this book you'll learn how to combine your knowledge and passion to share, educate, inspire or entertain others as a professional speaker. You'll learn easy steps for developing and organizing your message, finding your audiences, building a speaking business, and presenting yourself as the kind of professional people look forward to working with and listening to. Now is the time to tap into your passion and develop it into an expertise you can move From the Soapbox to the Stage!
254 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2013
3 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Bill Corbett
9 books7 followersBill Corbett is an award winning professional speaker who has been speaking since 1995. He has been on stages across the U.S. for everything from brief lectures to keynote speeches to multi-day training events. He is a regular contributor to network television affiliates, and produces and hosts his own television show.
Bill is an award-winning author, writes a syndicated column, produced the Top-Notch Presentation Skills training video, lectures on leadership and communication skills, and provides coaching to individuals who aspire to develop their speaking business skills.
After traveling and lecturing nationally for several years, Bill sat down and wrote this book in response to something audience members said to him over and over: “I want to do what you do. How do I do it?” You are holding the result in your hands; a step-by-step blueprint for re-inventing yourself, using your expertise to start a speaking business and bringing your passion to the world!
Bill is an award-winning author, writes a syndicated column, produced the Top-Notch Presentation Skills training video, lectures on leadership and communication skills, and provides coaching to individuals who aspire to develop their speaking business skills.
After traveling and lecturing nationally for several years, Bill sat down and wrote this book in response to something audience members said to him over and over: “I want to do what you do. How do I do it?” You are holding the result in your hands; a step-by-step blueprint for re-inventing yourself, using your expertise to start a speaking business and bringing your passion to the world!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 17, 2013
From the Soapbox to the Stage: How to Use Your Passion to Start a Speaking Business
Instead of ranting and raving to relatives (well, you know, be on a soapbox), it is great to know there are books like this one by Bill Corbett that provides practical information and advice about how to take those ideas to the actual stage. There are networks I knew nothing about until now. Very interesting and helpful.
Bill Corbett writes as if you are on the journey with him from the first time he thought of his idea to become a speaker through the hows, whys, where, what --- and all the questions you could possibly have to what to charge and how to make the media kit. He tells what to do and why with clear explanations.
I think this book would be a great read for other kinds of business changes a person might do, also. I like to write curriculum and this book has made me think about what I am doing in a new way. If you want to start a business, this book could be read for inspiration and concrete information about making the changes you want to make. I think this book has broader appeal than just for starting a speaking business.
Instead of ranting and raving to relatives (well, you know, be on a soapbox), it is great to know there are books like this one by Bill Corbett that provides practical information and advice about how to take those ideas to the actual stage. There are networks I knew nothing about until now. Very interesting and helpful.
Bill Corbett writes as if you are on the journey with him from the first time he thought of his idea to become a speaker through the hows, whys, where, what --- and all the questions you could possibly have to what to charge and how to make the media kit. He tells what to do and why with clear explanations.
I think this book would be a great read for other kinds of business changes a person might do, also. I like to write curriculum and this book has made me think about what I am doing in a new way. If you want to start a business, this book could be read for inspiration and concrete information about making the changes you want to make. I think this book has broader appeal than just for starting a speaking business.
August 10, 2013
`Rule #1: Find Mentors' - And You've Found Him Here!
Bill Corbett has written a book about becoming a speaker as an occupation - a topic likely few of us have ever considered, but read this book and become so energized that NOT becoming a speaker seems improbable. From his history of moving from a routine good job into the field of becoming a highly skilled (and paid) public speaker may seem a dream scheme, but as he states, `No matter what you say about my dream to become a speaker, it is still a worthwhile dream, and I will remain steadfast to pursue it.' He states the reasons for becoming a professional speaker are `1) to stop existing as someone else's employee and 2) to allow you to live a more fulfilling life by using you passion and gifts to help others life a better life.' The entire book carries that degree of passion.
For anyone who is keen on the idea of being self employed in a field that provides excitement and joy, Corbett suggests asking ourselves the following: `What do I love enough to do for free? What do I do that causes time to feel different? What do I enjoy regardless of the opinions of other people? If only my life changed, would that be enough/ Are there any patterns in the things I like doing?' From that starting point he takes the reader step by step through the process he has discovered that leads to success as public speaker. A very few of his bits of advice and mentoring include how to find your area of expertise, how to prepare yourself to appear before an audience (tone, expression on face, body language must convey your words), passion happens when you really care about something, research your topic to become an expert in that line of thinking and YOUR CONTENT IS THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR SPEAKING CAREER - QUALITY, EARN EXPERT CREDENTIALS. Top-notch, in-demand speakers must have a thorough knowledge base from which to speak and the skill to present that knowledge in an informative and interesting format and always be engaged in self-improvement.
The remainder of the book includes the nuts and bolts of setting up a portable office, getting an online presence, speak for free and get noticed, how to get on radio and television talk shows, make brochures that include a meaningful photographic image and past customer comments, how to nurture relationships with audiences, and even how to write an eBook about your passionate area of interest! It is all here, a goldmine of information delivered in the most conversational manner believable. Highly recommended!
Grady Harp
Bill Corbett has written a book about becoming a speaker as an occupation - a topic likely few of us have ever considered, but read this book and become so energized that NOT becoming a speaker seems improbable. From his history of moving from a routine good job into the field of becoming a highly skilled (and paid) public speaker may seem a dream scheme, but as he states, `No matter what you say about my dream to become a speaker, it is still a worthwhile dream, and I will remain steadfast to pursue it.' He states the reasons for becoming a professional speaker are `1) to stop existing as someone else's employee and 2) to allow you to live a more fulfilling life by using you passion and gifts to help others life a better life.' The entire book carries that degree of passion.
For anyone who is keen on the idea of being self employed in a field that provides excitement and joy, Corbett suggests asking ourselves the following: `What do I love enough to do for free? What do I do that causes time to feel different? What do I enjoy regardless of the opinions of other people? If only my life changed, would that be enough/ Are there any patterns in the things I like doing?' From that starting point he takes the reader step by step through the process he has discovered that leads to success as public speaker. A very few of his bits of advice and mentoring include how to find your area of expertise, how to prepare yourself to appear before an audience (tone, expression on face, body language must convey your words), passion happens when you really care about something, research your topic to become an expert in that line of thinking and YOUR CONTENT IS THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR SPEAKING CAREER - QUALITY, EARN EXPERT CREDENTIALS. Top-notch, in-demand speakers must have a thorough knowledge base from which to speak and the skill to present that knowledge in an informative and interesting format and always be engaged in self-improvement.
The remainder of the book includes the nuts and bolts of setting up a portable office, getting an online presence, speak for free and get noticed, how to get on radio and television talk shows, make brochures that include a meaningful photographic image and past customer comments, how to nurture relationships with audiences, and even how to write an eBook about your passionate area of interest! It is all here, a goldmine of information delivered in the most conversational manner believable. Highly recommended!
Grady Harp
July 28, 2013
Bill Corbett has really outdone himself in his newest book, From the Soapbox to the Stage: How to use your Passion to Start a Speaking Business. Already a fan of Bill’s Cooperative Kids books and program, I jumped at the chance for an early read of his latest creation. Any reader should appreciate his candor and willingness to share his secrets of success. The common sense recommendations and easy to understand advice found within the pages of this book, in typical Bill Corbett style, will resonate with speakers of all types. He has managed to proactively think of everything than anyone could need to know about starting a speaking business or surviving a presentation for work or educational purposes. This is a definite must read.~ Debbie Callahan M.S.Ed. (Educator, Writer, Editor)
August 5, 2013
There’s nothing more exciting than doing what you love to do – except for maybe when you also get to stand on a stage and share it with an audience. If you’ve been dreaming about standing on a stage, Bill Corbett’s book provides a step-by-step guide that will help get you there. Read it, learn from it, and then step up!
August 13, 2013
Loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews