Speaking helps build credibility. When you speak to a group, organization, or audience— whether niche-marketed or general—you create credibility for what it is that you do.  You are using one of the most basic tools that we as human beings possess; and that is communication.  The power and gift of effective, engaging, compelling communication is not to be overlooked or underestimated.  It provides benefit for the listener in whatever it is that you’re sharing with them; it serves your need to promote your products or services; and on a very subtle level it builds community and connection, reminding us that we all have the same basic needs and that we can help one another to fulfill them.

By using the gift of speech to convey your message to a population of people who might otherwise not know of your group coaching program, you not only establish yourself as a presence in their mind, but you’re actually building your reputation and credibility as a business or entrepreneur that offers the world something of value.

Here are more ways to promote and grow your group coaching business by speaking:

Be Niche Specific
Have a specific area of expertise. Clients will not want to hear that you can cover any topic that they need. Being good at many things is not as impressive as being great at one thing. Find a need and fill it.

Target your Market
Your niche tells you who you are selling to. Think of your general market and consider what problems you can solve for them. The answers to this will give you content for the future and specify what you are currently working with.

Give Benefits not Features
Illustrate how your content can help your audience, not what is great about your ideas. People want to know what is in it for them. Take your objective and apply it to your potential client.

Give Away your Ideas
Draw traffic to your website with free downloads. If you don’t have an online presence, you can opt for a written document as a handout. However, hard-format allows audiences to put it to the side and forget it, plus you miss the internet browsers. Create definite action by collecting their leads before you give away a paper that contains detail of your work.

Be a person of action. Share with us how you have used or will use these tips to grow your group coaching business. If you want more information on how to speak and grow your business, check out my CD/DVD entitled "Speak to Grow Your Business: The Formula to Speak Your Way to Millions." How have you used the power of your voice to grow your business?

DeLores Pressley, Professional Speaking Expert

DeLores Pressley is an international keynote speaker, author, life coach and the Founder of the Born Successful Institute and DeLores Pressley Worldwide. DeLores has spoken to more than 107,000 people in over 65 major cities and countries. She has been interviewed on America’s top rated shows including, OPRAH and Entertainment Tonight. She produces Speak for Hire, an educational program teaching entrepreneurs, speakers and coaches how to speak and grow their business. More about DeLores

"You don't have to see the entire staircase to take the first step" is one of my favorite quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sometimes we do take steps to grow our business because of fear. You may be thinking that you cannot be a speaker because you do know how to write a speech.

Speaking helps build creditability. Your group coaching services give you a presence in the marketplace. Learn to leverage your presence by speaking about your business. Take every opportunity to share information about your group coaching business.

Go to your local Chamber of Commerce and ask to speak at their meetings. In the last year, I spoke at two Chambers and both resulted in major contracts; with a university and a public transportation company. Don't let any fears of not knowing how to write a speech keep you from growing your business.

Here are a few tips on how to write a powerful speech:

Begin with the End

Start your writing with the ending in mind. What is the purpose of your message? Once you have this definitive point prepared as an objective, it should drive all else beneath it. Note that objectives are measurable, have a time frame, and are attainable.

Hear not Listen

As you write, think about how your words will sound – not how they are read. Speaking is always more finite and simple than how a novel is done. If you don’t realize this crucial fact, your speech ends up sounding monotonous.

Brainstorm Keys Points

Key points should easily flow out of your objective. Write these down, individually, on slips of paper and physically arrange them in order. Consider this order, and then possibly rearrange them to create natural links between each. This task creates flow.

Themes to Establish

Besides flow, themes are also important. Group similar topics together to set up themes to your work, and you will find that your audience walks away with a better grasp of your ideas.

Questions don’t need Answers

Ask questions that don’t require an answer. Listeners will silently consider the answer in their heads, and then you can illustrate a story or fact that either agrees or disagrees with their answer to make a statement.

Ready to write your powerful speech?  What's your next step?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

DeLores Pressley, Professional Speaking Expert

DeLores Pressley is an international keynote speaker, author, life coach and the Founder of the Born Successful Institute and DeLores Pressley Worldwide. DeLores has spoken to more than 107,000 people in over 65 major cities and countries. She has been interviewed on America’s top rated shows including, OPRAH and Entertainment Tonight. She produces Speak for Hire, an educational program teaching entrepreneurs, speakers and coaches how to speak and grow their business. More about DeLores

In the wake of the economic challenge all businesses large or small are learning how to adapt to these constantly changing times. One awesome way to adapt is to use the power of your voice to grow your business. Your group coaching business is about engaging and connecting with your clients.

In the modeling world, one agency's slogan was, "you don't have to be a professional model to look like one".

Well, "you don't have to be a professional speaker to sound like one."

Having the proper tools of a professional speaker will help build credibility for your coaching.  There are many facets to being an awesome group coach and having great platform and stage skills will contribute to your business success.

Here are a few stage and platform tips you want to consider:

• Meet the Venue
  Set up an early visit to the location of your presentation. Get familiar with the room’s set-up so that you can fine-tune your audio visual details to suit. This will also reduce speaking anxiety.
• Pave your Introduction
  Write an intro and provide it to your host in advance of the event. In this way you can control your lead-in and gain some credibility that appears to come from an outside source.
• Wear Proper Stage Attire
  Wear clothes that are one subtle notch above your audience. Human nature draws people to admire and emulate a person who appears successful. Boost your own confidence at the same time.
• Mingle Early and Late
  Make time for schmoozing before you present. Be sure to factor time spent on equipment set-up, and also leave time for more ‘meet and greets’ afterwards. Your listeners will want to get details or discuss questions.
• Breathe
  When you feel yourself getting nervous or anxious – stop, refocus and remember to breathe. Use controlled breathing to calm yourself and regain your composure.

These are a few ideas to get you started.  I'll share more details about each tip over the next several blog posts.  Share your comments and let me know your thoughts.

DeLores Pressley, Professional Speaking Expert

DeLores Pressley is an international keynote speaker, author, life coach and the Founder of the Born Successful Institute and DeLores Pressley Worldwide. DeLores has spoken to more than 107,000 people in over 65 major cities and countries. She has been interviewed on America’s top rated shows including, OPRAH and Entertainment Tonight. She produces Speak for Hire, an educational program teaching entrepreneurs, speakers and coaches how to speak and grow their business. More about DeLores