Public Speaking History

Posted by Crystal Greenfield on August 17, 2010

There never has developed in the history of the world a time when the spoken word has been equaled in value and importance by any other means of communication. If one traces the development of mankind from what he considers its earliest stage he’ll find that the wandering family of savages depended entirely upon what its members said to one another. A little later when a group of families made a clan or tribe the individuals still heard the commands of the leader, or in tribal council voiced their own opinions. The beginnings of poetry show us the bard who recited to his audiences. Drama, in all primitive societies a valuable spreader of knowledge, entertainment, and religion, is entirely oral. In so late and well organized communities as the city republics of Greece all matters were discussed in open assemblies of the rather small populations.

Every great epoch of the world’s progress shows the supreme importance of speech upon human action collective and individual. In the Roman Forum were made speeches that affected the entire ancient world. Renaissance Italy, imperial Spain, unwieldy Russia, freedom loving England, revolutionary France, all experienced periods when the power of certain men to speak stirred other men into tempestuous action.

The history of the united states might almost be written as the continuous record of the influence of great speakers upon others. The colonists were led to concerted action by persuasive speeches. The Colonial Congresses and Constitutional Convention were dominated by powerful orators. The history of the slavery problem is mainly the story of famous speeches and debates. Most of the active representative Americans have been leaders because of their ability to impress their fellows by their power of expressing sentiments and enthusiasms which all would voice if they could. Presidents have been nominated and candidates elected because of this equipment.

During the Great War the millions of the world were as much concerned with what some of their leaders were saying as with what their other leaders were doing.

There is no aspect of modern life in which the spoken work is not supreme in importance. Representatives of the nations of the world deciding upon a peace treaty and deliberating upon a League of Nations sway and are swayed by speech. National assemblies from the strangely named new ones of infant nations to the century old organizations speak, and listen to speeches. In state legislatures, municipal councils, law courts, religious organizations, theaters, lodges, societies, boards of directors, stockholders’ meetings, business discussions, classrooms, dinner parties, social functions, friendly calls in every human relationship where two people meet there’s communication by means of speech.

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Do You Honestly Want A Profitable Public Speaking Business?

Posted by Scott A. Dennison on October 19, 2009

When you look back on this year, will you say that your public speaking business was undergoing a boom or a bust? If you are like so many other speakers, this has been a trying year; one where the recession really took a bite out of the meetings marketplace and made speaking engagements difficult to find.

A study of businesses started in recessions shows that many of them go on to have unusual levels of success in years when the economy is growing well. The good news is that with a few minor changes to your business model and your public speaking business can be positioned for greatness in years to come.

First is to understand that your real client is not the meeting planner, it is the attendee in your meeting. Perhaps more important is that with the power of the Internet, you can find people who want and need your unique message and build relationships with them, no matter where on earth they may be. Those relationships can lead to the sale of your books, audios, videos, seminars or whatever you create based on your message. Isn’t that exciting?

Second is you should realize that “content is king” and that from this day forward you should never give a talk without recording it. You never know when the opportunity to monetize that recording will come your way. If you did not record it then those who were in attendance who wanted to hear it again or share you with friends are out of luck. You may even want to offer the recording to audience members in exchange for their email address.

Finally, in today’s market, your Internet presence can be the thing that separates you from the masses of people who call themselves speakers. The largest potential audience for any speaker is going to be found online and the way they’ll find you is through your website. It must be alive with fresh content, online video, a blog and you’ll also want to be skilled in social media marketing.

In summary, even though there are less speaking engagements than ever, there are massive opportunities to find, attract and build relationships with consumers of your unique message all over the world. When you learn to properly market your public speaking business online, you can earn more money, travel less and sleep in your own bed more often.

Want to find out about the future of public speaking, then visit Scott Dennison’s site to get my free report and some great public speaking tips to help you become a more profitable speaker – no matter the economy!