Good Toastmaster vs. Professional Speaker

People ask me, “What’s the difference between a good Toastmaster and a professional speaker?”

There are many degrees of speaking excellence. I first joined Toastmasters in 1975. (Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network.) Next, I attended Dale Carnegie courses for public speaking, sales, and management. These experiences were just the start on my journey to becoming a proficient public speaker. My speaking skills evolved as I began speaking to service clubs to promote my business and joined the National Speakers Association. Eventually, I became a full-time professional speaker, in-demand executive speech coach, and creator of FrippVT – and the rest is history! So, what is the difference between a good Toastmaster and a professional speaker?”

Patricia Fripp and Darren LaCroix at National Speakers Assn 2010
Patricia Fripp and Darren LaCroix at National Speakers Assn 2010

Always remember in the “professional” world you get paid for what you know. You get paid well when you deliver your message superbly. There is no substitute for years of experience. Great professional speakers and trainers they make standing on stage speaking look easy.

As my colleague Darren LaCroix says, “Stage time, stage time, stage time.” I would add, “stage time” and reflection with good feedback from someone who knows more than you do. For me, one of the biggest leaps forward was when I realized, “I’m receiving my full keynote fee and have just six people in my audience.” These were sales professionals from a client company who really wanted to learn what I knew. Professional speakers are “Experts Who Speak” as the National Speakers Association will tell you. It does not matter the size of the audience; it is the quality of the information…well told…and making it look easy.

Fripp Virtual Training FrippVT Public Speaking & Presentation Skills Training LogoIf you want to become a great speaker easily, conveniently, and quickly, FrippVT can help. Take a complimentary test drive of this interactive, web-based platform and enjoy three free chapters on Stories, Openings, and Sales: http://frippvt.com

FrippVT Presentation Skills Training On iPad and Smart Phonte“I am an experienced speaker and successful consultant and highly recommend FrippVT to everyone who speaks in public or has to. It just doesn’t make sense for any professional to be without 24/7 access to the wisdom and experience of the master of professional that Patricia Fripp is. FrippVT is a must-have resource for all professionals.”
– Pat Lynch, President, Business Alignment Strategies

My article, “So You Want to Do This for a Living?,” is just one of the many complimentary resources on Fripp.com to help anyone who aims to speak professionally.

Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker Patricia Fripp works with individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.