There is a difference between a hobby and a speaking business. Speakers who are serious about what they call their career or calling operate a profitable business. The starting point is, for most people who want to be speakers, a challenge.

When you don’t take the first step of turning your love for speaking, training or coaching/consulting into a profitable endeavor, it is just a matter of time until your vision is either forgotten or delayed. If you think you are ready to start your own speaking business, here are key steps to help you.

1.	Choose a business name that is easy to remember. My advice is to pick a name that creates a perception of bigness. For example, The Kangundo Group, in the minds of many people, indicates more than one operator.
2.	Create a business logo that will become your business’s brand. A logo is a visual symbol and with time, people will start recognizing and associating that symbol with your business products and/or services.
3.	Make a list of the services and/or products your business will offer and in what market. Name several titles of the topics you will be promoting and the groups (schools or corporate America or associations) that will need to hire you.
4.	Establish a starting fee structure that reflects your knowledge base, experience and your target groups (You will increase your fees as you grow in your speaking business). While with time you may be paid per day regardless of whether you presented for 20 minutes or 6 hours, you can start by having different rates for keynote, ½ day workshops and whole day seminars. You may have discounted rates for public and not-for-profit sectors.
5.	Register your business with your state’s Secretary of State office. If you are to sell products, register your business with your state’s tax commission.
6.	Develop stationery, a website, brochures, business cards etc., with your business name and logo. Include address, phone and fax numbers and email contact with any piece of paper you give to anyone. Websites have become a must for a speaker to be successful unless you already have national name recognition. Your email address should be a promoter of your website such as vincent@kituku.com instead of promoting AOL, MSN or any other website.
7.	Have a public announcement of your business. Make it huge. Huge.
8.	Follow the announcement with a blast of activities (public appearances, articles or sponsorships of programs that are of interest to many people) that are covered by the media and keep your business services/products in the minds and eyes of clients and prospects. People, especially in America, are exposed to so much that, if you don’t create a system to constantly remind them of your business, your business is forgotten.
9.	Join, if you have not already done so, professional and commercial groups that will help you grow your business and/or in your profession. As a speaker, you need groups that provide you the opportunity to speak and get feedback constantly and groups that provide you opportunities to be called to speak and get paid greatly.
Bonus
10.	Start developing products and services as you grow while eliminating those that are no longer profitable.