Professional speaking is one of the most lucrative but challenging professions in the world. Since 2005, the Pro-Track program has helped numerous aspiring and current professional speakers build and enhance their professional speaking businesses. Pro-Track is a two semester Mini-MBA style education program. The goals of the program are three-fold:
- To teach emerging and aspiring speakers the business skills necessary to be successful as speaking professionals.
- To assist you in becoming a member of National Speakers Association (NSA), performing at the highest ethical and service standards of the NSA.
- To create a supportive community among fellow Pro-Track participants, Pro-Track alumni, and NSA/NC members.
Pro-Track is designed to help its participants qualify for and become NSA/NC members during or by the program’s end, or shortly thereafter. (Incentives exist for those who can become a professional member before completing Pro-Track.) The program is under the direction of the NSA/NC Board of Directors and was designed and developed by Shelley Lapkoff, PhD, with the support of Michael Soon Lee, CSP.
What do people have to say about how Pro-Track has helped their careers?
To apply for the Pro-Track program, please fill out the online application as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, if you would like more information on whether you currently qualify for professional membership or what more you need to do to qualify, please contact Michael Soon Lee, CSP at (800) 417-7325 or Michael@ethnoconnect.com
Whether you are an experienced speaker who wants to take your career to a higher level, or just considering a career in the lucrative world of professional speaking, you can learn specific strategies and gain tools to be successful through NSA/NC’s Pro-Track program. Experienced session leaders and speakers share proven techniques and insider knowledge in both the business and art of speaking during this step-by-step 11-month program.
Here are some of the topics that will be covered in the regular meeting:
| January 21 |
Myths and Realities of Professional Speaking: Introduction to Professional Speaking. |
| February 11 |
Topic Development I: Finding where your expertise and passion intersect. |
| March 17 |
The Markets for Professional Speaking: Beyond corporations to associations, schools and more. |
| April 21 | Topic Development II: Honing your topic to give you edge on your competition. |
| May 19 |
Business Planning: Developing a blueprint for success |
| June 23 |
Marketing Plans: Strategies for reaching hot prospects. |
| July 21 |
Marketing Materials and Identity Systems: Targeting your most likely clients and reaching them effectively. |
| August 18 |
Product Development & Sales: Developing products that fill your wallet – not your garage. |
| September 22 |
Polishing Your Presentation: Becoming a speaker who wows them on the platform. |
| October 20 |
Running Your Office: How to run your office so it doesn’t run you. |
| November 17 | Beyond Pro-Track: How to implement what you’ve learned and develop accountability systems. Graduation from 6-10PM! |
Additional topics include: Winning Proposals, Driving Traffic to Web Sites, Negotiations, Copyrights, Demo Videos, and more! Pro-Track members may also attend all five NSA/NC meetings during 2012 at no program charge (not including the cost of meals) as well as all mini-sessions typically restricted to NSA/NC members.
Presentations are recorded in the event of any missed sessions.
After the conclusion of the 2010 Pro-Track program, several recent graduates were asked what impact Pro-Track has had on their careers.
Here is what they had to say.
(Video courtesy of Ian Griffin.)
