If you're like most people having a colonoscopy might be a more pleasurable activity than giving a public speech. However, this activity will rapidly become one of your favorites when you let it give your career the huge boost it has given mine.

If you're an author, consultant, trainer, life coach, small business owner, or any client based business owner--- you know better than anyone that the success of your company will hinge on how you market and get your branded message out to your targeted audience.

As a speaker and copywriter I've used all the recommended techniques for landing clients, including direct mail, writing articles, and cold calling. But the one tool that's given me the biggest (and quickest) bang for my marketing buck. And it is LOTS of fun. Yes, you guessed it: it’s public speaking.

I have, for example, so far gotten over $12,3000 worth of work (plus repeat business) ... all from just one seminar I spoke at in my own hometown.

Here are four reasons to use public speaking to elevate yourself above your competition and land your dream clients.

1. It Makes You the "Expert"

The quickest way to make yourself the "expert" (short of writing 60 or more books over 20-plus years) is to stand in front of a room full of eager, targeted clients who are there to gain the information and knowledge they need. And you're the one who's giving it to them.

People feel "If he was asked to speak, he MUST know what he's doing." Remember, expert status can equal higher fees (regardless of your past experience).

2. It Gives You One-on-One Contact With Potential Clients

No more getting a potential client's voice mail. No more hoping they got your letter. No more playing phone tag. Public speaking gives you the opportunity to talk to them face to face.

You have their undivided attention, so you can deliver strong content, solve their problems, hit their hot buttons, and have them clamoring for your services. You can interact and connect with your audience right there and then.

3. It Gets You Out of Your Comfort Zone ... And Into a Sizeable Profit Zone

If you’re someone who spends a lot of time in front of a computer, or in the office, then public speaking is an effective tool to use because it gets you out ... and gets you to interact with an entire universe of prospects. This is a great way to learn not only what prospective clients want and need, but also to learn what your target market wants and needs.

And nothing is more exciting than to give a good program and have eager clients coming up afterward to exchange business cards with you or ask a for an appointment to discuss a future project.

4. It's the Quickest Way to Build Your E-zine Opt-In List for Future Contacts and Communication

I spoke at a seminar that had about 80 attendees. Every one of them signed up for my e-zine. At the beginning of my presentation, I gave each person a sheet to fill out with their contact information. Then I had "a call to action" during the seminar to remind them to do it. It worked handily.

The cost to get their contact information? Zero dollars. The ability to follow up with them whenever I want to? Priceless.

Your ability to acquire the most desirable clients depends on the type of audience you address. Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs are good places to start. Just make sure you provide them with content that THEY are interested in hearing.

Keep in mind that you will be approached by lower-end clients (who can't pay as much) as well as higher-end ones. Working with lower-end clients is a perfect way to start the ball rolling in your business. Higher-end clients will more than make up for it down the road.

Author's Bio: 

Peter “The Reinvention Guy” Fogel is a humorist, speaker, seminar leader and proud member of the National Speakers Association. He delivers presentations on humor, reinvention, copywriting and marketing to corporation and associations across America and parts of Jersey. Peter’s specialty is delivering strong content with an equally humorous side. Just as important he can show you how to take a stale presentation & boost it with humor for optimal LAUGHS! As an information marketer he is also the creator of Peter Fogel’s Guide to Effective Public Speaking. For more information on his products, more articles, and to sign up for his FREE 7 Days to Effective Public Speaking E-course, go to www.publicspeaklikeapro.com