How do you prepare to speak to thousands in another country?

At the time this blog is posted, I’ll be traveling with and speaking at the “Booming in the Bust 09” Global 1 Training Symposium – in Australia! I’ve spent the last few weeks intensely preparing and I’m excited. I recently wrote about the benefits of becoming a licensing agent; that’s the topic of my presentation on the three-city whirlwind tour through Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. I was invited, along with 12 other expert guests, to help entrepreneurs discover new opportunities, new methods,  and new avenues for generating wealth and success – even during this economic “bust”. It was a great honor.

But I keep asking myself, “How do I prepare for this?” I’ve spoken before audiences over several hundred people, five hundred even. But thousands? That’s a completely different scenario! I can already tell that my regular presentation style isn’t going to work. My best advice, if faced with a similar situation, is to not have your first time doing so be the time that counts! I’ve been working up to a challenge like this for many years. The process of building my speaking skills was lengthy. Sure, I haven’t spoke in front of an audience this large. But I did build from ten, from sixty, from two hundred. And recently, I arranged a “test run” of my presentation in San Francisco. I needed to know what kinks needed to be worked out, what worked and what didn’t.

Getting as much information as possible has also helped me. I’ve been combing the web for information and tips. I met with a professional counselor who helped me refine my presentation and taught me new techniques. But I already know one thing is for sure. Despite all this help, I’m going to make a mistake! It’s not going to be perfect. But every time I perform, what I learn is going to help me fix, readjust, and refine.

I can’t wait to meet the other speakers and ask questions. I’ve never been to Australia. I want to understand these new entrepreneurs desires and networks. Maybe between checking out all the sites, I’ll even visit some inventor’s organizations.

---

Stephen Key is a successful award-winning inventor who has licensed over 20 products in the past 25 years. Along with business partner Andrew Krauss, Stephen runs inventRight, a company dedicated to educating inventors about selling their ideas and the skills needed to succeed. You can ask questions and get advice on the inventRight forum, check out the resource center, and listen to the weekly radio show on inventing. Get In The News, list your invention to have media outlets find you for news stories.