When people hear that I owned a national, professional speakers bureau for 13 years, they often ask me, who are the best speakers and why? What follows are some of the characteristics of a very successful speaker, who is often a highly paid speaker.

'Tell' em what you're going to tell them, tell them, and then tell ‘em what you told them."

1. They arrive early and check out the sound system and introduce themselves to audience members during the networking time.

2. They speak on a subject that their audience needs to hear. And they use words and body language that shows their passion and authenticity.

3. They connect with their audience in the first few minutes with a riveting story, a funny incident, a startling statement or perhaps a poem. They know how to make their opening remarks relate to the material that follows.

4. They have no fear. They don't only say what the audience wants to hear, but what they NEED to hear. In other words, their remarks may raise some eyebrows. They give their audiences some fresh ideas.