The general public and most economic buyers don’t recognize specialized credentials. Join an organization for the learning, networking and support potential, not for imaginary status.
Toastmasters International
www.toastmasters.org is a great place to start. Weekly meetings right in your hometown for one hour, 20-30 people all helping each other grow as speakers. Famous members include Tim Allen, Peter Coors, Phillip Crosby, Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill, Harvey Mackay, K.C. Jones, Mrs. (Debbie) Fields, Billie Jean King, Walter Schirra and John Young.
ASTD American Society for Training and Development
(703) 683.8100 - 1640 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22313 – www.ASTD.org
Annual Dues $150. If you are primarily a trainer, you can’t afford not to belong to the ASTD. National and local chapters. Networking is valuable and they publish the monthly Training and Development covering trends and methodologies.
National Speakers Association
(480) 968.2552 - 1500 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 –
www.nsaspeaker.org
3700 members, 30% are full time. Very effective at the chapter level for
networking, mentoring and support. Monthly audio tape and magazine
Professional Speaker. Annual dues $275 a year.
