Yesterday, I had the privilege of spending the day at the Wente Winery taking in the fabulous sessions put together by our San Francisco chapter at their all-day event. I have to say that I love going to local chapter meetings and events. What a great way to network with stock plan professionals and soak up new information! I really enjoyed the speakers selected for yesterday’s event, several of whom are frequently invited to present at industry events. Have you ever considered breaking into the world of public speaking?

Speaking at presentations during industry events does take time, energy, and a healthy dose of bravery. But, there are many rewards to being involved in this way that really can’t be substituted. First, the exposure itself can boost your networking. I’m not talking about networking to find a new job or new clients–of course it helps that. Networking with peers gives you a wealth of resources to tap into when you come up against new issues on the job. Whether it’s a technical, strategic, or compliance issue, your peers can be a great sounding board (especially if it turns out they’ve dealt with a similar situation). This exposure and networking can also be an asset for your own professional development. It looks great on your review and on your resume!

Another great reason to be a speaker is the unique opportunity to learn something new about issues that you thought you were completely familiar with when you present with other equity professionals. In hashing out the details of a speaking engagement, I almost always learn a valuable tidbit that may not end up being a part of the final presentation. This creative environment is one where you can ask difficult questions to a select few peers who have intimate knowledge and/or experience with the specific topic you are addressing.

So, how do you go from never having presented in front of a group of people to leading a session in a national or international industry event? These are my top three suggestions:

Well, first things first–you start small. You may start by presenting internally at new hire orientation, “train the trainer” sessions, brown bag lunches, or for your clients. Then, get out into the world of industry events. For example, local chapters of the NASPP are always on the lookout for good speakers and topics! Once your peers have seen what a great presenter you can be, you will find yourself on the list of subject matter experts for the topics you have covered.

Second, pay attention to what impacts you. If you have questions about new legislation or are facing a daunting situation at your own company, then odds are that there are other stock plan professionals out there struggling with the same or a similar issue. You’ll be a particularly hot commodity if you’ve found a solution to a problem that other companies may face. Finding the right topic is essential to building a reputation as a good speaker.

Finally, team up with experienced speakers or other subject matter experts. For many subjects, a combination of service providers and issuers works best. When submitting your topic for consideration, being part of a great combination of speakers really sets you apart and gets your presentation idea noticed. If you recently conquered a difficult problem by working closely with your own service provider or a peer, then these are great places to start on your hunt for speaking partners.

My last little bonus tip is that finding your opportunity to speak at industry events doesn’t have to start with actual presentations. You can get your foot in the door by participating in other public forums like the NASPP’s own Discussion Forum or by responding to questions and polls put out by peers and service providers. The more you participate, the more people know who you are and the higher your odds are on being tapped for a speaking engagement.

Now, get out there and get speaking!

-Rachel