Today I start my journey with the National Speaker’s Association Northern California’s Pro-Track program. This is a year-long intense program where  you learn everything possible about creating a profitable and rewarding business around professional speaking. I am really looking forward to honing my skills and most of all, learning how I can make more of a difference by reaching more people. For this first session today we need to prepare a 3 minute presentation for the group. For today’s blog, I thought I’d share mine with you! Now crossing fingers that I remember it all and stick to 3 minutes when it’s my turn! Wish me luck!

Introduction of yourself and business.

My name is Karen Clark and through my company, My Business Presence, I educate, inspire and empower independent business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals to expand their reach online.

I do this through large and small group presentations on the topic of ethical online marketing through social media, blogging and search engine optimization.

Having spent the last 12 years successfully selling a product online both through a traditional website as well as relationship based, referral and direct sales marketing, I’ve tried just about everything online and can share with my audiences just where, when, why and how to spend their precious time online sharing their message, service or product with their target market.

In addition to live presentations, I also conduct teleclasses, webinars and hands-on “bring your own laptop” workshops where my clients immediately apply what they learn and get instant results. I am a co-author of 2 books and have additional products in the forms of audio and video recordings.

For those who prefer one-on-one “hold my hand” mentoring I also offer personalized training by phone or in person where I can truly meet my clients where they are – figuratively and literally – and together we develop their comprehensive online presence.

Main interest in professional speaking.

My interest in professional speaking stems from a long history of being an educator.

From playing school as a kid to teaching dance classes in high school, from teaching preschool through college and then beyond that teaching elementary school, teaching has always been a part of my life.

When I began my career in direct sales 12 years ago I assumed a leadership position and developed my speaking and training skills as the director of consultant development for the organization I represented, as I also built my Internet skills while the world wide web was growing up.

Now on my own I am able to help many many small and home-based businesses grow their customer base through my trainings, and I find that richly rewarding!

I know I have skills that they need and appreciate, and I have a gift for presenting my ‘high tech’ material in an understandable and accessible manner that leaves my clients feeling truly empowered to take on technology.

As I’ve developed my business I have seen that I can help far more people in group settings than one on one and I know that by expanding my speaking business I can make even more of a difference in people’s success.

One thing you would like to get out of Pro-Track.

I registered for Pro-Track because although I have a very rich library of content, and sharing it comes easily, I do not have the experience in building a truly comprehensive speaking business that will sustain me for years to come.

I hope to learn how to grow my business both wide and deep by developing smart business systems so I can quickly rise to the top and cut the learning curve in half.

I’ve been playing at this speaking thing for a year, and it’s time to get serious!