If you're trying to persuade the public, speaking to as many organizations as possible is a smart way of reaching out.
Most organizations have a main speaker for every meeting, and it's often a guest speaker.
The list of groups is longer than you think -- the local Chamber of Commerce, trade unions, Rotary Clubs, Parent-Teacher Organizations, Elks, Eagles, Lions, local universities and community colleges -- and they appreciate good speakers.
Conventions and major events are also excellent opportunities. A convention needs to fill hours and hours of speaking slots, and every charity auction or other major event needs a keynote speaker.
Here are some tips:
1) Keep it short
The hidden pitfall of any speech is length. The organizer sees an hour they need to fill, so they figure the guest speaker should talk for 30 to 45 minutes. No problem, right?
Big problem. It takes a pro to speak for 45 minutes without boring the audience. Think of most State of the Union speeches. Anything longer than 30 minutes feels like forever.
Even if an organizer asks you to speak for 30-plus minutes, keep it down to 15 to 20 minutes at the most, and say the rest of the time could be filled with Q & A.
Nobody ever complained about a speech being too short. If you can get the job done in ten minutes, great. Do it.
2) Know your audience
Research the audience before you write the speech. The speech isn't about you -- it's about the audience. What can you do for them?
Every audience wants to be informed, to learn something new (or learn secrets) and to be moved. It's not enough to tell a joke and go into your standard speech.
What is this point of this organization? How do their goals intersect with what you're trying to do?
3) Make it count
Tell the local media about the speaking tour long before it happens. You want to give weekly newspapers time to put in a notice. Do another press release or media advisory the week of the event.
After the speech, post the text of your speech on your website along with photos -- or video, if you have it. Put it on facebook, twitter or whatever you use, and if the local press couldn't make it, send them a press release with a link to the text and photos.
Finally, send a thank you note to the organization. It's an honor to be invited as a speaker, and if you're a public figure, you'll want to speak to that group again.