The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.

Public speaking is a great way to get clients.  You speak to local clubs or organisations (usually for free, or you get a nice pen) and give their members a 30-minute talk at their regular meeting.  You help them with a particular issue they might be facing, you’re positioned as an expert, and they get a strong sense of who you are.

If you make it easy for them to give you their information, you can follow up and build a relationship; e.g., through your ezine.

Some in the audience will want to have you speak at their club or company, and it may not be long before you’re starting to charge a fee.

And, when you have a great talk, you can record it and sell it on CD!

I gained several long-term clients, and my first paid corporate speeches, out of free speaking on the local club circuit.