Watch and consult with professional speakers to learn how they plan, practice and present a talk.

The National Speakers Association NSA's 3,500 members include professionals who work as trainers, educators, humorists, motivators, consultants, and authors. At http://www.nsaspeaker.org/ near the top of the homepage, “Meeting Planners” and “Media Professionals” give basic info for finding an expert speaker. Or click on the NSA’s “Knowledge Bank and Resource Center” at left, and search by typing in a speech topic or public speaking issue, then choosing the resource (all, books, audio/video, magazine article, etc).

Many celebrities, authors, and consultants offer their speaking skills. Here is a list of some of the most prestigious agencies:

• The Clifford Agency. At http://www.cliffordagency.com click on “Find a Speaker” at the top or check out the list of “Exclusive Speakers” offered by this agency, which specializes in “high-content business and current affairs speakers.” From menu at left choose from categories such as Association, Corporate, Campus Programs, Development Programs, or Recent Events. Also review featured speakers and hot topics.
  
• Greater Talent Network. Billing itself as the “world’s leading speaker bureau,” the homepage at http://www.greatertalent.com/ says GTN has been in business 25 years. It offers links to six featured speakers as well as celebrities, chefs, actors, and theatrical folk. At top click on “Celebrity Spokesperson” or “Standing Ovations” to get basic info. Or do a speaker search by person or category.
  
• Harry Walker Agency. At http://www.harrywalker.com click on Speakers and browse by search, alpha list, or multiple categories (Business and Economics, Health and Healthcare, Hot Issues, Media and Current Events, Sports, Politics, Arts and Entertainment, World Leaders, Jewish Themes, even specialized categories such as “Moderators, Interviewers, and Emcees”). The site features high-profile political speakers such as Bill Clinton, Senator John Edwards, and Henry Kissinger, plus well-known celebrities, sports figures, and media personalities.
• • Keppler Speakers. At http://www.kepplerspeakers.com/ find exclusive newsmakers and authors of blogs, as well as a featured speaker. Also search by name or topic.
• National Speakers Bureau. At http://www.nsb.com use Speaker Finder to search by individual or topic for authors, consultants, journalists, entertainers, activists, educators, athletes, therapists, talk show hosts, and a number of experts in various fields. It is noted that only a sampling of its speakers are offered on its website.
  
• Walters International Speakers Bureau. This site at http://www.walters-intl.com offers motivational experts, business speakers, and humorists as well as keynoters, seminar leaders, and trainers. It offers over 30 years of experience and claims to have a database of 30,000 speakers and experts. Select from an alpha list or do a search by speaker name, topic, industry, or fee range.
• Washington Speakers Bureau. At http://washspkrs.com/ choose from the Most Requested list to see which speakers are requested most often by today’s events planners in a number of industries. Or click on Speakers to search by name, topic, fee range, or event type.

Professional speaker Melissa Lewis offers some useful suggestions for speechmaking. At http://upsidedownspeaking.com learn to “turn traditional thinking about public speaking upside down.” From menu at left, check out the speaking programs, articles, self-assessments, and ezine archives, plus her unique “encouragement cards.” Communication experts Fritzi Bodenheimer and Jody Natalle offer public speaking tips for women at their website, http://www.womanspublicspeakinghandbook.com. Though this site is geared toward marketing a book by the same name, you can get some tidbits of advice and info by clicking on Speaking Tips or Reviews and Quotes from the menu on left. Read Vital Speeches of the Day, a weekly publication of speeches given by executives. If you've given a talk that you think deserves publication, submit it to Vital Speeches. This is a subscription service that is often available through your college or university library. Nearly every public library carries this publication in the magazine section. At http://www.votd.com/ you can access all speeches offered from this publisher since its beginning in 1934 (for a fee). Search by speakers, speeches, or topic key word.