It’s pretty well known in the business world that speaking and writing are great ways to build your business or enhance your image. So what does that have to do with being an artist? Everything!

As artists we need to learn how to present ourselves and our work in ways that help people understand what we are all about. I have found that learning these skills has helped me present my art to the world.

So how do you get started? It’s easy . . .

You just start. Speaking. Writing. It’s that easy . . .  and that hard.

Why is it that whenever something is important it is more difficult to get started? Many would-be writers or speakers get sidetracked before they even begin. Which is a shame – they will never know what these skills could have done for their life or business. Don’t let that be you!

You start small with both speaking and writing. Let’s look at them separately.

The best way to get started with speaking is to join your local Toastmasters club. Toastmasters International has been helping people learn speaking skills for 85 years. It’s how I learned the basics of public speaking, and I recommend it to everyone I meet. There are 11,000 clubs in 90 countries, so I am sure there is at least one club in your area. Go to www.toastmasters.org  . . . enter your zip code in their search engine and you will see a list of the clubs in your neck of woods. Go for it – there is no better way to get started speaking.

What about writing? The best way to get started is to just begin writing about your favorite subject. It doesn’t have to be for publication or for anyone else to see – just sit down at the computer and key in your thoughts about any subject. Let the creative thoughts flow. Don’t worry about editing your work at this point. Just have fun with your favorite subject. Enjoy the process. At its essence that’s what writing is all about.

I hope I have inspired you to begin speaking and writing. Once you see how rewarding both of these are, you will want to learn more. And then you will continue to grow.