Everyone has to come up with their own business plan for sure but if anyone has already done this…..,well, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” or maybe “don’t reinvent the wheel.” There are some obvious points: 1) become the “go to person” in your field 2) publish a book 3) write a blog 4) offer free help/content 5) know your stuff (training and certification) 6) join an association that gives access to contacts 7) know your target audience have a strategy—well, yeah, that’s what I’m asking.

@deairby  I’m going down the speaking route, too, and everything I’ve read/studied supports what @rich-brooks said. 

I joined the local chapter of the National Speakers Association as a member candidate.  It’s given me a chance to watch some incredibly gifted speakers, study how they engage an audience, tell stories, and leave you wanting to hear more.

I’m also working with an ex-reporter from the DC area CBS affiliate on how to speak comfortably and effectively, how to craft my stories, make eye contact, etc.  It’s been very helpful (and humbling!).

As I’ve declared 2012 the Year-of-the-Video for myself, I hope to get even more comfortable “getting myself out there,” whether the audience is in the room or not.

@deairby @rich-brooks @bethnovick Thanks to you, I am certainly going to get going on this as well. Speaking is something I have always enjoyed doing, I do it well (or so I am told) and I would like to make it a bigger component of my career. Not sure if it can be the sole revenue – in fact, I doubt it – but along with consulting, blogging and yes, writing a book (one of my New Year objectives), perhaps I am on my way…

Will implement some of the advice read here, and will continue to network, network, network…

sounds like a good plan @donpurdum