Today is Professional Public Speakers Day. This August 7 holiday recognizes the importance of those who stand up in front of us and share their knowledge and insight on an endless range of topics.

To be a speaker requires a very special and unique skill set. As soon as a speaker walks up to the dais, turns on the microphone, and opens his mouth, that unique set of skills becomes clearly apparent.  Often a person has what it takes to talk in public, or is the expert in their field, but not both.

First, you have to have the ability, and shall we say the nerve, to speak in public. All too many people have everything else needed to be a good speaker. To many, the thought of talking in public in front of a group is nothing short of terrifying. For some people public speaking comes naturally, while others have an inbred fear that takes tremendous willpower and practice to overcome. Some people never get over the fear, and refuse to speak in public.

A speaker also needs to be knowledgeable about the topic to be discussed. Better still, they are often experts in their fields. For speakers who allow a Q&A after the talk, the depth of this knowledge and expertise is essential and is clearly on display.

Participating in this day is quite easy. Simply attend a seminar or an event with a speaker. Make sure to give a heartfelt applause after the speech. Another way to mark this day is to speak publicly yourself. Not quite ready to speak in public? Take a course in public speaking. You’ll be glad you did!