Leadership guest speakers want to get hired in the future - one can safely assume this. Here are some pointers. Pay as much attention to those at the back as you do the people in the front row. Also, the event might last longer than originally intended due to a question and answer segment or some other hiccup. Be flexible. This will guarantee that you get a good reference and are hired in the future.  Sometimes it helps to speak for free. You might be in the game to make money, this is a given for most orators. However, if you have a small portfolio with little experience, sometimes you have to be willing to delivery your services for free. Volunteer work looks good on a resume, and it shows that you care about your community. Seek out small volunteer speaking opportunities in your area. These will keep your costs low while still allowing you to perform in front of an audience. You will gain practice, experience, and notoriety. Ask the event contact person, following a successful event, if you can have a recommendation or reference. So, even though you delivered your speech for free, the networking opportunities are priceless. Guest speakers know that sometimes things don't always go as planned. But, they are also aware of the things that could go wrong, and prepare for them in advance. Learning to be an adaptable, flexible, and prepared leadership guest speaker will prevent the common mistake that less experienced guest speakers come across during their early years.