More hardy entrepreneurs are establishing their credibility--and fueling their profits--through a strategic use of strong sales presentations and public speaking. You can benefit from these revenue-generating mechanisms, too, even if you consider yourself a wallflower.

Translating Passion into Profits
Amie Wozniak discovered her inner sales chi when she started hawking her invention--softspot--a multifunctional, antibacterial resting, exercising and play mat for infants, toddlers, pets and adults. This former corporate marketing and event communications executive, with no sales experience and a real fear of cold calling, found that she loved expounding the many virtues and benefits of her product.

When she debuted the softspot prototype at last year's ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas, Wozniak greeted people in the aisle to get them to stop in her booth, where she personally demonstrated the portable, lightweight, washable product. She found it easy to pitch the benefits of softspot because she developed it for her own two kids, so she is truly passionate about its features.

Wozniak also stresses the importance of listening. "At the expo I wanted to make sure the buyers understood how multifunctional my product is by relating it to the kind of store they have. So if they have a store that highlights travel or safety, finding out about their needs helped me tailor my pitch to them."

According to Wozniak, the key to successful sales presentations is to be enthusiastic and real. And if you understand clients' needs, you can be more responsive to them.

"Some people don't want to talk on the phone, period, so you need to understand that. Ask how they prefer their communications, via e-mail, phone or snail mail, because respecting their wishes is important." Persistence pays off, says Wozniak, who took six months to get a faxed purchase order from one store.

Despite the sluggish economy, this fledgling startup company--with an upscale price point--has already booked orders with several national brick-and-mortar baby supply chains and independent high-end specialty baby retailers, as well as American e-retailers and accounts in Canada and Japan.

Introverts Take Heart: You Can Do it, Too
Ann Byne, the savvy principal and creative director behind The Byne Group, will be the first to say she's no extrovert. Yet she recognized a few years ago that she could cash in on her expertise (and showcase the competencies of her growing branding and advertising firm) by sharing meaningful marketing and branding advice in workshops, talks and teleseminars.

"I was terrified of public speaking but was persuaded to discuss my thoughts about nonprofit marketing at a local educational forum, to a small audience of peers and colleagues. That led to speaking invitations at another small women's networking group and a countywide business networking group, both of which were covered by a local paper," Byne says. The resulting exposure and opportunities to speak before larger audiences have enhanced her firm's image and shown a tangible benefit to her bottom line. She's even gotten over her initial shyness and absolutely loves doing it. "I'm still nervous before every program, but once I get up there it's all about educating people and helping them. And when you're talking about something that you care about, it's very satisfying. I'm also building my e-mail list, and that has brought new business to my firm, too."

Speaking Births a New Business and Healthy ROI
A former PR practitioner and media trainer launched her business, Speak Your Business in 30 Seconds or Less, as a result of speaking opportunities that came her way by accident. Ann Convery, a Los Angeles-based published author of two nonfiction books, discovered her speaking talents (and the seed of an idea for a new business) at a class she attended.

"After the speaking coach encouraged me to put together a talk, I realized I could take my media training and public relations experience and create a whole promotional training business for entrepreneurs around it," says Convery, who teaches people how to articulate the financial value of their product or service and repeat that in their marketing messages.

In her fifth year of business, Convery offers private consultations, multi-session training packages and two products outlining her proprietary approach. She credits her speaking engagements (including a select few that were done on a pro-bono basis) with directly impacting her bottom line--resulting in a 500 percent growth in income in her second and third year of business. Her talks have taken her to Mexico, Madrid and Chicago.

Selling Women-focused Healthy Lifestyles with Oomph 
Andrea Ramirez is a nutritional lifestyle counselor for women on the go. She's grown her healthy eating coaching and membership-based True Nourishment business via engaging e-mail marketing presentations and a variety of public speaking platforms. A former bass guitarist from Colombia, she transformed her life (after experiencing sudden weight gain, chronic fatigue, digestive issues and a painful bout with gluten intolerance) by experimenting with different diets, so she is personally passionate about the value of healthy eating. She infuses a highly personal approach into all of her sales efforts.

"I use my monthly newsletter and speaking engagements to establish my expertise, and grow my brand and client base," says Ramirez, whose e-mail list and client base have been on a steady growth track since she opened shop in 2005. Her e-mail newsletter--a branded template written in a conversational tone--includes general tips on smart eating as well as tasty recipes and news about her various health workshops and cooking classes.

So if you've been on the bench about the value of great sales presentations or public speaking, these success stories should set the record straight. Remember, powerful presentations--whether virtual, on the phone or on a stage--are all about sharing valuable information in an upbeat, authentic way.

I'd love to her your success stories about creative, inspirational or unique ways you've grown your business via sales presentations and public speaking.