When I got into this field, I had the "wrong" credentials for the job I was doing. Over time, my credentials and my focus have evolved into sharper alignment.
I'd worry less about your credentials (or lack thereof) at the outset and focus on your clients and how you intend to help them. PD is not about what you've done, it's not even about giving people a reason to listen to you. It's about helping people solve their problems.
Ultimately, if you can solve someone's problem, that person will listen to you irrespective of your credentials. (You don't listen to Tony R. because he's done great things, you listen to him b/c you think he can help YOU do great things. As a coach, you're not looking for an endorsement like this: "Call Jason, he graduated from this place and did this and that, he's awesome," you want to hear: "Call Jason, he made ME a better person and he will do the same for YOU." That second endorsement will draw people to your presentations.) Prospects don't care about what you've done. They care about what you can help them do.
One thing I will say is, this field is far more than reading books and regurgitating information. It's about taking a genuine interest in others' success. If, when you speak (or coach), you are more enamored with what you have to offer than with how people can benefit from your knowledge/experience/etc., it will show. I'm putting this out there because it's not clear to me from your posts that you've made this leap in your thinking, from wanting to share to wanting others to buy from you because you have a deep conviction that you can help them. Maybe I'm reading too much into your posts... I'd just hate to see you underestimate what it takes to succeed in this field! Whatever you decide, good luck!
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