By Jane Atkinson (with some help from Gemini)
Do you crave the thrill of connecting with an audience, sharing your expertise, and leaving a lasting impact? Imagine doing that and getting paid for it.
What?
For many, the idea of becoming a paid speaker feels like a distant dream. However, with the right approach and a healthy dose of dedication, it’s an achievable reality. This guide will walk you through the first essential steps to transform your passion for speaking into a profitable venture. And if you need more help, I’ll be standing by.
Unlock Your Voice
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Unearth Your Expertise (Pick a Lane):
The first crucial step is to pinpoint what you bring to the table. What are you truly knowledgeable and passionate about? What problems can you solve for an audience? Your lane could be anything from leadership or company culture to personal development, marketing, or even a unique life experience.
- Identify your passions and expertise: Consider all of the things that you know something about and are credible to speak about. Perhaps people come to you for advice on this topic? Start with a list (it might be long) and then narrow it down. The goal is to find the crossroads between passion and profits. (You can read more about this in my book, The Wealthy Speaker 3.0 – Chapter 5, Positioning).
- Research the market: Are there existing audiences hungry for your specific message? What are other speakers in your niche charging?
- Hone your unique perspective: What makes your voice different? What fresh insights or approaches can you offer?
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Craft Your Compelling Message and Signature Talk:
Once you know your niche, it’s time to develop a talk that captivates and delivers value. This isn’t just about sharing information; it’s about crafting an experience for your audience.
- Define your core message: What is the one key takeaway you want your audience to remember? Start with that and then drill down to 3 key ideas under that one umbrella. (For more ideas, check out Chapter 4, The Super Simple Speech Formula in my book The Epic Keynote).
- Develop a signature talk: This is your go-to presentation, polished and impactful. It should have a clear structure, engaging stories, and actionable insights.
- Create multiple talk variations: While your signature talk is your cornerstone, having variations, deep dives on subtopics or perhaps versions for different audiences will increase your marketability.
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Build Your Speaking Portfolio and Presence:
To convince event organizers to pay you, you need to demonstrate your speaking abilities. This involves creating a compelling portfolio and establishing a strong online presence.
- Start small and gain experience: Offer to speak at local association events, workshops, or conferences for free or for a nominal fee to gain experience and testimonials. We fondly call this The Rubber Chicken Circuit.
- Record your presentations: High-quality video footage of you speaking is invaluable. It allows potential clients to see you in action. Wait until you’ve got several speeches under your belt before you make any large investment in a demo reel.
- Develop a professional speaker website: This is your online hub, showcasing your expertise and promise, talk topics, testimonials, and contact information.
- Build your social media presence: Engage with your audience, share valuable content, and position yourself as a thought leader in your niche.
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Market Yourself Strategically:
Getting paid speaking gigs requires proactive marketing. You need to let event organizers know you exist and why they should choose you.
- Network actively: Attend industry events, connect with event planners, and build relationships with other speakers.
- Seek out speaking opportunities: Research conferences, associations, and organizations that align with your niche and proactively reach out. Going deep into one target market or industry isn’t essential, but it gives you focus when reaching out to prospective clients.
- Ask for referrals: Satisfied clients are your best advocates. Encourage them to recommend you to others and provide testimonials about how your presentation impacted their audience.
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Understand Pricing and Negotiation:
Determining your speaking fees is a crucial aspect of getting paid. Research industry standards, consider your experience and the value you provide, and be prepared for negotiation when needed.
- Research industry rates: What are other speakers in your niche with similar experience charging? (A great place to research topic-specific speaking fees is eSpeakers.com)
- Factor in your travel time: You might consider charging more for engagements that require air travel to and from the event. Perhaps charge a “local” fee for sleep in your own bed events.
- Value your expertise and impact: Don’t undervalue the knowledge and results you bring to an audience. They are paying for your 10-20-30 years of experience, not the 45 minutes that you’ll speak.
- Be confident in your pricing: Know your worth and be able to articulate the value you offer.
- Travel expenses are an additional cost to the client: You’ll bill back air travel, hotel, and ground transportation after the event. You may opt for a flat fee once you have some experience and know what to charge.
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Deliver Exceptional Value and Follow Up:
Landing a paid speaking gig is just the beginning. Delivering an outstanding presentation and following up professionally can lead to repeat business and referrals.
- Tailor your presentation to the specific audience: Show that you’ve done your research and are committed to meeting their needs.
- Engage with the audience: Make your presentation interactive and create a memorable experience.
- Provide valuable resources: Offer handouts, worksheets, or links to further learning.
- Follow up with the event organizer: Thank them for the opportunity and inquire about future possibilities.
- Collect testimonials: Positive feedback is crucial for building your credibility.
Getting paid to speak is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a genuine desire to connect with and serve your audience. By focusing on your expertise, crafting compelling content, building your presence, and marketing yourself effectively, you can unlock your voice and transform your passion into a profitable career. So, take that first step, embrace the process, and get ready to share your message with the world – and get paid to do it!
Need additional help? Jane Atkinson has been helping speakers catapult their careers for more than 3 decades, and she’s got the recipe for success! Check out her step-by-step strategy at The Wealthy Speaker School & Mastermind and pick up a copy of The Wealthy Speaker 3.0.
