You can create opportunities to become a well-paid speaker.
One question that frequently comes up when I am working with professionals who speak (these may be coaches, entrepreneurs, or professionals who speak for additional income) is how can I get paid what I feel I am worth?
The answer to this question is complex and depends on several factors: your reputation and the strength of your brand, your negotiation skills, the quality of your speaking skills, and the relationships you have built with leaders and meeting planners in your industry.
Here are ways that you can leverage your skills and relationships so that you can command and get the fee you are asking.
4 Ways to Become a Well-Paid Speaker:
1. Establish what clearly differentiates you from others who speak on a similar topic.
What makes you a ‘thought leader’ instead of a ‘thought repeater’? Based on your experiences and expertise, what insights have you developed that demonstrate your knowledge and authority on a topic?
Audiences are looking for depth, not breadth when seeking information.
2. Set up a competitive fee structure.
Be ready to offer packages and options such as additional training, consulting, or coaching post-presentation. Offering pre-presentation marketing through social media or pre-and post-session ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions can also create additional value.
Books, online courses, and exclusive post-session resources are other ways to value in addition to speaking.
3. Deliver with exceptional stage skills.
The best-rated speakers create an experience for their audiences with opportunities for interaction and participation. Audience engagement is essential for delivering a memorable experience. What types of engagement have you built into your presentation?
Remember to follow up with clients after the speaking engagement to ask for feedback. This will serve your continued quest for speaking improvement as well as continue to further build your relationship with the meeting planner.
4. Build relationships.
Attend conferences and networking events to connect with other speakers, event planners, and potential clients, and to stay abreast of industry trends, changes and emerging topics.
A great way to find speaking engagements is through other speakers. Actively participating in professional or industry associations is another good way to get known and stay on top of current challenges.
Build Your Brand
Becoming a well-paid speaker takes time and persistence. By consistently delivering value, building relationships, and effectively and professionally promoting yourself, you can increase the opportunities for speaking at the events you want for the fees you want.
How will you create opportunities to get paid what you’re worth?
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