Paid to Speak

In previous episodes, I've shared honestly about how much speaking business I've lost because of the Coronavirus. In Episode 20, I share just as honestly about how much new business I've picked up because of three speaker business truths I practice in my business.

You can practice these truths in your speaker business as well. What's more, these three truths are core to the step-by-step marketing strategy we teach at the Paid to Speak Conference.

1) Speaking is a RELATIONSHIP business

• Marketing your speaker business is similar to dating with an eye towards marriage
• It's about learning, caring, giving, and serving
• It's about providing solutions even before you get hired
• Marketing your speaker business takes time
• Stick-to-it-tiveness is your greatest competitive advantage

2) Speaking requires NICHING (especially at first)

• You can niche by topic
• You can niche by industry
• You can niche by both
• When you niche by industry, you can get to know decision-makers and get to know when key decisions are made

3) Combining TIMING and YOUR SOLUTIONS is huge to getting booked and paid as a speaker

• Because relationships with decision-makers are built as you provide solutions...
• And because niching allows you to get to know when key decisions are being made...
• You can offer POSITIVE SOLUTIONS at the RIGHT TIME for a profit

3 Reasons Why This is the BEST Year to Attend the Killer Keynote Conference, the Paid to Speak Conference, or both!

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Got questions? Submit them here
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

The Killer Keynote Conference (September 22-23) and the Paid to Speak Conference (September 24-26) ARE HAPPENING. Locations have been reserved, and we're all set to go!

With that said, if something changes and we are unable to meet in a live venue, we will host each conference virtually. Additionally, you will receive a FREE PASS to a future conference.

https://paidtospeakconference.com/#register

This is an OUTSTANDING time to start your speaker business.

For one, speaking is a relationship business, and it takes time to build relationships with decision-makers. Right now you have a chance to set yourself apart from other speakers simply by showing up and showing value. That's because, as I've heard from the decision-makers I know, many speakers are pushing way too hard asking, "When will you be hiring speakers again?"

Two, the speaker world is becoming less crowded. Many speakers built their entire business on live engagements and forgot to prepare for tough times. Some of these speakers are no longer in business with others soon to follow. As live events start coming back, there will be fewer speakers competing for business.

https://paidtospeakconference.com/#register

I pride myself on being available during both conferences to answer your questions and to give as much personal attention as possible. But often, the number of attendees makes this challenging.

So why do I think this could be your best opportunity to attend?

Simply because registration numbers are down. This year, we opened the registration doors for both conferences on March 4. A week later we had to shut down registration. I'm not sure how many people will attend this year, but it's almost guaranteed to be significantly smaller.

That means more personal attention for you and more opportunity to gain clarity on your speaker brand and business than ever before!

https://paidtospeakconference.com/#register

I ran a little contest when we first opened registration for the Paid to Speak Conference. The prize is an exclusive dinner with me at Marlow's... my favorite restaurant... on Thursday evening of the Paid to Speak Conference (and I even pick up the check).

Well, there are 2 spots still left in this contest, and I'd be honored to have you join me as one of my guests.

Again, it's at Marlow's (my favorite restaurant) on Thursday evening, September 24, during the Paid to Speak Conference.

When you register, all you have to do to claim your seat is to be one of the first two people to forward your registration confirmation to me: [email protected].

REGISTER NOW and forward your registration confirmation to me ASAP because there are only a couple of seats left at the table.

Mapping out your speaking business requires a mindset shift. The reason it requires a shift is because of the images that pop into our minds when we hear the word map. We either think of a roadmap, or we envision pulling out our phones and asking Siri to give us directions. But neither of these scenarios work when you are starting a business.

When starting a business, it's important to envision a different type of map. You need to envision a Treasure Map.

Mapping out your speaking business is more of an art than a science. This is why envisioning a Treasure Map works better than any type of modern-day map.

Here are the two tools that will help you effectively map out your speaker business:

Tool #1: Compass

This tool includes:

• Purpose/mission statement
• Values
• Personality traits
• Talents and skills
• Speaking topic, expertise, and solutions my services provide (this is the most important feature of your Compass to your speaker business)

Tool #2: Map

This tool includes:

• X Marks the Spot — sharing your services and the solutions you provide (this is where you are trying to go)
• Landmarks — industries you think will be a good fit for your services and the solutions you provide
• Steps to get to a landmark — reaching out and connecting with decision-makers, organizations, and other speakers in the industry

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• Got questions? Submit them here
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

Virtual training was growing in popularity before the Coronavirus, but now it is definitely here to stay. In-person keynotes and training will be back, but the validity of virtual workshops and webinars has been cemented during the past few months.

While there are similarities between speaking to an audience at a live venue and speaking via a virtual training platform like Zoom or Go To Meeting, there are also unique differences. In this episode, I share 5 quick tips that have helped me improve my virtual training presentations. My hope is they will help you as well.

Tip #1: Look at the camera

• This is easier said than done

Tip #2: Be expressive

• Facial expressions
• Vocal expressions

Tip #3: Use your slides effectively

• This is the most important tip I share
• Image selection is vital because it keeps participants visually engaged
• Image selection also help participants think about your teaching points on a deeper level

Tip #4: Move through your presentation at a quicker pace than your live presentations

• This keeps participants engaged
• Use Q&A to strategically fill in any gaps

Tip #5: Have some fun

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Got questions? Submit them here
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

I'm a results-oriented, driven person. What's more, a lot of the speakers I've met are the same way. Maybe you are too.

Productivity is a good thing. But, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. The reason? A strength taken to an extreme becomes a weakness.

While productivity is important for speakers, so is finding inspiration, gaining insights, and cultivating creative ideas. And did you know that being overly productive actually hinders these things? 

In Episode 16, I share how productivity can actually hurt your speaking business.

1) Leaning your ladder against the wrong wall

• Professional mistake — being productive with the wrong business idea
• Personal mistake — being so productive that you forget to invest in what matters most

2) Inspiration, insights, and ideas are not a result of productive

• They are the result of slowing down and pausing

1) Lead your life from quiet

2) Get up, get out, and get moving

3) Create your own, personal "Think Tank"

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Got questions? Submit them here
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

During the past several days, I've had three different conversations with people asking: "Why would anyone want to start a speaking business right now?" The idea behind this question is: If travel is shut down and no one is hiring speakers because of Coronavirus, why would anyone want to start a speaking business right now?

As the saying goes, "The best time to start a business is yesterday. The second best time is today." Well, I believe that right now is actually an amazing time to start a speaking business. Here's why...

1) There is no pressure

2) You have more time

• You have a longer "runway"

3) It's easier to stand out

• The competition "true colors" come out
• A great opportunity to serve before selling

4) The marketplace will be less crowded

1) Pick your topic

2) Shape your brand

3) Work on your craft — develop your signature speech

4) Build your website

5) Serve decision-makers with no strings attached

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Got questions? Submit them here
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

What makes a speaking topic profitable?

In this episode, Kent shares 3 questions that will serve as a filter for picking the right speaking topic for you to get booked and paid to speak.

Feature Resource: 5 Keys to Crafting and Delivering an Unforgettable Speech

1) Am I PASSIONATE about the topic?

• This question isn't exactly what you think.

2) Am I PROFICIENT in the topic?

• What is easy for me that isn't easy for others?

3) Is it a PROFITABLE topic?

• Kent shares several speaker hacks to help you find out if your topic is one that will allow you to get booked and paid to speak.

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Got questions? Submit them here
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

Every thought you have is NOT your choice, but what you do with every thought IS your choice.

Or, as Martin Luther said, "You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair."

The plethora of opinions and commentary being shared 24/7 right now is creating so much noise. But we all have a choice. While we cannot control the thoughts that pop into our heads, we can control what we do with those thoughts.

As you grow your speaking business, it's very important to carefully choose what thoughts you dwell on. In this episode, I share what I'm choosing to do with my thoughts. I hope these ideas help you choose wisely.

Here are four DOs and DON'Ts I'm practicing to help me process my life and speaking business during the Coronavirus pandemic.

1) DO stay informed. DON'T ingest.

2) DO stay engaged. DON'T debate.

3) DO stay realistically optimistic. DON'T be overly pessimistic.

4) DO live it forward. DON'T listen to all the predictions about the future (they're nothing but guesses anyway).

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Got questions? Submit them here
• First Paid Speech online course and community ($99/cancel at any time)
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

Near the beginning of every Paid to Speak Conference, I explain how stick-to-it-tiveness is your greatest competitive advantage as a speaker. The reason is simple: most speakers quit too soon.

The truth is getting booked and paid as a speaker isn't overly difficult. Sure, it takes time and effort. But when you learn what to do and then consistently work that system, over time that system will work for you.

The key words in the previous paragraph are consistently and over time. Most people quit too soon. Stick-to-it-tiveness, on the other hand, is all about consistency over the long haul

In this episode, I simply want to encourage you with one thought: DON'T QUIT NOW!

1) Don't Quit Now

2) Stick-to-it-tiveness is your greatest competivie advantage as a speaker

3) Check out David Greer's excellent post about the importance of preparing for the business rebound

• Think like a farmer. Focus like a farmer. Work like a farmer.

4) First Paid Speech online course and community ($99/cancel at any time)

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Got questions? Submit them here
• First Paid Speech online course and community ($99/cancel at any time)
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

If you type "speaking books" in a Google or Amazon search, you'll find a lot of great titles. But in Episode 11, I share 3 great speaking books you've probably never heard of... even if you're a veteran speaker.

The reason? These are NOT actually speaking books. Yet each one of them have been key resources for me in growing a successful speaking business.

Bottom line, if you want to get paid to speak, be sure to add these 3 books to your speaker library!

1) Made to Stick

• This book will help you become a better presenter

2) The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

• This book will help you think like a marketer

3) Opening Closed Doors

• This book will help you effectively connect with decision-makers

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Got questions? Submit them here
• Hey Mic — the Bluetooth microphone specifically designed for smartphone videos
• Paid to Speak Conference and Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.