How to Get Paid to Speak

Now that you have all the contacts you can possibly use, when can you expect to get paid for speaking or other business engagements?

You have done your job and spoken to many non-profits and Chambers, your name is getting well known and you have even been paid to do a couple of speeches at places of business. Now it is time to look further down the road. You can continue to self advocate your speaking but in addition you will need to use other tools to further what you are doing. One tool would be the use of a Speakers Bureau. These bureaus will want a great deal of information from you and they will also want a cut of your speaking engagements, plus they may also want a host of other monetary gains. If you choose a speakers bureau, make sure they will promote you and not take you to the cleaners. There are many very good bureaus, but you must do your research.

Another excellent avenue for speaking engagements is through professional associations. If you belong to the National Speakers Association, The Association of Management Consultants, or any other such trade organization, you will have opportunities to put on a seminar at their conventions. This is another good way to be known for your expertise and another way to network with professionals in your field. Remember that every contact you make should go into your contact list even if you do not use them initially.

Checklists

One of the keys to getting speaking engagements is to make sure you know your own expertise.

List at least 5 areas where you feel you are an expert.

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Take the list you created as your list of expertise and determine which 3 will help your business grow.

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From the list above, determine why anyone would listen to a speaker on that subject - this is a list of benefits of each topic and not a list of features. (use a separate page if you need more room)

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According to the benefits - who will be your target audience?

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Name at least 3 groups that would be an ideal speaking venue for the topic(s) you have selected.

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What publications, articles, or other proof do you have that puts YOU as the expert for these topics?

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List the writing you plan to do in the next 6 months to support YOUR expertise.

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By Bette Daoust, Ph.D.