What if we told you that you could make thousands of dollars from one public speaking engagement? You can! If you associate public speaking with unpaid obligations like team meetings or class presentations, think again! You can make major supplemental income or even a full-time career from professional public speaking. Are you ready to tell and sell your story? Read on for our step-by-step process of how to make money speaking.
Write a keynote speech
YourThe first step to becoming a paid speaker is to write a keynote speech that will become your signature talk and message. The key to a strong keynote is to provide a transformation for your audience. How will the audience think, feel, or do something differently after hearing you speak? Think about how the lessons you’ve learned from your story can help others in their stories. Make sure to include an introduction, conclusion, and supporting stories in your keynote.
Brand yourself as as speaker
Once you’ve written your keynote, it’s time to get your name and newfound speaker status out there. No one will know you’re a speaker unless you tell them, so shout it from the rooftops. Update your Instagram bio and LinkedIn headline with “speaker.”
Create a speaker website that includes your keynote abstract and how event organizers can contact you. “Make sure your website is easy to navigate,” said Michelle Rockwell, booking manager for Mic Drop founder Jess Ekstrom. “Meeting planners will spend literally seconds (not minutes), to search what they need to find out more about you. If it’s too difficult to find, they will move onto the next speaker on their list.”
Pitch event organizers and meeting planners
Now comes the hunt for your first paid speaking gig. Fear not, friend – we’ve got the process of finding speaking gigs down to a science. For starters, connect with event organizers and meeting planners on social media. Set up Google Alerts so that you get “calls for speakers” sent straight to your inbox. Contact local schools and organizations about upcoming events. (For even more tried and true pitching methods and email templates, enroll in Mic Drop Workshop.)
Sign the contract and deliver your talk
You’re officially booked – first, celebrate! Then, get a contract in place that outlines all of the details and expectations around event dates, travel, lodging, event photography or videography, start time, etc. If you’re using slides, come prepared with a flash drive, clicker, and any adaptors needed. After the event is over, don’t forget to ask for a testimonial or introduction to other event organizers.
There you have it! You’re just a few steps away from becoming a paid public speaker. Ready to get started? Mic Drop Workshop takes you deep into the process to craft your keynote talk, market yourself as a speaker, and get your first of many paid speaking gigs.
Plus, when you enroll you’ll get access our exclusive community of supportive Speaker Sisters who share speaking opportunities and feedback with each other on a daily basis. When in doubt, our Speaker Sister-hood has your back!
So, what are you waiting for?
