7 Factors to Consider with Free v. Paid Public Speaking. Here are some reasons to consider how to best maximize your compensation, the next time you have an invitation to speak. You may not be able to directly sell your product or services from the stage, but when you gain exposure to new audiences, the bigger play for you is to land what I would call a whale client. Adding Value Can Win You the Gig While other speakers are battling with event promoters over price, by adding value to an event, you will be invited to speak without having to compete at all. You see, event promoters have tight budgets that they must follow. You can also leverage the experience as content to create your next book. Sampling to Potential New Leads You can also invite other event organizers that you are courting to come with you and see you live. Free Doesn’t Mean Taking a Loss Most speakers do not consider that getting paid as a speaker doesn’t only mean you get a speaking fee. Make sure you have ironed out all details in advance with the event promoter or organizer. You do not need to cover your losses when you speak for no fees; you just need to evaluate how you utilized your time.
Public speaking can be a lucrative business depending on the value you bring to an audience. Often, people have asked me what it takes to be a speaker for profit. Occasionally, I get asked how much I get paid as a speaker. Well, I am here to tell you — sometimes, not very much… but there are reasons for that.
“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.” —Napoleon Hill
The goal of speaking before an audience is not as simple as delivering a speech in your niche and getting paid a sum. There are boundless opportunities that come with speaking other than just receiving a check. When you have not yet established yourself as a speaker, you may consider speaking for free or at a very low cost to increase exposure. As a seasoned speaker, forgoing a speaking fee can reap tremendous rewards both in revenue and new opportunities.
Here are some reasons to consider how to best maximize your compensation, the next time you have an invitation to speak.
Looking for New Clients / Fishing in New Ponds
Whenever you speak, you should be looking for new clients. I have always looked at free speaking gigs as a way to generate new leads. You may not be able to directly sell your product or services from the stage, but when you gain exposure to new audiences, the bigger play for you is to land what I would call a whale client. When you get out there, the speaking fee is not the prize, landing corporate contracts or landing multiple clients is what you should be after. What if you find somebody that would pay you 10 times your standard speaking fee as your new client? You can easily cover your ‘losses’ and consider that a win!
The key to this being a winning scenario is to really know your audience ahead of time. Get to know who the attendees and other speakers will be, especially if you are going to sell a product or service from the stage. It is important to know the potential of the audience before deciding to speak — and certainly before forgoing any speaking fees. Ask the event promoter for insight, and do your own research as to the type of association or group you will be in front of. You could end up landing the biggest contract of…
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