Who doesn’t want to add a new revenue stream to their business? Sometimes the very easiest thing to do is the one we miss. If you do not get paid for public speaking you are leaving money on the stage.
Are you getting a fee for speaking? Are you even asking for a fee? You are an information expert- that means information is your product. When you share product (information) with an audience you should be paid for giving that product to them.
You devote time and effort to crafting your speech, practicing, and creating collateral just like you put time into working with clients. You should get paid for that time.
Are you? Or do you speak for free all of the time? Are you glad you can share valuable information but resenting the time away from clients and family?
Add a new revenue stream next year by getting paid to speak. The first thing you need to do is ask to get paid. That might be the hardest step. Have a fee ready go when you ask.
“My standard fee for a 45 minute speech is XXXX.”
If they cannot accommodate that fee they may be able to accommodate another and some organizations will provide a small monetary ‘gift’ as a thank you for speaking. You get to determine if the fee/gift is enough to make it worthwhile.
What if you asked to be paid and the organization said they never pay. Time to get creative. You are still providing something of value. Ask if they have a training budget- perhaps they could purchase some of your books to hand out to participants. You get paid for the books- you get some income from the speech.
Ask if you can set up a table at the back of the room to sell products you or your affiliates have that relate to the speech.
At a minimum, you should receive the name and email of the attendees for your list, a testimonial from the event planner and warm referrals to at least two (2) organizations that would use your services. Put all of this on a signed contract.
Speaking is a business. You deserve to be paid for your knowledge. For more information on getting paid to speak check out 9 Steps from Free to Fee and get a jump-start on adding income to next year.
