5 Tips to Land a Paid Speaking Gig

Public speaking has always been one of those things that doesn’t leave people indifferent. Some get frightened just thinking about the possibility of performing in front of a crowd, whereas others love speaking in front of people and may even dream of making money with it.

One good thing about public speaking is that it can be a brilliant opportunity for a side career. It typically takes only about an hour or so to perform. And even if you have a couple of such performances a month, you may well be able to combine it with your full-time career.

Best part? It pays well! In the corporate world, expert speakers can earn as much as $20,000 — $30,000 for a single speech. Celebrity speakers may be paid even more. The prospects can really be enticing, but while there shouldn’t be a problem to land a gig when you are already a top speaker, the biggest question is how to begin?

If you are planning to make a living speaking, this article is for you. We share with you some handy tips on how to land your first paid gig:

1. Free-up Your Time

First of all, you will need time and patience. If you are an entrepreneur, start delegating more to give yourself time to implement your ideas.

If you are still a student, you can still land a paid speaking job. The plan of action is similar — start by creating great content. Yet, be sure to find a way to take care of your coursework while you are busy building your future career. Consider buying an essay from professional writers to save yourself time for other activities.

2. Create Great Content

When it comes to building a speaking career, one aspect you can’t do without is authority. And the best way to establish your authority in the modern world is through high-quality content posted on various free platforms.

You can post on platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Medium, and similar. By creating free and valuable content, you will start developing your personal brand and establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field.

3. Craft a Brilliant Elevator Pitch

Next on your to-do list is to write an effective pitch. It should tell people about you, and stress your expertise. This will be the pitch you will use to reach out to event organizers, so be sure to show that you are a perfect fit for their events.

If you are not sure how to write an elevator pitch that demands attention, consider getting professional help. Often, services that provide essay help online can also assist you with different types of business writing. Hiring a professional writer will help you get the best result in the shortest time. So if you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance!

4. Reach Out at First

At the start of your career, don’t expect everyone to want you at their conference or other events by default. In fact, the chances are that you won’t get invitations at first. But don’t get disappointed.

Be your most proactive and reach out to land your first gig. Find various conferences and other events where you might be a good fit and reach out to them using the pitch you have prepared. Also, it will be a good idea to keep a list of relevant events and take note of the ones you reach out to.

And lastly, remember that quantity is important. The more applications you send out, the higher are your chances of being selected.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak for Free

Before landing your first paid gig, you will almost certainly have to speak for free first. The thing is, it takes time, skill, and experience to become a good speaker. Naturally enough, big conferences that pay good money for engagements typically don’t want to invite someone who lacks experience.

Therefore, before you start making money for your appearances, be willing to speak for free. Don’t reject invitations. Instead, get out there and give it your best, even if you’re not getting paid.

Firstly, this will help you gain more confidence and experience. Secondly, it will be great practice before the “big” game. Lastly, speaking will benefit your personal brand. You never know when and how you may be recommended to, or noticed by, potential clients. Also, networking at such events can be very beneficial. So be sure to use every opportunity to speak publicly and build your skills and your brand.

The Bottom Line

So, are you still planning to build a speaking career? Follow the tips from this article to make this a reality for you.

Keep in mind that a successful speaking career that pays well doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it can take years of honing your skills while making your way to the top. So, one final tip we’d like to give you is to stay patient and keep moving forward towards your goal of being a professional speaker.

This was originally posted on SpeakerHub Skillcamp.