Paid to Speak

The #1 question I am being asked during the COVID-19 crisis is: what are you doing RIGHT NOW to build your speaking business?

The truth is, even in times like this when we are facing the coronavirus pandemic, there are steps you can take to build your speaking business.

In fact, as the world slows down, a great question to ask yourself is: what does this make possible? You might discover you've been given a gift—the gift of time to build your speaking business.

In this episode, I share how to build a speaking business RIGHT NOW.

1) Build your speaker website

• Home page
• About page
• Speaking page
• Resource page
• Contact page
• Resource: Wordpress Theme I use to build ALL my websites

2) Build your contact list

• Find decision-makers
• Search other speakers' websites for clues
• Resource: First Paid Speech Online Course

3) Work on your presentation

• Resource: 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• Resource: Killer Keynote Conference

1) Post brand-specific ideas and tips on social media

2) Provide high-value solutions for clients and prospects, but keep things simple and avoid asking for business

3) If decision-makers want more, offer virtual training options, but do not give your services away for free

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Creating a Speech That Pays
• First Paid Speech Online Course
• Killer Keynote Conference

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

Click here to find out more about the Paid to Speak Accelerator Community (aka Mastermind Community) and to put your name on our Waiting List.

In Tip #1 on how to become a better speaker, I challenged you to do all you can to learn, grow, and develop as a Thought Leader on your topic.

But...if you don't capture the ideas you discover, Tip #1 is useless.

Years ago, someone gave me advice that was so simple, yet it has become one of the most important habits I practice as a speaker.

Here's the advice: When You Think It, Ink It.

Whenever I find something that fits my topic, I write it down immediately.

But I don't just write it down. I make sure to save it in a place where I can find it later.

For some people, that place is a journal or notebook.

For me, it's Evernote. I have a speaking folder in Evernote where I capture all the ideas about my speaking topic that pop into my brain. (BTW, the main reason I like Evernote is it's much easier to search for what I've recorded than it is in a journal or notebook.)

But no matter what system you use, never forget... When You Think It, Ink It.

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker (FREE Resource)
• 5 Keys to Create a Speech That Pays (FREE Resource)
• Got questions? Submit them here

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

Kent is launching a Paid to Speak Accelerator community soon. This community will include:

• Ongoing, live, weekly training sessions.
• Live "Take Action" sessions — you get a chance to implement... in real-time during sessions... what you are learning by taking action on things like sending out marketing emails, writing website copy, and more.
• Live "Opportunity Seat" sessions — you get the opportunity to tap into the power of the community through mastermind sessions where other members help you shape your speaking business, your presentation, and more.
• Exclusive, private Facebook group for 24/7 answers to your most pressing questions.
• Extensive video library of pre-recorded content and training (including access to our signature First Paid Speech course which is foundational to the Paid to Speak system — six modules, one hour each).
• Discount to live events.

To get on the first-alert list for early access to the Paid to Speak Accelerator, send an "I'm interested in the P2S Community" message using our Contact Page.

In this 5-part series, I share hard truths about speaking that no one tells you.

Hard Truth #3: If You Don't Walk Your Talk, You'll Ruin Your Career (and Maybe More)

1. This is not a call to perfection, it's a call to integrity and direction.

2. Always remember, Meeting Professionals and Decision Makers talk to one another.

3. Not only will this ruin your career, but it could also ruin your life.

• The lack of integrity will eat you up inside.

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker (FREE Resource)
• 5 Keys to Create a Speech That Pays (FREE Resource)
• Got questions? Submit them here

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

When you hear the words meeting canceled as a speaker (and you will from time to time), you have the opportunity to set yourself apart in a positive way.

In Episode 8, I continue to share how the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is impacting my speaking business. As of this recording, I have heard the words meeting canceled for 10 speaking engagements so far. Additionally, I expect more cancelations in the weeks and months to come.

The temptation for all of us in tough times is to check out and whine. But remember, you are still in charge of your life and business. A better approach to dealing with canceled speaking engagements is to SHOW UP and SHINE for the decision-makers and meeting professionals who originally booked you.

SPECIAL WEBPAGE AND VIDEO mentioned in this episode to help you build resiliency and courage.

Any speaker can SHOW UP and SHINE when business is strong, but only the true professionals serve well in difficult circumstances. One difficult circumstance speakers face is hearing a decision-maker say the words meeting canceled.

When speaking engagements are canceled (and this will happen from time to time), it's best to focus on serving your clients exceptionally well. Here's are 4 customer service tips that will help SHOW UP and SHINE when speaking engagements are canceled:

1) Be Proactive

• Don't wait for decision-makers and meeting professionals to reach out to you
• Remember, when an event is canceled, decision-makers have 1,001 other details to handle

2) Be Positive

• Speaking is a relationship business, so take the opportunity of canceled speaking engagements as a chance to build stronger relationships with meeting planners
• Never forget, decision-makers do business with people they know, like, and trust

3) Be Different

• Set yourself apart by how you communicate with decision-makers and meeting professionals
• Give decision-makers options for how to move forward such as virtual summits and rescheduling
• Be a resource and solution-provider for decision-makers

4) Be Service-Oriented

• Remember, as a speaker, you are there to serve your client, not to have your client serve you
• The more you serve, the more decision-makers and meeting professionals will know, like, and trust you

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker
• 5 Keys to Create a Speech That Pays
• SPECIAL WEBPAGE AND VIDEO mentioned in this episode

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post.

Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.

4 Building Blocks of Speaking - One-Page Graphic

Click here to find out more about the Paid to Speak Accelerator Community (aka Mastermind Community) and to put your name on our Waiting List.

• Season 1 — Spring (Planting)
• Season 2 — Summer (Growth)
• Season 3 — Fall (Harvest)

• 9 Ways to Get Paid as a Speaker (FREE Resource)
• 5 Keys to Create a Speech That Pays (FREE Resource)
• Got questions? Submit them here

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on iTunes. Also, share it by using the social media buttons at the top or bottom of this post. Until next time, continue to move from #DREAMtoDO as a speaker.