Jaimie: In today's episode we are diving into the often quirky world of becoming a paid speaker. I get asked this question all the time: how do I become a paid speaker and in particular highly paid speaker? So grab a snack, put on your silliest hat and let's get started on this whimsical adventure.
But before I do I just wanted to let you know that next week the doors are opening for my signature course Paid to Speak. You can join the waitlist. There is still time and paid to speak.com.au and if you join from the waitlist doors will actually open later this week. You will be able to not only get early access about 72 hours before everyone else and you get all the courses as soon as you sign up. You'll also get a group coaching session which we will conduct live in July and from the waitlist if you sign up you'll get a bonus one on one session with me. How cool is that? So normally my one on one sessions are $899 you will get a one on one session with me and you can use that anytime in the next six months. So that's a bonus for those who joined from the waitlist which is pretty exciting.
So if the thought of becoming a paid speaker gives you butterflies, fear not because we are here well I'm here in my heart, my big group of friends, nobody. We're here to guide you through the process with a spring in your step and a smile on your face. So let's get started with the basics, shall we?
First of all finding your niche. It's like finding that perfect pair of jeans that not only fits like a glove that makes you feel like a bit of a rock star. You know those ones that we've got in our cupboards and wardrobes. So consider your passions, expertise and the unique problems that you can help solve for your audience. Once you've found your niche, it's time to embrace it wholeheartedly. Now that you've found your niche, it's time to hone those public speaking skills. Just like learning to juggle flaming torches or unicycle across a tightrope. I've got a circus theme today. Practice makes perfect. So attend workshops, join a local Toastmasters club, or practice in front of your favorite stuffed animals. They may not provide the best feedback but they will certainly be an attentive audience. The more you practice, the more confident and engaging you will become as a speaker.
So with your niche discovered and your speaking skills sharpened, it's time to build your professional online presence, creating a dazzling website that showcases your expertise past speaking engagements and irresistible charm. So don't forget with our paid speaking hat on we want to include a speaker reel. People want to see you know a video, 60 seconds is fine. Just some snippets of you speaking doesn't have to be anything flash but people want to see you in action. They also want to see testimonials and a list of your speaking topics and hey, if you can sneak in maybe a hilarious quote even better, just something which is going to really personalize it and make you stand out.
Now let's talk about networking. That's the social dance that you can sometimes feel like you're tap dancing on a tightrope or fear not because networking can actually be quite fun, and it's a really rewarding way to connect with like minded individuals, share ideas and forge lasting relationships. So reach out to event organizers, fellow speakers and professionals in your niche and be genuine in your interactions. A well timed joke or a shared passion can go a long way in building meaningful connections. Now we've covered finding your niche polishing your speaking skills, building your online presence and networking like a pro.
Now it's time for the grand finale, landing your first paid speaking gig. So start off by researching events and conferences in your niche and maybe reach out to I don't know like event organizers. With a really well crafted speaker proposal and I do cover this in detail in the paid to speak course. So definitely check it out at paidtospeak.com.au. You even get templates, drag and drop copy and paste templates that you can use for your proposals, but be prepared to start small and I'm talking local events, webinars. Even guest appearances on podcasts can be an excellent stepping stone to bigger and more lucrative speaking engagements.
And remember, every opportunity is a chance to learn, it's a chance to grow and make an impression. So bring your A- game to every year no matter how small.
And there you have it folks, a nice quick episode today, a light-hearted guide to becoming a paid speaker. As you embark on your speaking journey. Remember to embrace your niche, polish your skills and practice is going to make perfect there and just enjoy the process.
Well, thank you for joining me on this week's episode of Perfect Public Speaking. I can't wait to see some of you inside the painters because our doors only open twice a year for eight days at a time. And so it's your chance next week when the doors open to the public or if you join from the waitlist at paidtospeak.com.au this weekend, you'll actually be able to get access to all of the content don't forget to subscribe to my Perfect Public Speaking podcast so you never miss an episode in the future. But if you have any questions, suggestions or even just some cool tales to share, feel free to reach out to me and send me a DM on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or through my website at Jaimieabbott.com. Until next time, keep speaking, keep laughing and keep making the world a better and more entertaining place one speech at a time!
