Jaimie: Let’s just rip the Band-Aid off. The number one reason speakers stay broke is simple: they don’t treat speaking like a business. That’s it. And I say this with love—because I was that person. I was doing all the free gigs, all the “we’ll pay you in exposure” events. I was flattered to be asked and excited to be on stage. But here’s the problem: visibility without strategy is just busyness. You end up constantly doing, but not actually earning.
If you want to get paid to speak, you have to flip the script. You must treat every stage like a business opportunity. Not a side hustle. Not a hobby. A legitimate, income-generating business.
Let’s paint the picture. A hobby speaker says yes to every opportunity “for the experience.” They don’t have a set fee—or they’re afraid to say it out loud. They wait to be discovered instead of actively pitching themselves. They don’t track their revenue or set goals. They feel lucky to be on stage, but they’re not confident in their worth. A professional speaker, on the other hand, has a clear niche and speaking topics. They know their value and fee structure. They pitch proactively and follow up. They have a toolkit—a professional bio, one-sheet, speaker reel. And they use every gig to build momentum for future bookings.
So ask yourself—how are you operating right now? It’s okay if you’ve been in hobby mode. We all start there. But you don’t have to stay there.
Speaking isn’t just about being good on stage. It’s about being strategic off stage. If you want to stop being broke, the shift has to happen in your mindset first.
Say this out loud: I am a professional speaker. My message has value. And I get paid to speak. This isn’t about ego—it’s about ownership. Once I started owning the business side of speaking, everything changed. I built a proper speaker toolkit. I pitched myself with confidence. I stopped apologising for my rates. And I went from doing free gigs to delivering five-figure keynotes. It all starts with seeing yourself as a business.
Now let’s talk about how to actually treat speaking like a business. First, pick a profitable topic. Don’t try to speak about everything. Focus on the intersection of what you love, what you’re great at, and what people will pay for. Test it. Package it. Name it. Own it.
Next, build a speaker toolkit. This includes a professional bio, a one-page speaker sheet, a short highlight reel—even filmed on your phone—and testimonials or details from past events.
Then, set and stick to your speaking fee. Don’t dance around it. Choose a number you’re comfortable saying aloud, and increase it as demand grows. Offer tiered options—keynotes, half-day workshops, virtual presentations. Always include your terms: travel, payment deadlines, cancellations.
After that, pitch like a pro. Don’t wait to be discovered. Write a short, tailored pitch email that includes your talk title, key takeaways, why it’s a fit for their audience, and a link to your speaker toolkit. Then follow up. Not once—twice.
Finally, leverage every gig. The work doesn’t stop when the mic drops. Every talk should lead to something—a testimonial, a video clip, new leads, or a referral. Ask for feedback. Ask for referrals. Ask to return. One talk can lead to five more—if you’re strategic.
Now let’s address the myth of luck. I often hear, “You’re so lucky to get paid to speak.” But it’s not luck—it’s intentional action. It’s sending the pitch even when no one replies. It’s showing up online with consistent value. It’s positioning yourself as the solution, not just a performer. Luck didn’t get me on stages. Strategy did. You don’t need to be the most famous person in the room—you just need to be the most prepared.
If this episode lit a fire under you and you’re thinking, “I’m done being the freebie speaker,” then I have something for you. Join my free 3-Day Speak & Earn Challenge. I’ll walk you through how to create your speaker bio, how to pitch yourself, how to find and book paid gigs, and I’ll give you my done-for-you pitch templates. This challenge has helped hundreds of speakers start charging—and getting paid what they’re worth.
Go to www.jaimieabbott.com.au/speakandearn to register. And if you’re seeing this on social media, just comment “EARN” and I’ll send you the link directly.
Thank you for tuning in to Pitch Perfect. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a speaker friend who needs to hear it. Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, and please leave a review if you found it valuable. You don’t have to stay stuck in freebie mode. Your voice is powerful. Let’s get you paid to share it.
Until next time—keep pitching, and keep getting booked.
