332: From FREE to FEE - 5 Keys to becoming a PAID Speaker

You asked for it… so I’m digging into it!  How do you go from being “interested in becoming a speaker” to actually building a speaking business?  It’s not easy… (run from anyone who tells you it is) BUT the steps to get there are a lot clearer than you might imagine.  In today’s episode we’re going to get you the 5 keys to becoming a PAID speaker!  The EXTRA good news is that ANYONE can start to implement these steps IMMEDIATELY!  So, if you’ve got a message that’s burning in you… something you know would help people… something that could make an impact… then THIS episode is for YOU!  We’ll show you a path to start speaking more AND increase your chances for being paid well as you do!

RESOURCES:

To find out more about Mitch’s “Next-Level Speaker Event 2021” Click Here.

This event will help you get the marketing pieces in place to reach more of the people you want to reach, score the stages you want to speak on and get paid well to do it!

Download the PDF at https://mitchmatthews.com/332

 

MORE ABOUT THE EPISODE:

While I was on sabbatical… I’d asked YOU… the DREAM THINK DO family… about what you’d like me to dig into once I got back.  I listed off a number of themes and topics:

 

THEMES: 

• Entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial mindset
• Speaking and building a speaking business
• Podcasting and growing YOUR OWN podcast
• Coaching and mentoring

 

SPECIFIC (or more general) TOPICS:

• Faith in the workplace and “real world” convos about that stuff
• How do you get back up… when you’re knocked down
• How do you have the guts to go after a big idea
• Time management in an era when no one seems to have boundaries 
• Really cool people with really inspiring stories
• AND/OR… YOUR suggestions too 

Well… I heard from you and one of the big areas that many of you wanted to hear about was “Speaking and building a Speaking Business.”  

I wanted to go after that right away… so we’re digging in today!

5 Keys to go from “FREE” to “FEE” as a Successful (and profitable) Speaker.

 

Key 1: START!

It’s not a surprise, but when people ask me about the best ways to get started as a Speaker… my response is always short, sweet, accurate and to the point.  I say, “Get started!”

It’s not a throw away answer.  It's the absolute truth.  The best way to start… is to start.  

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“START where you are.  Use what you have. DO what you can.” - Arthur Ashe   

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In the episode, I share some of my “humble beginnings” stories but I also explain how those speaking events… where it felt no one was looking… led to my first paid gig with a Fourtune 100 company!

Key 2: Create a Tangible Talk

That’s right.  Before you ever get paid… get started by creating a talk.  In the episode, I explain why… but I also introduce you to the  strategy of Creating an Idea Map.  (Make sure to download the Participant Guide… above.  It will give you an example of what I’m talking about!)

 

Key 3:  Deliver that Tangible Talk

Once you have your tangible talk… find ways to deliver it.  We’ll talk about ways to do it AND I’ll share a story of how giving a “free” talk in a public library led to a $20K gig!

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“Getting STARTED gets you needed practice and it gets you into what we call

“The Speaker Jet Stream!” 

• Mitch Matthews 

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KEY 4: Know The Process!

This was something that was totally in my blindspot!  I didn’t know the process for being selected as a speaker for bigger events and stages.  And since I didn’t know… I wasn’t confident.  And Event Planners and Selection Committees could pick up on it… so I didn’t get the opportunities.  

BUT once I started to understand the process… and more important… the BIGGEST concern of decision makers (which surprised me)... I was able to secure the types of stages and events I’d hoped for! 

KEY 5:  Create a One Sheet!

You want to make it easy for the Search Committees to SELL you to the final decision-makers.  Having a solid One Sheet will help you to do that.  More importantly… the process of putting an effective One Sheet together will help you get all your KEY marketing in place!

 

MINUTE BY MINUTE 

• 0:02 - You asked, I’m going for it! What to expect today
• 1:34 - Conversations tarts
• 3:23 - Let’s talk about public speaking
• 7:00 - If you want to be a speaker, this parts for you!
• 14:00 -  Where to start
• 16:02 - Where to test your talk
• 17:55 - What an idea map is and why you need it
• 22:00 - The real power behind stories 
• 28:33 - You have to put in the reps
• 35:50 - The perks of hosting your own event 
• 46:15 - Two things you need to impress any search committee 
• 53:33 - 5-key recap 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What stood out to you?  What’s something small but significant you are going to try?  Let me know by dropping a comment below.  I want to hear from you! 

Maybe it’s just giving yourself permission to START!  Maybe it’s putting together a talk on a subject you LOVE.  Maybe it’s scheduling a space to give that talk.  Maybe it’s reaching out to organizations who might need your help and your message!  Maybe it’s joining us for our Next Level Speaker event so you can get a powerful ONE SHEET in place and done in one weekend!  Whatever it is… BIG or small… BOLD or more subtle… take a step. 

And hey… one step would simply be to comment below and say, “I’m IN!  I’m going to START!”  I can’t wait to hear from you… because hey… I know the world needs to hear from YOU!  (You’ve got wisdom and stories in you the world needs!!!  So let’s do this!)  Amen?