Jaimie: Well, welcome to another episode of Pitch Perfect where I help you master the art of public speaking and take your skills to the next level. I'm, your host, Jamie Abbott, and today we're diving into a topic that's crucial for anyone looking to turn their passion for speaking into a profitable career and that is transitioning from free to paid speaking engagements. Now, if you've been giving talks for free and are wondering how to start getting paid for your expertise, this episode is for you. We'll cover everything from building your portfolio to setting your pricing. So stay tuned and let's get started. Let's begin with the foundation. And that is your portfolio. If you've been speaking for free, you've likely built up some experience. Now it's time to showcase that experience in a way that demonstrates your value to potential clients. So number one is building your portfolio. First, gather all of the materials that you have from your previous speaking engagements. This includes videos of your talks, testimonials from audience members or event organisers, photos, and any press coverage that you've received. Create a professional portfolio that highlights your best work. Now, having a polished website can also make a huge difference. So what I say to people is to make sure that your website includes a professional bio that highlights your expertise and experience. A speaking page with details about the topics you cover, videos and testimonials from past events. A contact form for booking inquiries. If you don't have video of your talks, consider recording yourself, delivering a speech high quality video content can be a game changer when convincing potential clients of your abilities.
Number two defining your niche can make you more attractive to event organisers
Number two defining your niche let's talk about defining your niche. While it's tempting to be a jack of all trades, specialising in a specific area can make you more attractive to event organisers who are looking for experts. Consider what topics you're most passionate about and where you have the most expertise. By focusing on a niche, you can position yourself as an authority in that area, making it easier to justify charging for your services. Plus, it helps you tailor your marketing efforts more effectively. Creating a signature speech now having a signature speech is also another key component. This is a talk that you're known for and can deliver with absolute confidence and impact. Your signature speech should be engaging, informative and tailored to your target audience, so work on refining this speech until it's polished to perfection. You might want to maybe practise delivering it in front of different audiences, gather feedback and make improvements. When you have a signature speech that wows, it becomes much easier to market to yourself and justify your fees.
Transitioning from free to paid speaking engagements takes time and effort
Now, setting your pricing let's get to the part that many find daunting and that is setting your pricing. It's important to value your time and expertise appropriately. Start by researching the going rates for speakers in your niche and with similar experience levels. Remember, your pricing should reflect the value you provide. Consider factors such as the length of your talk, the amount of customization required, travel expenses. If this applies your level of expertise and unique insights, it's also helpful to create different packages. For example, you might offer a basic package with a standard speech and a premium package that includes a customised presentation, follow up workshops or one on one coaching sessions. Now let's talk about negotiating fees, because when it comes to negotiating fees, confidence is key. Be prepared to articulate the value that you bring to the table. Highlight your experience, your signature speech and any testimonials or case studies that demonstrate your impact. Don't be afraid to ask for what you are worth. It's quite normal for event organisers to try to negotiate, but stand firm on your value. If you can't meet your fee, consider offering a slightly adjusted package that still respects your worth. Leveraging your network networking plays a crucial role in transitioning to paid speaking engagements. Leverage your existing connections to spread the word about your services. Reach out to event organisers, perhaps those that you've worked with in the past, and let them know that you are now offering paid engagements. Attend industry events, join speaker Bureau, speaker associations and engage with your peers online. The more visible that you are in your community, the more opportunities you'll have to showcase your skills and attract paid gigs. Marketing yourself your marketing strategy should also evolve as you transition to paid speaking. Here are a few tips to enhance your marketing efforts. Social media use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram to share snippets of your talks, behind the scenes content and testimonials. Content Marketing write blog posts or create videos on topics related to your niche. This positions you as a thought leader and attracts potential clients. Email marketing build an email list and send regular updates about your speaking engagements, new content and availability for bookings. Consider offering free webinars or workshops as a way to showcase your expertise and attract paying clients. These can serve as a teaser for your full length presentations and demonstrate the value you provide. Offering free talks strategically while the goal, of course, is to get paid, offering free talks can still be a strategic move if done correctly. Speak at high visibility events where your target clients will be in the audience. Use these opportunities to showcase your skills and collect testimonials. After the event, follow up with attendees and organisers. Offer additional services such as workshops or consulting that they can hire you for. This way, your free talks can lead to paid opportunities and building long term relationships. Finally, focus on building long term relationships with your clients. Provide exceptional value, exceed their expectations and stay in touch after the event. Long term relationships lead to repeat bookings and referrals, which are essential for a sustainable speaking career. So there you go. Transitioning from free to paid speaking engagements takes time and effort, but with a strategic approach, you can make it happen. Start by building a strong portfolio, defining your niche and setting your pricing confidently. Leverage your network, enhance your marketing efforts and always provide exceptional value to your clients. Thank you for joining me today on pitch Perfect. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a five star review. And remember, your voice has the power to inspire and transform. Do not be afraid to share it with the world and make sure you're getting paid what you're worth. Until next time, keep speaking and keep shining.
Thanks for listening to pitch perfect. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it and share it to social media. If you'd like to download my free paid speaking resources, go to jamieabert.com.
