Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve-O-68
I've been doing some public speaking as of late. I've talked with a couple Girlscouts troops and a 4th grade elementary school class. I did these for free, and plan on speaking to other kids organizations/classes for free as well.
But this got me thinking. I bet I can use this to my advantage and actually make a buck. I'm going to check with a few of my local churches and maybe a YMCA or two to set up some speaking engagements. Have them announced to the members as a free 'Health and Wellness' seminar... But I'll mention that while the seminar is free, donations would gladly be accepted. If you like the info and feel it was of value to you, drop a buck or two in the bucket on your way out. No obligation though. Then split the proceeds with the church or Y.
I'm thinking this would be a good way to build some local notariety and hopefully drive some more paying customers my way.
Thoughts?
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I had the same thought a couple years ago. Someone recommended a book called Speak and Grow Rich. I bought it, read it, and realized I had no interest in doing what it takes to make money as a speaker.
So when I speak or do a presentation, it's either as a favor for someone (like Career Day at my daughters' school), or because I really want to attend the event (like JP's Summit), or because it gives me a chance to attend a conference, earn CEUs, make new contacts, catch up with acquaintances and colleagues, and hear the other speakers.
I don't think I've ever been paid to speak. If the conference host picks up my travel expenses, and I get to attend the conference for free and earn CEUs, that's plenty of compensation. I've only done it a few times, but I've thoroughly enjoyed each chance to get up and talk.
There's an actual speakers' circuit, and there's a lot of money to be made on it. I've heard some of these speakers at corporate functions. Most of them are best-selling authors, and you can usually tell that they're just going through the motions to collect a paycheck and cash in on their fame.
The ones who aren't bestselling authors are often sports figures who are somehow supposed to get everyone pumped up with their tales of how they made the winning basket or coached someone to score the winning touchdown.
The rest tend to be motivational speakers who aren't known for doing anything else, and that's a whole industry unto itself. (The Greg Kinnear character in Little Miss Sunshine is an aspiring motivational speaker.)
When I worked at Rodale we debated a book proposal from a professional speaker. The entire rationale for doing the book was that people who paid him to speak would also buy enough books to give one to everyone who attended. So right up front we knew nobody would actually go out and buy the book -- people who heard him speak would get a free copy, paid for by the sponsor.
Maybe I'm just weird, but I found the whole idea kind of depressing. I mean, if nobody actually wants your book, why write it?