Want to earn some extra income?

Share your expertise?

Build your personal brand?

One way or another you’re going to have to promote yourself and at some point, you’ll find yourself giving your elevator pitch or presenting online… While you probably didn’t envision yourself as a speaker, there you are speaking.

Why not turn the inevitable into a paying side hustle or go big and create a full-time professional speaking business?

Here are some tips to help get you started building your professional speaking business. Even if it’s your side hustle, these tips apply.

Build your brand

Before you can expect to be paid for speaking engagements, you need to establish yourself as an expert in your field. This means creating a strong online presence, writing articles or blog posts, and building a following on social media.

Network

Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with other speakers in your field. These connections can help you learn about upcoming speaking opportunities and may even lead to referrals

.

Create a professional speaker's website

A website that showcases your speaking experience, testimonials and videos of your past speeches can be a great way to demonstrate your expertise to potential clients.

Market yourself

Create a speaker's kit that includes a bio, headshot, and a list of topics you're able to speak on. Use it to market yourself to event planners, meeting planners, and corporate decision makers.

Follow up

If you don't hear back from someone after you've submitted your information, don't be afraid to follow up. A simple email or phone call can remind them of your availability and interest in speaking at their event.

Be flexible and prepare well: Be open to different types of speaking opportunities, such as corporate events, conferences, and even online webinars. Also prepare well for your speeches and make sure you have a clear message and engaging content.



Remember, getting paid speaking gigs takes time and effort, but with persistence and hard work, you can build a successful speaking career.