Every week, I speak to talented professionals—who regularly deliver insightful talks, contribute to high-profile panels, and yet leave with little more than polite applause and a LinkedIn mention.
At the same time, there are speakers commanding $5K to $10K (and much, much more) per engagement, travelling globally, and building real businesses from their message—some with fewer credentials, smaller followings, and less experience.
The difference isn’t luck. It’s structure. High-fee speakers understand something most others don’t: there’s a system behind getting paid to speak, and once you know how it works, you stop guessing—and start earning.
The speakers I work with don’t wait to be discovered. They don’t negotiate from a place of uncertainty. They don’t say yes to free gigs in the hope of future exposure. They operate from a framework that gives them control over how they position themselves, how they price their work, and how they get booked repeatedly.
They know how to look credible, even if they’re new. They understand how to communicate value without overselling. They approach pricing with clarity. And they’ve stopped chasing every event in favour of speaking at the right ones.
They’re not anomalies. They’re authors, entrepreneurs, business owners—people with expertise, not celebrity.
The truth is, if you’re not getting paid to speak, it’s not because you’re unknown. It’s because no one has shown you the system. You don’t need more exposure. You need positioning. You don’t need a viral reel. You need to craft a message aligned with the rooms you want to be in. You don’t need fame. You need a strategy that works.This is what I teach. After nearly two decades as a Speaker Agent and strategist, I’ve compiled what actually works into a focused, actionable e-book:
No More ‘Exposure’ Gigs – How to Get Paid $5K+ for Your Talks (Even if You’re Unknown)
Download it here
It outlines what high-fee speakers prioritise, why “free for visibility” undermines your business, and how to take your first step towards professional speaking fees—without waiting to be discovered.
For those who are ready to stop working for applause, and start being compensated for their expertise, this is where it begins.
Let’s make getting paid your new normal.
