What it takes to book a $15k speaking engagement.

5 figures. For 15 minutes.

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When I started speaking I had no idea I could get paid. I said yes to being a keynote speaker at 17 not knowing that I was signing up for my very first 5-figure speaking engagement.

5 figures. For 15 minutes of my time. As a First Gen Latina, raised by a single mom and low income (+ the pressures of being the oldest sister?!). This was HUGE.

Experiencing that moment so early on in my career, my life, transformed my relationship to money.

1. I realized that just because my family didn't have it, it didn't mean it wasn't out there

and

2. I could have access to it.

Making money has never solely been about me. It's always been about my family and about community.

1. If I have money, I can give to communities & programming. The same communities and programming that I was a part of growing up because someone gave a damn (even when they didn't have to).

2. If I have money, I can give and create experiences and opportunities for my family. It was through the money I saved from public speaking, that I was able to put a significant down payment for our family home. #FirstGenHomeowner

3. If I have money, I can travel. Okay, this one is about me, but we know how travel gives us perspective and helps us wake up to how U.S. centric we can be? So, technically still about us?

Side note: Even though I understood "there was money out there" I still didn't always know how to make the best decisions. Ask me about the time I accidentally accepted a student loan because ... #FirstGen.

Anyways, I recently led a workshop inside of a community where the focus was: add speaking as an income stream. Among other things, I focused a big part of our time together simply talking about the money & types of public speaking.

I think we can all understand that we "should be getting paid", but what does that number actually look like?

I walked them through the types of speaking, how to build on the type they prefer, and charge accordingly. I even showed them my own rate card!

In this podcast episode, I walk you through how to create your speaker rate card.

In this one, I share the process to start public speaking and land your first paid speaking engagement.

So, what does it take to book a $15k speaking engagement?

Decide that you're going to do it.

You often hear that "you're one decision away from completely transforming your life". Saying "yes" to public speaking can be that decision.

Understand the types of public speaking, the ones you truly enjoy, and what you can get paid for each.

• Keynotes: 15-30 minute speeches where you often share your story and/or tie it to a larger theme of the conference or event. These are usually at the beginning or end of a program.

• Fireside Chats: intimate conversations with you and one other person where you often have a live audience.

• Panel: A group conversation with you and 3-4 other people where you also usually have a live audience.

• Podcasts: Like a fireside chat, but meant to be broadcasted. These can be in-person or done virtually. You don't generally have a live audience.

• Workshops: You facilitate a learning experience. I like to say that these are the kind where you don't speak as much as you facilitate conversations and engagement with the audience to do something with the information you provide.

Find your Signature Theme.

Most of us say "I can speak on anything" (because let's be honest, we can), but getting clarity on your Signature Theme, allows you to build a recognizable speaker brand and be clear about your message. This makes it so that you can speak on different topics, while still aligning with your core message. That's the difference between a Signature Theme and a Signature Topic. And, you diversify who you speak to, which means diversifying how you can get paid to speak.

Practice your craft and invest time, energy, and money in honing in on your skills & your unique perspective.

Once you land the podcast, the keynote, the workshop, and deliver such incredible value that you get booked again? That's the ultimate compliment & a repeat, paid gig! And, that comes from practicing, refining, and practicing again. You got this!

Tell people you're available to speak and show them what that looks like.

How will they know you're a speaker if they never hear you speaking? Take opportunities to speak when you can. Be intentional about your relationships and outreach.

HONOR YOUR ENERGY.

This is a huge one, especially as an introvert. We might get a little FOMO, but we can't be everywhere at once. This is one of those moments where you want to prioritize quality over quantity.

Sometimes it's about being at the right place, at the right time, with the right people, and it will also always be about deciding to go for it (even when you don't feel completely ready) and preparing for the moment when that opportunity comes.

Because it's coming. 🧡

Love,

Yvonne

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