Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Want to raise your speaking fees? Simple—be more valuable. The more impact you bring, the more you are worth. So, how do you make yourself invaluable on stage? Here are some practical (and slightly funny) ways to add value—both for your audience and your bank account.
1. Are You BORED? (Your Audience Might Be Too)
If you can deliver your presentation blindfolded, it is time for a redo. (Yes, this happened to me).
I use PowerPoint slides because let’s be real—people (myself included) have the attention span of a gnat on caffeine. Slides add energy, keep things lively, and let’s face it—nobody wants to be bored. I heard about Mark Hunter’s, CSP, amazing PowerPoint slides and thought… “I need a refresh.” If I am bored, imagine how my audience feels.
So, I reached out to Mark’s contact, revamped my slides, and BOOM—game changer. Not only did I love them, but my energy skyrocketed, and so did audience engagement. Sometimes, a small tweak makes a huge difference.
2. Got HUMOR? (Your Audience Hopes So)
People love humor—especially when it is wrapped around a point. I often ask my audience to share funny stories with me after my presentation. I appreciate their efforts, but sometimes old jokes are told and not-so-funny stories but every now and then, someone strikes gold.
The best stories? The ones that do double (or triple) duty—you can use them to illustrate multiple points. As a Southern humorist, I lean into my roots.
A stubborn mule who had to “pass” before there was change? That’s about resistance to new ideas.
A snake in my cousin’s chicken house who swallowed her eggs? That’s a leadership lesson (no, really).
Not every story fits every audience, but when they hit, they HIT.
And remember, just because they are not rolling in the aisles laughing does not mean your story did not land. Some folks just laugh internally—very, very quietly. It is always funny when someone tells me how hard they laughed, yet during my presentation, they did not make a sound.
3. Storytelling: The Universal Language of Connection
Let’s face it—stories sell. And everyone has a story.
Your story is NEVER too small. In fact, the best ones are simple and relatable.
And they are never really finished. I once told a story, and an audience member hit me with a comment that added a whole bonus punchline—I almost fell over! Sometimes, a story just needs a little fluff, polish, and panache. And since we are natural talkers, do not forget to listen to your audience. You might uncover some fantastic add-ons that take your presentation to the next level.
Want to make sure your story lands? Run it by a trusted speaker friend. They will tell you if it’s gold or needs a little extra shine.
4. The Big “Secret” to Booking More Engagements
Okay, it’s really not a secret, in fact it’s common sense. People always ask, “How do you get more speaking engagements?”
Answer? If you want to speak, you have to speak.
Word of mouth has been my #1 marketing tool. Do a great job, deliver real value, and people will talk. And when they talk, they recommend. And when they recommend – you know the rest of the story.
5. Reality Check: The Post-COVID Speaker Shake-Up
COVID rocked the speaking world. Many of my go-to clients retired or just quit altogether. It felt like starting over in a very noisy, very crowded world.
So, what now? See what other successful speakers are doing to up their game.
Larry Winget, CPAE, once told me that one of the reasons he attended NSA meetings was to see what others were doing—he would study them and do the opposite. Yes, Larry wanted to stand out. And if you ever saw him on stage, you know—he STOOD OUT.
Final Thought: Stand Out, Stay Fresh, and Keep Them Laughing
If you want to be more valuable, be more engaging, more relevant, and more YOU. Inject humor, revamp your content, tell stories that stick, and always refresh your approach.
Because in this business, if you are not growing, you are fading into the background—and that is no place for a paid speaker to be.
Now, go be valuable and unforgettable.