I answer this question with a big YES, based on my personal experiences/achievements, and also drawing from my study of the writings of experts like Burt Dubin, Les Brown, and Dale Carnegie.
Certain experts find it difficult to understand why they need to get some “speaking” experience under their belts, before they can command respectable remuneration for their speaking efforts.
For those who have that difficulty, I offer the following insights in the hope that you might see the justification.
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Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter Date: Monday 14th January 2013 No: 72 Title: Should You Speak For FREE? Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263] Blog URL: http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011): Click here Hi, Please find below the latest issue of my weekly Public Speaking Ideas page for 2013.
No. 72: Should You Speak For FREE?**** ********** NB: If you ever find yourself wondering what else I’ve written, some days after you’ve read THIS Speaking Ideas newsletter I send out on a Monday, here’s what you can do to find out: Point your browser to www.sdacademy.org to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule ********** I answer this question with a big YES, based on my personal experiences/achievements, and also drawing from my study of the writings of experts like Burt Dubin, Les Brown, and Dale Carnegie. Certain experts find it difficult to understand why they need to get some “speaking” experience under their belts, before they can command respectable remuneration for their speaking efforts. For those who have that difficulty, I offer the following insights in the hope that you might see the justification. (NB: At the end of this piece I provide a download link to a slide show version of interesting answers given – over the years – by Burt Dubin to questions – like “Should I speak for free?” sent in by aspiring/expert speakers.) Let’s Start With A Simple AnalogyWhen a law student graduates from university, the next step is (usually) finding a good job with her newly acquired qualification. At the risk of stating the obvious, she is unlikely to be able to join any law firm as a Senior Partner. There’s a reason why they are called “Senior”, and quite often it has less to do with age, and a lot more to do with quality time they’ve had arguing real cases in court. That’s why a junior partner is made to spend time understudying seniors before she can take on certain roles or responsibilities. This requirement to acquire real world relevant experience under controlled conditions is not limited to law practice obviously. Soccer Professionals Undergo Similar PreparationBefore he got where he is today, as a footballer of legendary accomplishments, Lionel Messi started out as a junior player in his club’s feeder team. The scouts, coaches and club management had already noted his amazing abilities. But they knew he still needed time (corrective surgery) and more training to develop further and mature better as a player. They were still investing in him. And so during that time he got paid what was more of a stipend – peanuts compared to the fees he commands now! Messi is not the only player with great potential to have been made to start this way. Both Diego Maradonna and Ronaldo (aka “The Phenomenon”) of Brazil also went through the same preparation. So did Messi’s perpetual Ballon D’Or running mate – Christiano Ronaldo. One thing common to all these players is/was the ability to consistently deliver superlative performances when in the spotlight! A Paid Speaking Gig Is Not Where You Experiment Or Fine tune Your Performance!As a paid professional speaker, you’re in the spotlight when you mount the podium to speak. That’s not the kind of place you want to be if you’ve not gotten your stuff properly together – especially when you’re getting paid handsomely to deliver powerfully! You must make sure you’re ready. Sometimes your desire to start earning income may cloud your judgment about how ready you are. This is why you may find it useful to seek objective feedback from a competent and experienced speaking professional – or better still, a coach/mentor. To ensure you can consistently and reliably deliver your best at paid gigs you need plenty of practise. By speaking for FREE, you gain useful opportunities to safely test yourself and identify areas you need to improve. If you really apply yourself at every outing, your audiences won’t notice you’re “practising” and will often enthusiastically applaud you. You’d consequently be able to legitimately boost your resume by mentioning most, if not all, of such talks you give(no need to state that you spoke free). How much time you need will naturally vary from person to person. You – possibly with guidance from a coach or mentor – will ultimately decide when you’ve done enough. At that point, you’d “feel” confident enough to approach meeting planners with speaking offers stating your professional fee – consistent with industry standards. No matter how academically sound, or theoretically grounded you are. No matter how skilled or talented you naturally are. You’ll likely need to spend time honing your newly acquired skill before you can safely (and responsibly) request payment to speak. Final Words: If You’re Still Not Convinced, Download Burt Dubin’s Answers InsteadI feel your pain, but if you just put yourself in the shoes of those who hire speakers, you’ll appreciate how great the risk they take is every time they decide to hire a new speaker. And that’s why putting yourself out there in a way that allows them a low risk opportunity to see what you can do – by speaking free – can be a smart strategy to employ. Still not convinced? Then maybe you need to hear it from a mentor or master speakers himself – click here (no opt-in required) to download the slide show version of the Frequently Asked Questions page on Burt Dubin’s website. In it, he discusses the question about whether or not to speak for free – and why – in at least 2 different sections. Take it from me: You will be wise to heed his advice! Have a lovely week!
Tayo K. Solagbade* Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist *Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service In Africa Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children. Tayo earns multiple streams of income providing clients with performance improvement training/coaching, custom MS Excel-VB solutions, web marketing systems, freelance writing services, and best practice extension support services (for farm business owners). When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent). ================== Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him. Comments?What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts! Share this issue!Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class). At least that’s how I like to think of them! All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple So, make your choice:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here] Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
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