Episode 5: The 3 Step System to Selling From Stage (Without Sounding Salesy)

Transcript

Episode 5: How To Land Your First Paid Speaking Gig (Without Sounding Salesy)

Highlights:

• Why continually speaking for free can lead to burnout instead of business success.
• Uncover where the real money in speaking lies—beyond just keynotes.
• Step-by-step guide to securing your first paid gig in 60 days.
• How to clearly define your speaking niche to provide valuable solutions.
• Essential topics that event planners eagerly pay for.
• Creating a professional speaker one-sheet and essential website features.
• Top platforms and strategies to effectively find speaking gigs.
• Master the art of a concise, compelling pitch to secure bookings.
• Smart strategies to convert free speaking opportunities into paid engagements.

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn speaker groups
• SpeakerHub
• eSpeakers
• Eventbrite, Meetup, and Association Conference Lists

⏱️ 00:00 – Why Free Speaking Gigs Are Not a Long-Term Strategy
The truth about why waiting to get “discovered” won’t cut it—and what to do instead.

⏱️ 00:51 – Where the Real Money in Speaking Comes From
Hint: It’s not just keynotes. Learn where the real, consistent paychecks are hiding.

⏱️ 01:35 – The 60-Day Game Plan Overview
A step-by-step strategy to land your first paid speaking engagement—fast.

⏱️ 02:21 – Define Your Niche & Solve a Real Problem
Why clarity beats charisma and how to position yourself as a solution, not just a motivator.

⏱️ 03:09 – What Event Planners Actually Pay For
The 7 major industries hiring speakers and the hot topics they’re looking for.

⏱️ 04:01 – Your Speaker One-Sheet & Website Must-Haves
How to build credibility and make it easy for planners to say YES to you.

⏱️ 04:47 – Best Places to Find Paid Speaking Gigs
From LinkedIn to local networking—where to show up and get noticed.

⏱️ 05:34 – Tap into Your Network
How to leverage past clients and contacts to open doors to paid gigs.

⏱️ 06:20 – How to Pitch Without Sounding Salesy
The exact email formula that gets event planners to pay attention.

⏱️ 07:08 – Turning Free Gigs Into Paid Opportunities
The strategic way to say “yes” to free gigs—and turn them into recurring income.

⏱️ 07:54 – The 3 Follow-Up Questions You Must Ask
Use these questions to turn one gig into many.

⏱️ 08:36 – Treat Speaking Like a Business, Not a Hobby
The mindset shift that changes everything.

⏱️ 09:24 – Sneak Peek of Next Week’s Episode
Get ready to learn the #1 secret to getting booked again and again.

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 Connect with me:

• https://www.thenorthcuttspeakingagency.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahnorthcutt
• @thenorthcuttspeakingagency
• support@thenorthcuttspeakingagency