Should You Pay To Speak Somewhere?

As an author and professional speaker I receive compensation for delivering a talk to an audience.

My job is to educate, inform and entertain.

A happy byproduct of professional speaking is developing relationships with members of the audience – and that often leads to consulting work.

Since I’ve spent the better part of 30 years developing the information and the reputation I currently enjoy, I don’t speak for free and I definitely do not pay for the opportunity to address an audience.

But that doesn’t mean I would never pay or you should never sponsor a group or event to get in front of them.

Here are three times you should consider sponsoring a group in order to speak to them:

If You Want To Flat Out Sell

If you want to give a sales pitch that looks and sounds like an infomercial, paying for time is a good way to go.  When you are introduced as a sponsor people expect you to sell to them.  If you know how, selling “from the platform” can be one of the most effective ways to develop relationships and move a product or sell a service.

If You Are Entering a New Market

If you have no reputation in an area and you want to get in front of people in that niche for the first time, buying your way into an event is a good way to go.

When you pay for access to these folks, you also have the benefit of access to the database of people who attend the event (at least you should have access to that information).  This allows you to follow up with everyone, which in and of itself has a financial value.

If You Want to Support a Client

If one of your clients is running an event and they are being judged based upon sponsorship sales, you will want to do everything you can to help them. In this case, paying for a speaking slot is not only acceptable, it is good business.

I am an excellent professional speaker and I love to be in front of an audience so it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up when someone asks me for money to address a group. But I “never say never.” That means there might be a time when I will sponsor an event in order to access an audience.

You should follow this guideline as well. If you speak often and have a good reputation as a professional speaker never absolutely rule out the possibility of sponsoring an event. But do it only under favorable conditions.

Here are three other articles that will help you increase your sales and get home on time for dinner every night:

Never Let Them See You Coming

Surprise people with your skill. Whenever you enter a new market or pitch a new group, make sure you blow them away with your talent.

Fix Your Head and Sell more

The key to sales success is confidence.  You must build and grow your confidence. Follow these guidelines to do that.

FREE Sales vs. FAKE Sales

You have the power to make your own life easier as a sales professional.  This audio program explains how.