From positioning and pricing to promotion and productizing, this blog covers what actually works if you want to monetize your message and make more money speaking.
I’m seeing some encouraging signs in the meetings market. ASAE just held its largest annual meeting since before the pandemic, attracting more than 5,200 association professionals, exhibitors, and industry partners....
I was at the convention last week, riding the high of one of the best panels I’ve seen in a long time. Sarah Michel brought together three meeting professionals on...
I’ve spent more than 25 years working with speakers to build profitable businesses. In that time, I’ve watched countless programs promise to create “million-dollar speakers.” Some deliver real value. Some...
As I get ready to join hundreds of professional speakers in Austin for the National Speakers Association convention, here are the biggest hurdles I see for speakers right now: AI...
If you’re a professional speaker, your presentation is more than what you say on stage. It’s your framework, your stories, your language, and your years of testing what works. It’s...
This post was aided by AI. Data indicate that Fortune 500 mentions of “DEI” have fallen by 98% according to Gravity Research. Sad. But – and this is the nuance...
They’re Not Buying Your Speech. They’re Buying the Transformation. Let’s reframe how you think about your impact as a speaker. When an audience member walks away from a presentation, what...
The meetings and events industry continues to build on strong momentum in mid-2026, as meeting planners report increased budgets and a renewed focus on in-person experiences, while professional speakers navigate...
Corporate and association events are well-funded and optimistic heading into 2026, with many meeting professionals expecting higher budgets. Demand is strongest for speakers who tie ideas directly to performance, change,...
I’ve been reviewing a new industry study by MMGY Travel Intelligence on the meetings landscape, and there are a few trends worth paying attention to. First, budgets are under pressure....
I talk with professional speakers every week who are talented, credible, and experienced, yet still struggling to get paid speaking engagements. Here are the five biggest challenges I see—and the...
I spend a lot of time talking with speakers, meeting professionals, and watching booking trends. Here are the latest insights. This isn’t about what sounds good on a speaker one-sheet....