5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Speaking Business in 2024

Happy New Year, MYM Familia!

This time of year always brings an air of promise and expectation.

And while I don’t want to sound like the Grinch, it is my duty to remind you that nothing will change unless you change.

Let’s ditch the resolutions and do what we said we were going to do in 2023. 👊🏾

Here are 5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Speaking Business in 2024. 👇🏾

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5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Speaking Business in 2024

(1) Mindset - Set It and Don’t Forget It

Let’s start here. Do you believe that you have a message worth hearing?

Don’t give the kneejerk - “Hell yeah, I do, Daron!” - response. 😬

Seriously, take a breath and think about this: Do you believe in you?

I have a copy of this graphic hanging over my desk. It’s a good reminder when the overbearing self-critic invades my thoughts.

I also do what I call Orientation, every January.

This is the month where I revisit the books, videos and podcast episodes that help me re-establish my mindset for the upcoming year.

One of those videos is this oldie (but goodie) from Carol Dweck, the architect of growth mindset.

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(2) Message - Remember Your Non-Negotiables

We’ve covered techniques to build and improve your keynote in previous newsletters (Example: 5 Ways to Improve Your Keynote in Under 5 Minutes).

In 2024, I want to encourage you to stick to your principles.

What am I talking about?

Here’s an example.

I just turned down a diversity keynote opportunity, because in 2020, I made a promise that I would never do any more diversity keynotes.

Never.

Every time I spoke to a company on diversity, I left the stage feeling depleted. It felt like I was booked to check a box so the company could get back to more “important matters”.

So, this morning, I told the organizer, “I don’t do diversity talks, but I have just the woman you’re looking for.”

The point is this: If you don’t believe your message, no one else will. Listen to your gut.

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(3) Motivation - Incentivize People to Refer You

Guess what people like…

I’m not saying money is the prime motivator for most people, but I know that when I tell folks, “I’m happy to give you a 10 percent referral fee if you facilitate a speaking opportunity”, they look harder. 😂

If you’re having trouble locating gigs, tell people (whom you trust) that you would be happy to gift them with a finder’s fee.

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(4) Movement - Read The Referable Speaker

When it comes to self-help books, I’m a snob.

I think most of the stuff out there is complete trash.

But this book is a gamechanger.

I don’t know Michael Port or Andrew Davis and I won’t make a single dime if you buy the book, but I’ll promise you this: You’re going to find something in this short read that will add value to your speaking business.

Period.

Invest in you and read the book.

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(5) Microwins - Go Small

I’ll end this month’s newsletter with one final piece of advice: start small.

This is the time of the year where everything feels attainable and everyone is selling massive gains.

5X.

10X.

20X!

Planet Fitness memberships are selling like hotcakes. 😂

Growth takes time. Pick some aspect of your speaking business and go small.

Create microwins and chip away at the mountain each week.

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The Mic Drop 🎤

Congrats on making it alive into a new year.

Now, let’s make it our best year.

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Ready to invest in your speaking business? Here are ways we can help:

• Our “Get Paid to Speak” course shows you, step-by-step, how to build a speaking business. These seven modules will put you in position to monetize your message.

• Looking for 1-on-1 coaching? Schedule a discovery call with our co-founder, Will Baggett.

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If you liked today’s newsletter, be sure to like, share, and comment below.👇

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