I Was Wrong About 2025...Here's What We're Going to Do About It 👊🏾
The speaking industry is ⬇️ but we've got you covered 👊🏾
🚨 Be on the lookout for PLATFORM 2025 Early Bird Registration dropping this month! 🚨
Ok, let’s get to it…
I got it wrong.
In December, I predicted that 2025 would be a blowout year for our industry.
Well…
Tariffs
Layoffs
More tariffs
This is just a shortlist of the ingredients for an economic cake of uncertainty. 🎂
And when corporate America has a blurry outlook for the future...
Hiring slows
Investment falls
Budgets shrink
That's what we’re experiencing in Q1 of 2025.
Last week, I jumped on the phone with some of my speaking comrades and bureau folks.
It wasn't pretty.
One agent summed it up this way: "Yeah, Daron it's bad right now. We're hoping things lift by mid-year."
Of my ten years in the business, this is the slowest event pace I've witnessed.
Actually, it's the second slowest period. Q1 of 2020 was a doozy.
So, should we just zip up our backpacks and go home?
If you're like me, then you believe your message is what the world needs.
So instead of wallowing in self-pity, let’s embrace the 3 A's: Assess, Adapt, and Advance.
1) Assess What's Worked In The Past
I spoke to a group of small business owners last month and my main point was this: Double-down on your top selling product.
In the room there were folks who owned everything from bakeries to bridal shops.
They make products.
And as a speaker so do you. You create an experience. So, take your #1 talk, and push it.
Talk about it. Post about it. And then talk about it some more.
2) Assess Your Financials
Most of you have full-time jobs and speaking is a side gig. So more than likely 🤞🏾, you have some economic buffer to weather a downturn.
But, I encourage all of you to take this time and comb through your balance sheet.
Cancel subscriptions
Set a monthly business savings rate (I'm a fan of 20%)
Evaluate your business credit cards (do you have too many?)
Get lean.
It's painful in the short term, but you’ll thank yourself in the future.
3) Assess What the Market Is Looking For
You have a core message and that's wonderful.
But, ask yourself: Are people buying what I’m selling?
LinkedIn is a great source to learn about pressing business issues (click on the "News" tab). Also, do a "call for speakers" Google search and see what trends emerge.
And then...👇🏾
4) Adapt to Market Demand
Don't re-engineer who you are, but get creative.
Run over to ChatGPT, take your existing speaking collateral and ask AI to rephrase your wording.
Don't try to be Shakespeare. Let the computers do the work. Tweak and share!
5) Advance with Higher Visibility
At MYM, our formula is simple: OPTICS ➡️ OPPORTUNITIES ➡️ OPERATIONS
When it comes to OPTICS, people need to hear and see you. The squeaky speaker gets the contract.
Run over to social media and post:
Clips of you speaking
Pictures of you onstage
Quotecards of recommendations
Screenshots of emails or texts raving about your speech
Here’s what happens when you up your visibility:
Remember: It doesn't matter how old or grainy the content looks.
Nobody cares. Just get it out there.
Conclusion
Listen to me, we're going to get through this.
Markets go up.
Markets go down.
That's why they call them markets.
But…Don’t give up.
Keep sharing your message with the world, and the tide will turn.
[Do you have a tip to share with the rest of the MYM Familia? If so, share it in the comments below and let's rise together!]
🎤 SPEAKING OPPS
Here are speaking opportunities that you can apply for right now:
1️⃣ ATD Smoky Mountain Chapter | Link to Apply | 🚨 Deadline: ONGOING
Virtual (Zoom)
Every third Friday of the month (March 21, 2025)
The ATD Smoky Mountain Chapter hosts monthly professional development events focused on workplace learning and talent development. These sessions, held virtually on the third Friday of each month, feature expert speakers sharing insights on training, leadership, instructional design, and other key industry topics. Attendees gain valuable knowledge, network with peers, and engage in interactive discussions to enhance their professional skills.
2️⃣ RISE West 2025 | Link to Apply | 🚨 Deadline: 03/28/2025
In-Person (Las Vegas, NV)
August 25-27, 2025
RISE West is the premier senior leadership conference bringing together forward-thinkers in the managed care space. From risk adjustment and quality performance to documentation and HCC coding practices, experience firsthand the opportunity to meet industry peers, hear from experts, and exchange ideas in an open and collaborative environment.
3️⃣ 2025 FPTA Annual Conference | Link to Apply | 🚨 Deadline: ONGOING
In-Person (Orlando, FL)
September 26-28, 2025
This event is a premier opportunity to share knowledge, engage with professionals, and contribute to advancing physical therapy practice.
📼 FEATURED KEYNOTE
Watch: How to Reclaim Your Life From Work | Simone Stolzoff | TED
🍭 EAR CANDY
Listen to: “The Journey of a Million-Dollar Speaker with Simon T. Bailey” from the Technically Speaking. Apple Podcast | Spotify
💾 FROM THE MYM ARCHIVES
Read: It's Time to Get Lost: Do This 30 Minutes Before You Take the Stage
💬 QUOTE
"Your story could be the key that unlocks someone else’s prison. Share it." -Unknown
Ready to invest in your speaking business? Here are ways we can help:
Coaching: Over the past 18 months, we’ve coached 19 speakers who ranged from I’m just getting started to I want to charge more. If you want a guided gameplan get you to the next level, then shedule a discovery call with our co-founder, Will Baggett today.
Courses: 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.
Community: Why stay on the Internets when you can come outside? Join a community of speakers at every stage of their business for an exclusive in-person mastermind. Save the date for PLATFORM 2025 (Sept. 20-21 | Austin, TX).
If you liked today’s newsletter, be sure to like, share, and comment below.👇
Take the Stage.
Get Paid.
Buy Your Freedom.
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