Speak Anywhere, Get Paid Everywhere: 10 Ways to Master In-Person & Virtual Gigs
Speak Anywhere, Get Paid Everywhere: 10 Ways to Master In-Person & Virtual Gigs
The spring is upon us and Q2 begins!
First Things First: How are ya’ll doing?
Like seriously…How are YOU?
We hope you’re pushing and prospering. Let’s get to it.
PLATFORM™ Cometh!
Next week we’ll open up Early Bird registration for PLATFORM™ 2025.
Be on the lookout for a newsletter announcement next Tuesday. 👊🏾
Speak Anywhere, Get Paid Everywhere: 10 Ways to Master In-Person & Virtual Gigs
So, here’s what I’m seeing.
A lot of companies are going back to virtual events.
Let me rephrase that…
They’re not going all the way back to 2021 on the virtual event front, but to save on costs, they are hosting more virtual events than they did in 2024.
Soooo….Let’s break down how to fine-tune your delivery for both in-person and virtual events.
Live Speaking: Make the Room Work for You
Nothing compares to the buzz of a live audience.
How to Stand Out in Live Events:
✔ Move with intention. No pacing in circles—let your movements add meaning to your message.
✔ Engage the whole room. Look at different sections so everyone feels included.
✔ Let your gestures do the talking. Keep them natural—no robotic or overly dramatic movements.
✔ Make your voice carry. Even with a mic, energy and vocal variation keep people hooked.
✔ Pay attention to audience cues. If they look lost, clarify. If they’re leaning in, give them more.
Live talks aren’t just about delivering a speech—they’re also prime real estate for networking.
Those post-event conversations can turn into referrals, testimonials, and more speaking invites.
Virtual Speaking: Connect Through the Camera
Speaking to a screen is a different ballgame.
I can’t lie…when I started doing Zoom keynotes…I absolutely hated it.
But you know what?
So I forced myself to get over it and get better. Here are 5 ways to keep a virtual audience engaged:
How to Keep Virtual Audiences Engaged:
✔ Look into the camera, not at yourself. It feels awkward at first, but it mimics real eye contact.
✔ Use vocal variety. Since you can’t rely as much on body language, let your voice add energy and emphasis.
✔ Dial up your enthusiasm. The camera can make you seem flatter, so add a little extra oomph.
✔ Use interactive tools. Polls, chat features, and live Q&As keep people in the game.
✔ Keep slides simple. No clutter—stick to bold visuals and clear, concise text.
A strong virtual presence doesn’t just help you book more gigs—it also opens the door to webinars, online courses, and content you can repurpose, giving you even more ways to get paid to speak.
One Message, Two Styles: Adapt and Thrive
The best speakers don’t just copy/paste their talk from one setting to another.
They tweak, refine, and adjust. Here’s what that looks like:
🎤 Practicing for both live and virtual formats
🎥 Watching recordings to improve delivery
🔧 Mastering tech setup (lighting, sound, and camera angles)
Smart Move: Have two versions of your speaker one-sheet—one designed for in-person events, another for virtual ones.
Event planners love speakers who are ready for anything, and this small step can make you stand out.
The more flexible and polished you are in both arenas, the more opportunities come your way.
Whether you’re commanding a live audience or engaging a virtual crowd, your goal is the same: deliver your message in a way that sticks. 👊🏾
Let’s go take stages and screens! 🚀
🎤 SPEAKING OPPS
Here are speaking opportunities that you can apply for right now:
1️⃣ 2026 OAH Conference on American History | Link to Apply | 🚨 Deadline: 04/14/2025
In-Person (Philadelphia, PA)
April 16-19, 2026
The 2026 OAH annual conference is an essential place to present new scholarship and research, and we hope the meeting will stimulate memorable and lasting debates about the public crises and dilemmas facing our profession, our craft, and our society. Our goal is to elevate new ways to ask big questions about the past that can inform the study of American History in the present.
2️⃣ The Montessori Event 2026 | Link to Apply | 🚨 Deadline: 04/20/2025
In-Person (Washington, DC)
March 19 – 22, 2026
The Montessori Event 2026 is the premier annual gathering for Montessori educators, hosted by the American Montessori Society. This event offers workshops, keynote sessions, networking opportunities, and the latest insights in Montessori education. It’s a must-attend for professionals passionate about fostering Montessori principles in learning and development.
3️⃣ NADA Show 2026 | Link to Apply | 🚨 Deadline: 04/18/2025
In-Person (Las Vegas, NV)
February 3-6, 2026
This annual event is a premier gathering for automotive industry professionals, including dealers, managers, vendors, and suppliers, offering opportunities to explore innovative products, new trends, and the latest technologies shaping the future of the automobile industry.
📼 FEATURED KEYNOTE
Watch: The Next Global Superpower Isn't Who You Think | Ian Bremmer | TED
🍭 EAR CANDY
Listen to: “What It Takes To Be A 7-Figure Speaker with James Taylor” from the Technically Speaking. Apple Podcast | Spotify
💾 FROM THE MYM ARCHIVES
Read: Want to Sharpen Your Speaking Skills? Go to the Tape.
💬 QUOTE
"If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough." – Albert Einstein
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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