Professional speakers come in two flavors. On the one hand, celebrities such as famous athletes, businesspeople, and politicians command astronomical fees. On the other hand, ordinary people who have built a following by marketing themselves well and providing useful content also ply the speaking circuit, but they do so at more moderate rates, ranging between $4,500 and $7,500 per speech. One expert estimates that 95 percent of professional speakers make less than $10,000 per speaking engagement, still a hefty sum.
Professional speaker Chris Widener17 offers the following insights to aspiring speakers:
Skip the speakers bureaus. Before the Internet, speakers bureaus were helpful intermediaries with strong corporate ties. Today, newcomers can bypass them and go into business without them.
Develop multiple sources of revenue. Collecting speaking fees is one thing; selling one's CDs, DVDs, e-books, and print books is another. Widener sells up to $140,000 in products after a talk.
Create free valuable content. Widener wrote 450 articles on success and business that became his signature. After building a list of 100,000 people, he self-published his books.
Develop a social media presence. Between Facebook and Twitter, Widener has almost 900,000 followers. He self-markets his content but also pays for Facebook marketing and ads.
Consider your fee your résumé. The honorarium should match the speaker's accomplishments. Widener raises his fee as his reputation grows, after TV appearances, after publishing a new book, and after speaking at prestigious events.
Think creatively to find the money. Widener gets around associations' or companies' limited speakers budgets by, for example, targeting their "education budgets." Also, he encourages organizations to seek funding from several corporate sponsors to share the cost of paying him.
What other strategies might work to help you develop a following and be a sought-after speaker?

Your Task. Use this activity to give a brief impromptu speech. Without much preparation, objectively paraphrase and summarize the information to convey to your listeners what it takes to become a successful professional speaker. Include all relevant details and organize your summary well. Alternatively, conduct additional research to learn how one might become a professional speaker. Use search terms such as speakers bureau and Toastmasters. Once you have assembled enough additional information, create a multimedia slideshow using presentation software or give a concise extemporaneous briefing. Be sure to outline your talk and to rehearse.