“I’ve been approached to speak at an event, but they have no budget for speaker fees, should I do it?” … is a question I get asked a lot.

So, I say … “Firstly, that’s not a question I can answer for you … but here’s some ideas for how you can assess the value of an opportunity for you and your message, and how you can make low fee or free gigs pay.”

And those ideas are what I want to share with you today.

In this show I’m covering:

• The problems arising from doing the wrong free gigs
• Criteria for evaluating speaking opportunities
• The possibilities available if you are strategic with free gigs
• How you should position ‘free gigs’ for event organisers
• What you should say to the audience even if it is a free gig
• 5 ways to make free gigs pay.

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here:

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

FREE RESOURCE - Stand Out and Get Booked Speaker Playbook (available until end Nov 30, 2024)

FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

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• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
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Trigger Warning - this show briefly discusses difficult topics including self-harm and suicide.

Gethin Jones is a survivor, but what few people would have believed, (including Gethin), was that he would also become an international speaker and thought leader.

Growing up in the care system, he spent a total of 8 years in prison, battled intravenous heroin addiction, and was trapped in destructive patterns that seemed destined to lead him to more prison time or an early death.

He found the will to change his life and a way to transform his own narrative arc, and today he shares his story and offers hope and a different future to others incarcerated and employed within the justice system.

Gethin leads Unlocking Potential, a company that works within prisons, probation services, local authorities, and charities across the UK, Australia, and America. He delivers keynote talks, workshops, training, eLearning, and consultancy, aimed at helping individuals, teams and creating a justice system that is fair and fit for purpose for everyone.

If you are struggling to overcome imposter syndrome, or finding it a challenge to get traction with your message, then listen up because you will get inspiration and insight from Gethin’s journey from inmate to international speaker.

Enjoy!

What you’ll discover:

• The story of Gethin’s transformation from inmate to international speaker.
• What prison pipelines are and how Gethin is trying to change the justice system.
• How he busts the myths to shift the narrative about reform.
• How he positions his talk and services to connect with a business audience.
• The mindset and practical steps that enabled Gethin to build a speaking career from one networking meeting in 2016.
• Gethin’s advice if you feel that you have a message that no-one wants to hear because it is difficult and challenging.
• How Gethin approached the first talk he gave.
• Why Gethin always approaches speaking as a pupil with something to learn.
• Where speaking fits with moving his mission forward.

To watch the episode on YouTube, click here

All things Gethin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gethin-jones-unlocking-potential-99a02510a/

https://x.com/GethinUnlocks

www.unlockingthepotential.co.uk

Books & Resources*:

How to F**K Up and Still Succeed by Gethin Jones

Who Moved My Cheese by Dr Spencer Johnson

The Go-Giver Leader by Bob Burg and John David Mann

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

If you would like to support the show and get more from me and The Speaking Club, check out our brand new Patreon Memberships here: https://patreon.com/thespeakingclub

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Business Book publisher and business author Alison Jones said “for business book writers a signature talk changes the game.”

Arel Moodie, Professional Speaker, Disney Show Host and Founder of Talkadot said:

“If you feel like you are not getting booked enough. You need a signature talk. If you feel like you are constantly chasing clients and they aren't chasing you. You need a signature talk. If you feel like you just need to be given a chance but keep feeling like the best-kept secret in your niche... You need a signature talk.

A signature talk is something that all the greats have, and everyone who is frustrated with their speaking career doesn't.“

And I say: “get the right signature talk, and you can convert 40% or more of your audience into action authentically and with class!”

That’s what I want to share about today … what a signature talk is, what the ingredients are, and your first steps to creating one.

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here:

What you’ll learn:

• Why you need a signature talk
• Some examples of great signature talks
• What a signature talk is and isn’t
• The three key ingredients of a signature talk
• How to make your message resonate with your audience
• The Big Idea of your talk and what it should do.
• Your roles in relation to making your signature talk a success.

And more!!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

Free Resources to Get You Into Action:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

[Free Download] The Five Levels of Pain (Identify the Trigger to Get Your Audience into Action)

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.