As a public speaker, you have a unique opportunity to share your expertise, by stepping into a career with multiple revenue sources, doing what you love. While speaking engagements are the most obvious source of revenue for speakers, there are other ways to maximize your earnings and build a sustainable speaking career. In this post, we’ll explore two top revenue sources for public speakers: affiliate marketing and membership programs. 

Top 7 Revenue Sources for Public Speakers

• Speaking Engagements: 

Speaking engagements are the bread and butter for most public speakers. These can range from keynote speeches to workshops and training sessions at conferences, corporate events, and other gatherings. As a speaker, you can earn money by delivering compelling presentations that engage and educate your audience. The fees for speaking engagements can vary widely depending on your level of experience, the size of the event, and the location.

To increase your chances of getting booked for speaking engagements, it’s essential to build a strong brand and establish yourself as an expert in your field. This can include creating a professional website, developing a strong social media presence, and building a network of contacts in the industry.

• Book Sales: 

Many speakers write books as a way to establish their expertise and build their brand. This is a solid recurring revenue source. Books can provide additional revenue for speakers, as well as opportunities for speaking engagements and media appearances. By publishing a book, you can reach a wider audience and position yourself as a thought leader in your field.

While the revenue from book sales may not be as significant as speaking fees, it can still provide a steady stream of income. Additionally, books can serve as a valuable marketing tool for your speaking business and help you build your reputation as a trusted expert.

• Online Courses and Webinars: 

Online courses and webinars are a popular revenue source for public speakers. You can create and sell online courses on platforms such as Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera. These courses can be on a variety of topics related to your area of expertise, and they can provide a passive income stream that can supplement your speaking fees.

Webinars are another popular way for speakers to generate revenue. You can host live or recorded webinars on a variety of topics and charge a fee for access. Webinars can also serve as a marketing tool for your speaking business, as they allow you to reach a broader audience and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

• Coaching and Consulting: 

Many speakers offer coaching and consulting services to individuals and organizations looking to improve their skills and knowledge in a particular area. Coaching and consulting can be a lucrative source of revenue, as you can charge a premium for your expertise and personalized attention. 

To succeed in coaching and consulting, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of your client’s needs and to provide tailored solutions that meet their specific challenges. Building a strong reputation in this area can lead to repeat business and referrals, which can help you build a sustainable speaking career. You can get certified as a coach by institutions such as the International Coaching Federation or the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. 

• Sponsorships and Endorsements: 

Speakers can partner with companies to promote their products or services through endorsements and sponsorships. This can include speaking engagements, social media posts, and other promotional activities. Sponsorships and endorsements can provide a significant source of revenue for speakers, particularly those who have a large and engaged audience.

Using this stream as a revenue source, one would need to attract sponsorships and endorsements. It’s essential to have a strong brand and a loyal following. You should also be selective about the companies you partner with and ensure that their products or services align with your values and expertise.

• Affiliate Marketing: 

Affiliate marketing is a great revenue source for public speakers to earn commission by promoting products or services to their audience. As a speaker, you likely have a loyal following who trust and value your opinion. This makes you a valuable partner for companies looking to promote their products to your audience.

To get started with affiliate marketing, look for companies or products that align with your niche and audience. You can then join their affiliate program and start promoting their products to your audience through your website, social media, or email list. When someone makes a purchase through your unique affiliate link, you earn a commission.

One of the benefits of affiliate marketing is that it requires minimal effort on your part. Once you have set up your affiliate links, you can earn passive income from any purchases made through those links. Just be sure to disclose your affiliate relationship to your audience, so they are aware of any potential bias.

• Membership Programs: 

Membership programs are another great source of revenue for public speakers. As a speaker, you likely have valuable knowledge, resources, and insights that your audience would be willing to pay for. By creating a membership program, you can offer exclusive content, resources, and support to your audience in exchange for a monthly or annual fee.

Membership programs can take many forms, such as online courses, private communities, or coaching programs. The key is to create a program that provides real value to your audience and meets their specific needs.

One of the benefits of membership programs is that they provide a steady stream of income for speakers. By charging a recurring fee, you can build a predictable revenue stream and create a sustainable speaking career.

It’s important for speakers to diversify their revenue sources and explore multiple sources of income. By combining speaking engagements with affiliate marketing and membership programs, you can maximize your earnings and build a successful speaking career.

By leveraging these monetization strategies, you can create a sustainable speaking career and earn a living doing what you love. So, start exploring these opportunities today and see how they can help you maximize your earnings.

If you’re a public speaker or looking to start out as one, here’s how you can maximize your earnings and build a sustainable speaking career. Take some time to read this page to learn how to become a speaker at the next Women Thrive Summit.