Great speakers don’t usually fail because they can’t present; they struggle because they don’t know how to build a business around their message. Talent alone doesn’t pay the bills, and that disconnect catches many speakers off guard. Author and professional speaker Chris Johnson sits down with Rob to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to make a living as a speaker. From expectations and pricing to marketing, transitions, and sustainability, Chris shares the real-world lessons he learned after walking away from a high six-figure career to bet on himself.
In this episode of the Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:
o Why money is still such a taboo topic in the speaking business—and why that hurts speakers.
o The expectations new speakers often have that don’t match the realities of professional speaking.
o The biggest misconception Chris had before leaving a stable, well-paid career to go all in on speaking.
o How early-stage speakers can tell whether their message actually solves a real problem.
o Where speakers should really be “hunting” for work beyond websites and social media.
o Why relationship-building drives repeat business more than most speakers realize.
o How speakers can evaluate their pricing and avoid unintentionally undercutting themselves.
o The role structured planning plays in creating consistent speaking income.
o What Chris learned from his first year’s income about patience, positioning, and progress.
o The single business move speakers should focus on first if they want to grow—or survive—in the speaking business.
To learn more about this guest:
Speaking: https://ontargetliving.com/pages/chrisjohnson
Podcasts: https://ontargetliving.com/pages/rest-eat-move-podcast