Couch to Podium

One of the most costly mistakes speakers make? Undercharging.
Your story, strategy, and solutions are worth more than a “free lunch and exposure.”

If you’ve ever asked, “What should I charge?” here’s a simple breakdown based on experience:

✔ Beginner ($500–$2,500)
You’ve got 1–2 years under your belt and a solid local reputation.

✔ Intermediate ($2,500–$7,500)
You’ve been speaking for 2–5 years, have regional visibility, and can deliver niche or specialized content.

✔ Expert ($7,500–$25,000+)
You’ve built a national brand, authored work, and consistently deliver transformational results.

These aren’t just guesses, they’re rooted in industry standards and my experience coaching speakers who consistently book at these levels.

Your voice has value. Don’t minimize your message.

What other factors do you consider when setting your speaker fees?
Drop your thoughts below 👇🏾

You might be ready to speak.
But does your brand say that?

Here are 3 silent reasons you’re missing paid opportunities:

1. Your social media doesn’t say you’re a speaker.
No pinned posts. No talk titles. No stage photos.

If an event planner landed on your profile right now… would they know what to book you for?

2.You don’t have a speaker sheet.

You’re losing time (and credibility) every time you say “Let me put something together.”
Event planners want receipts not research.

3.You blend in with therapists or coaches online.

If your brand doesn’t clearly position you as a speaker, you’re just another expert in the scroll.

Reminder: You can’t get paid like a speaker if no one knows you are one.

What’s one thing you know you need to improve in your speaker brand? Let’s talk in the comments

🧠 Let’s talk mindset. Because strategy without belief? Won’t get you paid.

You keep thinking you need another funnel, a new pitch, a better freebie…
But let’s be real: you don’t have a business problem. You have a belief problem.

Every time you procrastinate...
Every time you overthink that price…
Every time you talk yourself out of applying for that speaking opportunity…
That’s not strategy. That’s unaddressed mindset work.

👉🏾 And here’s the truth nobody wants to say out loud:
Until you fix what’s going on internally, no strategy will stick.
You’ll keep tweaking things that don’t need tweaking.
You’ll keep building offers from a place of fear and not power.
You’ll stay in the loop of “I’m working hard” with nothing to show for it.

💥 That’s why the FIRST thing we’re doing inside the Paid to Speak Intensive is not branding. Not pitching. Not packaging.

We’re getting your mindset right.

We’re identifying the beliefs keeping your rates low and your confidence lower.
We’re rewriting the narrative that tells you you’re “not ready.”
We’re putting power behind your voice because you can’t sell what you don’t believe in.

📣 This isn’t about fluff. This is about freedom.
And it starts in your mind.

💬 Drop “MINDSET FIRST” in the comments if you’re done playing small and you’re ready to think, speak, and show up like the profitable speaker you actually are.

When I was just starting out in my speaking career, I launched my webinar, only 1 person attended. I felt like I was a failure. Looking back now, I can say that those challenges I faced along the way, made me persevere and eventually I become a sought-after speaker, inspiring and motivating audiences around the world. I learned that success is not just about talent, but also about hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow. I also discovered that the greatest reward of my career was not the accolades or the fame, but the impact I had on the lives of others.

So if you’re feeling lost on your speaking journey, unsure where to begin or how to move forward, just start.

You never know who’s waiting to hear your message.

What if your story is the breakthrough someone else has been praying for?

Most therapists don’t get paid to speak.
And it’s not because they’re not qualified.
It’s because they’re not positioned.

Here’s what that looks like:
→ Saying yes to unpaid events “for the exposure”
→ Speaking without a clear offer or follow-up
→ Letting people be inspired by your story but unsure what to do next
→ Never asking about budget, because you’re afraid to seem “salesy”

It’s not a lack of talent. It’s a lack of structure.

Here’s how to change that:
✔ Create a signature talk tied to your actual expertise
✔ Focus on the outcome, not just the inspiration
✔ End your talks with a CTA (consult, freebie, or next step)
✔ Use a professional speaker sheet that reflects your value

If you’ve been speaking for free and wondering why it’s not converting
It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing it differently.

Get clarity and walk away with a plan.
Join me in September for the Paid to Speak Intensive.

https://couchtopodium.com/c2p-vip-day

Little-known truth for speakers:

Most people think you land speaking gigs by cold emailing schools…
Or pitching yourself to every event planner on Instagram.
And yes, that can work.

But one of the most overlooked (and profitable) ways?
📌 Consulting firms.

They’re already under contract.
They already have the budget.
And they’re quietly looking for experts like you to bring in.

Here’s how I found out:

A consulting firm reached out.

They had a contract with a juvenile justice agency and needed someone to speak to their staff about wellness and stress management.

I didn’t pitch the juvenile system.
I wasn’t even on their radar.
But the consulting firm was.

And because I knew how to:

✔️ position my message
✔️ pitch my services
✔️ and negotiate a fair rate
…that opportunity landed in my lap.

🎯 Here’s what most speakers miss:
You’ve got to be intentional about the circles you nurture.

Because consulting firms, training agencies, and DEI consultants?
They’re out here hiring speakers all the time and they move fast when you fit their client’s needs.

That’s why I’m inviting you for the Paid-to-Speak Intensive this June in Atlanta where I teach speakers how to:
✅Find the real decision-makers
✅ Craft pitches that speak to their goals
✅ Negotiate like a pro (without selling yourself short)

Because the game changes when you know where the real doors are.

Join us here: https://couchtopodium.com/c2p-vip-day

People can’t pay you if they don’t understand how you can help them. You can’t just be good at what you do. You have to be great at communicating the VALUE of what you do. That’s marketing. Everyone in business needs to make this their first priority.

How are you marketing your business this week?

Bali, here we come!
I can’t wait to see everyone step into their power and pour into their gifts at this retreat. 💕

This will be a time of growth, clarity, and elevation.
I couldn’t be more excited!

Real talk, some days I just don’t feel like running my business. Like can someone else just juggle these balls. Sometimes it’s a fleeting thought to throw my business away. And sometimes it’s a well thought out plan. Like I visualize myself buying a private island in Panama.

Then I think of the people behind me.
I think about my team.
And I think about you.
I think about what happens if I don’t show up.
And then I remember my why.

I fell deeply in love with my why.

And that is to see you speaking. But not just speaking. But to see you inspiring others and financially free, because your gifts will make room for you.

And that’s why I created the Speaker Wealth Retreat.

This experience is for you to have a space to lay your burdens now.

So you can be in the company of other life changing speakers.

Lives will be changed when you get in this room.
I’m holding space in my heart ❤️ for you.
Your time is now.

easons sound like excuses to a winner.- Lamar Tyler

Growing up, I was always determined. You have to take control over your life. When I started my business there were tons of reasons to give up. Truth be told the higher you go up, more obstacles come. However the people you are called to serve are bigger than your current circumstances. That’s the reason I created the Speaker’s Wealth Retreat because you need to make sure you have a clear game plan on how you are going to create profitable business. When you leave this retreat, you are going to walk away motivated and renews with a plan on bringing more profit in your business.

1 spot left.
To join, click the link in the bio

When I was just starting out in my speaking career, I launched my webinar, only 1 person attended. I felt like I was a failure. Looking back now, I can say that those challenges I faced along the way, made me persevere and eventually I become a sought-after speaker, inspiring and motivating audiences around the world. I learned that success is not just about talent, but also about hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow. I also discovered that the greatest reward of my career was not the accolades or the fame, but the impact I had on the lives of others.

So, If you feel like you’re lost in your speaking journey, you don;t know where and how to get started. I’m here. I was once there and I can’t afford not to help you. if you’re looking for an avenue to ask your most pressing questions on how you can get booked for paid speaking engagements, join my complimentary Q&A session this January 6th at 7pm EST!

To join, click the link in the bio.

Don't know what questions to ask when being approached to speak? 👀

Check out some of these pitching questions to make sure you find the right speaking gig for you👆🏿