Creative Ways to Monetize Your Speaking Career on the Side
For part-time speakers, finding ways to generate income without committing to full-time speaking is key. While speaking fees are an obvious revenue stream, there are many other creative ways to monetize your expertise without needing to be on stage every day. Whether you're looking to supplement your income, test the waters before going full-time, or simply make the most of your skills, here are some innovative ways to turn your speaking career into a profitable side business.
1. Offer Virtual Speaking Engagements and Webinars
You don’t need to travel to make money as a speaker. Virtual events, corporate webinars, and online training sessions are excellent ways to generate income on your schedule. Many organizations are willing to pay for expert-led virtual sessions that provide value to their employees or members.
Ways to Monetize:
- Offer paid workshops via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
- Partner with companies for private training sessions.
- Host exclusive live Q&A sessions for a fee.
Pro Tip: Use platforms like SpeakerHUB to get in front of event organizers who are actively looking for virtual speakers.
2. Sell Online Courses Based on Your Speaking Topics
If you already have a signature talk or expertise in a particular area, repurpose that knowledge into an online course. This allows you to create a passive income stream, earning money from your expertise even when you're not actively speaking.
How to Get Started:
- Use platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Kajabi to host and sell your course.
- Record a series of short, engaging lessons based on your speaking content.
- Offer a free webinar to generate leads and direct attendees to your paid course.
3. Create and Sell Digital Products
Digital products are a low-maintenance way to make money from your knowledge. Once created, they can be sold repeatedly without requiring extra effort.
Ideas for Digital Products:
- E-books or Workbooks that expand on your speaking topics.
- Downloadable Templates (e.g., public speaking checklists, presentation slides).
- Guides or Industry Reports that provide in-depth insights.
Pro Tip: Sell your digital products on your website, Amazon, or platforms like Gumroad.
4. Offer Coaching or Consulting Services
Many people are willing to pay for one-on-one guidance from an expert. As a speaker, you already have knowledge that others want to learn. Coaching and consulting services allow you to monetize your expertise without needing large audiences.
Ways to Offer Coaching:
- One-on-one coaching sessions via Zoom or phone.
- Group coaching programs for small business owners, entrepreneurs, or aspiring speakers.
- Corporate consulting where you train teams on topics related to your expertise.
5. Get Paid for Guest Podcast Appearances
Podcasting is a growing industry, and many podcast hosts are looking for experienced speakers to add value to their audience. While most podcast appearances are unpaid, some high-level podcasts will pay expert guests or offer affiliate partnerships.
Ways to Monetize:
- Pitch yourself as a guest expert to industry-related podcasts.
- Offer an exclusive discount on your services or courses for listeners.
- Negotiate sponsorship deals if the podcast has a relevant audience.
Pro Tip: Use SpeakerHUB to find podcast opportunities and connect with hosts looking for guest speakers.
6. Write a Book and Sell It at Speaking Engagements
Writing a book is one of the best ways to increase your credibility as a speaker and generate revenue at the same time. Whether you publish an e-book or a physical copy, your book can serve as an additional income stream and a tool to land higher-paying speaking gigs.
How to Make Money With Your Book:
- Sell signed copies at live and virtual events.
- Offer it as a lead magnet to grow your email list.
- Use it to negotiate higher speaking fees (speakers with books can charge more).
7. Host Paid VIP Events or Retreats
For speakers with a dedicated audience, exclusive VIP events or retreats can be a lucrative way to monetize. These can be in-person or virtual, giving participants direct access to your expertise in a small, intimate setting.
Ideas for VIP Events:
- Weekend mastermind retreats for professionals in your industry.
- Private VIP Q&A sessions after a live speaking event.
- Specialized workshops with hands-on training and networking.
8. Get Sponsorships and Affiliate Deals
Many companies are willing to sponsor speakers who align with their brand. Whether you have an engaged audience, a strong social media presence, or a valuable email list, you can partner with brands to generate extra income.
Ways to Get Sponsorships:
- Partner with companies to sponsor your talks or webinars.
- Include affiliate links in your presentations, emails, or blog posts.
- Offer brand shoutouts on your social media platforms in exchange for payment.
Pro Tip: If you have a large following, you can also charge companies for sponsored blog posts or YouTube videos.
9. License Your Speaking Content
Instead of giving a one-time speech, consider licensing your content to companies or organizations for ongoing use. Many businesses are willing to pay for exclusive rights to training materials, leadership workshops, or educational content.
How It Works:
- Record a high-quality video series of your presentation.
- License the content to corporations, universities, or online platforms.
- Charge a one-time fee or offer subscription-based access.
10. Turn Your Speaking Experience Into a Paid Membership Community
A membership model allows you to earn recurring revenue by offering exclusive content, coaching, or networking opportunities to a private group of members.
How to Start a Membership Program:
- Offer monthly webinars, live Q&As, or bonus content for paid members.
- Use platforms like Patreon, Mighty Networks, or Kajabi to manage subscriptions.
- Build a private community where members can interact and learn from each other.
Final Thoughts: Monetizing Your Speaking Career Beyond the Stage
Being a part-time speaker doesn’t mean you have to rely solely on speaking fees. By diversifying your revenue streams, you can turn your expertise into a profitable side business while maintaining your other commitments.
Ready to take your speaking career to the next level? Create a SpeakerHUB profile to showcase your expertise, connect with event organizers, and find paid speaking opportunities, podcasts, and corporate gigs. SpeakerHUB makes it easier than ever to get booked and build a profitable speaking career—on your terms.
