If you want to get paid to speak you need a topic that sells. Discover four easy ways to research what is the best topic for the right market.

1. GET PAID TO
SPEAKfind a topic that sells
SPEAK

2. So, you want to be a
speaker?

3. Great!

4. Now you have to find
a topic that sells

5. Don’t dream this up on your own!
CAUTION!

6. If you just climbed a big mountain
or swam the English Channel…
- maybe start with motivation

7. If not…
What TOPIC will you speak about?

8. Here are 4 sure-fire
ways to find the
perfect TOPIC
audiences will love
(and pay for)
TOPIC

9. Let’s talk about TOPIC focus and
MARKET focus
FIRST…

10. When most speakers get
started they will talk about
ANYTHING!
motivation?
customer service?
sales?
leadership?
planning?
team building?
change management?
succession planning?
technology?
innovation?
entrepreneurship?
time management?
habits?
marketing?

11. Niche
market All markets
Niche
topic
Any
topic
It looks like this
“I’ll speak
about
anything!”
“I’ll speak to
anyone!”

12. “Being an expert in everything makes
you an expert in nothing.”

13. Niche
market All markets
Niche
topic
Any
topic
stronger position
weaker position
In general, it’s
easier to build
market strength
with a niche TOPIC
for a niche MARKET

14. Niche
market All markets
Niche
topic
Any
topic
customer
service for
health care
“I’ll speak
about
anything!”
“I’ll speak to
anyone!”
As you gain success,
narrow your TOPICS
and the MARKETS you
serve.

15. FOUR types
of Market Research
to help you find
your ideal Topic.

16. #1. What are ASSOCIATIONS buying?

17. Associations are a big, reliable source
for booking speakers.

18. 1st: Find Associations
Search for “association
conference [your
industry]”.
For example “association
conference engineers” or
“association conference
social work”

19. 2nd: find past agendas
Find their conference
agenda. Look at
presentations listed from
non-industry speakers
(likely to be paid).

20. Q: What topics are
popular?
Q: Would your topic
compete with what
they are already paying
for?
3rd: what topics are popular?

21. #2. Use the AMAZON search engine.

22. Amazon is a huge research tool that
constantly reports on consumer
interests

23. https://hughculver.leadpages.co/
25-ways-slideshare-find-a-topic/
https://
hughculver.le
adpages.co/
25-ways-
slideshare-
find-a-topic/
Download your copy
Get the free report: “25 Ways to Get Paid to Speak”
1. Industry associations
2. Corporate event
3. In-house training
4. Conference workshop
5. Emcee at conference
6. Service clubs
7. Lunch and learn
8. Business networking groups
9. Special interest groups
10. Webinar for client
11. On-line course
12. Speaker bureaus
13. Education institutions
14. Facilitation
15. Platform speech
16. Toastmasters
17. Seminar companies
18. Live on-line seminar
19. Showcase event
20. Public seminars
21. Host a conference
22. Membership
23. Video on demand
24. Pn-line course
25. Cruise ships
Send me “25 Ways to Get
Paid to Speak” report
Do you want to get Paid to Speak?

24. 1st: Search Amazon
for your topic
(communications,
customer service,
change management,
time management, etc)

25. 2nd: Find books
with an Amazon
Best Seller
Rank of 50,000
or less (sales of
at least five
books per day)

26. 3rd: Find a niche in top-
selling topics you can
own.
Q: What topics are popular?
Q: What topic would
compete with top sellers?
The goal here is to either
confirm your niche topic is
popular or find a gap in the
market.

27. #3. SURVEY your audience.

28. #3. Survey your audience.
Most people will complete a short survey
(especially if it’s about them)

29. #3. Survey your audience.
Keep it simple:
I am finishing a new book about social media (to be released this Fall) and I
hope you can help me. I have just two questions:
#1: “When it comes to ______________ what is your greatest challenge?”
#2: “Thinking about that challenge, what would be an ideal solution?”

30. #3. Survey your audience.
Look for a common need you can solve.
TIP: In your marketing, use the same language
they used to describe their challenges.
These answers will be invaluable

31. #4. INTERVIEW your audience.

32. #4. Interview your audience.
When you ask prospects smart
questions about their needs you
position yourself as an expert.
When they need a solution -
they think of you.
How it works:

33. It’s a win/win.

34. • You are not there to sell. Be curious, listen carefully to their
answers, repeat back what you heard and ask for more
information.
• Your goal is to to clarify their needs,
• Follow up with a card or email thanking them. Again, don’t
turn this into a sales pitch—build credibility.
Remember

35. 1. try to serve niche markets and/or niche topics
2. research association agendas to learn what planners are buying
3. find market gaps with Amazon’s best-seller ranking
4. discover your audience’s greatest need with a 2-question survey
5. learn needs and build credibility by interviewing prospects
Summary:

36. A little work before you
launch will pay big rewards
and get you closer to your
target.

37. https://hughculver.leadpages.co/
25-ways-slideshare-find-a-topic/
https://
hughculver.le
adpages.co/
25-ways-
slideshare-
find-a-topic/
Download your copy
Get the free report: “25 Ways to Get Paid to Speak”
1. Industry associations
2. Corporate event
3. In-house training
4. Conference workshop
5. Emcee at conference
6. Service clubs
7. Lunch and learn
8. Business networking groups
9. Special interest groups
10. Webinar for client
11. On-line course
12. Speaker bureaus
13. Education institutions
14. Facilitation
15. Platform speech
16. Toastmasters
17. Seminar companies
18. Live on-line seminar
19. Showcase event
20. Public seminars
21. Host a conference
22. Membership
23. Video on demand
24. Pn-line course
25. Cruise ships
Send me “25 Ways to Get
Paid to Speak” report
Do you want to get Paid to Speak?

38. Now that we’ve talked
about research and
avoiding mistakes,
a reminder…

39. "You don't have to be great to start,
but you have to start to be great.”
Zig Ziglar

40. https://hughculver.leadpages.co/
25-ways-slideshare-find-a-topic/
https://
hughculver.le
adpages.co/
25-ways-
slideshare-
find-a-topic/
Download your copy
Get the free report:
“25 Ways to Get Paid to Speak”
Send me “25 Ways to Get
Paid to Speak” report
Do you want to get Paid to Speak?