When I entered the speaking industry I thought it was simply about speaking to corporations on topics like leadership and communication. But the speaking industry is much more expansive than I imagined and covers many different markets. The conscious and transformational speaking industry is one I had never heard of. Here is an overview of what it is and how you can earn a living as a speaker in this lucrative business.

Transformational speaking

A transformational speaker’s mission involves impacting personal and professional evolution. Whether that’s mindset, spirituality, empowerment, wellness, personal growth, parenting or purpose-driven business success. Moving toward a happier, more high performance life.

Other speakers in the transformational speaking industry may focus more on business, leadership, sales and wealth building. Missions that are more focused on business development growth, corporate topics or personal finance. Transformational speakers and conscious speakers can be very similar. But a conscious speaker comes from a perspective of global oneness and is very aware of the transmission of energy by people and the universe.

Becoming a transformational speaker

To become a transformational speaker you need to have a body of work and experience that empowers people.  Higher levels of achievement. Clarity, business and life success. Internal and external peace. Relationship success, self-esteem and self-acceptance. Pursuing work that fulfills a passion, and positive engagement in the world. You’ll need a program or methodology that teaches people your path to success as you define it. Your speech must enlighten, provide value, motivate and offer people ways to engage with you as a guide for further development. Ideally, you will have a story arc that powerfully tells your own transformation, how you learned this work and how you have arrived at your method of success.

Making money in transformational speaking

So, if you’re wondering whether you could make money as a speaker in this industry, here are some stats:

According to Brandongaille.com: “Up to $500 million is spent on personal development products every year. Including market segments from holistic approaches, motivational speakers, inspirational websites, personal coaching, and other forms of personal development. The net worth of this industry is estimated to be almost $11 billion. This market is also beating global economic trends as it is averaging over 5% growth each year.”

Speak to enroll market

Just like the speaking industry in general, the “paid” speaking market for transformational and conscious speakers is diminishing. But the “speak to enroll” market continues to grow. Meaning that a speaker doesn’t get paid to be on stage, but instead uses a non-paid speaking engagement to invite or enroll the attendees into their programs.

If the offer is right, and the target demographic in alignment, a speaker can make a lot more money “speaking to enroll” than at a fee-based speaking engagement. And if you don’t yet have your own programs you could also get sponsors for those free speaking engagements. There are plenty of sponsors who would want to get their brands in front of those types of audiences.

If you think you fit into this market, there are many places you could be speaking. A few of them include centers for spiritual living and Unity Churches, women’s organizations, fraternal organizations and service clubs. Chambers of Commerce, libraries, bookstores, wellness centers. Yoga and retreat centers, mind-body spirit expos, health and wellness groups, vitamin stores and book festivals. If you don’t want to research and submit to all of these places individually, check out Jackie Lapin’s Speakertunity, Transformational Leads Tip Sheet.


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