Here's an example how speaking to associations is your goldmine for PAID speaking opportunities!

Here's living proof how my Association Model inside PAID to $PEAK works!

One of the biggest challenges for aspiring speakers is figuring out who your target audience really is. Not just “anyone who needs motivation,” but an audience that:

• Has events where speakers are needed.

• Has a budget to pay speakers.

That’s exactly what Module 3 inside my book PAID to $PEAK is all about. I call it my Association Model and it's my roadmap and blueprint to how I started my speaking business and how I run my business to this day!

My Association Model provides you with clarity, direction, and momentum. It allows you to rinse and repeat your speech on a local, regional, and even national level—because associations are constantly looking for speakers. They run events, collect registration fees, and bring in sponsors, which means they have the structure and the budget to bring in professional speakers like you.

And I want you to know … this isn’t theory. This recent experience I am about to share with you is living proof!

How I Launched My Speaking Business

When I resigned my 'day job' as a Dean of Students to go full-time into speaking back in 2012, I started by focusing on ONE association. I remember sitting in a Greensboro, NC coffee shop, emailing every one of the 21 local chapters about speaking at one of their monthly meetings.  It was a long caffeinated afternoon of research and emails - but it PAID off, literally.

My speaking mentor and coach is who guided me on which association to start with. Quite honestly, if I had picked the wrong association, I would be working at Home Depot right now. My coach was right.

Within 6 months, I had 11 speaking engagements. Most were unpaid or lightly paid … but I knew I had to put in the reps. And on my third keynote, someone in the audience happened to be on the state conference committee. They approached me afterward and invited me to speak at the state conference a few months later.

That single connection snowballed and became the ripple effect. Within a year, I had built a six-figure speaking business—simply by following the Association Model which I have outlined for you inside PAID to $PEAK, starting local, and working my way up.

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Living Proof … Today

Fast forward to today. I just returned from a major statewide leadership conference for HR professionals in Florida

(SHRM). HR pros are some of my favorite audiences—they work incredibly hard, often behind the scenes, and face real challenges like burnout, hybrid workplaces, compliance issues, and AI integration.

So how did I land this keynote?

I spoke—unpaid—at a single local SHRM chapter earlier this year. YES, UNPAID!!  Just two months later, I received an invitation to speak at the statewide SHRM Florida Conference that I just returned from. This keynote WAS PAID!

The result? That one chapter presentation just 2 weeks ago has already led to:

• 4 company requests to hire me (for the same program),

• 3 more state conferences (all paid - same program), and

• even more inquiries rolling in soon.

One chapter → one state conference → multiple paid spin-off opportunities. That’s the Association Model in action.

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Why This Matters for You

If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed about which audience to pursue, Module 3 inside PAID to $PEAK might be your needed roadmap. Associations give you:

• Structure (chapters, events, conferences),

• Opportunities (constant need for speakers), and

• Budget (thanks to registrations and sponsors).

Your job is to pick ONE association, start local, deliver value, and let your credibility and connections carry you forward.

As I like to say: If you chase more than one squirrel, you won’t catch any. Focus wins.

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Next Steps

If you have my book PAID to $PEAK, go back and re-read Module 3. You can also:

• Read: Print or eBook version

• Listen: Audiobook

• Watch: PAID to $PEAK Online Course

Inside the book, you’ll even find a link for a complimentary coaching call with me—so take advantage of that if you haven’t already.

Friends, my Association Model isn’t just my model—it’s your model too. I’ve seen it work for countless speakers I’ve coached. And I just showed you how it continues to work for me today.

Don’t overcomplicate this. Associations are out there waiting for speakers. The only question is: will it be you?

Earn greatness today! Onward and upward!

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Want to speak professionally, part-time or full-time?

Not getting PAID speaking engagements?

I've been honored to present for over 1,000,000 people through 1,150+ audiences in all 50 states and several countries. Whether I'm on a stage or in a training room with professionals or students, I absolutely LOVE motivating and inspiring people for higher performance. And in addition to my own speaking business, I have a passion for helping and coaching speakers learn how to catapult their speaking whether part-time or full-time. My book, PAID to SPEAK, outlines a proven model for speakers and is now an online course as well! Click here for online course info!

If you are serious about becoming a professional speaker, explore my coaching and mentorship options. I don't want you to flounder like I did and be frustrated.