Read my takeaways from attending one of the world’s most ELITE speaking conferences!
- Kevin Snyder
- 13 minutes ago
- 5 min read
This past weekend I attended an invite-only event hosted by the National Speakers Association (NSA) called the CSP/CPAE Summit—and it was an incredible way to finish the year strong.
CSP stands for Certified Speaking Professional, a designation earned by fewer than 15% of professional speakers worldwide. CPAE stands for Council of Peers Award for Excellence—more commonly known as the Speaker Hall of Fame.
Only CSPs are invited to this annual Summit, which makes it uniquely special. You’re surrounded by the most successful speakers in the industry—people who have figured out how to build real, sustainable speaking businesses.
This isn’t a traditional conference with keynotes and breakouts. Instead, you’re placed into a small Mastermind group with other full-time professional speakers. Some are straight keynoters. Others run coaching, consulting, or training companies that flow to and from their speaking work.
One big takeaway for you right away: there are many different speaking business models. One size does not fit all. However, you must know those models and which might be best for you.
So whether you’re at the beginning stages in speaking or whether you're already a coach, consultant, or trainer who wants to grow further into keynote speaking—or a keynoter looking to expand your business model—you would feel right at home inside NSA. My call to action for you is simple: find a NSA chapter near you and get involved. You can attend events as a guest, but membership truly does have its privileges.
Also, know that you don't have to join national NSA to be a member of a local chapter - and vice versa. Each are independent.
If keynote speaking is your lane (or you want it to be), NSA is one of the best places to be surrounded by like-minded professionals at every level—from aspiring speakers to emerging professionals to seasoned Hall of Fame speakers. Rising tides truly do lift all boats.
Some of my top takeaway notes from Summit
This year, the Summit meant three full days in a Mastermind group with nine other speakers representing a wide range of expertise and business models.
Imagine masterminding with some of the top professional speakers in the world where you get to share challenges, ask questions, get direct feedback and develop ideas to move forward.
Friends, the speaking business is not easy and it has unique challenges every year. A great speaker makes it look easy though, don't they?
During the Summit I was also humbled to serve as a Mastermind Facilitator for our group which was initially intimidating as heck! But once we got rolling it was smooth sailing and I was honored to be asked to serve in that role.
And as a further bonus, I'm involved with another ongoing Mastermind group (going on 7 years now!) with four other speakers. We all attended the Summit and spent an extra day together ... wheww!
Below are 'some' of the most important ideas from my experience at Summit—and I wanted to pass them directly to you in hopes it helps you reflect on 2025 and move forward in 2026.
Speakers must solve an expensive problem. Markets pay for solutions to urgent, costly problems. Ask yourself:
What problem am I solving through my speaking?
Why is it expensive?
Why does it need to be solved now?
Have a clear point of view. Not safe. Not vague.
Unexpected
Provocative (but not controversial)
Crystal clear—even if people disagree
You’re not having a speech—you’re having a conversation.
Audiences don’t want to be talked at. They want to feel understood.
Be clear why you are the authority.
Don’t assume people know. Position it clearly.
Speakers undervalue brand and overvalue graphics.
Design matters—but brand perception matters more.
Your website and demo video must look more than the fee you charge.
If you don’t look the fee, you won’t get hired at that fee. Better yet—be perceived as double the fee. (Note: I wrote my website designer during the CSP Summit telling him change requests were coming on my own KevinCSnyder.com website!)
Position yourself as the leading authority in your topic. You ARE the expert.
Even if you don't feel that you're an expert or leading authority, get beyond that imposter syndrome. You DO have expertise and if you have a unique point of view that solves an expensive problem, then you ARE worthy of positioning yourself accordingly. Meeting planners at higher fee levels are qualifying and selecting speakers this way now more than ever.
There is more risk for the meeting planner selecting you than there is for you getting selected.
Your job is to make yourself feel like the safest speaker they will ever hire.
Regarding speaker websites, be crystal clear who your website is for.
Design for the buyer—not the customer.
Book Publishing Notes Worth Sharing
There was also great discussion around book publishing. Three things matter most when evaluating a publisher:
Quality
Speed
Distribution
Your book cover must honor what’s inside the book.
Yes, you can independently self-publish and a la carte everything yourself—writing help, editing, formatting, cover design, printing, uploading… but that maze is not for the faint of heart.
That’s why I consistently recommend indie (hybrid) publishing. It allows authors to retain their rights, royalties, and control—while leveraging professionals who know what they’re doing.
I personally recommend Write Way Publishing, who has handled my book publishing for several years. In contrast, many “traditional” book deals aren’t deals at all. I’ve seen colleagues give up rights, earn minimal royalties, and be required to purchase thousands of their own books.
The Power of Speaker Community
This Summit made something very clear to me: community is everything. I've written about the importance of having a community of speakers around you for support, encouragement, connection, feedback, guidance, etc.
Are you surrounded by speakers who challenge you, stretch you, and help you grow? Or are you trying to figure this speaking thing out alone and spinning in circles?
Here’s what my speaker community looks like:
National Speakers Association (national)
My CSP peer community within NSA (Summit colleagues + our own listerv)
My own Mastermind group (5 of us & we've been together 7 years strong!)
NSA Carolinas Chapter (find a NSA chapter in your state)
Toastmasters (find a club near you)
PAID to $PEAK Mastermind (announcement coming soon!)
Thank you for being part of this community.
Let me know how I can help you and support your speaking in any way.
In addition to my own professional speaking, I have a small 'menu' of coaching options that will not only guide you and provide templates and resources, but it'll accelerate your progress and help you avoid the costly time and financial mistakes I have already made.
I work selectively 1:1 with up to 3 speakers at a time and I have ONE OPENING in February. Visit here to schedule a time ... and if you'd like to meet sooner than what my availability is, just email me after booking and we'll find a quicker time!
Wishing you all my best — and a wonderful holiday ahead!
~ Kevin
Earn greatness today! Onward and upward.
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.
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