Most speakers never get paid. They deliver transformation, command the room, and change lives, yet they walk away with nothing but applause and a thank you. The problem isn’t their talent. It’s their positioning. In a recent episode of The Brand of You podcast with chatGRG and host Robyn Abou Chedid, I shared how public speaking can evolve from a passion into a professional, paid career. As the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of MENA Speakers, the leading speakers bureau in the region since 2016, I’ve witnessed why so many talented voices remain unpaid despite their expertise.
I began speaking at age 20. My first paid gig set the tone for what was possible. Over time, I refined a model where speaking became a legitimate business, one that could command fees of $100,000 and more. That milestone wasn’t luck or chance. It was built on understanding what organizers truly value: not just content or credentials, but trust, presence, clarity, and the ability to create transformation in the room.
Your Voice Is a Service Worth Paying For
“Your voice is a service. If you deliver value, you deserve to be paid.” That statement captures the fundamental shift in mindset every serious speaker must make. It’s not enough to share information or teach concepts. The speakers who get paid consistently are the ones who deliver transformation. They don’t just educate, they elevate. They don’t just inform, they inspire action.
This is why I introduced the Speaker Pyramid during our conversation, a clear framework that separates educational talks from transformational ones. Educational speakers share knowledge. Transformational speakers shift perspectives, challenge assumptions, and leave audiences with new ways of thinking and being. Organizers understand this difference, and they’re willing to invest in impact.
“If you only teach, people learn. If you transform, people remember.”
The gap between learning and remembering is where real value lives. When someone remembers your talk months or years later, when they change how they lead or decide or show up because of what you shared, that’s transformation. That’s what commands premium fees.
Preparation, Presence, and the Inner Work
The podcast also explored what happens long before you step onto the stage. The role of personal brand, presence, and preparation cannot be overstated. The inner critic is real. Stage anxiety is real. Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear just because you’ve been invited to speak.
What many don’t realize is that confidence is a choice, not a feeling. You don’t wait to feel confident. You choose to act with confidence because you’ve prepared, because your message is clear, and because you’re committed to serving the audience above your own comfort.
“Confidence is a decision. You choose to show up as the leader of the room before the audience ever validates you.”
This requires inner work. It means confronting the voices that say you’re not ready, not credible, or not worthy of the fee you’re asking. It means building a personal brand that reflects who you are and the transformation you offer. It means rehearsing not just your content, but your energy, your pacing, your presence.
When you prepare deeply and align your message with your purpose, you step onto the stage as a trusted voice. The audience feels it. The organizers see it. And it becomes easier to command the respect and compensation you deserve.
Stop Delivering Value for Free
For anyone serious about getting paid as a speaker, the path forward requires a shift. Stop delivering your highest value for free. Raise your standards for where and how you show up. Invest in your brand, your message, and your positioning. Build credibility through clarity and consistency, not just volume.
Speak from purpose, not obligation. When you combine a powerful message with authentic presence and deep humanity, speaking becomes more than a talk. It becomes a professional offer, a service that organizers are willing to invest in because they know the return.
The speakers earning six figures aren’t necessarily more talented. They’re more intentional. They understand the business of speaking. They’ve positioned themselves as transformation agents, not just content deliverers. They’ve made the decision to treat their voice as their profession, not their hobby.
What’s Next for You?
If you’re ready to make that shift, the work begins now. Listen to the full podcast episode to hear the complete conversation. Reflect on what organizers truly pay for: transformation, trust, clarity, and presence. Then position yourself accordingly. Refine your message. Build your brand. Step into the role of a paid professional speaker with intention and strategy.
When you’re ready to take that step, I’m here to guide you.
Your voice matters. It’s time to get paid for it.
To inquire about 1 to 1 coaching, reach out to
+971 58 971 2626