Speak To Sell vs. Paid to Speak

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear the very enjoyable and memorable Charlotte Stallings at a luncheon meeting. She is a professional speaker who did a marvelous job. Everybody raved about her afterwards!

Her talk was titled “Ready, Set, Go” and the gist of it was that there are so many things outside your control in life (so true!). You must be you, go with what you’ve got, and move forward in life anyway! If you think about it, what other choice do we really have?

Why was her presentation so fantastic?

Not only was it inspirational, but it Ms. Stallings delivered an authentic applicable message, and did not try to pitch us anything at the end of her talk!

Here’s the deal . . .

Because Charlotte Stallings was paid to speak, the inevitable “sales pitch” that is so common nowadays when people give a talk was not present anywhere in her speech!

So which is better – paid speakers or “speaking for free” (in order to sell your product or service)?

Let’s examine both models.

The “Speak to Sell” model is championed by none other than Lisa Sasevich. Now, you should know that I love Lisa Sasevich! She clearly is someone who has a lot of class. In fact I took her course last year – the “Speak to Sell” bootcamp, which is going on right now. Check it out here at: www.speaktosellbootcamp.com.

Lisa touts that you should speak for free, and then sell the audience on your programs, products, and services during your talk. In this way (there is a method to giving such a talk), you will receive more money from people buying your programs, than you would from collecting a speaking fee.

In contrast, Charlotte Stallings did not try to sell us anything at the end of her talk! As a result, her presentation was more polished and professional than others I have seen. She was truly there to share, for the joy of giving and speaking – she did not have to sell anything during or after her speech because she was paid to speak!

As the TBPW Program Chair, I have the responsibility to evaluate speakers, and recommend who comes to speak to our group at monthly meetings.

So now I ask you which model is better?

Or do both have their place?