The Business of Academic Speaking

Have you listened to an inspiring speaker at a conference and thought to yourself "I want to do that! I want to be the one up there sharing my experience and helping others!"

But then those feelings of self-doubt creep in. That little voice inside your head whispers:

"I don't feel qualified enough to be a speaker. I don't know if I can put myself out there."

"I haven't written a recent book (or one at all!). People will not see me as an expert."

"I don't know what to charge, or if I should charge, for my speaking services. I don't know how all of that works."

"I don't know where to begin or how to get started. I don't even have a current website."

These thoughts are understandable and completely valid. And, you're definitely not the only one who feels this way! I had all of these thoughts too.

Many of the talented professionals I meet have important stories to share. But, they're not sure where to begin or how to put themselves out there as a speaker. They're not sure how to navigate the complexities of the "business side" of higher education.

If this sounds familiar, I hope you know that you CAN become a successful speaker. You're already an expert in your field. You teach students, publish articles, serve your community, and lead others.

You can learn how to confidently navigate the "business side" of higher education and become an in-demand speaker.

The Business of Academic Speaking is a self-paced audio course designed to help you confidently navigate the business side of becoming a successful, in-demand speaker for higher education audiences. You'll go behind the scenes and learn the "secrets" no one tells you when it comes to speaking in higher education:

-how to create an audience analysis plan

-what to charge and how to set your speaking rates

-what to delete from every campus contract

-when and how to market your speaking services

-what to include in your proposal

-how to protect your intellectual property

-how academia is different from other clients 

-what to ask before you say "yes" to a speaking invitation

"Thank you SO MUCH for such an amazing audio course! You so thoughtfully explained so many aspects of the business of academic speaking and got into the weeds in just the right places too (different audiences, contracts, etc.). I appreciated your personal stories too, as they brought the process to life and made it so relatable.

I thought I would take the course and workbook slow, but I ended up listening to all five lessons nearly straight through, I couldn't get enough! Thank you again for such a wonderful experience." 

--Dr. Justin Shaffer, Founder of Recombinant Education, Associate Dean, Speaker & Author

Clarify Your "Why"

When you think about starting your academic speaking journey, what do you want to accomplish? What's your why? Do you want to share your story about overcoming a challenge so you can inspire others? Do you want to teach a process or share your research? Do you want to lead conversations about a current issue?

In lesson 1, you'll clarify why speaking matters to you so you can say "yes" to the right opportunities that align with your why and connect you with audiences who need and want to hear your message.

Meet Your Client

Higher education is a complex client with different types of campuses, leadership structures, funding sources, schedules, and priorities. It is difficult to navigate all of these areas, especially as an external speaker. 

In lesson 2, you'll learn more about the unique way higher education works so you can feel confident and prepared when it comes to planning, marketing, and serving the needs of your both your client and your audience. 

Know Your Audience(s)

Who do you want to work with? Who needs to hear your message? As a speaker, it may be surprising to realize that you actually need to reach two different audiences: the one you speak to and the one who hires you. And they usually have different needs, goals, and challenges.

In lesson 3, you’ll create a plan to get to know your audiences. You’ll clarify who they are, what they’re looking for, what problems you can help them solve, and how to connect with them.

Showcase Your Expertise

As you start your speaking journey, you’ll need to develop a personal brand based on your expertise and experience. Knowing how to market yourself and promote your services can feel awkward at first, but these are essential skills for getting speaking invitations and connecting with the right audiences.

In lesson 4, you’ll start developing your personal brand, selecting specific marketing strategies based on how higher education works, and creating a process for growing your network.

Prepare for Yes!

When you are invited to speak, it’s important to make sure you’re a good fit for the audience and they are a good fit for you before you say yes.

In lesson 5, you will learn how to get organized as you prepare to accept a speaking invitation. You’ll be introduced to the process of preparing a proposal, negotiating contracts and terms, navigating different payment and pricing structures, and protecting yourself and your intellectual property.

Higher education is a complex system to navigate. And, it moves slowly.

If you have experience working in a college or university, then you already know there are many levels of approval needed before decisions are made. There are committees for everything!

Committees make sure everyone is involved and has input, but this process takes time. Sometimes it can take 6-12 months of planning before a committee reaches out and invites you to speak.

That's why it's so important to plan far ahead when you're preparing to launch your speaking services.

If you wait too long, you'll sit through another year of conferences and workshops watching the speakers on the stage and wishing that you were the one up there sharing your message. 

The Business of Academic Speaking audio course will help you prepare to confidently launch your speaking career right now. Your speaking career can help you reach whatever goals you have in mind. 

Earn a little extra income so you can pay a few bills or take that vacation.

Share your expertise with audiences beyond your own campus and take your career to the next level.

Start the journey of leaving your current job or begin something new as you head into retirement.

Whatever your goal, you will feel confident and ready to say “yes!” when it’s your turn to take the microphone!

This course is for you if:

-you want to start speaking to audiences in higher education (including college professors, faculty, instructors, adjuncts, researchers, scholars, postdocs, campus leaders, deans, directors, department heads, and college students).

-you want to start your speaking career but you're not sure where to begin.

-you can't figure out how to reach the right decision makers in higher education so you can get more speaking invitations.

"Thanks again for your course The Business of Academic Speaking. I knew some of the information, but you helped me think about it in a more systematic way - those workbook pages are awesome! 

The course helped me frame how I'm reaching out to several different audiences on campuses and tailor the message to their specific needs."

--Dr. Kimberly J Hale (she/her)

Faculty Success Coach

Hi, I’m Barbi! I've been a speaker and consultant in higher education for 22 years. Most of my work focuses on supporting professors in teaching. But, I've also been working individually with clients who want to take their career to the next level through speaking.

Those clients are now taking command of the microphone at conferences, workshops, orientations, and webinars.

They moved from the audience to the speaker's podium feeling prepared and confident. They've taken their teaching skills from the classroom and transferred them to the keynote stage. I'm proud to be part of their journey! And I'd love to be part of yours!

A little about my journey. . .

The first time I was invited to lead a keynote session, I was nervous, but then I was hooked! I realized how much I wanted to travel (goodbye cubicle!), meet new people, share my ideas, and earn an income on my own terms.

Within 4 years, I left my full-time position at the university and launched my speaking career. My family has been able to join me for a few trips, and we've seen the U.S. from coast to coast!

I continue to speak for audiences from every type of college and university around the world. I've been on both sides of the "business" of speaking in higher education: the one who does the hiring and the one who does the speaking! I can give you the insider's guide to the business side of speaking in higher education. 

 1. How long does it take to complete the course? 

Each lesson is 30 minutes. So, 2-3 hours total.

2. Why audio? 

It should be as easy as possible for you to get the information you need so you can take the next step towards your goals today! This audio course format makes listening to a course as easy as listening to a podcast. You don't have to figure out new tech tools, watch a bunch of videos, or create another online profile. Just grab your headphones, press play, and start learning!

3. What are some of the "secrets" you share in this course?

-how to figure out who your audience is 

-what to charge and how to set your speaking rates

-what to delete from every campus contract

-when and how to market your speaking services

-what to include in your proposal

-how to protect your intellectual property

-what to ask before you say "yes" to a speaking invitation