Think you need more experience before you can get paid to speak? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with Jess Ekstrom, a Forbes Top Rated Speaker, to break down how to turn your lived experience into paid speaking opportunities. Jess shares how she went from speaking for a slice of pizza to commanding $35K per talk. We also dive into the shifts that get you booked, how to think about pricing without tying it to your self-worth, and how to optimize your online presence so opportunities come to you. Get ready to create a signature message that people want to book. Check out our Sponsors: Granola - Granola is an AI-powered notepad built for the way real people actually meet. Get three months free at http://granola.ai/earn. Shopify - Try the ecommerce platform I trust for Glōci, Sign up for your $1/month trial period at http://Shopify.com/happy Indeed - Spend less time searching, and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Indeed is giving Earn Your Happy listeners a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to help get your job the premium status it deserves. Just go to http://Indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on Earn Your Happy. Rella - Rella is a project management platform built specifically for social media managers and teams. Go to http://getrella.com and use code EARN for 10% off your first three months or annual plan. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Why people can’t book you if they don’t know you’re a speaker. 08:30 How did you get into speaking? 11:45 The massive pay gap between male and female speakers. 15:00 The mindset shift that helps you confidently raise your rates. 17:30 How to identify your signature message. 25:00 Tips to handle fear, nerves, and worst-case scenarios on stage. 32:30 How to think about pricing without attaching it to your worth. 35:30 When do you say yes or no to free speaking? 38:00 Why you don’t need to be an expert to start speaking. 40:00 Step-by-step framework for a signature message. 46:00 Ways to optimize your profile for opportunities. RESOURCES Join Jess’s Mic Drop Workshop to become a paid speaker HERE! Start with Jess’s FREE speaking training HERE! Text “HYPE” to get weekly mindset + speaking tips from Jess - 704-228-9495 Pre-Order Jess’s book Making It Without Losing It HERE! Apply for the Elite Entrepreneur Mastermind HERE! Get on the waitlist for Mentor Collective Mastermind HERE! Try glōci for 40% off your first order with code HAPPY at checkout - head to getgloci.com FOLLOW Follow me: @loriharder Follow glōci: @getgloci Follow Jess: @jess_ekstrom