Fortune 500 executives are famous for referring to vendors in what they call ‘Tier Levels’. They take pride in only hiring “Tier 1 speakers”, which is another way of saying “the best of the best”. After all, they can afford it. When you’re spending five million dollars on a national convention, what difference does it make if the keynote speaker costs fifteen or twenty thousand dollars? They want the best and that’s who they hire. While most struggling speakers are worrying about building flashy websites and killer demo videos, Tier 1 speakers are almost always hired by referral. Of all the Fortune 500 executives I’ve spoken for over the last 14 years, I don’t think any of them have seen my demo video or website. Tier 1 speakers focus their efforts on getting better on the platform and improving their product, which is themselves. For those of you enrolled in the 10-day Free Speaking Course (www.freespeakingcourse.com) I want you to pay close attention to this video and take notes on the details of the four tier levels. I doubt that you’re going to hear this anywhere else. I’ve learned that the speaking business is a lot like the weight loss industry: there’s more money in telling people it’s easy than there is in telling the truth. I was lucky to have the best of the best in this business guiding and advising me every step of the way. The primary reason I have this blog is to pass that same knowledge on to you. I hope you’ll continue to take advantage of it.   Steve Siebold  ( 6:11 )

Toastmasters International is the largest public speaking organization in the world with over 250,000 members. I love Toastmasters and have been an active member since 1996. I co-founded the Bill Gove Toastmasters Club in Florida, and I’ve keynoted their regional and international events for free to show my support. The problem is there’s a myth being perpetuated on the internet that Toastmasters is a training ground for professional speaking. Watch this post to avoid listening to the wrong people about the professional speaking business.   Steve Siebold

Most speakers guess when they’re setting fees. The amount of bad information about how to determine your fee is staggering. I’ve attended sessions at NSA where the presenter tells the audience that there is no formula for setting fees. This is ridiculous, and it shows why so few people make money in this business. Meanwhile, the speakers who understand the ‘business of the business’ continue to earn millions. Watch this post and you’ll know understand how ‘Tier One Speakers’ set their fees.  Steve Siebold  ( 7:38 )