The biggest myth in paid speaking? That we can be paid to speak about what we’re truly passionate about.

The reality? If you want to make money from speaking, you’re probably going to need…

Your message for meaning is why you got into thought leadership in the first place. It’s something that:

1. Advocates for change 🌎
   E.g. Talks on climate activism, wealth inequality, polarisation etc.

2. Is personal, purpose-driven or mission led ❤️
   E.g. A diversity advocate sharing lived experiences of workplace bias

3. Can starts movements

   E.g. Like Jonathan Haidt’s phone-free school policies, Emma Watson’s HeForShe and Ibram X. Kendi’s Anti-Racism.

It’s measured in impact and influence.

And while it is possible to get paid to speak about your message for meaning, it is nearly impossible to be paid well enough for it.

Your message for money… 

…is what turns your expertise into an income stream. It’s something that:

1. Solves a problem that companies will pay for 💰
   E.g. A climate activist helping companies cut carbon emissions.

2. Demonstrates a clear ROI 📈
   E.g. A diversity advocate improving performance or retention.

3. Turns your ‘why’ into ‘how’ 🧠
   E.g. Often using a clear framework or methodology.

It’s measured in revenue (your initial fee), retention (your ability to turn one talk into ongoing engagements) and results (your tangible impact).

It’s why the types of engagements you’re likely to land will be workshops, rather than keynotes.

Will you be as passionate about these as your message for meaning?
Probably not (unless you’re one of the lucky few), and that’s ok.

The requirement? To be passionate enough.

Why? Because our message for money is the financial engine that sustains our message for meaning.

Until…

The Tipping Point ⚖️

For a few of us, there will come a time when your message for meaning becomes valuable enough that companies are willing to pay for it at scale.

It happens when:

1. The market catches up with your mission 🔥
   E.g. Sarah Ellis & Helen Tupper - The Squiggly Career
   
   Message for meaning: Careers are no longer linear → we need new ways to navigate them.
   
   Tipping Point: Traditional career ladders collapsed and businesses needed new retention strategies. 
   

2.  🤩 You build enough credibility and influence to become the go-to expert.
   E.g. Brene Brown
   
   Message for meaning: Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
   
   Tipping Point: Her TED talk exploded and she has been an in demand speaker ever since.
   

3. 💡 You package your message in a way that solves a problem 🎁
   E.g. Mo Gawdat
   
   Message for meaning: Happiness is not a result of success → it’s an equation we can all solve.

   
   Tipping point: Instead of asking “How can I get companies to care about happiness?” he answered “How does happiness directly impact business success?”

When MicDrop opens it’s doors in May, our first month will be spent helping our members get really clear on their…

1. Messaging 🧠
   For meaning and money

2. Positioning 🧩
   So they attract the right kind of opportunities depending on their thought leadership goals.

Sound like fun? Click here to join the waitlist.

Alex

P.s. I’m doubling down on podcasts this year as part of my own thought leadership strategy. If you think I might be a suitable guest for yours, reply to this email :-).