Yes, you should speak for free, and that’s especially true when you’re just starting out as a speaker. A free gig can still pay you in practice, an endorsement, promotion to their audience, and video of you on a stage. You have to ask for those things when you say yes. There’s value to extract from a speaking gig, even when they don’t want to pay you.
Does speaking for free cheapen my brand?
This question comes up all the time, and it’s a controversial topic. Some people say you should never speak for free, because if you speak for free you’re cheapening your brand.
I don’t think that’s true. I think there are a lot of reasons why you’ll speak for free.
The biggest reason is that you’re probably just starting out, and that’s okay. Are you a speaker who’s been asked to speak for free? Of course you have.
What do I need from a free gig when I’m just starting out?
When you’re working to become a speaker, you need two things. You need practice so you don’t suck, and you need an endorsement.
The endorsement is someone saying, “Hey, that Pat Miller guy, he’s okay. You should hire him.” A free stage is a place where you can get both of those things.
What can I ask for instead of a speaking fee?
The fourth way is the promotion that comes with being on their stage. You’re getting an email to their database beforehand, and you’re getting put on their website.
You’re also included in their social media, and all of that kind of stuff. So when the event can’t pay you, look at everything they’re going to send out with your name on it.
How do I get video of myself speaking on a real stage?
The fifth way is really important, and it starts with how you answer the invitation. You can say it like this.
“Thank you for the invitation to be on your stage. This is coming at a really good time because I’m working on a new talk, and it would help me if I could bring my video crew or my photographer with me.”
Then tell them why. “I need to update my media kit. Would it be okay if I brought in my videographer or photographer?” You’re speaking for free, so the answer is going to be, “Oh, by all means.”
Why does video matter so much for getting booked?
If you’re going to get hired to speak, even bigger than an endorsement, someone needs to see video of you speaking. They need to see it.
I hire speakers every single year, and here’s how that conversation goes. Someone says, “Hey Pat, can I speak on your stage?” and I say, “I’d love to consider you. Send me some video of you speaking.”
Sometimes they send me the topic. I don’t care what the topic is. You could tell me you know the secret to life, and I still don’t care. I’ve got to see you explain it before I book you.
What should I do this week?
Here’s the homework. Find the free speaking invitation that’s sitting in your inbox, and decide what you need from it: practice, an endorsement, promotion, or video.
Then write back and ask if you can bring your videographer or photographer, using the words above. Tell them you’re working on a new talk and you need to update your media kit.
While you’re at it, ask about the email to their database, their website, and their social media. That’s how you extract value from a speaking gig, even when they don’t want to pay you.
This came from Businessing with Pat Miller. Watch the full May 11, 2026 episode.
More on this topic: Pricing answers from the Small Business Owners Community