When I tell people that I earn a significant part of my income through speaking, one of two things usually happens.

The first reaction is: “I could never do that.”

The second is: “How do I get started?”

The reality is that most successful speakers didn’t begin their journey with confidence, a TEDx talk, or a packed diary of paid engagements. They started exactly where you are now: with expertise, a story, a passion, or a desire to share something that could help others.

My own speaking journey started long before I ever stepped onto a stage for organisations such as Google, Microsoft, HSBC, Meta or Amazon.

Like many people, I had moments of self-doubt, nerves and imposter syndrome. The difference was that I recognised speaking wasn’t just a skill, it was a career opportunity.

Today, professional speaking has become one of the most powerful ways to build your personal brand, increase your visibility, grow your business and create additional income. Yet many aspiring speakers never make progress because they misunderstand what it actually takes to build a successful speaking career.

The Biggest Myth About Public Speaking

One of the biggest misconceptions is that great speakers are born, not made. In my experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the most successful speakers I’ve worked with weren’t naturally confident, they weren’t performers, they weren’t the loudest person in the room. What they did have was clarity about their message and a willingness to practice. Public speaking is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned.

The Mistakes Most New Speakers Make

Over the last decade, Dr Byron Cole, and I have trained hundreds of speakers, and we often see the same mistakes repeated.

• The first is trying to speak about everything. Many aspiring speakers position themselves as experts in multiple areas and end up becoming memorable for none of them. The most successful speakers are known for a clear topic, message or area of expertise.
• The second mistake is waiting until they feel ready. The truth is that confidence comes from taking action, not from waiting for confidence to arrive.
• The third mistake is focusing entirely on the speaking and not enough on the business of speaking.

Learning how to deliver a great talk is important. Learning how to market yourself, position your expertise, secure opportunities and negotiate fees are equally important.

What Does a Speaking Journey Actually Look Like?

For most people, the journey follows a similar path. It often starts with smaller opportunities, internal presentations, networking events, panel discussions, industry events and podcasts. As your confidence grows, so does your visibility. You begin refining your message, building credibility, collecting testimonials, developing your personal brand. Over time, opportunities become larger, conferences, corporate events, industry summits and keynote presentations.

What many people don’t realise is that speaking can become a significant income stream. While fees vary by experience and market, many established UK speakers earn between £2,500 and £10,000 per keynote presentation, with some commanding significantly more.

The opportunity is real, the challenge is understanding how to position yourself to access it.

Five Tips If You’re Starting Out

1. Get clear on your message

Ask yourself one simple question:

“What do I want to be known for?”

The clearer your answer, the easier it becomes for event organisers to understand where you fit.

2. Speak before you’re ready

Don’t wait for perfection.

Every speaking opportunity is an opportunity to learn, improve and build confidence.

3. Build your personal brand

Your online presence matters.

When someone considers booking you, they will almost certainly search for you online. Make sure your LinkedIn profile, website and content reflect the expertise you want to be known for.

4. Focus on impact, not performance

The best speakers aren’t trying to impress people.

They’re trying to help people.

Shift your focus from yourself to your audience and your confidence will increase dramatically.

5. Learn the business behind the stage

Speaking is not just about delivering a great presentation.

It’s about understanding positioning, visibility, networking, speaker assets, outreach and commercial opportunities.

The speakers who understand both the art and the business of speaking are often the ones who create sustainable success.

Your Speaking Journey Starts With One Decision

Whether your goal is to increase your visibility, secure paid speaking engagements, raise your profile within your organisation, launch a speaking business, or simply become a more confident communicator, every successful speaker starts in exactly the same place.

With a decision.

A decision to stop watching from the audience and start stepping onto the stage.

Over the years, Byron and I have had the privilege of supporting hundreds of speakers at every stage of their journey, and the impact has extended far beyond simply helping people become better presenters. We’ve seen academy members go on to secure representation with major speaking bureaus, deliver keynote speeches for global brands, government departments, industry conferences and international events. We’ve watched individuals who once doubted their ability to speak on stage go on to deliver TEDx talks, become recognised thought leaders in their sectors and build powerful personal brands. For many, speaking has become an additional revenue stream generating thousands of pounds each year; for others, it has evolved into a thriving business that has replaced their corporate salary entirely. Perhaps most importantly, we’ve helped people realise that communication is one of the most valuable assets they possess. When you learn how to articulate your expertise, share your story and communicate your value effectively, your voice becomes more than something people hear – it becomes a form of currency that creates opportunities, opens doors and allows you to make a greater impact in the world.

If that’s a journey you’d like to begin, Dr Byron Cole and I are hosting our final three Self Made Speaking Academies in the UK before we focus our efforts internationally following our move to the UAE.

Over two intensive days, we’ll share everything we’ve learned from building successful speaking careers, training hundreds of speakers and helping people secure opportunities with organisations ranging from global brands and conferences to government events and TEDx stages.

As a special offer for WeAreTheCity members, places are available for £697 (usually £997).

Because sometimes the biggest difference between the people sitting in the audience and the people standing on the stage is simply that one person decided to start.

To learn more and secure your place, please visit here.

Or book a private call here to discuss your needs in more detail here.

Bianca Miller-Cole – Serial Entrepreneur, Mentor, Speaker and Sunday Times Bestselling Author

Bianca is a renowned personal branding expert and founder of the UK’s leading personal branding consultancy, The Be Group. Widely recognised for enhancing the visibility, confidence and career impact of global talent, she has delivered programmes across the UK, USA and EMEA for some of the world’s largest organisations.

She is the author of four bestselling books, including the Sunday Times bestseller The Business Survival Kit, and titles such as Self Made, Rich Forever, and Manifested Action. Consistently recognised as a Top Voice on LinkedIn and featured in multiple Top 10 and Top 100 leader lists, Bianca is known for helping founders and professionals build credibility, visibility and viability in competitive markets.

Bianca served as an Executive Board Director for multi-billion-dollar hospitality group FIVE Holdings, contributing to talent development and business growth. She is a sought-after international speaker, advocating for personal brand amplification, career acceleration and entrepreneurial thinking to help individuals and organisations achieve their commercial and leadership goals.