222: Creative Industry Speaker Pay: The Truth Behind Compensation Models

The Laylee Emadi Podcast — For Speakers, Coaches, and Course Creators

Money talk is always juicy, especially when it comes to speaker fees. In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m doing something different: I’ve interviewed multiple event hosts to get their real, unfiltered takes on how they approach speaker compensation. Whether you’ve ever wondered why some gigs are unpaid or what kind of value you can still gain without a check, this is your go-to listen.

As part of my Sought After Speaker System course, these interviews offer a glimpse into the wide range of strategies that event hosts in the creative industry use to compensate their speakers, from full speaker fees to creative bartering (think accommodations, funnels, and coupon codes).

Whether you’re trying to build a profitable speaking strategy or simply deciding which stages are worth your time, this breakdown will help you approach speaker opportunities with clarity and confidence.

Want to become the kind of speaker event hosts are excited to put on stage? My Sought-After Speaker System shows you how to craft irresistible pitches, build relationships with organizers, and create signature talks that make you the obvious choice.

LEARN MORE

How Speaker Compensation Actually Works (It’s Not What You Think)

First, let’s debunk a common myth: Getting paid to speak doesn’t always mean getting a paycheck.

Elizabeth Henson, a community-driven event host, shared that while she doesn’t pay speakers a fee, she provides opportunities for revenue through funnel-friendly audiences, accommodations, and media support. Her speakers often walk away with more income from post-event sales than she could have paid them outright.

This model is becoming increasingly common—especially in smaller, independently-run creative events where hosts are balancing tight budgets with a desire to deliver value.

So what does “compensation” really look like?

• Complimentary event tickets
• Covered travel, lodging, and meals
• VIP experiences
• Access to professional video and photography
• A room full of qualified leads, without promotion pressure

The big idea? Smart speakers don’t just count the check. They calculate the return.

Speaker vs. Business Owner Who Speaks: Why It Matters

Kristina Bartold brought up an important distinction: not all speakers are created equal—and that’s not a bad thing.

Some people are professional speakers. Their fee is their income. Others are business owners who speak—using stages to build brand visibility, grow their list, or convert ideal clients. If you’re in the latter camp (which most of my audience is), the way you approach compensation should be strategic, not emotional.

Kristina is happy to pay professional speakers for keynotes but expects business owners to leverage the stage for visibility and funnel-building. That means she may not offer a speaker fee, but she ensures there’s clear value in the opportunity.

Bottom line: If speaking is part of your marketing strategy, not your main revenue stream, you might find unpaid gigs to be surprisingly profitable when you know how to work them.

Creative Compensation Structures You Should Know About

What I loved most about these interviews was how creative the compensation structures were. Gone are the days of flat-fee-only mindsets. Event hosts are finding ways to add value while staying within realistic budgets.

Jordan Gill’s Tiered Model:

• Paid keynote slots with hotel and transport
• Moderated panel speakers with partial comp
• VIP “lightning talk” slots that speakers paid for to get stage time, speaker coaching, and media assets

Amber Housley’s Coupon Strategy:

• $100 discount codes for attendees = $100 paid to the speaker per redemption
• Speakers who shared widely earned thousands while the event also benefited from extra reach

Joanna Waterfall’s Flat + Flexible Approach:

• Workshop leaders received $1,000 + travel and lodging
• Main stage speakers negotiated based on experience
• All speakers received professional media, promo, and clear terms upfront

This kind of transparency helps both hosts and speakers feel empowered and aligned from the start: no awkward money talks required.

Know What to Ask (and What You Actually Want)

If you walk away with one thing from this episode, let it be this: Every speaking opportunity comes with value, but not every one is the right value for you.

Ask yourself:

• Will I be speaking to my ideal audience?
• Can I pitch or direct attendees to a funnel?
• Are there media assets (photos, video) I can reuse?
• Are accommodations or travel covered?
• Will this stage give me credibility or visibility that opens doors?

And don’t be afraid to negotiate. As Joanna said, contracts are not black-and-white. They’re conversations. You can always ask for assets, coverage, or promo in place of payment—especially if the fee isn’t there.

Want to become the kind of speaker event hosts are excited to put on stage? My Sought-After Speaker System shows you how to craft irresistible pitches, build relationships with organizers, and create signature talks that make you the obvious choice.

LEARN MORE

Mentioned in this Episode

The Sought-After Speaker System

Connect with the Guests

• Elizabeth Henson: elizabethhenson.co
• Jordan Gill: systemssavedme.com
• Amber Housley: amberhousley.com
• Kristina Bartold: highvibewomen.ca
• Joanna Waterfall: instagram.com/joannawaterfall

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