What separates $5K speakers from $50K speakers?

It's not charisma. It's not credentials. It's not even content.

It's understanding that there are two audiences in every room.

After coaching over 100 TEDx speakers and analysing countless TED talks, I've noticed the highest-paid speakers do something most others miss.

They speak to two audiences at once.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

These are the people in a position to act on your message. The qualified buyers. The potential investors. The collaborators who could say yes.

Your talk must bring them into the story. Show them the future vision. Make them feel like you're speaking directly to their situation.

Most speakers stop there.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Everyone else in the room who isn't your target. If you ignore them, they get bored. They shift in their seats. They check their phones. In virtual settings, they spam the chat.

And that energy affects the whole room.

The best speakers acknowledge these people. They include stories or explanations that keep them engaged. They make it clear who the message is for — and invite the rest to share it with someone who needs to hear it.

When a speaker nails both audiences with the right mix of emotion and logic, something happens.

They become referable.

Event organisers remember them. Attendees recommend them. And the speaking fees climb.

$5K speakers talk to one audience. $50K speakers serve both.

Which audience are you forgetting? 😉

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