By Thom Singer, CSP

Many people will tell you to “burn the boats” and go full-time into your speaking career, as if that is the only way to achieve success. However, many successful speakers incorporate speaking as part of their business or as a side business. You should never believe that this is solely a full-time pursuit or that having a job makes you any less of a professional speaker than others. My journey is a testament to this.

The Early Days

Back in the early 2000s, I had a passion for speaking but was in no position to quit my job. With a family to support, including two young children and a wife whose role was at home, we needed the stability of insurance and a steady income. The thought of abandoning a secure job for an uncertain speaking career was simply not an option.

In 2007, I found a way to blend both worlds. I negotiated a deal with my employer where I accepted a slightly lower salary in exchange for 20 “speaking travel days” each year. These days were specifically allocated for delivering paid keynotes, on top of my standard vacation days. The agreement included a crucial caveat: while on the road, I had to work remotely. This was a novel arrangement at the time, as remote work was not yet a widely accepted practice.

Navigating Through the Recession

This arrangement worked beautifully until the economic recession of 2008-2009. The company I worked for went through significant layoffs, and I was among those affected. The decision to downsize was necessary for the company’s survival, and while it was a difficult time, it turned out to be a positive, pivotal moment in my career.

By 2009, my speaking business had gained enough traction that I was able to transition to full-time speaking. This was a critical turning point. Two years earlier, I couldn’t have made this leap, as my primary responsibility was to provide for my family. However, the groundwork laid during those two years of juggling both roles prepared me for this opportunity.

The Speaking Boom and the Pandemic Challenge

For the next 12 years, speaking was all I did. I built a successful lifestyle business, traveling the country and delivering keynotes. Life was good, and the business thrived. However, like many others, my business was hit hard by the pandemic. With live events canceled and good-paying speaking engagements drying up, my income plummeted to about 40% of its pre-pandemic levels.

After two tough years, I decided to take a job running a local trade association. The salary wasn’t ideal, but once again, I negotiated a deal that allowed me to continue my speaking business. This time, the association’s board initially had concerns about my commitment and potential brand confusion in the marketplace between my role as CEO and my identity as a keynote speaker. However, we quickly realized that my dual roles were mutually beneficial.

Creating Synergy Between Roles

In my current role, I work full-time but am still available to travel to speak and work remotely, a practice now widely accepted. Additionally, I frequently speak in my capacity as the association’s CEO. I developed a keynote tailored to the industry our association serves, allowing me to deliver around 20 speeches annually in this role, alongside 20 keynotes for my own speaking business. Having 40 talks a year fills my calendar, and my soul.

The synergy between my full-time job and my speaking career has been remarkable. My role as a speaker enhances my credibility and visibility in the industry, while my job provides stability and a steady income. This dual approach has not only kept my passion for speaking alive but has also allowed me to bring unique insights and perspectives to both arenas.

Commitment and Transparency

Balancing both roles requires a high level of commitment and transparency. You must be dedicated to doing a great job for your employer, which often means working on weekends to prepare for speeches or market your speaking business. However, I love speaking, and I do not see it as work. It energizes me.

In my speeches for the organization, I cannot charge a fee, or if I do, that fee goes to the non-profit I represent. Full transparency with your employer and the groups you speak to is essential. Not all employers will be okay with you having a side hustle, but compared to 2007, it is now far more common for people to have one, and many companies are supportive of this.

Lessons Learned

Reflecting on this journey, several key lessons stand out:

• Negotiation is Crucial: Being able to negotiate terms that allow flexibility is essential. Whether it’s securing travel days or the ability to work remotely, these negotiations can create opportunities to pursue your passions without sacrificing stability.
• Adaptability is Key: The ability to pivot, whether due to economic downturns or global pandemics, is vital. Being open to new roles and finding ways to integrate them with your existing passions can lead to unexpected synergies.
• Family Support is Invaluable: Having the support of my family made it possible to take risks and pursue my speaking career. Their understanding and encouragement were fundamental to navigating the uncertainties.
• Building a Sustainable Model: Creating a sustainable model that balances both a full-time job and a speaking career is possible. It requires careful planning, open communication, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

For those who sneer at being a speaker while having a job, I suggest you rethink that your way is the only path. Several people have suggested that I have left the speaking business because I have a job, but they could not be more wrong. Balancing a speaking career with a full-time job is challenging but feasible. It requires strategic negotiation, adaptability, and a supportive network. By integrating these elements, I’ve been able to navigate the ups and downs, create a fulfilling career, and continue sharing my passion for speaking with audiences worldwide.

Thom Singer, CSP, is a keynote speaker and the CEO of The Austin Technology Council.