COVID19: The State of The Youth Speaking Industry

Business of Speaking

2020 has been an excruciating year on so many levels.

Students and educators (more than ever) will need a message of hope. Their worlds have been turned upside down.

Though the medium has temporarily shifted, the need for your message and its impact is more important than ever.

As someone who makes an impact (and income) speaking to students and educators, COVID-19 has unfurled unprecedented challenges.

I hope this post provides some perspective (you’re not alone) and some tools (here’s what we’re finding helpful).

1. Events impacted by COVID-19

  • Confirmed, booked events that have been impacted since Mid-March 2020.
  • Don’t ask your client what they’d like to do – propose a win/win solution.
  • Give them the option of virtual now or in-person a year later.
  • Provide evidence (ex: video clip) that your virtual presentation will be just as engaging.

2. Events that are still happening

  • Most are virtual (understandably)
  • Yeah, they aren’t as fun as in-person events but they still make an impact
  • We typically discount virtual events 25% off our in-person fee
  • Be prepared to do virtual events NOW, live events SOON, and a combo ALWAYS.

3. What our clients are saying

  • We work with around 1,000 schools and organizations each year
  • 25% of our clients are ready to book NOW (either virtual or live with enough lead time)
  • 25% of our clients are NOT ready to make a decision under any circumstance.
  • 50% of our clients are WAITING to see what happens (pretty understandable)

4. Impact on new bookings

  • We define a new booking as a signed contract + deposit
  • Pre-COVID we would book 12+ speaking engagements per week
  • Seems the worst of it is behind us.
  • Seems we have higher lows (2) and higher highs (6) as of recent
  • As more clients move into the READY category (see chart #3) we should see more bookings