My Journey from Free to Fee as a Professional Speaker

In 1975, a hairstyling company called Markham paid me $350 a day for hairstyling demonstrations. What set me apart from other stylists was the fact I could cut hair for four hours and talk the entire time! I realized the people in the back could not really see what I was doing. Therefore, I had to describe what I was doing in a way that they thought they could see. To keep their attention, I also taught them how to sell more, interview potential employees, and promote and market the business better. The speaking part of the program was so successful Markham extended the training to a second day on management and motivation.

At the same time, my executive clients invited me to speak to their service clubs, staff meetings, and small conferences. Because of my personality and expertise at cutting their hair, my clients thought I would be a pretty good speaker. However, without exception, they were amazed how good! Many of my first free or low-fee talks to their companies eventually led to major long-term relationships.

For example, the first time I spoke to Bob Kessler’s team at the San Francisco office of Moore Business Forms, he paid me $75 in Moore business forms. Throughout the years as he got promoted, he hired me multiple times in many cities. The last time was to keynote a convention in Hawaii to sales professionals from sixteen countries with name entertainment. Shame he retired!

In 1984 when I finally retired from hairstyling and was a full-time professional speaker, I was hired to speak to AT&T National Account managers. I was referred by Gary Hickox who, at age twenty-seven, impressed his boss by bringing in a top motivational speaker to speak at a small team meeting. His hairstylist! We still keep in touch.

At Rotary Club speeches marketing my salon I was asked, “What would you charge to say that to the Oakland Appliance Dealers?” “$50!” The next request was to speak on goal setting to the San Mateo School Administrators. I replied, “$50 an hour and travel time.” He offered me $125! Incidentally, the next time the same gentleman asked, “What would you charge to say that to the Oakland Appliance Dealers?” he paid me $5,000.

In 1977, I attended my first NSA convention and realized I could one day be a speaker.

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When your message must be memorable, your presentation powerful, and your sales successful in-person or online, Patricia Fripp can help! Get 24/7 access and become a great speaker easily, conveniently and quickly when you sign up at www.FrippVT.com. Patricia is also a subject matter expert for Continuing Education at XTRAcredits. Learn more at www.FrippVTCE.com.

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE is an award-winning keynote speaker, business presentation expert, sales presentation skills trainer, and in-demand speech coach to executives and celebrity speakers and known as "the speaker's speaker." Meetings & Conventions magazine named her "One of the 10 most electrifying speakers in North America." Fortune 500 companies maximize their investment by engaging Patricia for the keynote, breakout sessions, and to coach their executives on their presentations. Patricia is known for simplifying and demystifying the process of designing and delivering powerful keynote speeches and sales presentations.

? 2017 Patricia Fripp