Money Talks: How to Make a Million as a Speaker

First of all, the production quality of this book is crap. The thing was falling apart the first time I opened it. I dont like having to be careful with a book like this, particularly one I want to mark up, highlight, go back to time and time again.

Now then, we are getting to the point of the book in the first place. I wouldn't care if this thing was in cuneiform pressed into wet clay tablets. There is more practical and useful information in this book on how to strategically set up your speaking career than I have seen in any of the dozen or so other books that I have read. You could literally take the advice in this book - and virtually nothing else - and plan out your speaking career for the next ten years.

The author's practical trashing on some of the 'rules of thumb' of the game (e.g., raising fees) are not mere opinions: this guy has lived this and has the income history to back up his claims.

Some of the references are outdated (the book is nearly 10 years old as of my writing) so you have to get passed that. The info on how to establish yourself as an expert through writing books and creating other income streams through developing info products is sound but has been superseded by far more complete and recent writings (Stephanie Chandler's book "From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur" is a great reference for that).

The exercises on 2 PAGES (35 and 46) alone made reading this worthwhile.

The focus on offering value is the key. This is what I focus on in my own coaching and speaking and, for that matter, what I spend a lot of time teaching to my clients.

VERY highly recommended.

When I found this book, I got it from Library and after checking it out numerous times, Alan Weiss book has found a permanent place in my Library.
First of all, his writing style is frank and to the point. This book is all substance and no fluff. He focuses on speaking as a profession that provides a service. All of his advice is real world relevant. He gives straight advice regarding speakers bureaus, marketing material and his insight on how to get booked for speaking events. Out of all of the hundreds of books written on making money speaking-This is the definitive guide.

Thanks to the ideas in the book Money Talks and the training from Alan Weiss I have added an extra $100,000 to my income this year. But understand, Alan Weiss is a contrarian and if you are afraid of trying bold strategies that will separate you from the pack, then don't bother. If you want to make real money as a speaker, author, and consultant, then you need to apply his teachings today. I recommend him to all my students and workshop attendees. I am not a newbie at this. I am the author of the books Self-Marketing Secrets and Client Seduction and I teach marketing at UC San Diego and the New Client Marketing Institute. I read Money Talks over and over again to get new ideas.--Henry DeVries

A friend of mine loaned me this book and I started reading it. By the time I got to the 3rd chapter, I went ahead and ordered it of off Amazon!

No B.S., no sugar-coating it. Just the facts about how to make serious money in the speaking business. What you should do and what you should NOT do (sometime even more important).

The yin and yang of the speaking world would be Speak & Grow Rich by Dottie Walters and Money Talks by Alan Weiss. Both coming from different directions, but both equally as important.

Get it!

Alan Weiss knows his stuff, and delivers it in an accessible and straightforward package. Never one to sugarcoat, his advice to speakers centers on marketing more than delivery. If you are looking into the business of speaking, this book is for you. If you want to become a better speaker, this book is only 'sort of' good for you. But its definitely good for your audiences.