How to Create a Signature Talk That Gets You Paid with Jess Ekstrom

How to Create a Signature Talk That Gets You Paid with Jess Ekstrom

Author: Lori Harder | YAP Media April 27, 2026 Duration: 51:19
Think you need more experience before you can get paid to speak? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with Jess Ekstrom, a Forbes Top Rated Speaker, to break down how to turn your lived experience into paid speaking opportunities. Jess shares how she went from speaking for a slice of pizza to commanding $35K per talk. We also dive into the shifts that get you booked, how to think about pricing without tying it to your self-worth, and how to optimize your online presence so opportunities come to you. Get ready to create a signature message that people want to book. Check out our Sponsors: Granola - Granola is an AI-powered notepad built for the way real people actually meet. Get three months free at http://granola.ai/earn. Shopify - Try the ecommerce platform I trust for Glōci, Sign up for your $1/month trial period at http://Shopify.com/happy Indeed - Spend less time searching, and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Indeed is giving Earn Your Happy listeners a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to help get your job the premium status it deserves. Just go to http://Indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on Earn Your Happy. Rella - Rella is a project management platform built specifically for social media managers and teams. Go to http://getrella.com and use code EARN for 10% off your first three months or annual plan. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Why people can’t book you if they don’t know you’re a speaker. 08:30 How did you get into speaking? 11:45 The massive pay gap between male and female speakers. 15:00 The mindset shift that helps you confidently raise your rates. 17:30 How to identify your signature message. 25:00 Tips to handle fear, nerves, and worst-case scenarios on stage. 32:30 How to think about pricing without attaching it to your worth. 35:30 When do you say yes or no to free speaking? 38:00 Why you don’t need to be an expert to start speaking. 40:00 Step-by-step framework for a signature message. 46:00 Ways to optimize your profile for opportunities. RESOURCES Join Jess’s Mic Drop Workshop to become a paid speaker HERE! Start with Jess’s FREE speaking training HERE! Text “HYPE” to get weekly mindset + speaking tips from Jess - 704-228-9495 Pre-Order Jess’s book Making It Without Losing It HERE! Apply for the Elite Entrepreneur Mastermind HERE! Get on the waitlist for Mentor Collective Mastermind HERE! Try glōci for 40% off your first order with code HAPPY at checkout - head to getgloci.com FOLLOW Follow me: @loriharder Follow glōci: @getgloci Follow Jess: @jess_ekstrom

Hosted by entrepreneur and author Lori Harder, Earn Your Happy is a raw and relatable look at what it actually takes to build a meaningful life and business. This podcast lives in the messy middle ground between a bold vision and its realization, exploring the risks, the failures, and all those moments of doubt that nobody talks about on a polished highlight reel. Lori’s conversations are grounded in real experience-her own journey as a founder and host-and they cut through the noise of typical business advice. You’ll hear honest stories about the rollercoaster of chasing big goals, where laughter and vulnerability are just as important as strategy. It’s this authentic, no-BS approach that has resonated with so many, earning the show recognition as a top entrepreneurship podcast. Each episode feels like a candid talk with a friend who’s been there, offering not just inspiration but practical perspectives for navigating your own path. Tune in for a dose of reality that’s as motivating as it is genuine, proving that building something you love is never a straight line.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Earn Your Happy
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