Why I Stopped Paying to Speak: The Invisible Cost of Chasing Stages
Last year, I invested thousands, hard-earned money, into a stage that promised everything: the right crowd, major connections, game-changing exposure.
My talk wasn’t just good; it was exceptional. Crafted, rehearsed, refined. This was supposed to be the moment.
And then?
→The seats weren’t filled with high-performing professionals or decision-makers.
→ No new clients.
→ No targeted follow-up calls.
ROI? Zero. Bank balance? Lower. Confidence? Shaken.
That’s when I asked the question most experts avoid:
Is paying for visibility serving your growth, or just stroking your ego?
The Podcast Paradigm Shift
The old playbook: buy the stage, buy the spotlight, hope someone important is watching.
The new playbook: go where people are already listening, searching, and ready for transformation.
The data speaks:
584.1M podcast listeners globally (2025)
41% spend at least an hour a week listening, deep, sustained exposure
1B+ monthly YouTube podcast viewers, far more reach than any single stage
40% of U.S. listeners prefer video podcasts, built-in global distribution
Now compare that to paying for a stage:
🎤 200 people in the room (if you’re lucky).
🎤 A handful resonate.
🎤 Most forget you by tomorrow.
Podcasts flip the equation. By design, they’re niche. Audiences are curated, aligned, and waiting for the exact problem you solve.
Why Podcasts Work: Trust + Action
Authority isn’t about being seen, it’s about what happens next.
68% of podcast listeners have bought because of a podcast recommendation
77% trust a brand more after hearing it on a podcast
95% of listeners take action on podcast ads
This isn’t vanity.
It’s trust → converted into action → converted into growth.
Precision Over Volume
Stages are broad, random, expensive. Podcasts are precise, targeted, compounding.
Every appearance becomes a permanent authority asset; searchable, shareable, and working for you 24/7.
Here’s the real bite... the hidden cost of chasing stages isn’t just money. It’s your reputation. Because it makes you look like you’re still playing yesterday’s game.
The Shift That Pays for Itself
The new power move isn’t paying to sit next to the conversation. It’s becoming the conversation.
Ready to Flip the Script?
If you’re an established expert who’s:
→Tired of gambling on chance encounters
→Ready to step out of the golden cage of referrals and paid stages
→Ready to build an authority engine that compounds
Book a private strategy consultation with me. Let’s make your next appearance truly Ikonic.
