CI - S2 - 090 - How Free Speaking Gigs Can Make You $20K (When You Know How to Sell From Stage) with Manny Wolfe
Podcast: Coaching Inc with Tom KrolPublished On: Thu Jan 15 2026
Description: Most coaches think they need a perfect website, a polished sizzle reel, or years of speaking experience before anyone will book them. That belief will keep you stuck.In this episode, Tom Krol interviews Manny Wolfe, founder of Opus Speakers, to break down how speaking gigs work today, why free speaking gigs can be far more profitable than paid ones, how to find thousands of real opportunities hiding in plain sight on Google, and what meeting planners are looking for when they review applications.You’ll Learn How To:Find real speaking opportunities using simple Google searchesTurn free stages into $20K+ in backend salesPrice your talks realistically as a beginnerUse consistency and volume to get booked fasterWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:(02:34) Manny’s background and how he built a speaking business without shortcuts(06:59) The exact Google search that uncovers thousands of speaking opportunities(07:55) Streamline applications instead of starting from scratch every time(09:25) Why most speaker fees are now negotiable and why that’s good news(10:23) Stay open to free opportunities and paid(11:41) Setting expectations after applying to speaking opportunities(12:42) The two biggest factors of getting paid after speaking gigs(14:20) What beginners can realistically charge for speaking(15:34) The real formula that gets speakers booked: consistency, time, and volume(17:00) How meeting planners think(17:58) How to tailor your talk so it gets accepted without changing your message(19:57) The perfect funnel is nothing more than a sophisticated filtering mechanism(21:06) Why great talks are built on emotion and storytelling, not information(21:50) Manny's Question Mark Story Model(25:52) Recommendations for books or courses to get launched(26:41) Connect with Manny WolfeWho This Episode Is For:Coaches who want to grow their business through speakingExperts and consultants who want more leads from the stagesDIY entrepreneurs who are willing to apply consistentlyAnyone who is stuck waiting for perfect marketing materialsWhy You Should Listen:Manny provides you with a clear, realistic path to getting booked, selling from the stage, and turning talks into revenue, even if you are just starting.Connect with Manny Wolfe:Website: https://opusteam.io/home LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannywolfe/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealmannywolfe/ Other Resources:Apply now for Coaching Inc.’s private mastermind at coachinginc.com
The note was deleted
The note was saved
Your message was sent