The phone calls aren't coming like they used to. Thereferrals have slowed to a trickle. And suddenly, that comfortable speaking career that felt bulletproof just a few years ago now feels like standing on
quicksand.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. The professionalspeaking industry—worth $1.9 billion in the US alone—is undergoing its most dramatic transformation in decades. Which is why Dan Sodergren a professional and keynote speaker about technology from the UK, built SpeakerPro.
The Brutal Reality Check
While some speakers are thriving, earning upwards of $300,000 annually, others are watching their businesses crumble, clinging to outdated strategies that worked in 2019 but feel prehistoric in 2025.
Here's what the data reveals: 65% of speakers still relyprimarily on referrals for new business, up from 52% just a few years ago. Meanwhile, 53% aren't using a CRM system to manage the leads they do have. It's like trying to run a modern business with a rotary phone and a filing cabinet.
The speakers using systematic approaches—CRMs, teams,regular client follow-up—are earning 2-7 times more than those who aren't. This isn't a small gap; it's a chasm that's widening every day.
The brutal truth? Nearly two-thirds of speakers report thatincreased competition is their biggest challenge, up from 52% in 2023. The speaking industry isn't just competitive—it's a gladiator arena where only the strategically equipped survive.
The AI Revolution: Threat or Catalyst?
While speakers debate whether to embrace or fear artificialintelligence, the smart money is already moving. AI is transforming every aspect of the speaking business—from pitch writing and content creation to real-time presentation feedback and audience engagement analytics.
But here's the twist: 92% of companies plan to increasetheir AI investments over the next three years, yet only 1% consider themselves "mature" in AI deployment. This creates an unprecedented opportunity
for speakers who position themselves as guides through this transformation rather than victims of it.
The speakers thriving today aren't competing with AI—they'releveraging it. AI tools are helping speakers craft tailored pitches, analyze audience reactions through facial recognition, and provide real-time delivery feedback. While others fear replacement, forward-thinking speakers are becoming superhuman.
The Post-COVID Landscape: A Permanent Shift
The pandemic didn't just pause the speaking industry; itfundamentally rewired it. Virtual speaking, once an afterthought, now represents over 70% of engagements for many speakers. But this shift created more than logistical challenges—it democratized access to speakers globally while simultaneously raising the bar for engagement.
The pandemic accelerated digital adoption by five years injust eight weeks. Audiences now expect seamless hybrid experiences, interactive technology, and measurable outcomes. The days of showing up, delivering a speech, and collecting a check are over.
More importantly, the speakers who adapted quickly—building digital products, creating online courses, and developing systematic follow-up processes—saw their businesses not just survive but thrive. The average successful speaker now generates 60% of their income from non-speaking activities.
The Technology Divide
Speakers using CRMs average $360,000 annually, while thosewithout average $130,000. The maximum earnings tell an even starker story: $5.6 million versus $800,000. This isn't about technology preference—it's about business survival.
The resistance to systematization that once seemed charmingnow looks like professional suicide. Despite spending less than 20% of their time on lead generation, speakers wonder why their pipelines are empty. It's like complaining about being out of shape while refusing to exercise.
The Opportunity Hidden in Plain Sight
While the industry feels chaotic, the data reveals clearpatterns for success. Top-earning speakers (the upper 10%) share common characteristics: they use technology systematically, build teams, maintain
regular client contact, and create multiple revenue streams.
The highest earners rely 13% more on organic search and 21%more on social media for leads, proving that while others wait for referrals, winners create their own opportunities.
The speaking industry isn't dying—it's evolving. Andevolution rewards preparation, not wishes.
The Choice That Defines Your Future
We are entering one of the largest change managementexercises in history, and every speaker must decide: Will you be a casualty of change or a beneficiary of transformation?
The speakers earning seven figures today aren'tlucky—they're strategic. They've embraced technology, systematized their processes, and positioned themselves as indispensable guides through complexity
rather than entertainment for an hour.
The question isn't whether the speaking industry willchange—it already has. The question is whether you'll change with it or becomeanother cautionary tale about what happens when expertise meets obsolete execution.
Your next speaking engagement might be your last if youdon't act. But with the right strategy, it could be the first of your most profitable decade.
The choice is yours. The time is now.
About The Author
Keynote speaker, professional speaker, Ted X talker, serial tech startup founder, ex marketing agency owner, HR tech co founder, digital trainer, and now author and media spokesperson Dan Sodergren’s main area of interest is the future of work, technology, data and AI. And in his spare time Dan is a digital marketing and technology (and now AI) expert for TV shows and the BBC and countless radio shows.
Occasionally donning the cape of consumer champion on shows like BBC WatchDog, the One Show and RipOffBritain and being a marketing tech specialist for SuperShoppers and RealFakeAndUnknown and BBC Breakfast.
He is also a host and guest on podcasts and webinars speaking as a tech futurist. And a remote reporter / content creator for tech companies at tech events and shows.
His main interest is in the future. Be that the future of marketing, or the future or work or how AI and technology will change the world for the better as part of the #FifthIndustrialRevolution.
Find out more about him here bit.ly/DanSodergren
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