The Truth About Starting a Speaking Career

The Truth About Starting a Speaking Career After 50!
(...that no one talks about!)

Why Your Age Isn't the Problem - It's Your Biggest Competitive Advantage (...and the mindset shift that changes everything!)

Published: November 1, 2025 | By BrandMaster, Martina Britt Yelverton

The Question That Stopped Me in My Tracks

As the lead developer behind SpeakerCon Conference 2025's Virtual Experience, I've reviewed hundreds of speaker applications, profiles and/or speaker bios. But one I received recently made me realize we need to have a serious conversation.

"Martina, I have 25 years of executive experience
and incredible stories to share, but I'm 54.
Am I too old to start a speaking career?
Should I even bother trying?"

This message hit me hard because I see this pattern everywhere: accomplished professionals over 50 who have exactly what the speaking industry needs, but they're convinced their age is a barrier.

Here's the truth no one's telling you:
"The speaking industry has an experience problem, not an age problem."

The Real Problem in Professional Speaking

After working with hundreds of emerging speakers and organizing major conferences, I've discovered something that will shock you:

Meeting planners are tired of booking speakers who talk about leadership but have never actually led anyone through a real crisis.

• Young speakers struggle with credibility. They spend half their presentation trying to prove they know what they're talking about.

• Audiences crave authenticity. They want real stories, real failures, real comebacks - not theoretical frameworks.

• Decision-makers prefer peers. The executives who hire speakers want someone who understands their world and challenges.

When you're over 50, you don't have these problems. You walk into every room with instant credibility and your wisdom lends the energy that show s it.

Your Secret Weapons (That Younger Speakers Don't Have)

Let me share what I've observed from my unique position working with speakers across all age groups:

Weapon #1: Instant Authority

When you say "In my 25 years of experience..." audiences lean in. When a 28-year-old says it, they lean back.

Your gray hair, your presence, your voice - they all signal experience and wisdom that audiences desperately want. You don't need to establish credibility; you already have it.

Weapon #2: Your Professional Network

Think about this: How many people have you worked with over the past 20-30 years? Former colleagues, clients, vendors, partners?

That's not just a network - that's your first speaking bureau.

I recently worked with a 58-year-old former CFO who was worried about competing with younger speakers. Her first three bookings came from:

• A former colleague who was now a VP and needed someone for their annual meeting

• A vendor who remembered her expertise and recommended her to a client

• A LinkedIn connection who saw her post about speaking and had an immediate need

Total time from "I don't know anyone" to three booked speeches: 6 weeks.

Weapon #3: Real Stories That Resonate

Your failures, comebacks, and lessons learned aren't theoretical - they're lived experiences that connect deeply with audiences facing similar challenges.

When you talk about leading through crisis, managing difficult transitions, or building resilience, you're not sharing what you've read - you're sharing what you've survived.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Here's where most 50+ professionals get it wrong:
They think they need to compete with younger speakers.

You don't.

You're not a motivational speaker trying to pump up college students. You're a subject matter expert serving professionals who need your specific knowledge and experience.

Different market. Different positioning. Different pricing.

Stop Thinking Like This:

• "I'm too old to start speaking"

• "I need to be more energetic"

• "Younger speakers are more appealing"

• "I should start with low fees to get experience"

Start Thinking Like This:

• "My experience is my competitive advantage"

• "Audiences want wisdom, not just energy"

• "I serve professionals who value expertise"

• "My fees should reflect my level of knowledge"

The Business Reality Check

Let me share some data that will change how you think about speaking after 50:

The average professional speaker earns $106,000 annually. Senior-level speakers start at $217,000+. The speaking industry is projected to reach $2.30 billion by 2025.

But here's the key insight: Non-speaking activities account for 60% of a speaker's total income.

This includes coaching, consulting, online courses, workshops, and masterminds - all areas where your experience and expertise command premium pricing.

Your speaking career isn't just about keynotes. It's about building a complete expertise-based business.

What You Need to Know About the Modern Speaking Market

The industry has changed dramatically, and most of these changes favor experienced professionals:

• Virtual speaking is here to stay - reducing travel concerns and expanding your reach

• Clients expect professional systems - your business experience gives you an advantage

• Audiences prefer practical value over pure motivation - exactly what you offer

• Meeting planners want reliable professionals - not divas or prima donnas

The Real Barriers (And How to Overcome Them)

After working with dozens of 50+ emerging speakers, I've identified the actual barriers - and none of them are your age:

Barrier #1: Undervaluing Your Expertise

• The Problem: Thinking you need to start at $500 per speech because you're "new to speaking."

• The Reality: You're not new to your expertise. You're new to monetizing it through speaking.

• The Solution: Price based on the value of your knowledge, not your speaking experience.

Barrier #2: Lack of Business Systems

• The Problem: Trying to build a speaking career manually without proper systems.

• The Reality: Successful speakers operate like businesses, with systems for lead generation, client management, and follow-up.

• The Solution: Invest in the business infrastructure that supports your expertise.

Barrier #3: Wrong Marketing Approach

• The Problem: Trying to market like a 30-year-old motivational speaker.

• The Reality: Your market wants expertise, credibility, and practical solutions.

• The Solution: Position yourself as the expert who's actually done what you're teaching.

The Question You Need to Ask Yourself...

It's not "Am I too old to start speaking?"

The real question is: "Am I ready to stop undervaluing my expertise and start building the speaking business I deserve?"

Your decades of experience aren't a liability - they're your greatest asset. Your age isn't a barrier - it's your competitive advantage. Your professional network isn't just contacts - it's your first market.

The speaking industry needs what you have. The question is: Are you ready to give it to them?

Your Next Step

If you're serious about building a speaking career that leverages your experience and expertise, I've created something specifically for professionals like you.

The 50+ Speaker's Business Setup Checklist covers 25 essential steps for building a professional speaking business, from legal setup to marketing strategies. It's designed specifically for experienced professionals who want to do this right from the start.

You can grab that free checklist when joining our FREE BrandYOU Speaker Community! This isn't just a list - it's a complete roadmap based on working with dozens of successful 50+ speakers.

Because your speaking career shouldn't start with apologies for your age - it should start with confidence in your expertise.

Ready to transform your expertise into a profitable speaking career? Join the BrandYOU Community, for exclusive implementation guides and connect with other 50+ professionals making the same transition. Or schedule a VIP Day to have your complete speaker business system built professionally while you focus on what you do best: sharing your expertise.

Your experience matters. Your voice is needed. Your time is now.