050: Pay-to-Speak Is Turning Audiences Into Commodities

At the start of this year, I attended an event out of curiosity. I wanted to observe. I wanted to understand how it was structured, how the speakers were positioned, and what the overall experience felt like from inside the room. What I experienced confirmed something I’ve been quietly questioning for a while. The rise of “pay-to-speak” stages in the entrepreneurial world. Now, I understand why this model exists. I understand the commercial logic behind it. As a business owner, speaker and former event organiser, I can see how it reduces risk and creates opportunity. And in certain contexts, I can see how it could work well if it’s handled thoughtfully and with integrity. But what concerns me is what happens when the audience is no longer the primary focus. Because when speakers are paying to be on stage, the dynamic can shift. Subtly. Quietly. But powerfully. And the audience can start to feel less like valued participants and more like assets to be leveraged. A stage is not just a marketing tool. It carries energetic responsibility. When it’s done well, it uplifts. It energises. It creates clarity and momentum. When it isn’t, people leave feeling slightly drained, even if they can’t quite articulate why. In this episode, I explore: Why the “pay-to-speak” model often misses the mark Where I can see how it might work if executed well How it impacts the audience experience The long-term implications for speakers and organisers The standards I believe we need to hold This is not a rant. It’s a leadership conversation. And I’d genuinely love your perspective. Listen here: https://podfollow.com/born-to-be-brilliant Discover your brilliance here: https://www.lucyshrimpton.com/quiz