PAY the survivors!

It's a touchy subject for survivors and an eye rolling subject for others.

(In this post I'll focus on Human Trafficking survivors but this can be for any survivor.)

Many survivors are sick of not being paid. I see their posts and I hear their frustrations.

Trust me, I get it.

How do we stop this?
How do we get others to take us seriously?

First and foremost it starts with YOU.

If someone or any entity reaches out to you to share your story, and they have no funds to pay you or can't meet your price- you have to be okay with telling them no.

Do not waste your time getting upset or giving them a lecture on how you deserve to be paid. Just say no and move on.

Also- don't knock on other survivors who accept the gigs you said no to.

We need to empower each other NOT disapprove of each other.

Yes, you may be a survivor but speaking is a business. So treat it as such. You have to carry yourself in the same way you'd like to be treated.

With respect and grace.
(And no I'm not saying your not doing this. I'm just saying always carry yourself in this way when it comes to you and your speaking business.)

These networks talk about the good people just as much as they talk about the bad ones.

Another thing I'd like to share and some may come at me for it but at the end it's constructive NOT destructive.

Just because you have a story doesn't mean you're a great speaker.

Again, PUBLIC SPEAKING IS A BUSINESS.

Invest in yourself.
Dedicate time in becoming the best.
Don't compare yourself.
This is a unique niche and there's room for ALL of us.
Get a life coach.
Get a mentor.
Go on YouTube and watch free classes on how to be an even better speaker.
If you have the money, go to public speaking seminars.
Moxie Institute is where I went to learn from the best. My mentor introduced to this.
Appearance is everything. I mean this.
When I walk into a room people assume I'm a donor or CEO, never the speaker.
Learn business etiquette.
Know your audience- each speaking engagement that you do will be different.
Know who's hiring you.
It's nice to be paid, but if you accidentally associate yourself with something or someone that's crappy, it can bite you in the ass in the future.

There are plenty of people out there that will pay you for your time and speaking services.
I promise you that if you do these things, you will find them.