The Speaker Lab: Recent Episodes

Grant Baldwin

Grant Baldwin from The Speaker Lab podcast will be sharing speaking business tactics, tips, and strategies from his own experience, case studies, and interviewing the experts. Whether you're just getting started trying to get your first booking or you're a veteran speaker looking to build and grow your business, this is for you.

Grant has built a multiple six-figure per year business as a speaker having presented to over 500,000 people in over 450 paid speaking gigs. We'll talk about speaker marketing, working with speaker bureaus and agents, keynote speaking, building your platform, negotiating fees, social media marketing, networking, storytelling, humor, operating the business and so much more!

"If you go through adversity and you don't learn anything from it, that it's a lost opportunity"

This episode of the Speaker Lab Podcast is another excellent episode of our Student Highlight Series. Maryalice Goldsmith, Director of Student Success, sat down with Bruce Wawrzyniak to talk about his speaking business, the career he’s building, and his experience here at the Speaker Lab.

"So which ones are you going to choose? Are you going to choose the negative thoughts and dwell on those, or are you going to choose the positive, happy thoughts and really affect your whole day with the choices that you make just based on all the different thoughts that come in and out of your mind?"

When it comes to developing a speaking career, Bruce reflected on finding his niche, developing confidence in his worth, and learning how to run this operation like a business vs. a hobby. Maryalice and Bruce also cover:

Developing a strategy as a speaker
The importance of happiness in our life
Why you should invest in yourself
How to prepare for success
What it looks like to take action
Why you have to solve a problem for your audiences
And more!

“Hope is not a strategy that will grow your business.”

Episode Chapters:

[00:03:33] Importance of happiness, solution-focused mindset, COVID's impact.

[00:07:19] LinkedIn bio highlights being talkative and adversity.

[00:10:49] Transitioning from unpaid speaking to professional excellence.

[00:15:24] Speaker Lab changes speaker's approach to bookings.

[00:19:57] Learning how to evaluate event opportunities strategically.

[00:23:28] Choose one thing, be successful and prepared.

[00:28:34] What do you need for a successful presentation?

[00:29:47] Benefiting from adversity, helping and inspiring.

Episode Resources:

Connect with Bruce
Get Free Speaker Resources
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Calculate Your Speaking Fee
Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Spotify

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"We absolutely have the ability to cultivate a growth mindset, which will put us it makes us more resilient. It gives us the ability to see opportunities and connect more easily with people. We move through the world very differently, and it gives you a different energy to go about the task of building a business."

The Speaker Lab Coach, Katherine Johnson is back on the podcast this week sharing her expertise on reprogramming your mindset so it’s a helpful tool in building the speaking busines of your dreams. She sat down with Maryalice Goldsmith, to chat about changing your mindset, to ensure that you aren't creating a breeding ground for failure.

"I'm always growing. I don't know how to do this piece. This may feel hard right now, but what I know is I can look back at my past life and be like, I can do hard things."

Katherine and Maryalice dig into:

Tips on how to build resilience
Why you need discipline
How to overcome failure
What it looks like to transition to a growth mindset
How to assess our experiences and the stories we tell ourselves for quality in the decision making process
What metrics matter when you’re building a busienss
Ways to recovery when you learn a hard or expensive lesson
And more!

“I think of resilience as coming from focusing more on the activities you're doing and their effectiveness over the long run instead of focusing on the results. Right. Because if we take that idea of, let's say bamboo, right? Bamboo. At first, there are certain kinds. You plant it, you water, water, water. You don't see anything. And then all of a sudden, you can get a foot of growth a day. Right? Well, we have to focus on what you're doing in your speaking business and as a speaker, looking at the activities, and that those compound and they stack. But if you take a snapshot in any moment and you are just like, well, this must mean X, Y or Z, and you walk away, you're doing a huge disservice to yourself.”

Episode Chapters

00:02:13 Mindset impacts everything. Positive mindset is crucial.

00:06:52 Questions to focus on learning and reprograming thought processes.

00:11:33 Embrace new opportunities and see what happens.

00:15:28 Open to learning, failures lead to success.

00:16:36 How to bounce back when things go wrong.

00:22:39 Consistently prioritize key tasks to achieve success.

00:24:41 Focus on growth mindset, set realistic expectations. Seek coaching for perspective and progress.

Episode Resources

Get Free Speaker Resources
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Calculate Your Speaking Fee
Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"So there are definitely two main chapters to my life, and they both happened before age 22. So when I was very young, and they both involved aviation, and one was ultimately amazing, and one was obviously terrible.”

Until age 22, Ryan’s life revolved around flying and aviation. Unfortunately, after an unexpected trip, he was put in a place where flying couldn’t be his #1 priority anymore. After some unexpected journeys as he was healing, he spent a lot of time reflecting on what he would do with his life.

“I realized at that point that a lot of speakers are out there, like the prior version of Ryan. Who spoke on climbing a mountain, this incredible success that had its adversities along the way?

But there was also a whole different group that spoke on the day that changed their life forever. And that was unrequested adversity. But very few had both. And I thought to myself, wait on, that's actually an opportunity to compare the two to see where we truly learn.”

Ryan moved to the US to pursue his speaking career. In a way, the world forced him to change his plans and adapt to the industry as he settled down in the US just in time for COVID to hit. If you’re experiencing a season of turbulence in your life and are hoping to find inspiration to continue overcoming adversity, this episode is for you!

Grant and Ryan dig into:

How to handle adversity and become “turbulence tough”
Following your intuition even when it’s hard.
How to tell your stories so they resonate with your audience
Engaging the audience so they never forget your message
Developing resiliency
Learning how to handle the ebbs and flows

“There are very few ways to do new ways to do old things, right? It's, finding a way to take a cliche or something that's worn out and present it back to an audience in a fun, unique, potentially viral, unforgettable way, and, That's what we've managed to do, which is really cool. So if you're out there and you don't have that wild story, don't worry about it.”

Episode Chapters:

00:01:06] Prioritizing joy, mental health, resilience, hobbies

[00:03:20] Aviation passion leads to incredible achievement.

[00:06:39] Young flyer's journey from fame to tragedy.

[00:10:07] From paraplegic to helicopter pilot to speaker.

[00:13:46] Passion for mental health and resilience. Pink Cadillac led to prioritizing joy.

[00:18:38] A masterclass in storytelling.

[00:22:02] Finding joy and prioritizing happiness transformed me.

[00:25:10] Communicate, learn, iterate, observe, and create memorable experiences.

[00:28:09] Building a speaking business takes patience and resilience.

[00:33:50] Be careful networking too far ahead.

[00:35:55] Incredible lifestyle, money, time, work-life balance. Create your own brand and transform.

“What if I merge these two worlds? What if every time I was struggling, I actually intentionally prioritized joy? What if I took this one thing that a lot of us consider selfish, and I made it essential? And it was an understanding of the benefits, a deep dive into that, that led to the permission to do something we often see as selfish.

The permission led to prioritization, which led to positive change. So this one idea of ‘Hey, this stuff matters’ led me down a path that not only did this become one of the greatest benefits in my life to my mental health, especially since the accident, it actually became a question, what's your pink Cadillac? What's the one thing you do that makes you smile like a kid?”

Episode Resources:

Chat with Ryan
Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn
Get Free Speaker Resources
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Calculate Your Speaking Fee
Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many speakers lean gradually into speaking. Still others stumble upon it unexpectedly. And still others find their passion and talent early on in life with the help of formative family members–like Shailesh Ghimire. Shailesh is our latest Student Highlight guest on The Speaker Lab podcast, and he shares his story on episode 459 with Maryalice Goldsmith, our director of student success. Today, Shailesh is a speaker, podcaster, and marketing expert with a background in physics. But years ago, he was a fourth grader preparing and delivering presentations for his dad, who loved and respected the fields of public speaking and debate. Thanks to those early years learning how to speak in front of an audience, Shailesh has never struggled with stage fright to this day.

While Shailesh’s dad helped set him on the road to public speaking, it took him some time to move beyond treating speaking like a hobby on top of his successful marketing business. But ultimately, as he attests, everybody has the same 24 hours in a day–and he refocused his time to prioritize building a speaking business. That’s where The Speaker Lab comes in! Shailesh walks Maryalice through how our program offered him structure and consistency while leaving lots of room for independent initiative and creating your own systems. For example, unlike most speakers, Shailesh relies primarily on email for lead outreach rather than phone calls. This requires a unique set of systems for getting in touch with clients and following up, as you’ll learn on the show.

Shailesh is full of enthusiasm and humor on air as well as on the stage–listen till the end to hear why he’s ready to write the “definitive book on women” after raising four daughters. He is currently working on expanding to new clientele and you’ll get to hear all about the additional hurdles and challenges that come with the scaling stage of running a speaking business.

You’ll also learn all about:

How being involved in theater helps prepare you for confidence as a speaker.
Tips and tricks for balancing speaking and parenting.
How to make traveling all the time more enjoyable.
Why you shouldn’t overcomplicate the prospecting process.
Why imposter syndrome is actually a good thing.
How to maintain energy from one speaking engagement to the next.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Read Shailesh's Success Story
Connect with Shailesh
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

Episode Chapters:

[00:01:51] Dad's influence at home to get public speaking practice.
[00:04:02] Discovering speaking career leads to paid gigs.
[00:09:40] Time is all about priorities and goals.
[00:14:30] Be intentional, follow instructions, use email.
[00:19:43] Surprise: Learning about presentation time requirements
[00:22:12] Last-minute panic turns into successful presentation.
[00:25:25] Big experience with dedicated, learning audience. Stay prepared.
[00:29:11] How are you focused on expanding your speaking business?
[00:33:41] Game-changing; juggling multiple businesses with purpose.
[00:34:47] Believe in your message, forget self-doubt.
[00:40:00] Legacy: emotional attachment to leaving a mark.
[00:41:23] Grateful guest expresses appreciation for podcast appearance.

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As a speaker, it’s often hard to find the balance between telling your story, building your personal brand, and serving your audience. No matter what your story is, you have to connect it to solving your audience’s problems. Otherwise, you’re just talking about yourself–and that’s a surefire strategy for failure if your goal is making an impact. On Episode 458 of The Speaker Lab podcast, Grant Baldwin invited Bruce Van Horn, a speaker with a pretty extraordinary story, to help you walk that very fine line.

Before Bruce was a speaker, he was a creative writing major who pivoted to a successful career in the software business. If you’re struggling to connect the dots between what you studied, where you work, and what you want to speak about, his path will inspire you to think outside the box and buck expectations.

Bucking expectations is a big part of Bruce’s mission. On top of being a speaker, he is also a life coach, author, and podcast host. Through his various efforts to promote positive change using words, he helps other people experience radical mindset shifts and get unstuck from negative patterns in their life. On the show, he shares some of those strategies and a sneak peek into what he calls his “victory routines.” His podcast, Life Is A Marathon, invokes a powerful experience of self-reflection and mindset shift he had while training for a marathon during a series of tragic life events.

You’ll also learn all about:

The drawbacks of basing your career choices entirely on money.
How Zig Ziglar inspired Bruce to kick his victimhood mindset.
What we can learn about from marathon training.
How to leverage a podcast to get you more speaking gigs.
The difference between passion and enthusiasm.
How to pick the parts of your story that will connect with your audience.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Connect with Bruce
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Establishing your niche is one of the most important tasks of building your speaking business.

Like all important tasks, this isn’t a one-step process–it is a long journey of discovery and refinement. Because this is such a hot topic among our TSL students, our latest coaches’ corner podcast naturally focuses on finding your niche. In Episode 457 of The Speaker Lab Podcast, TSL coaches Maryalice Goldsmith and Katie Campbell discuss how to figure out what your niche really is. If your niche is an onion, this episode is peeling back the layers so you can hone in on your target audience and book the gigs that are best suited to your expertise.

The more you narrow your niche, the more you attract the attention of the right people. That’s how successful speakers build momentum, as Katie and Maryalice explain on the show. No matter how broad you think your message is, you can amplify it best by finding the specific audience out there whose needs intersect perfectly with what you bring to the table. At the same time, finding your niche should not be a limiting experience. Many speakers mistakenly think they have to draw only from their on-paper experience to find a niche. But if your industry is over-saturated, there is probably a gap in the market where an unexpected audience really needs to hear what you have to say!

Another limiting belief that many speakers unconsciously subscribe to is that your story determines your niche. Stories are a core part of who we are and any speaker’s personal brand. While your story informs your talk, it does not have to define your niche. Speaking at its core is about solving problems, not selling stories. If you feel stuck in your attempts to drill down in your niche, reconsider whether you have let your story eclipse the solutions you offer. Chances are, reorienting your speaker brand around solutions and transformation will give you a boost and help you reach the right people. That’s what Katie and Maryalice will walk you through in Episode 457!

You’ll also learn all about:

What your “unique leverage point” is and how to find it.
How to apply your experience to a drastically different field.
Why your expertise matters more than your stories.
How to choose stories that connect to your solutions.
How getting clear on your niche helps you sell yourself on the phone.
The importance of coaching and mentorship to overcoming imposter syndrome.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s not every day that a game show host comes onto The Speaker Lab podcast. But this is your lucky day! For this episode, Mike Montague joins Grant for an exciting conversation about how he balances podcasting, speaking, game show hosting, and his job for a prominent sales and leadership training company. While some might have a specific vision of what it means to be a speaker, for Mike it means any time he’s behind a microphone. He knows how to bring the party to whatever kind of event he’s leading, whether it’s a corporate seminar for a multinational company or a keynote where he’s throwing water balloons at the audience.

Mike strikes an unusual balance for a speaker, as he has multiple ongoing employment contracts on top of his independent speaking business. As a result, this episode offers a great deal of insight into managing multiple streams of income. Most speakers scale and diversify their business at some point, so even if you’re not at that point yet, it can be really helpful to hear what that process is like for someone as multi-talented as Mike.

Deciding whether to go all-in on entrepreneurship is a tough decision with many factors. Family, finances, and prior commitments can all impact the decision. Whether you like the stability of having one employer or you enjoy juggling multiple jobs at once, Mike’s story will certainly have some insights for you.

You’ll also learn all about:

Coping when your dream job isn’t everything you thought it would be.
How to create contracts with your employer that allow you freedom in your speaking business.
How to shake off imposter syndrome by getting comfortable in your niche.
When it’s time to take risks with your audience.
What it’s like to audition for game show gigs.
How to write a game show script.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Visit Mike's Website
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn
Check out Mike's Podcast - Playful Humans
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A lot of coaches become speakers, and a lot of speakers become coaches. It’s not a simple 2+2=4 formula, but there’s a few reasons why these professions complement each other so well! One of our recent program alumni, Kyle Cofer, came onto episode 455 of The Speaker Lab podcast to discuss her path from life coaching to speaking. In this student highlight, Kyla shares how our program helped her amplify her message about overcoming burnout.

Going from aspiring to professional speaker requires tailored guidance and mentorship. As Kyla testifies, even an expert at coaching other people can have trouble overcoming a few nagging insecurities. Kyla and our director of student success Maryalice Goldsmith discuss the trickle down effect she experienced from her experienced TSL mentors and the breakthroughs she achieved using our five-module SPEAK framework.

Kyla is more than an entrepreneur and speaker–she’s also a devoted homeschooling mom. Juggling motherhood and the fast-paced speaker life is no joke and requires a few iron-clad priorities balanced by flexible routines. When it comes to childcare and splitting parental responsibilities, Kyla offers some “real talk” and encouragement for any speaker trying to give their best self to their kids and their business.

The truth is, nobody can be perfect to everybody all the time, and despite your best ambitions you will fall short at speaking, parenting, and everything in between! But like any good life coach, Kyla has words of wisdom for handling failure: it all comes down to gratitude and acknowledgement of what makes us human. If this episode doesn’t have you dying to hire Kyla as your life coach, it will definitely have you feeling better equipped to handle your flaws!

You’ll also learn all about:

Why striving for perfection gets in the way of creativity.
How to readjust your goals without compromising.
How to move on without baggage from even the most epic flops.
The value of letting go when it comes to negative feedback.
Tips for composing and practicing your talk.
The relationship between self-care and successful speaking.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Kyla's Website
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Irvin was laid off of his C-suite position just as COVID started taking off. He took it as a sign to start the speaking career he had long been considering. Between pandemic-induced chaos and his own inexperience with the speaking industry, his first efforts were, in his own words, “dismal.” Fortunately, he discovered The Speaker Lab, which helped him systematize his business to the point where he is now speaking over 50 times a year on top of working as a member of the TSL team. Dan joined us for episode 454 of the TSL podcast to discuss the step-by-step processes that help him succeed.

To really succeed as a speaker, you need a plan. Having a plan will get your family and friends in your corner when you first launch your business as well as showing future clients that you are serious about what you do. Dan has used careful strategy and repeatable systems to turn his speaking business into a well-oiled machine. From time management to email followups, putting systems in place will set you apart from the many wannabe speakers who are fueled by enthusiasm that lacks consistency. Furthermore, automated systems that work for you when you’re not even paying attention help you free up valuable time to spend with your loved ones.

One of Dan’s systems that will interest many speakers is how he evaluates whether to take on unpaid gigs. Many clients with tight budgets can still offer value that can’t be quantified in monetary terms. At the same time, if you get a reputation for speaking for free, nobody will want to pay you! This is a question that boggles many speakers…after all, at the start of your career, you have very few options! Dan and Grant have all the answers for you on this episode, from how to decide if an audience is the perfect fit to tough conversations with clients who can’t pay you.

You’ll also learn all about:

Dan’s tried-and-true contact strategy that connects him with the best leads.
Why quality of leads matters more than quantity.
Why you should start with one signature talk rather than a suite of talks.
How to use your time if you have just 30 minutes a day for your speaking business.
How to balance your love of travel with missing your family at home.
Which parts of your speaking business should and shouldn’t be outsourced.
How to decide on software tools to automate your tasks.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Dan Irvin's Website
Dan's Email Templates
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brittany Richmond is an experienced volleyball coach and counselor. She’s also an uplifting speaker and influencer who inspires teens to manage their anxiety and overcome stigma around mental illness. Our favorite part? She’s a coach for us here at The Speaker Lab. This week on Episode 453 of The Speaker Lab podcast, she shares how she speaks about incredibly vulnerable topics in a relatable and sensitive way.

Brittany already had a lot of experience working with students, so her story offers great insight into knowing when you can make a more impact as a speaker than one-on-one. Her own experience as a youth with crippling anxiety that was invisible to even her closest loved ones informs her message about proactively evolving through mental illness to live a thriving and fulfilled life. While she normally shares her message with teens, today she’s sharing it with you too–if you’re an aspiring speaker who struggles with anxiety, Brittany’s story is sure to give you a confidence boost.

Speaking to the youth market is a difficult task–making money, finding your niche, and marketing yourself all come with a special set of challenges. Brittany has really mastered the delicate balance of relatability and relevance. While she offers hope, she also offers tactical steps that leave her listeners feeling better equipped to deal with her struggles. On the show, you’ll hear how she keeps her niche narrow so she can better serve her audience. Perhaps most powerfully, Brittany explains why she tailors her message to the person she once was–the anxious teen who just needed to hear “you’re not alone.”

You’ll also learn all about:

How to be vulnerable without oversharing
Strategies for connection and engagement with a younger audience
How TSL’s SPEAK framework gave Brittany her roadmap to speaking success
Why COVID has resulted in a greater demand for mental health speakers
How alignment with your purpose defeats insecurity about your speaker qualifications
When it’s time to let your intuition guide what you say onstage
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Brittany Richmond's Website
Brittany Richmond's Instagram
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our system here at The Speaker Lab includes establishing non-negotiable elements of a successful speaking business early. Once you establish these fundamentals, you get to move on to the “fun” stuff like preparing your talk and creating snazzy marketing materials. While our coaches can only personally guide you through creating these steps in our coaching programs, they also come on the podcast to introduce some of the most important pieces of the great puzzle that is your speaking business. One of those fundamental pieces is your Expert Positioning Statement (EPS). This week, TSL coach Michelle Onuorah joined our director of student success Maryalice Goldsmith for Episode 452 of The Speaker Lab Podcast to dig into what an EPS is and why it’s so important.

If your speaking business is a pyramid, your EPS is the foundation. If that sounds like a big deal, it is! At the core of every good speaking platform is solving a problem for a particular audience. In your EPS, the solutions you offer, the people you serve, and the transformation you hope to effect all come together into one statement. Discovering your EPS is all about getting clear on the vision toward which your entire speaking business is oriented. This process isn’t just helpful to building out your business strategy–it will also empower you to act more boldly in the speaker marketplace. Accurately communicating and the value you bring to the table helps you recognize your own worth and promote your business accordingly.

Michelle and Maryalice share great tips for how your EPS keeps you on track by emphasizing what you’re best at. It reflects who you are and the types of people you want to attract. It acts as the compass for your personal branding journey so that your clients and audience know exactly what they’re getting when they hire you or see you walk on stage. While formulating your EPS can be an intimidating challenge, our coaches will walk you through how it’s actually an incredible opportunity to focus on yourself and your brand.

You’ll also learn all about:

Why your EPS matters even before your speaking business gets off the ground.
How formulating your EPS can help you avoid the toxic comparison trap.
When to adapt or expand your EPS.
How your demeanor and exterior affect the clients you attract.
Why clarity breeds confidence in the speaking world.
How to align the elements of your brand in the direction you want your business to go.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Our Coaches
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some entrepreneurs spend their whole lives hustling, allowing burnout to gradually erode their overall quality of life. Others prioritize work-life harmony early on, allowing them to pursue their passions, keep creating, and enjoy life.

That’s what Tina Wells has done, with her signature “Elevation Approach,” a system for entrepreneurs which lies at the heart of her book, online course, and upcoming podcast. On Episode 451 of The Speaker Lab podcast, Tina shared the wisdom she has learned along a journey that has led her from market research, to brand strategy, to content and product creation. The core of her mission is helping other entrepreneurs put their energy into activities and initiatives that make the most sense for where they want to be in life. No more hustling and grinding just because everybody else is doing it–get ready to elevate your approach!

Tina started her entrepreneurship journey at age 16 researching youth and fashion trends. Despite the many evolutions of her professional career, she hasn’t lost sight of the things that originally set her on fire! Today, you can find her snazzy collection of office supplies on the shelves at Target as well as her children’s series and her new book The Elevation Approach. This episode offers an incredibly refreshing perspective on maintaining your business momentum without sacrificing your quality of life. If you’re a multi-passionate creative, a mom balancing career, kids, and aging parents, or a marketer who wants to shift into the product space, there are special tips for you too.

As speakers, choosing which channels to leverage for your personal brand and organic marketing can be quite overwhelming. Tina offers guidance for choosing the channel best suited to your target audience and adapting your message to different settings.

You’ll also learn all about:

How to balance your creative side with practical business considerations.
The difference that a good market researcher can make as a speaker.
Why a “podcast tour” is a great strategy for brand exposure.
How to choose a good podcast agency.
Why you should expand the horizons for your target audience.
Why starting an email newsletter will be a huge asset decades down the road.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Tina Wells' Website
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You can’t solve all your audience’s problems with one short keynote — often, you barely scratch the surface. So how do you offer your audience the next steps toward solutions? That’s what our very own coaches Maryalice Goldsmith and Jeremy Rochford cover on Episode 450 of The Speaker Lab podcast. Building your talk out into a coaching program is an incredible way to add streams of income and diversify your speaking business. Our TSL coaches have helped thousands of speakers succeed in this venture without burning out or losing sight of their core message, and today they’re helping you do the same. On the show, Maryalice and Jeremy go through the process of adding a coaching branch to your business with copious examples to help you get started designing your very first coaching program.

Your signature keynote probably leaves your audience inspired with solutions, but unsure how to implement them beyond the first few action items. A coaching program expands on the substance of your talk in a structured setting geared toward knowledge retention. Since most coaching programs are eight to twelve weeks long, you have ample room to amplify all your most important points and dig deeper with explanations that will have more staying power than an exhilarating but all-too-brief talk. And as our students in The Speaker Lab programs already know, there are many different formats and variations of content you can utilize to help pass along all that valuable knowledge.

Once you’re really clear on the problem you solve and the audience you serve, it’s probably time to start building out other branches of your speaking business. Designing a coaching program is an incredible way to grow your fanbase and your income. As you’ll hear from Maryalice and Jeremy in this episode, you can scale a well-designed coaching program and take on even more clients by hiring certified coaches to follow your system.

You’ll also learn all about:

The pros and cons of pre-recorded coursework vs. one-on-one coaching.
How to stop coaching from crowding out your speaking.
How to price your coaching program.
When to hire more coaches to lead your program.
Whether coaching certifications matter.
Why your unique voice is so needed in the world of coaching.
…and so much more!

Episode Resources:

Our Coaches
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s one thing to be successful on stage, but it’s another to build a solid pipeline that builds sustainable growth for your speaking business. For Episode 422 of The Speaker Lab Podcast we’re welcoming Arel Moodie to talk about how you can use data to build a sustainable speaking business.

Arel talks about the changes in the industry over the last few years, the durability of the speaking industry, and the importance of being ready to pivot when needed. He's a mission to help speakers use data to get booked and paid to speak, and he's developed a tool he’s developed which is a total game changer for speakers in any season of building their business. Arel’s method helps speakers prove to decision makers and event planners that they are actually good at what they do and why they would be a valuable asset to their event.

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

How Arel discovered the speaking industry and desire to build his own business
The evolution of the leap from student to corporate audiences
Why you have to find a vertical
How to do a self-showcase
Why data matters so much
How to generate leads and who will do it best
And so much more!

Episode Resources:

Arel's Website
Talkadot
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing in the excitement of our students’ success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

On Episode 421, we're joined by Amy Fuentes, an incredible TSL student who is taking the stage by storm with a passion for empowering women to find their voice, change their stories, and become their own heroes in all aspects of their lives. Amy sat down with Maryalice to share her personal journey to the stage, including how she found her way to The Speaker Lab and why she is so committed to helping women “transition through transitions” with purpose. Amy shares practical insights on how to really seize the moment, embrace change, and navigate the most challenging of times that become defining moments.

Whether you’re finding yourself amidst a transition or contemplating life-changing decisions that will provide new direction, Amy’s advice will challenge and inspire you to embrace the process!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

Why transitions are hard, but matter
Why “ice cream” is part of the process
The emotional attachment of thoughts
How to use your time differently
Why the first step is the hardest
The nuts and bolts of building your business
Why you have to invest in yourself
Why you need a mentor
And so much more!

Episode resources:

Amy's Website
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers?

This week, Director of Student Success Maryalice Goldsmith and Coach Jeremy Rochford are revealing theone mistake that is costing you thousands in your speaking business and what you need to do about it! So, what is it you might ask? The greatest mistake is when speakers are not clear on the problem they solve and how it helps their audience. Jeremy Rochford is sharing his personal story of finding success on the stage and how he discovered what his audience wanted and needed. He’s got first-hand experience and so much insight as a coach to share on the game-changing strategy that will make all the difference.

As speakers we want to inspire and impact – and we want you to do that too! But there must be clarity and intentionality in building a message that clearly solves a problem and offers direction to your listeners. Jeremy and Maryalice are bringing light to the simple truths that will impact your speaking business the most, and the opportunity you have to make an impact while building a successful business.

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

The vehicle vs. destination balance
Why you won’t solve all your audiences’ problems
How to help your audience take the next best step
Why you have to slow down to speed up
How to find your niche and stick to it
Why you build expertise through lived experience
Why coaching matters for the process
And so much more!

Episode Resources:

Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to building a successful and sustainable speaking business, so much of what really matters doesn’t happen on the stage. Veronica Romney, the Dream Team Architect, joins us for Episode 419 of The Speaker Lab Podcast to peel back the layers of scaling a business and taking it to the next level. As a fractional chief of staff for several businesses, Veronica helps take seven-figure companies to eight all while addressing their core functions and leadership.

Veronica addresses direct ROI vs. the value an individual can bring to your team and unpacks the mystery of when to bring on additional team members and how to do it effectively. She also takes a deep dive into the challenge that speakers face when it comes to the “leaky” mechanics that often exist behind the stage. She shares the options that exist for speakers to create opportunities for success, how to package the value they offer, and why it’s important to build a team that can market your zone of genius. Veronica offers endless insight, and this conversation is packed with growth-mindset strategies that will stretch your understanding of building a business.

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

The bakery vs. the baker
Three core functions of a business
Why marketing matters
How to develop a leadership shed list
Lag vs. lead measures
Why the absence of effectiveness creates more work
The function of a cash reserve
How to take referrals when building a team
The value of looking within to build-up talent
And so much more!

Episode Resources:

Veronica Romney's Website
Executive Dream Team Guide
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing in the excitement of our students' success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

On Episode 418, Marcene Sonnek joins us Maryalice to share her journey to the stage. Marcene is on a mission to help others embrace positive communication to increase work satisfaction and improve their professional environments. She came to The Speaker Lab as a brand new speaker, but quickly channeled her life experience to become an effective and powerful communicator.

During this conversation, Marcene shared how her personal experiences translated into her opportunity to make an impact in corporate settings. She unpacks the impact of mindset, perspective, mission, and listening. Marcene’s unique experience and the fact that she’s newer to the industry make this conversation especially impactful for those who are just getting started and are eager to make a difference while building a sustainable speaking business. She’s got a special keynote, her own book, and so much encouragement to share!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

Demonstrating positivity and creating an intentional atmosphere
Navigating the sweet (and sour) nature of lemons in life
Embracing the mindset of how everyone can win
The power to make communication positive
Why you have to develop your pipeline and content calendar
The value of networking and building a community
How The Speaker Lab transformed her approach to building a business
And much more!

Episode Resources:

Marcene Sonnek's Website
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Ducker is an entrepreneur extraordinaire who has coined the term “Youprenuer” and is on a mission to help others build successful personal brands that build thriving businesses. His wealth of experience and knowledge make him an expert in brand development, and for Episode 417 of The Speaker Lab Podcast he’s back to give us the inside scoop.

Chris shares insights on building reputation, finding a solid network, building a team around you, and why mindset always matters. We’ll also discuss the risk of burnout, how to prioritize while trying to grow, and what it looks like to build something that wholeheartedly represents you. Chris has a passion for coming alongside others who are ready to level-up and take the leap into building something that can stand the test of time.

Join us for a candid conversation on the sales and marketing side of finding success in your niche of the speaking industry. Chris shares what has worked for him, what didn’t, and how you can use his experience to build an unstoppable personal brand.

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

How to balance the grind of building a brand and living out your passion
Why your reputation matters when you’re building a brand
Why you must do a gut check
How to find your focus and when it’s okay to shift
Why your “yes” is a commodity
How the pandemic shaped building a brand for the future
And much more!

Episode Resources:

Chris Ducker's Website
The Elevated Entrepreneur Experience
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
Get a FREE Copy of The Successful Speaker
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers?Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.

For Episode 416 of The Speaker Lab Podcast our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, and our Elite Concierge, Katie Campbell, are continuing the conversation from Episode 414 (Check it out!) and taking a closer look at how to maximize coaching and get out of your own way! During their first episode together, they reviewed marketable assets that every speaker needs, and intertwined into each of those was the support that a coach can provide through the process. This week, Maryalice and Katie are back with a closer look at the benefit of coaching and how it can help you take things to the next level.

Maryalice and Katie highlight the grit and courage it takes to take on speaking full-time and how to intentionally prioritize each step on the journey to making an impact with your message. Katie shares some of her personal journey to the stage, and what she’s learned about focusing on her passion and serving her specific audience. There’s something here for every speaker in any season!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

Why your message can’t help everyone
Why narrowing your focus creates more opportunity
How do you define expert?
Why clarity in your language matters so much
Talking about what lights you up
Combining strategy and storytelling
And much more!

Episode resources:

Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
The Successful Speaker Book
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever experienced burnout? Nour Khatib has — and she's here to tell you how to overcome it.

As an ER doctor that walked through the global pandemic with colleagues and patients, Nour has seen first-hand the toll of burnout. You’d be surprised to learn that she’s a medical school dropout who experienced her burnout as a young student that pivoted to earning a business degree. It was here that she found her passion for speaking yet she continued to feel as though something was still missing. Her unique and incredible journey brought her to where she is today and she’s sharing all the ins and outs!

Nour wants to help others address their “missing piece” so they can live out their passion through lived experience, education, and a keen ability to avoid and manage feelings of burnout. She’s got incredible insight to share on how she’s helping others identify the red flags of burnout in their careers and how her mindset became her mission to impact others. Nour’s story will inspire you to overcome burnout and rediscover why you love what you do!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

How to identify burnout
The trajectory of productivity and morale amid burnout
How The Speaker Lab helped her take the next step
Why persistence and consistency matter
Why you need to give speaking a real shot
When to take the first step – and how!
Why you should invest in yourself
And much more!

Episode Resources:

Nour Khatib's Website
Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get Booked & Paid To Speak
The Successful Speaker Book
Speaker Fee Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.

For Episode 414, our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, and our Elite Concierge, Katie Campbell, are taking a deep dive into the key assets every successful speaker should have!

Aside from the more obvious fundamentals, there are marketable assets essential to creating your presence and setting you apart. Together they’re highlighting the value of a strategic online presence and the part it plays in telling your story, sharing your brand, and highlighting your voice. They’ll also unpack the power of coaching and the courage it takes to step up and step out when things like imposter syndrome creep in.

Katie highlights some of the common mistakes made in website and demo reel development and how to create the right content for your audience and event planners. Maryalice and Katie are covering so many speaking business game-changers during this episode. They’re simple but make all the difference and will meet you in any season of building your business.

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

Why you need clarity and a solid abstract
How to create a website that connects your audience with their pain points
Why your website is never done
Why you need a mobile friendly website
The importance of a demo reel and first impressions
Why you can and should lean on The Speaker Lab
How to manage the opinions of others
And much more!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing in the excitement of our student’s success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

Deepika Sandhu has an incredible story to share about listening to your intuition and chasing after your dreams. Deepika’s “ah-hah” moment came after publishing her first book and realizing how badly she wanted to do an in-person book tour — in the middle of a global pandemic!

Her deep desire to keep connecting with her audience and witness the “ah-hah” moments of others became the driver for a new season in her career. During this episode, Deepika shares more about her book and her personal journey of finding what she wanted to change about her life in a way to be her most authentic self. Not only is Deepika living it, but she’s also now helping others translate their own work into the work they actually want to be doing. Deepika is walking the talk and she’s giving the ins and outs of how The Speaker Lab came alongside her dream to take the stage!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

What does it mean to find your authenticity?
How do your life experiences help you eventually “go for it?”
What does it look like to jump the hurdle of hesitation?
How coaching at TSL helped build Deepika’s success
Why she said “yes” to investing in herself
How she benefitted from the magic of the stagecraft cohort
Why you have to honor the calling that rises from within
And much more!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since finishing a program with The Speaker Lab in 2017, Jake Thompson has had the "pedal to the metal” when it comes to building his brand and speaking career. His momentum and commitment to seizing growth opportunities have allowed him to triple his income and bring incredible value to his audience. Referrals, consulting opportunities, and a passion for the problem he solves brought him to some incredible stages that left him rubbing shoulders with individuals who have transformed the trajectory of his career.

During Episode 412, Jake shares about a new role serving as a fractional executive and how it has challenged him to level up and take the right risks. Jake’s unique journey allows him to bring a ton of insight to our conversation, reminding you to invest in yourself, embrace the “grind” and do it all while still being focused. Jake’s story is incredibly unique and a reminder that opportunity is out there, but you have to have the right mindset to make it work for you!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

What it means to be all-in when building your business
How to find the right opportunities that develop your vision
The value of referrals and recommendations
How to consider career game-changers
Why you must invest in yourself
Why you have to find your niche and dig even deeper
How to hone a genuine passion for the problem you solve
And much more!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you've been in the speaking business for long, you know that it's not easy! Building a successful and sustainable speaking business is a grind. It takes a lot of sweat equity, patience, and intentionality to make it in this industry, but if you put in the work, there are some incredible opportunities for growth in every season.

This week, Erick Rheam is back to share practical advice on how to navigate the grind of building your business. Erick introduces the idea of a "power hour," shares how to navigate the good and bad days, and reminds us that even though every day will not be our best, consistency matters!

As someone who has built a highly successful speaking business, Erick navigates the ins and outs of the speaking industry every day. No matter where you are in your speaking journey, you'll benefit from Erick's experience and passion for equipping others to find their success on the stage. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

Why it’s possible to have a “grind” that is enjoyable and totally worth it
How to fall in love with the process
What are you willing to suffer for?
Why buy-in matters from your spouse or partner
How to apply what you’re learning
Determining the actions that will further your business
Why consistency impacts clarity
And much more!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re living in a world that continues to change post-pandemic — and speakers have to continue adjusting to stay relevant! There are more opportunities now than ever for speakers, but you have to be intentional and have a clear plan to build a sustainable speaking business.

This week, David Avrin joins us to share some great advice and a little tough love that will help you build your speaking business and not just get gigs.

David has a background in marketing and decades of experience in the speaking industry, and he's here to help you understand what it takes right now to get booked and paid to speak. David unpacks ways to beat imposter syndrome, what it looks like to inspire your audience, and why systems and processes matter more than giving a perfect performance.

David will bring you back to your "why" and show you how to turn your passion into sustainable success. If you're booking speaking gigs but haven't taken the leap to build a business — or haven't made it a priority — this episode is for you! You'll get fresh inspiration on how to seize opportunities, fill your calendar, and keep a long-game mentality.

Here's what you'll learn from this episode:

How to navigate and overcome imposter syndrome
The difference between booking gigs and building a business
How to recognize opportunity and capitalize on it
The importance of building your calendar and pipeline
Why you must pitch strategically
How to work smarter and not harder to transform your business
How to embrace the “thrill of the hunt”
And much more!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing in the excitement of our student's success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

For Episode 409 we’re sitting down with Jason Dietrich. Jason recently went through The Speaker Lab program and is eager to share his experience and journey to the stage! Believe it or not, Jason's love of speaking stemmed from an experience he had as a senior in college. From there he felt he’d found his calling, and the rest is history!

When Jason was ready to invest in himself and grow his speaking business, he jumped in headfirst at The Speaker Lab and worked to find his niche and further define his message. He boldly resigned from his teaching position and decided to dive deep into speaking full-time.

Jason has great tips and tricks that have worked for him as he is on this journey. Together, Maryalice and Jason talk about the importance of silence, finding your focus, and how to navigate the nerves! Jason’s transparency is refreshing – especially for newer speakers who also find themselves in the trenches of building their business.

Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:

How he found his passion and purpose
Jason’s SKY acronym
How to silence your mind and find your focus
How to prioritize and avoid the clutter
How to use meditation
And much more!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you seen the ongoing buzz about Web3, NFTs, virtual reality, and cryptocurrency? What exactly are these things, and what do they mean for your speaking business?

This week, we're taking a deep dive into these concepts with Terry Brock. Together we’ll address your questions and concerns and discuss what all of this means for the future when it comes to entrepreneurial success and how to leverage these options for growth.

While these topics might seem unfamiliar, there’s a lot to consider so we can grasp the ramifications for our businesses, audience, and the community we’re building. Amidst all these cutting-edge options, Terry reminds us that one thing will always remain vital to speaking success — a commitment to the problem that we’re solving as speakers for our audience.

The foundation and fundamentals for speakers will never change, but the method of delivery and experience for our audience might! It may seem overwhelming, or even confusing to comprehend — and that's okay! Terry offers a simple introduction to these topics and gives you action steps you can take if you choose to explore how these concepts might become part of your speaking business. If you’re curious and ready to learn more, this is the episode for you!

Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:

What is Web 3.0, NFTs, and cryptocurrency?
How are these opportunities already being leveraged for greater success across different industries?
What are the opportunities with these concepts for speakers?
Is this all just a “fad” or will it stick around?
What is a blockchain? Or a never-ending ticket?
How and where can you learn more about implementing any one of these opportunities as an entrepreneur?
And much more!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.

On Episode 406, Maryalice Goldsmith and Nanette Hitchcock took a deep dive into finding your why and how that step is the key to finding success in your speaking business. This week, Maryalice and Nanette are back to take a closer look at the vision and strategy needed to make a successful speaking business.

Your message alone will not lead to sustainable success — your entire business has to be aligned with your overall vision and strategy if you want to succeed as a speaker. You may be surprised to find out that strategy can change, but the destination may remain the same. It takes intentionality, prioritization, and a vision to bring your business to life and support your why.

Maryalice and Nanette are digging deep and will remind you why it takes a gentle balance of hustle and flow to build your business.

Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:

How your vision fuels the why
Why strategy can adjust, but a vision needs alignment
How to set your goals and establish your vision
Why you need strategy to execute your vision
The value of the coaching process
Clarifying the transformation for your audience
And much more!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.

This week, Maryalice Goldsmith and Nanette Hitchcock discuss why your why matters and how finding that why is the key to your speaking success.

Your message matters and it needs to be defined with clarity – but how?! Maryalice and Nanette explain the purposeful path to finding your “why” and give you practical steps you can take to get started.

Have you found yourself stuck in the weeds and overthinking the pieces of your message? That’s okay! You can’t lose your “why” because with it, you’ll lose what drives the passion behind the problem you’re solving for your audience. It takes hard work, but this episode will give you some starting points to get you going in the right direction.

Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:

How to build your foundation by stepping into the gaps
Building authenticity into your message
Why clarity matters
Saying “yes” to things that feed the “why”
Discovering your vision and destination
And much more!

Tweetable: The why drives excellence.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are we facing a recession? What does that mean for your speaking business? We’re answering these questions and more during Episode 405 of The Speaker Lab Podcast. The one and only Erick Rheam is guiding our conversation with strategies you can use in these uncertain times to recession-proof your speaking business. During this episode, we’ll talk about how to lead your business through a recession with confidence rather than fear, why you must invest in marketing and yourself, and why you have to take the leap and go virtual. Speakers have had to pivot on a moment’s notice over the last two years, and uncertain economic times are no different. Erick will talk about where you need to flex and when standing firm is okay. Whether you are just beginning to build your business or you’ve been at this for a while, this episode will equip you for what’s next. Erick’s experience, expertise, and transparency will provide practical steps to recession-proof your speaking business — no matter what happens. Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode: * What is a recession? * Organizational response to a recession * Impact on travel, workshops, and training budgets * When to update your demo video, website and other marketing tools * How to write and publish a book to elevate credibility * Why to keep investing in yourself and building skills * Why you need to go virtual and why it’s so beneficial * How to ask for referrals * Four questions you have to ask yourself * And much more!

Tweetable: "Now is not the time to be vague."

When it comes to building your brand, Rory Vaden is the expert you want in your corner. He's committed to helping others identify the problem they solve and build a strategy for lasting success. Rory has a unique story of how he came to be an entrepreneur, found his place on the stage, and embraced the wisdom and insight of others so he could keep growing. As a college student, he found his niche in door-to-door sales. With a knack for developing principles of personal success and development, he soon found himself on the speaking stage and rubbing shoulders with mentors that would change the trajectory of his future. His mindset, experience, and intentionality have set Rory apart in the industry. If you want to learn how to build a brand that will set you apart, this episode is for you! Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode: * The value of mentorship * The difference between a good and great speaker * How to be intentional in networking * Building your sales team and structure * Why you have to “nail” your uniqueness * Can you identify your niche alone? * Why you need one-on-one coaching * And much more!

Tweetable: “You are always most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were.”

It’s time for the 40 Speaking Lessons from 400 Episodes finale!

For Part 4 we’re bringing back 10 final lessons from former podcast guests. These speakers are not only the real deal, but their insight brings incredible value to the aspiring or “in the trenches” entrepreneur. Collectively these tips will raise the bar when it comes to the success and sustainability of your speaking business.

As we wrap up this series, you won’t want to miss the final 10 lessons that will complete your list! As speakers, it’s essential to keep learning, growing, and asking questions in an effort to refine your craft and bring your best to the stage. These lessons will help do just that, and we’re thrilled to share them for Episode 403 of The Speaker Lab Podcast. Enjoy!

Here are the final 10 lessons to help you become a better speaker:

Lead with appreciation and interest to build relationships (Selena Soo, Ep. 178)
How to use the “messy middle in speaking (Nancy Duarte, Ep. 262)
Find a balance between being grateful and hungry (Josh Linkner, Ep. 266)
It’s important to find a market for your passion (Clay Herbert, Ep. 260)
Turn your clients into fans (David Meerman Scott, Ep. 272)
Stay informed to stay relevant (Scott Stratten, Ep. 259)
Learn the ABCDs of your personal brand (Sylvie di Giusto, Ep. 243)
Responsiveness always trumps overthinking (Andrew Davis, Ep. 181)
Know how to serve all three of your audiences (Joey Coleman, Ep. 212)
The best speakers are like coffee (Mitch Joel, Ep. 278)

Don’t miss our book giveaway! We’re giving away 40 copies of The Successful Speaker to celebrate 400 episodes. This is the last week to enter, so CLICK HERE and enter your info to get started!

It’s time to continue the rewind and our 40 Speaking Lessons from 400 Episodes series for Episode 402 of The Speaker Lab Podcast!

For Part 3 we are looking back at 10 more incredible lessons from our very own podcast guests. Living out the lessons shared by these seasoned speakers will not only strengthen you as a speaker but take your business and vision for the future to the next level.

It's time to add to your list from Episodes 400 and 401! As you set your goals and put in the sweat equity, these pillars of success will help guide your way! Whether you’re just starting, or need a refresh on what will set you apart in the industry, this episode is for you. Enjoy!

Here are 10 (more!) key lessons to help you become a better speaker:

Harness the power of the freedom compass (Michael Hyatt, Ep. 246)
A strong personal brand will set you apart from the competition (Rick Clemons, Ep. 241)
There’s no magic solution to get in front of event planners (Josh McGhee, Ep. 245)
Why you have to lovingly punch your audience in the gut (Todd Henry, Ep. 224)
It’s important to craft an experience for your audience (Stephen Shapiro, Ep. 179)
Be okay with sharing the real you (Michael Barber, Ep. 195)
Exposure is the key to success (Matthew Kimberly, Ep. 273)
How to prepare right before you get on stage (Melanie Deziel, Ep. 192)
Show your audience you’re an expert, not just a speaker (Thomas Frank, Ep. 214)
There’s a difference between being a good baker and running a good bakery (Erick Rheam, Ep. 247)

Don’t miss our book giveaway! We’re giving away 40 copies of The Successful Speaker to celebrate 400 episodes. CLICK HERE and enter your info to get started!

We’re thrilled to continue the rewind and our 40 Speaking Lessons from 400 Episodes series for Episode 401 of The Speaker Lab Podcast!

For Part 2 we are looking back at 10 more timeless tips from some of our very own podcast guests. What’s awesome about this next series of lessons is that while they were recorded at different times, together they provide a solid framework of guidance that will help you take your speaking business to the next level. Throughout this episode, you’ll hear clips from 10 different guests that have joined us over the years. Their insight is so valuable and their wisdom unmatched. They have been there and are passionate about helping you learn from their experiences!

Pull out your notes from Episode 400 and get ready to add them to your list! No matter your niche, you’re in the right place for these timeless lessons that will help you become a better speaker and build an even stronger business. Enjoy!

Here are 10 (more!) key lessons to help you become a better speaker:

The best way to sell yourself is to get on stage
You have to develop your voice
Know what you’re good at, and what you’re not
Momentum matters in your speaking business
Position yourself as the professional you are
Tension is a powerful tool
Learn the importance of saying no
Be persistent and methodical in your cold outreach
Being good at speaking takes hard work, not just talent
Stay focused on what matters even as you grow

Don’t miss our book giveaway! We’re giving away 40 copies of The Successful Speaker to celebrate 400 episodes. CLICK HERE and enter your info to get started!

After 400 episodes, it’s a time to celebrate!

We’re doing a rewind and sharing 40 Speaking Lessons from 400 Episodes in this new series of The Speaker Lab Podcast.

It’s a privilege to look at where we’ve been and what we’ve learned over the years. Week by week we’ll unpack some of the finest lessons learned through personal experience and conversations with our awesome guests.

For Episode 400, our very own Grant Baldwin is joined by Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith to reveal the first 10 of 40 lessons. Each lesson is unique and applies to various components of building your speaking business. No one lesson is more important than the other, but rather together make up a collection of insight and wisdom from those who have gone before us in their own journey to the stage.

Get out your notebook! Whether you’re new to the industry or ready for a refresh, these lessons will stand the test of time and help you take your speaking business to the next level.

Here are 10 key lessons to help you become a better speaker:

Be a steakhouse & not a buffet
Be clear on your goals for speaking
Your best marketing is a great talk
Be proactive (not reactive) in your marketing efforts
Very little of running a speaking business actually involves speaking
No one can sell you better than you
Your marketing materials matter
Have a long-term perspective
When building beyond the stage, you can’t do it all
This is simple, but not easy

Don't miss our book giveaway! We're giving away 40 copies of The Successful Speaker to celebrate 40 episodes. Head over to thespeakerlab.com/freebook and enter your info to get started!

To some people, it might seem that Tripp Crosby is constantly shifting gears and focus. But to know and hear from him, it’s easy to see that opportunity has gifted Tripp the ability to unveil his real passion. Having built a successful video content business, it seemed like Tripp was all set. However, after some soul searching and brainstorming Tripp realized that it was time to pursue his own personal brand.

During this episode, Tripp unpacks the value of being singularly focused, how to become a real expert, and more importantly how to maintain your authenticity and passion. There’s no one right way to finding your success, and Tripp is here here to share his insights and wisdom from the road less traveled. So much to glean from this conversation!

Here's what you'll learn from this episode: * How to discover the energy within yourself * How to find your lane and your confidence * Why you must really know your audience * How to help an event win at their thing * The difference between virtual speaking and virtual hosting * How to tell people what you’re all about * And much more!

Sharing in the excitement of our students’ success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

He credits (or blames!) his mom for directing him to a career on the stage after she made him attend dance lessons with his sister at age 8. While it wasn’t his favorite pastime, he learned the art of stage presence at a very young age, and the rest is history!

Working as a corporate banker, Ravi spent years leading and building sales teams in early-stage start-ups to build what he would describe as his “portfolio career.” In September 2020 he quit his full-time job and started his own speaking business. Understanding the risks, challenges, and rewards of taking this leap excited Ravi, and his unique intuition that this was his time helped pave the way.

During their conversation Ravi talks about investing in himself, how he found The Speaker Lab, and how he’s built relationships through building his business. Storytelling is his passion and Ravi shares his strategy of repositioning his offerings and redefining his niche to find success. His journey is unique, engaging, and will keep you on the end of your seat!

Also, guess what? Ravi is joining The Speaker Lab to lead his very own Virtual VIP Cohort! Interested to learn how you can be part of this opportunity? Click HERE.

The Finer Details of this Show: * What it looks like to trust your intuition * Why you must build relationships and connections * How to know when it’s your time * Defining your story and unique method to solve a problem * Answering the call in your career * How to work with Ravi and The Speaker Lab * And much more!

It started with a magician gig at age 12 and turned into a passion and profession that has made Shep Hyken one of the best in the business. With a knack for entertainment and heart for customer experience, Shep has relied on tried-and-true values to build his business while managing to embrace the ever-changing landscape of the speaking industry.

He understands the numbers game, how to face imposter syndrome, and is here to share why one gig should lead to your next. During this episode Shep highlights the vital components of sales and marketing and why follow-through will make all the difference in building your business. He relied on the sweat equity of grass-roots efforts to make a space for himself in the industry and has insight and wisdom for every speaker on their own journey to the stage.

Shep’s determination started by beginning with the end in mind. Even in his early 20’s he knew where he wanted to be and met the challenge of getting there with courage, humility, and enthusiasm. His wisdom and experience provide refreshing perspective on getting back to basics to build a successful business!

The Finer Details of This Show: * Why you need to write thank you notes * How to ask for feedback * The value of the customer service experience * Strategies for making connections * How to do the numbers game * Why reputation and content marketing matters * The hunt vs. the feast * And much more!

Sharing in the excitement of our student's success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business. Tec Clark is in the business of helping others develop the work culture they want to be known for. How does he do it? He spends his time on the speaking stage with small and medium businesses in a variety of industries. A journey that stemmed from his work at Nova Southeastern University led to him sharing his message and eventually finding The Speaker Lab Elite program and podcast.

You might be surprised to learn that Tec’s adventure to the stage began with his career as a scuba instructor at The University of Florida. Recognized for the way in which he instructed and how he developed the diving program with his team truly set Tec apart. His commitment to creating a culture of excellence, skill development, and safety, eventually developed into the methodologies that he has applied to the message he shares today.

When he came to The Speaker Lab, he was on a mission to package his message succinctly and effectively for his audiences. Because of his experience in the Elite program, his speaking business and consulting opportunities have grown exponentially. Tec’s passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to his craft are second-to-none. You must hear his story!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How TSL helped Tec take his speaking to the next level * Why you need the system and program in the Elite program * Understanding the craft of speaking * Building industry relationships and networking * How to have the best message for your audience * Why you must pay attention to the opportunities in front of you * Getting clear with your message and niche * How to connect passion with impact * And much more!

Tim Schurrer stepped away from his role as COO of StoryBrand to pursue a full-time speaking career. Determined to pave the way for his own defined success, Tim has kept his focus away from the cultural narrative of what it looks like to be an accomplished entrepreneur and instead set his sights on where he finds true meaning and fulfillment. With a mission to learn, serve, and grow through his platform on stage, Tim is helping others to transform their own journey by beginning with the end in mind. His new book, The Secret Society of Success unpacks the steps to defining personal measures for success and fully realizing the joy and meaning behind your work in any industry. Whether you’re just beginning or have been in the business for some time, Tim’s fresh perspective on defining your personal success and building a thriving business is a message everyone needs to hear. His steadiness and deep passion for his work has made way for an intentional journey of embracing opportunity! The Finer Details of this Show * Navigating a new career path * Why fulfillment might not exist where we thought it would * How to define your own success * Why doing the right stuff matters * Lead and lag measures, and why you need to know what they are * The difference between an author and a writer * Why you shouldn’t be defined by success * What is the motivation for the journey you are on? * And much more!

What started as a parking attendant at the happiest place on earth, led to a lucrative business as a speaker and entertainer. Rob Ferre has always gravitated to the stage, and now he’s got a highly successful business that has taken him across the globe.

Whether he’s the DJ at a major corporate event or giving their keynote the morning after a celebration, Rob has mastered the fundamentals of keeping an audience engaged and coming back for more! He pivoted through the global pandemic, adapted to the call for virtual gigs, and exudes a level of enthusiasm that provides a fresh take on how to make your own way in the speaking industry.

Rob is passionate about helping others see the possibilities within their speaking business and demonstrates the possibilities through his own skills as a DJ, emcee, keynote speaker, and his work with gamification. He’s giving insight on monetization, gaining access to the industry, and how to balance the evolution of a speaking business.

Whether you’re wondering how to shake things up, or want to hear a story of courage to try something different, then this episode is for you!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Developing a unique speaking business model * Finding the courage to try something different * Is virtual here to stay in the speaking business? * Audience engagement and the importance of checking in * Why he’s staying in the speaking industry * His favorite ride at Disneyland (can you guess?) * And much more!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers?

Join Maryalice Goldsmith, Director of Student Success, and Coach Jeremy Rochford as they take a deep dive into 3 reasons why your talk is boring and what you can do to change it!

Jeremy begins the conversation by challenging listeners to begin framing who they want to become as a speaker, by acknowledging what they don’t want to be. Together they talk about imposter syndrome, unchallenged content, and avoiding risk as some of the greatest challenges speakers face, yet have the power to change! The audience wants nothing more than for you to succeed, and Jeremy champions this claim by unpacking tools that help speakers lower the barriers of relatability with their listeners.

Your message is full of opportunities to connect with your audience, meet them where they’re at, and help people feel and think in a different way. Jeremy and Maryalice are taking a “pause” from the front lines of coaching to give insight and wisdom into making your talk the very best it can be!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why you don’t want to be memorable for the wrong reasons * What are the biggest challenges speakers face? * Why your audience wants you to win * Different types of humor you can add to your talk * How can you add flavor to your message? * What it means to “niche down” * What happens when you add the wrong kind of humor * And much more!

As speakers, many of us have a love-hate relationship with associations. Should we become a member? What are the benefits? How will this help me grow my business? Is it worth it? For Episode 392 we’re sitting down with President and CEO of the National Speaker Association, Jaime Nolan, to unwrap the ins and outs of what the NSA does for members and their businesses.

While Jaime is new to NSA, she brings over two decades of experience with associations and meeting planners, and therefore a unique perspective that is much needed in this era of “rebuilding” post-pandemic. Focused on recreating an elite member experience and helping members build stronger businesses and be better speakers, the NSA is reexamining its conference structure, resources, and how they cater to members in different seasons of their careers.

During this episode, Jaime will reveal some of how she’s rewriting the playbook within, and some of the major changes they’ve already made to better serve their constituents. Whether you’re already a member, considering joining, or just want to understand what the “association experience” is all about, this episode will answer all those questions and more!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

The post-pandemic life of an association
What is the role of an association in your speaking career?
How to assess if a membership is right for you
How an association can help diversify your business opportunities
Utilizing resources and opportunities to network
What makes a healthy, functioning association?
The scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset
Why the NSA can’t talk about speaker fees
And much more!

Sharing in the excitement of our students' success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

Shawn Singleton is a highly accomplished individual who credits his success to a deep desire to “stop the cycle” of bad habits and take a deeper dive into the concept of “life culture.” His mission to be the best version of himself and help others do the same is at the core of his work. During this conversation, he shares some of his “ah-ha” moments as one of our Elite students and how he built a firm foundation of fundamentals by working through each module.

Shawn is a champion for transforming mindset and changing the narrative. He started with small speaking gigs as he built his content, but he quickly realized the principles he was sharing were ready for a larger audience. He consistently works to meet leaders where they are and show them how they can build sustainable and successful businesses.

He'd be the first to tell you that his time at The Speaker Lab helped him to narrow his topic, build confidence, and establish a skill set that will serve him as his speaking business continues to grow. Shawn is awesome and has a great story to share!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * The impact of technology and our need to be busy * Discovering your passion and finding your niche * Making your passion marketable * Why building confidence matters * Identifying your non-negotiables * Managing your nerves and making an impact * How to use your voice as a tool * And much more!

He’s a favorite among the TSL family and he knows what it takes to strategically build and sustain a successful business. On pace to double his income in 2022, Erick Rheam has navigated the ups and downs of the past few years with grit and grace.

While there are many crucial resources needed in the process of building a speaking business, this episode highlights one very important yet simple piece you must add to your repertoire.

The abstract.

The abstract is made up of seven parts, fits on one page, and is meant to help you get one step closer to booking that next gig. Erick walks through each of the seven components including a professional headshot, contact information, title and premise of your talk, identifying the problem you solve, testimonials, learning objectives, and references. He’ll also explain why you don’t lead with an abstract, when you should share this resource, and why you never list your speaking fee! Whether you’re a seasoned speaker, or just getting started, there’s always time to create or update your abstract to help achieve the goals of your business! During this episode, Erick will equip and encourage those who are ready to take the next step and make their abstract work for them!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why an abstract will streamline your thinking * How to use an abstract to test the marketplace * The value of keeping it short and sweet * Why social proof matters * Why your objectives have to be tangible * What to do when you don’t have testimonials * The difference between an abstract and a proposal * And much more!

When the pandemic hit, Alan Stein realized things had to change with his business and he needed to demonstrate the pillars of leadership that he had been talking about for years. Committed to serving others, Alan has diversified his offerings to keep adding value for his audience and keep growing his business. In addition to writing his second book, Sustain Your Game, Alan created a course and added a coaching piece to his business to continue fulfilling his mission of filling others’ buckets and equipping thriving leaders. During this episode, Alan explains why it’s important to be a low-maintenance speaker, how to show gratitude, and why these two priorities have made such a difference in his success.

In addition to his time on the stage, Alan has authored and leveraged his books to help connect others with his message. As his business continues to grow, he is committed to turning adversity into opportunity --- even amidst a global pandemic --- and gearing up for the next play when the playbook becomes outdated. He’s intentional, inspiring, and building on a strong foundation of timeless pillars of success!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Turning adversity into opportunity * Exposing the “Achilles heel” of your business * The 24-hour rule * Timeless pillars for success * Why you must be easy to work with * How to show gratitude * A wholistic approach to your business * Fitting a book into your business * And much more!

Genuine, authentic, relatable, down-to-earth — that is Shane Sams. He gave up his place at the front of the classroom after realizing he wanted to find a way to provide and have the ability to be present for the people who matter most in his life. What started as making playbooks for coaches and lesson plans for teachers soon turned into a full-blown education company as Shane claimed the title of “online entrepreneur.” Soon after, he and his wife realized they could share their resources and entrepreneurial gifts to help other families take control of their income, gain freedom, and create a future. After selling his education company, Shane stepped into a new venture to help others monetize their knowledge, wisdom, and passion through membership sites.

It might surprise you to learn that Shane only started speaking two years ago! Shane had been podcasting for several years but hadn’t taken the stage. However, he knew that in order to grow his platform, he would need to begin speaking. Together, he and his family decided to go “all in” and give it a try. During the pandemic, Shane received a surprising offer that he simply couldn’t refuse, and the rest is history! Now, he’s speaking to thousands of people on stages larger than he ever could have imagined.

Shane learned to embrace everything about himself and what he could bring to his audience. He would say it took a lot of “reps” to get it right, but his intentional preparation allowed him to be ready for whatever came his way.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How to stop your paycheck from owning you * Why friendships and relationships are the keys to success * Combining passion and purpose with a mission * Why you must take control of your income to gain freedom * Why you should podcast if you want to speak * How to prepare for any opportunity that might come your way * Why you have to be quick on your feet and ready to step up * And so much more!

Sharing in the excitement of our student’s success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business. A near-death experience eventually led Darwin Li to find his place on the speaking stage. He knew there was something he had to give others – insights and hard lessons from failure – that might help them face what flashed before his eyes in an unimaginable situation.

On a mission to discover the very best in himself and change the lives of others, Darwin has a unique ability to touch his audience through stories of reflection and impact. While his personal experience is one of great intensity, he shares his realization of how coaching itself can be life-changing and help draw out the strength and depth in your purpose.

Darwin Li eventually found The Speaker Lab and never looked back. During his conversation with Maryalice, he shares his realization about how TSL gave him “permission” to think differently while still inspiring his audience with a message of leadership. He has completed several programs at The Speaker Lab, and is sharing his experience and commitment to investing in his speaking journey. The resilience and determination that surround Darwin’s conversation with Maryalice will meet every speaker in any season.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Do you have to experience trauma to share a deep message? * How to understand your purpose through everyday choices * Why you need to exercise your mindset * What it looks like to reflect on a “would be” life * Identifying your ending and different ways to get there * Why there’s no shame in needing help * How to seize the opportunity and make the next move * And much more!

Amidst a global pandemic and just weeks after he and his wife welcomed their second son into the world, Wolf Millstone decided it was time to leave his full-time sales gig and start Wolf Millstone Group. It was time to take a leap of faith and begin his journey to the stage --- and that’s exactly what happened.

Just one year later and Wolf is bringing in six figures, booking gigs left and right, and is now in a position of needing to scale his business and bring on his first employee. In just 12 months the demand for his message on stage, in workshops, and for training exploded! He has experienced unprecedented growth and success because of his grit and intense desire to learn and apply strategies for success.

Where did he start you might ask? With Episode 001 of The Speaker Lab Podcast. Soon Wolf was listening to three episodes a day, seeking the counsel of trusted mentors and coaches, and then he was off and running with a website and demo reel. He’s first to admit that his temptation to strive for perfection was soon grounded by an intentional shift to start somewhere and keep learning amidst booking his first gigs.

His enthusiasm, passion, and tenacity are unmatched! Wolf’s unique story will inspire any speaker to remember why you started speaking and how you can continue making a difference.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Where he first got the idea to pursue speaking * Why he got fired from his first job * What is the exponential sales method? * How he applied valuable resources to create his own success * Figuring out how much to charge for a gig * How he’s diversified what he offers his audience * Why you have to ask for help * Resisting the urge for perfection * And much, much more!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Join Maryalice Goldsmith, Director of Student Success, and Lead Coach, Rick Clemons for our second episode of the Coaches Corner series!

Together they're unpacking the 5 biggest mistakes made by aspiring speakers and how to keep them from standing in your way of success.

Our coaches at TSL are in the trenches with students to challenge, encourage, and inspire as they navigate their own path to the stage. The structure of the TSL program and one-on-one coaching affords students the opportunity to seek counsel and rely on a trusted framework that will provide a healthy pace towards growth!

Maryalice and Rick unpack what it looks like to "niche down," why you have to take your speaking career seriously, and what it means to be a "squirrel" --- but you'll have to listen to the episode to understand this one!

Together they share their own experiences and what they've gleaned from working with so many of our TSL students.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What it means to work the framework * Why you should be a student of the speaking industry * How to have an impact with a specific audience * Things to consider as you grow your business – hire help! * Why clarity gets you booked and paid to speak * Why finding your niche will grow your business – faster! * Protecting yourself from distraction and comparison * And much more!

So, you’re thinking about hosting a podcast, but you don’t know where to begin?

Jeff Sanders launched his show, The 5 AM Miracle, 8 ½ years ago with no audience, minimal equipment, and the simple goal of expanding on the content he was already providing on his blog.

Fast-forward to today, and he has a wildly successful show that has catapulted his ability to network, market, and book gigs as a speaker and author.

How did he do it? He’s here to share! Jeff quickly realized that his show attracted the kind of people he wanted to work with.

During this episode, Jeff unpacks the power of podcasting and why it’s one of the best mediums to personally showcase your skills and talents. He walks us through the ins and outs, dos and don’ts, and creativity that make up the very best podcasts.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why podcasting is personal * What keeps an audience coming back for more? * Putting a positive spin on your brand for your people * Have you missed the opportunity to launch a show? * What equipment do you need to start? * Why audio quality matters * Show notes, hosting sites, and a simple call to action * Jeff’s best strategy to grow your podcast – today! * And much, much more!

So, you want to write a book, but you don’t know where to begin. That’s okay! Look no further.

Chandler Bolt leads the organization Self-Publishing School and has helped lead entrepreneurs through the process of bringing their own book to life through self-publishing.

His MOVE writing method helps build momentum through a unique checklist process that keeps the light at the end of the tunnel in focus.

During this episode, you’ll learn more about why self-publishing can help fast-track the opportunity to diversify revenue streams and provide your audience with a more personal introduction of yourself.

Chandler will also address questions about creating your cover, editing, formatting, and when you’ll know the right time to take the leap from rough draft to reality! If you’re at all considering adding a book to your repertoire, this is the episode for you.

Chandler brings actionable next steps, encouragement, and expertise that you don’t want to miss!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Traditional vs. self vs. hybrid, what’s best?! * Why your audience needs to meet you, in a book * How to self-publish without looking self-published * Why it’s important to simplify the process * Three must-haves to self-publish * The launch triangle * And so much more!

Want a copy of his book Published. for free?!
Check out the link here.

Sharing in the excitement of our student's success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business. Francesco Samarelli believes in paying it forward to fellow speakers and generously agreed to share about his journey to speaking success. One of the pillars of value for students at TSL is the ability to learn from one another and to be in the trenches together!

For Francesco it all started with an opportunity to take the stage that was followed up with a surprising response --- the audience loved him! He shares his journey of how at a young age his teacher, Mrs. Fowler, helped plant a seed that would inspire him to express himself and use his skill sets to share his message.

During this episode, Maryalice and Francesco take a deep dive into what it looks like to turn a passion into a career and what it looks like to educate and equip others through your message. There's something for everyone!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How to endure the race * His message of emotional management * Thriving on mission to share your message * How you know when you’re meant to be a speaker * Why coaching is vital to your success * Mindset, meditation, and other choices that matter * Finding focus in the hustle and bustle * And much more!

Are you a speaker? An author? Considering both? Jessi Beyer is both but her journey to this point in her career is not one you might expect! She joined us for Episode 381 to narrate her experience in building a business committed to helping others find healing through their struggles with mental health.

Jessi quickly found that the success of her first book catapulted her into a world of opportunity she’d not yet experienced as a speaker. She talks about her insecurities (or lack there-of!), what kept her motivated and energized, and why coaching earlier in her career was key to her success.

Jessi’s commitment to the process and can-do attitude has helped her pave a path to success, even at such a young age. Her enthusiasm and dedication to her mission and vision are hard to beat!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Finding confidence in your message * How to find the right audience * What it looks like to pivot from speaking to writing, and back again! * How to leverage a successful book launch? * Finding a balance as an author and speaker * Self-publishing vs. traditional vs. hybrid * Why putting in the hard work matters * And much more!

Want a copy of her book, How To Heal free?!
Check out the link here.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and find out what coaching is all about?! Well, you’re in luck. Because that’s exactly what the Coaches Corner Podcast series is all about. We’re handing the mic to Maryalice Goldsmith, Director of Student Success, and she’ll be sitting down with an esteemed member of our coaching team to take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers!

In this episode of the Coaches Corner series, Maryalice welcomes our Lead Coach, Rick Clemons, to unpack the topic of professional coaching. Maybe some of you have coaches, others are considering it, or some of you might be thinking --- what does it mean to have a professional coach?!

Maryalice and Rick are answering all your questions by sharing their personal experiences with coaching, the vision behind coaching at The Speaker Lab, and why it’s a crucial step in your success in building a speaking business. Their questions will challenge you, their mission will inspire you, and their candid approach will leave you asking for more!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Are you in your own way? * Do you need coaching? * Does mindset matter? * Why are you doing this? * Creating a customized plan for speaking success * What the best coaches are doing * “How” vs. “I get to…” * Systems and processes that lead to success * And much more!

We all have that little voice in our heads.

You know, the one that creeps in when we start to doubt ourselves and the ability to share our message.

So what can we do about that voice?

Kindra Hall is a successful speaker and author, recently releasing her book, Choose Your Story, Change Your Life: Silence Your Inner Critic and Rewrite Your Life from the Inside Out. She joined us to talk about her mission to combat the comparison game and help speakers protect their mentality and confidence.

The unknown challenges and necessary pivots of pandemic life have demanded that speakers adjust and keep their minds from wandering to the dark places of defeat. Kindra reminds us of where we’ve come from, how we’ve grown in recent years, and what it takes to find a balance of confidence and care when taking the stage ---- in person or virtually!

Her energy and willingness to share her own fears allow for an honest conversation packed with insight and encouragement to keep going.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Getting back in shape as a speaker post-pandemic * Why the comparison game is dangerous * The pros and cons of the inner critic * Understanding your “why” * Balancing pride and humility * Using stories and experiences to manage your inner critic * And so much more!

Sharing in the excitement of our student’s success is such a privilege for our team at The Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

Chris Failla has got an awesome story to share and you’re sure to leave this episode feeling inspired and encouraged to take the next big step in your own career. He’s full of heart and has a really unique narrative to share about what has inspired him to take the stage. Chris and Maryalice talk about finding your “deeper why” and how to use your message to make an impact.

During this conversation, Chris unpacks his process, how he came to find The Speaker Lab, and how this investment in his business and himself brought him to stages he never could have imagined. Chris is motivated by the desire to help others love their work for the long haul and have a sustainable impact on a human level. He’s the real deal, and he’s here to share!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * The moment he knew he was meant to speak * Being the light switch for your audience * What it means to honor “bedrock values” * The financial and emotional “why” * Researching your audience before you get on stage * Working through an “oops” * Why your “why” matters so much * And much more!

If you’re ready to hear a life-changing, vision-defining story of gratitude, then you’re in the right place.

John Israel is a friend and entrepreneur-turned-speaker who has redefined success in his unique niche of the industry. After serving for nearly a decade as the leader of a strategic gifting company, John found himself with a message of gratitude that holds the power to impact client and employee attrition.

In this episode he’s sharing his journey to defining the problem he solves and the vision he’s committed to living out. He unpacks the social experiment that changed his life and why it’s important to find your right audience and then teach them (rather than sell to them)! John also talks about why free events are the way to start and how strategic marketing and a willingness to pivot are essential in this industry.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * The competitive advantage in gratitude * Why experimenting, pivoting, and flexibility will help you find your niche * Teaching vs. selling, and why it matters! * Why you must find the right audience * Understanding the problem you solve * Why you must be true to your mission * And so much more!

Have you found the one? Not that one, but the one thing? The one and only Geoff Woods joined us for Episode 376 to explain what “the one thing” is and why you need to find it to achieve your goals.

Passionate about how small things make a big difference and why world-class content is a must, Geoff’s approach to productivity and building a business is contagious.

Not only will this episode help you begin your journey to finding “the one thing,” but you’ll also get to hear more about Geoff’s road to becoming co-founder and president of the organization, The One Thing.

How did he get started? By asking a simple question, “How might I be able to help?” And the rest is history! If you’re looking for the one thing that will reignite your “why” and lead you into the future, then this episode is a must!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What is “the one thing?” * Why does “the one thing matter?” * Understanding your goals * How to start a new career * What it means to prioritize (for real)! * Having a job vs. building a business * How can you help? * How can you find “the one thing?” * And much more!

The art of stagecraft. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. Understanding your artistic ability, and how to bring things to life, will separate the speakers from the professional speakers. So how do you find your inner performer?

Our lead coach, Rick Clemons, is the expert on helping others find where their star shines the brightest, and how to take delivery and content to the next level.

Rick takes a deep dive into what speakers should be doing to bring their craft to life while balancing the value of performance vs. being in the moment with your audience. He shares a few of his own first-hand experiences on the stage and how he’s relied on strong fundamentals and creativity to adjust his stagecraft for each audience.

What’s exciting is that Rick will also share about a special cohort we will be launching SOON here at The Speaker Lab.

Through live virtual sessions, Rick will be working with students to develop everything from volume, cadence, receiving constructive feedback, and navigating the technical things that make all the difference.

If you’re excited about what you heard in today’s episode and interested in learning more about our stagecraft cohort, visit thespeakerlab.com/stagecraft to schedule a call with one of our enrollment advisors. Rick is an amazing coach and he’s planned an incredible experience for our students - we hope you’ll join us!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Does booking gigs mean you’re a good speaker? * Finding your inner performer (not someone else’s) * The value of an outside perspective * Can stagecraft be taught or do you have to have the “it” factor? * Balancing performance vs. presence * How to join our stagecraft cohort * And much more!

You’ve done the heavy lifting, you’ve put in the sweat equity, and as a result, you have a thriving, growing business. And now you need help! So what’s next?

Erick Rheam joined us for Episode 374 to explain three things you must consider when you decide to build out a team. We’ll talk in detail about mapping out your organization, creating margin so you can focus on areas you need to focus on, and even how to interact with vendors.

Erick has so much insight to share because he’s worked through each of these challenges personally. He’s sharing his experience, and together we’ll highlight what has helped set us up for success along the path of growing as speakers and entrepreneurs.

If you’re wondering when it’s time to take the plunge and call in some backup, then this episode is for you!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What it means to manage your assets * When to fire yourself and make a new hire * Making project-based hires * Setting clear expectations * Employee compensation * Why the structure will continue to evolve * Analyzing fixed costs and ROI * How to find people to hire * And so much more!

Sharing in the excitement of our students' success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

Dana Knowles joined The Speaker Lab in April 2021. Her enthusiasm and motivation are unmatched, and she quickly engaged with our coaches and the Elite program. She’s always loved speaking and realizing she might be able to get paid to speak was a game changer. Passionate about sharing her extraordinary story with audiences, Dana shares more about her product that went to market and how that helped launch her speaking career. She also reveals the importance of accountability, networking, and goal setting as she continues to grow her speaking business.

Dana has overcome, conquered, and continues to strive for excellence. Her conversation with Maryalice will make you feel “not so alone” in the trenches of stepping out in confidence to grow your speaking business!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why coaching and learning from experience matters * Finding the right time to jump all-in * Why you can’t afford to make excuses * Taking the leap to make the financial and emotional investment * What to do if you’re successful * What it means to be a procrastinate-achiever * Reinventing yourself * And much more!

Dorie Clark is the real deal. She’s intentional, professional, experienced, sincere, and she’s passionate about educating others to take action with the future in mind.

Having just released her most recent book, The Long Game, Dorie joined The Speaker Lab Podcast to look at what you need to be doing today to build a successful (and sustainable!) tomorrow.

In this episode we cover everything from diversified income streams to finding the patience and persistence to give opportunities a chance to gain traction.

She’s also giving insight into building meaningful relationships and leveraging archival research to determine what business strategies have led to success for others and could work for you too.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Pre-pandemic vs. post-pandemic speaking engagements * What it looks like to provide a premium in-person experience * Why it matters to have diversified streams of revenue * How to build meaningful relationships * Why being a speaker is a long-term game * Researching what works * Why the “science of it” matters * And much more!

We have to start somewhere right? And we've all been there, trying to build a business, cash is tight, and we need to make ends meet.

Erick Rheam, a great friend of TSL, has found incredible success in recent years as his speaking career has taken off. He's about to release his sixth book and year after year he's breaking his own income records. So, how is he doing it?

Erick joined us for a deep dive into cash flow management. We're talking about four must-haves when it comes to building a sustainable business with a solid financial foundation.

There's no claim here to financial expertise, but you'll see from our conversation that there is a ton of life experience and business success to learn from as you grow your own speaking career!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * The cyclical nature of a speaking career * Why you need to treat your speaking career like a real business * What are money buckets and why do they matter? * What it means to "run lean" * Why you need a cushion of cash * Determining an ROI * Evaluating recurring expenses * And much more!

John Jantsch ---- author, speaker, marketing extraordinaire, and he’s here for Episode 370 of The Speaker Lab Podcast!

John just released his seventh book, The Ultimate Marketing Engine. When it comes to finding expertise on how to use book writing to grow your speaking business, John’s the one to give it. For decades he’s leveraged opportunities that fueled one another and created a growing platform for coaching, consulting, networking, writing and speaking. During our conversation, we cover the process of bringing a book to life, what it can do for your speaking career, and how to know when it's time to start writing.

So. --- if you’re intimidated by the idea of taking on more, but intrigued by what it takes to capitalize on meaningful opportunities, then this episode is for you!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Expectations for virtual gigs * Why every piece of your business should be connected * Evaluating opportunities * Why you should have just a few primary keynotes * How to build a business and a lifestyle * Pricing presentations and book sales * Using your book as a marketing tool * Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing * Understanding the problem you solve * And much more!

Sharing in the excitement of our student’s success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

Carrie Kerskie has been speaking for over 15 years to consumer groups about identity theft and helping victims of fraud. Through a variety of opportunities, she uncovered a passion for helping people develop their cyber intelligence. With the need to shift her perspective and learn how to land speaking gigs, Carrie found The Speaker Lab and everything changed!

She shares about finding her niche, learning to build a pipeline, create meaningful content, and how to tap into the pain points of your audience. Join Maryalice and Carrie for an energetic and encouraging conversation on what it looks like to work through our TSL Elite program!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What is a cyber IQ? * Living in a cyber security culture. * Creating perspective with a keynote. * How to develop a meaningful workshop. * Why we need to change our habits? * Coaching during the Elite TSL program. * Why finding your niche matters. * Working with event planners. * And much more!

He’s refreshingly funny, incredibly honest, and 100% awesome.

It wasn’t all fun and games when Mike Goodwin first took the stage, but through hard work, determination, and a gift for making others crack a smile, Mike has made a way for himself as a comedian and speaker.

During our conversation Mike shares how he got his start, what led him to comedy, and how he has found success in both! He shares how you can grow from your mistakes and what it looks like to pivot in the moment. He’s got a ton of experience and even more energy for the work he’s doing and the opportunity to help others learn from his journey. You’re going to love our conversation!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why your audience needs to smile. * Nature vs. Nurture as a speaker. * How to adjust to your audience. * How many “opportunities for laughter” does your speech need? * The art to using comedy in your speaking. * How do you know if you’re funny? * And much more!

There’s so much pressure in the speaking industry to land your big idea.

But how do you find it?

When do you know if it’s the right one?

What if it isn’t?

Jeff Goins brings tons of industry experience and “big idea expertise” to the table in this episode.

Jeff is demystifying the “idea formula” and unpacks why commitment to your craft, understanding your category of the industry, and getting your idea in front of an audience really matters.

He also explains why it’s important to show up and focus on making your idea more interesting rather than better. Jeff shares crucial steps needed in landing your big idea, and what to do once you have it.

No matter where you’re at in your speaking career, Jeff has a take-away that will leave you with a desire to build a big idea that will take your speaking career into the future!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What does it mean to be 80% same and 20% different? * Three steps to landing your big idea – but it’s not a formula! * Why you must get your idea in front of an audience. * Does it matter what your peers are saying? * Why should get good at copying other people? * When is your big idea, good enough? * And much more!

With over three decades of industry experience, Jane Atkinson of Speaker Launcher is a colleague and friend of our program. We’re so grateful she agreed to join us as a repeat podcast guest to dive into creating contracts!

When it comes to navigating the ins and outs of speaking contracts, the process can be overwhelming. Jane breaks down the must-haves, opportunities to be creative, and where we can go the extra mile for our clients. We also discuss the uncertainties in the business and how to build-in opportunities to add value and keep gigs on the calendar despite challenging times!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * The good news - for the speaking industry! * Is virtual here to stay? * How to create opportunity and build relationships * What are the basic elements of a speaking contract? * How to navigate travel (literally and contractually)! * Substitute or refund? * How to accept payment * The value of being proactive vs. reactive * And much more!

Sharing in the excitement of our student's success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

Michelle Onuroah joined TSL in January 2021 and never looked back. As an accomplished author and founder of The Center for Prophetic Listening, Michelle knew she had a message she wanted to share with the world. But how?

In this episode, Michelle shares her journey to discovering TSL. She unpacks the work and dedication she prioritized during her time as a student, and how it has propelled her business and opportunity to live out her purpose. She shares how she defined her why, found her ideal audience, and what it takes to get your story to the stage!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why become a speaker? * How she found her audience * Why Michelle made the investment * Why she loves TSL * What she loves most about her career * How to get ready for a gig * Her best piece of advice for you * And much more!

One of the very best parts about The Speaker Lab is our students. Every day our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, demonstrates unwavering commitment to helping them gain confidence, clarity, and a clear path to their very own speaking success. Coupled with her role as a coach, Maryalice has a passion for helping others discover their confidence and unpack their “why.” Maryalice has jumped into the trenches with our team, helping to equip our coaches and refine processes so we can bring our best.

With her own entrepreneurial background, Maryalice brings unique perspective and energy to our leadership team. In her short time with TSL, she has witnessed substantial growth and guided our team amidst increased student needs. Maryalice shares more in this episode about the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset and the value of systems in sustaining a growing business.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How she found her way to TSL, and why it was meant to be * What it’s like to be in the trenches with students * Meeting the needs of our students and equipping them for the future * Navigating the art vs. the business * Why an entrepreneurial mindset matters * Creating systems and operations for your business * And much more!

As our Director of Operations, KC Procter is truly the wizard behind the curtain here at The Speaker Lab. He’s a master of organization, efficiency, establishing new processes, and implementing awesome tools that support the mission of our core values. With a passion for keeping the day-to-day seamless and innovation at the forefront of future planning, KC has helped lead TSL into some of our greatest growth to date.

In this episode KC shares insight on the team culture at TSL, reflecting on our commitment to balance and growth that prioritizes delivering the very best to our team and students. If you’re wondering what it takes to establish and maintain systems and processes as you grow your business, KC offers insight and actionable steps that will get you moving in the right direction.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How are we prioritizing our core values at TSL? * When is it time to establish a checklist or workflow? * Why do systems and processes matter? * What are the best tools to help implement structure? * Is it possible to multitask? * What are best practices when it comes to time management? * How to build the right kinds of habits * And much more!

For Episode 362 I’m sitting down with Mr. Chris Seo, our Director of Marketing here at The Speaker Lab. His innovation and fearless leadership have helped pave the way for TSL to reach our people and share our platform. Chris shares the inside scoop on why our team is so unique and how it’s helping speakers position themselves effectively in the marketplace.

With a passion for branding and a wealth of expertise in identifying your market, Chris is helping equip our team and students with resources to make a difference in building your business. His insight and transparency into the world of marketing will leave you encouraged and prepared to take the next step and stand out among the crowd.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How are empathy and marketing connected? * Why it’s important to polish your idea and passion. * How to combat information overload. * The difference between your audience and your buyer. * What resources do you need to get started? * Why you need an online presence. * Why marketing and sales get you closer to what you actually want. * And much, much more!

It’s a privilege to work alongside a leadership team at The Speaker Lab who embodies our commitment to provide top-notch support, resources, and coaching to our students. For Episode 361 of The Speaker Lab Podcast, I asked our Director of Sales, Sam Hill, to unpack the parallels of his role and expertise with that of speakers ready to take their business to the next level.

Sam has walked alongside TSL through significant growth as we adjust and innovate to meet the needs of our clients. His commitment to people, process, and product has allowed him to equip an enrollment team that continues to bring their best. With a passion for helping students find their breakthrough moment and build their business, Sam is here to share the inside scoop on how to find success in sales and marketing, and how it can change the course of your business.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why is it important to focus on process rather than pizazz? * What it means to have conversations that matter. * How are we evolving to meet market needs at TSL? * Why sales should not be intimidating. * What is the role of your mental mindset to be successful in sales? * What are value assets and why are they important? * Why it’s important to take action…now! * And much more!

Have you ever wondered who is behind the scenes at The Speaker Lab? Episode 360 is one of a kind as I’ve invited our entire leadership team to join me on The Speaker Lab Podcast. Join us for the inside scoop on what it’s like to be part of the team at TSL and why we are so committed to making TSL the very best place to work.

I’m sitting down with Sam Hill (Director of Sales/Enrollment), KC Procter, (Director of Operations), Chris Seo (Director of Marketing), and Maryalice Goldsmith (Director of Student Success) so they can share how we work together to create a winning product and experience for our students.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How do we ensure TSL is one of the best places to work? * How do we balance growth and caring for our team? * What does it look like to preserve organizational culture? * Is it possible to stay connected as a virtual company? * What is an OKR and how do we utilize this methodology? * Our favorite tools that assist our day-to-day * Why you should consider joining the TSL team * And much, much more!

On Episode 359 of The Speaker Lab Podcast, I’m sitting down with my good friend Shawn Hanks, leader of the Premiere Speakers Bureau.

The last 18-months have been anything but predictable for all of us. We have been provided unique challenges and opportunities in the speaking business. Some of you might be wondering, are we past the impact of the pandemic? Will the industry come back? How can I best prepare for the unknown?

Shawn reflects on this time of refinement for speakers and how to fill the gaps to continue moving forward. He’s also sharing his insights on the current state of the industry, what’s to come, and how you can thrive amidst the unknown. Listen in for all of the details on this episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Identifying the biggest trends in scheduling in-person vs. virtual events. * How sector, region, and municipalities are playing a role in bringing back live events. * What topics and needs are event planners looking for speakers to address? * Is it possible to be a full-time virtual speaker? * How to connect and support event planners amidst constant change. * Why your content matters most. * How to write a contract with in-person and virtual components. * Why it’s important to turn your speaking into a business. * And much, much more!

Tamsen Webster is the author of Find Your Red Thread and she's also a sought-after keynote speaker and business strategist.

On today's episode, we talk about what it means to find your red thread, and how to build a successful speaking career around it.

Please join us for this informative and engaging conversation on the 358th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What is the red thread? * Where do you start to find your own red thread? * How do you know when you've found your throughline? * Why you must find your specific audience for your message. * How do you know if a red thread is viable or not? * What are the best strategies for testing your ideas? * What are the four qualities of a successful red thread? * And so much more!

Have you ever thought of YouTube as more than a place to host your videos? What if you could find out how to use YouTube to grow your speaking business? The man to tell us how is none other than my friend Thomas Frank.

Thomas went through our Booked and Paid to Speak trainings a few years ago. I met him when he was in college; I spoke at his school. We stayed in touch and he's become extremely successful, especially with his YouTube channel.

On today's show, we talk about his origins, how you can use YouTube to build your audience and find and book potential speaking gigs, and best practices for YouTube videos to generate more interest and views. Join us for Thomas' insights on those subjects and much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is his strategy when he goes to a conference?
How does he use his platform to build relationships?
What other income streams has he built aside from speaking?
How Fizzle and Pat Flynn influenced his platforms and business growth.
What is the second biggest search engine after Google?
Is it best to position yourself as a topic expert or a speaker?
What are the 3 factors to succeeding on YouTube?
What can flags teach us about using YouTube effectively?
And so much more!

Setting up your virtual speaking studio is an important part of building your speaking business.

And the man to guide you through the nuts and bolts is Craigery Dennis: a video production wizard. Today on The Speaker Lab, Craigery and I are talking about the fundamentals of setting up your virtual speaking studio.

Join us to hear it all on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How can videos help you find your people? * What is the #1 thing to know before setting up your virtual studio at home? * Why the primary use of your equipment matters. * What are some options for dynamic Zoom presentations? * Why getting a high quality microphone is the best investment to start with. * Is there an inexpensive option for a great backdrop? * What is the most flattering light to work with? * Is there a way to soundproof your studio? * And so much more!

Do you track any of your speaking metrics? Our guest today, Erick Rheam, says there are 5 key metrics to growing your speaking business.

Erick has been on the show before so you can revisit his story on episode 126 and episode 150. I brought him on to today's episode of The Speaker Lab to talk about the exponential growth he has had using certain key metrics. Specifically there are 5 key metrics he focuses on, and those metrics have taken his business from $15,000 to nearly $200k in under 4 years.

Even if you're already successful in your speaking career you'll learn plenty from hearing about Erick's metrics and how he uses them to gauge the health of his business. Tune in for those insights and more with Erick Rheam on episode 225 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are lagging indicators versus leading indicators?
How has he determined his $5,000 speaking fee and when does he raise it?
What are the 5 steps in his prospective gig pipeline?
How soon should you contact a prospect who shows interest in hiring you?
When does he stop everything and focus on generating leads?
What does it mean to him if no one books him from an event where he's speaking?
How many gigs does he aim to book from each of his speaking events?
Why you've got to be serious about the numbers if you want to be serious about speaking
And so much more!

Networking to build your speaking business doesn't have to be complicated or take a lot of time.

Here to tell us why and how to do it is Jordan Harbinger, the host of The Jordan Harbinger Show and a masterful networker. On today's show, he explains how you can get started building your network and the major benefits of networking that money cannot buy.

We'll be diving deep into those topics and more on episode 356 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Are some people naturally better at networking and relationships? * Why being of value to people is often the reward itself. * How much time should you spend every day building relationships? * How does he get speaking gigs and deals without marketing? * What does it mean to ABG (instead of ABC)? * Does networking mean doing things for free for others? * What is Connect Four and how do you use it? * How often should you network in person versus online/virtually? * And so much more!

Does the idea of cold calling strike fear into your heart? It won't after today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

Joe is an up and coming speaker who has quickly added a lot of gigs to his calendar by using the four rules of cold calling for speakers. On this episode, Joe tells us what those four rules are as well as how to remove the fear of cold calling and how to make it easy for your prospects to say yes to you.

This is another terrific guest you won't want to miss so be sure to join us on episode 223 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did he first uncover the power of cold calling?
How can you get your foot in the door of an industry in which you are not known?
Do you have to go in hot to a cold call?
How do you know if you are a good fit for a potential opportunity?
Why uncommon commonalities are important in your cold calling process.
What's the best way to reach out: phone, email, or social media?
How expecting nothing and appreciating everything will explode your business.
The type of follow up you can do to show your gratitude for the people who help you.
And so much more!

Joining us to explain the process of becoming a referable speaker is the dynamite duo of Michael Port and Andrew Davis.

On today's The Speaker Lab, we talk about their latest book, The Referable Speaker. We also discuss what a referable speaker is and how to become one before diving into how they test out new speech material and the biggest mistake speakers make when starting out.

You'll hear those topics and more when you tune in for the 355th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What are stage-side leads and how do you get them? * Why you need to work on your speech first. * What are the two things you need to get stage-side leads? * Is there a time frame for building momentum? * What are the three main factors that generate referrals? * This is one of the biggest myths in the industry: what is it? * What are the top three ways meeting planners find speakers to book? * Which category of speakers do meeting planners love to book? * And so much more!

Hugh is one of our rare 3-peat guests and he's back to tell us how to use blogging to book speaking gigs.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, Hugh specifically explains why you should blog to grow your speaking business including how often you should blog, what you should blog about, how long your blog posts should be, and where you should promote your blog.

In addition to being a keynote speaker and best-selling author, Hugh runs a business called BlogWorks. BlogWorks is a company devoted to helping speakers book more speaking gigs through the art of blogging.

Hugh shares his wealth of knowledge and more so join us to hear it all on episode 229 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How often should you post to ensure you're relevant?
Why more is not necessarily better.
The three steps to take after you write every blog post.
Should you write your blog for your audience or people who hire speakers?
What are the two ways to know if your blog post resonates with your audience?
What should you do if you have run out of topic ideas?
Is there a standard format you can use for your blog posts?
What four statistics should you focus on?
And so much more!

Lois Creamer is a legend in the industry and she's here to give you practical advice for succeeding in speaking.

On this edition of The Speaker Lab, she tells us how she got involved in the National Speakers Association, what relational selling is and why you should use it, and the role virtual speaking will play in the future of the speaking industry.

You'll hear her insights on those topics and much more on this practical and applicable episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * When you're starting out, how much time will you spend selling? * What three pieces of advice does she have for speakers? * What is relational selling and why is it so effective in the speaking business? * How to get paid more through refining your target audience. * When should you wave your speaking fee and when should you raise it? * How can you find out if your expertise is marketable? * Why you must be willing to pick up the phone to qualify a lead. * What questions should you ask about speaking virtually? * And so much more!

Wondering how to transition into speaking full-time? The Speaker Lab guest today, Erick Rheam, has made the leap, and he'll talk about what it's like to turn pro and make your speaking career a reality.

Erick is one of our original Booked and Paid to Speak students, and today he's a highly successful speaker. But he only recently left his corporate job to pursue his speaking career on a full-time basis.

You'll hear what gave him the confidence to finally leave and so much more on episode 239 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When did he know he had to choose between speaking and his job?
What were the two reasons speaking was a good fit for him?
What you should do if your boss isn't supportive of your speaking side hustle.
What are the two keys to being successful at something?
Should your target market and topic evolve throughout your speaking career?
What was the tipping point that showed him it was time to leave his job?
Why you need mentors in your life.
What are the biggest regrets most people have in their lives?
And so much more!

If a six-figure speaking business is one of your goals then you're going to love today's episode!

Lisa Perez is one of our super successful students at The Speaker Lab. Today she's here to share with us her HR background and how she went from speaking for free to building a six-figure speaking business of her own.

Listen in and hear how you can follow in her footsteps on episode 353 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Are business plans necessary? * Would she recommend doing free gigs? * How do you leverage past engagements into future ones? * Why she recommends contacting associations for speaking opportunities. * How did she narrow her focus to find her audience? * What is needed to shift from free gigs to paying ones? * Why systems and structures are necessary to financial success as a speaker. * What advice does she have for new speakers? * And so much more!

Our guest on this episode has delivered 90+ plus events every year for the last 11 years, and has spoke in 57 different countries and has been paid to speak over 2500 times.

His name is Phil Jones and he spends the bulk of his time helping people sell with more confidence and more credibility while getting better results.

You’ll hear how he does that along with what the markets are like in South America, Europe, Asia and Australia when you join us on the 240th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Are there budgetary variations in Europe vs. South America vs. Asia?
Why you must allow yourself to go through periods of reinvention.
What two businesses should every speaker have?
If you are outside of the US, what are practical ways to break into that market?
The importance of getting clear on why you want to speak internationally.
Why should every speaker do simultaneous translation at least once?
What little things can and should you do when speaking to an international audience?
Why giving yourself permission to try, play and fail can create some of your best experiences.
And so much more!

How to exit a corner might not be a phrase you're familiar with but it could be pivotal to helping your speaking career.

Ron Tite is here on The Speaker Lab to explain how this term from race car driving applies to speaking. Ron is a very successful international keynote speaker who is back for this third appearance on the show.

Hear us talk about how to exit a corner and more on episode 352 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How to embrace the reality of the room when you're speaking. * What is a force majeure clause? * When did he begin embracing virtual speaking? * Why he rushed to figure out content before technology. * How long should you be developing your new speech? * What's the future of virtual speaking in his business? * How to work within limitations. * Can speaking virtually make you a better in-person speaker? * And so much more!

One of your greatest resources is your network. As you make connections, build relationships and ultimately grow your business, your network is essential. Erick Rheam is a former student of The Speaker Lab and now a friend, colleague, and coach in our program. He joined me in this episode to discuss specific ways to leverage your network and cultivate referrals that will ultimately help you land more speaking gigs.

We’re answering a ton of questions in this episode including how to prioritize your contacts, when to follow-up, how to engage best in your market, and what it means to create win-win scenarios for you and your contacts.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is a simple way can you better engage your market?
Which two questions will help reverse engineer potential referrals in your network?
What are the three priorities in your network?
Why the “spray and pray” email strategy does not work.
What should you say in your first contact email to your network?
How to create win-win scenarios for you and your contacts.
How do you follow up without being annoying?
What are ways to show appreciation for people who help you?
And so much more!

Check out the episode and more details here!

Today we are talking about the perfect intro: how to explain what you do as a speaker so people understand and want to hire you.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, renowned speaking and branding expert Clay Hebert, is here to explain how he helps people find what they do and also how he helps people define and share their perfect intro.

We'll be diving into those topics and so much more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why does he want to kill the elevator pitch? * What are the three myths of the introduction? * How to frame the perfect intro so it elicits a response. * What are two rules to the perfect intro? * Can you ever use your perfect intro in other communications? * Why you should focused on becoming an expert who speaks, not a "speaker". * Should your intro change over time and can you have more than one? * What is a case story and how do you construct yours? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Clay Hebert's web site * Clay Hebert on Twitter * Clay Hebert on Instagram * Text intros to 33444 * Episode 5 of TSL * Episode 260 of TSL * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Are you overlooking some simple ways to book more gigs? You’ll find out when you listen to today’s show!
Kris Reece is a professional faith-based speaker who also coaches and writes books for women about reaching their fullest God-given potential.

On this episode we talk about some issues she is facing in her speaking business. Specifically, we help Kris find new gigs, leverage connections from previous gigs and evaluate whether it makes sense to pay to speak.

Join us to hear insights on those topics and more on the 232nd edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the reasons you should consider speaking for free?
Why you send an invoice even if you speak for free.
The two things you can do during a speaking gig to generate future gigs.
What’s the best way you can approach previous clients for referrals?
How do you evaluate whether you should buy a sponsorship and pay to speak?
What is one of the quickest ways to build a relationship?
How do you find the key person who books speakers at big events?
Why you should never stop marketing your speaking services.
And so much more!

Check out the episode and more details HERE!

As a public speaker you are the brand, you are the product. Here to explain more is our guest Mike Kim.
On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Mike explains what a personal brand is, the three broad markets all speakers fall within and how to narrow your focus in one of those markets.
Tune in to hear those details and so much more on the 350th edition of The Speaker Lab. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Can you have a brand without having stepped foot on a stage? * What are the 3 questions he asks people to find their branding message? * What is the difference between a how to-preneur and an idea-preneur? * Why you should niche down now and pivot later. * What do Marie Condo and Brene Brown have in common? * Why it all begins with storytelling. * What are the 5 levels of awareness for your prospect? * When do you have to be the most focused in your branding? * And so much more!

Preparing for your speech is an important aspect of giving a great talk and here to give us her trade secrets is Melanie Deziel.

If you’ve been here before you know Melanie is a frequent co-host of the show and she joins us again on The Speaker Lab to give you a breakdown of her personal speaking preparations.

We give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we each rehearse and get ready for the stage. We specifically talk about music we listen to, food we eat or don’t eat, how much we hydrate, and what else we do in the hours leading up to the talk. Get your head right and body right before you take the stage, hear how on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How far ahead of time should you have your content down pat?
How to use voice recording to help you in preparing for your speech.
Why not to touch your content the hour before you go on stage.
What is the best way to prepare your voice for your speech?
Should you work out the day you are speaking?
What to do backstage before giving your talk.
What else should you schedule for your gig day?
How to find out if there’s a courtesy clock or countdown clock before you go on stage.
And so much more!

Check out the episode and more details HERE!

Preparing for your speech is an important aspect of giving a great talk and here to give us her trade secrets is Melanie Deziel.

If you’ve been here before you know Melanie is a frequent co-host of the show and she joins us again on The Speaker Lab to give you a breakdown of her personal speaking preparations.

We give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we each rehearse and get ready for the stage. We specifically talk about music we listen to, food we eat or don’t eat, how much we hydrate, and what else we do in the hours leading up to the talk. Get your head right and body right before you take the stage, hear how on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How far ahead of time should you have your content down pat?
How to use voice recording to help you in preparing for your speech.
Why not to touch your content the hour before you go on stage.
What is the best way to prepare your voice for your speech?
Should you work out the day you are speaking?
What to do backstage before giving your talk.
What else should you schedule for your gig day?
How to find out if there’s a courtesy clock or countdown clock before you go on stage.
And so much more!

Check out the episode and more details HERE!

Preparing for your speech is an important aspect of giving a great talk and here to give us her trade secrets is Melanie Deziel.

If you’ve been here before you know Melanie is a frequent co-host of the show and she joins us again on The Speaker Lab to give you a breakdown of her personal speaking preparations.

We give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we each rehearse and get ready for the stage. We specifically talk about music we listen to, food we eat or don’t eat, how much we hydrate, and what else we do in the hours leading up to the talk. Get your head right and body right before you take the stage, hear how on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How far ahead of time should you have your content down pat?
How to use voice recording to help you in preparing for your speech.
Why not to touch your content the hour before you go on stage.
What is the best way to prepare your voice for your speech?
Should you work out the day you are speaking?
What to do backstage before giving your talk.
What else should you schedule for your gig day?
How to find out if there’s a courtesy clock or countdown clock before you go on stage.
And so much more!

Check out the episode and more details HERE!

You might think going from playing in the NFL to public speaking is a natural transition. Our guest today, Desmond Clark, has made that leap and is here to tell the tale.

Desmond is a successful speaker and student at The Speaker Lab. He's also a former NFL player who spent most of his career with the Chicago Bears. On today's episode he tells us what led him into the speaking realm, how the pandemic impacted his business and the critical role a system has played in his success.

Join us to hear that and more on episode 349 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Has he always been drawn to speaking? * Are there similarities between speaking and playing in the NFL? * How did he make the leap from occasional speaking to regular gigs? * Did he also face fears and doubts when starting public speaking? * Is it natural to question yourself? * How does he filter which free gigs he agrees to do? * What's been the biggest pay-off for him? * How do you know if you are speaking for the right reasons? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Desmond Clark's web site * Desmond Clark on LinkedIn * Desmond Clark on Twitter * Desmond Clark on Instagram * HubSpot's web site * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to The Vault --- a special edition of The Speaker Lab Podcast where we are unlocking timeless episodes by revisiting some of your favorites from the show.

Do you want to book more gigs? What about 100 speaking gigs in a calendar year? Good news - Ty Bennett is telling us it’s possible AND how to make it happen.

You'll hear:

How Ty sold his portion of a direct sales business to take on full time speaking
How he built his speaking business from scratch
What tips you might need, how you can improve, and how to connect with your audience
Practical lessons on how to gauge your own ability as a speaker

Check out the episode and more details HERE!

Changing your mindset to be a better speaker is the foundation for growing your business, according to our guest on today's show.

John Michael Morgan is an exceptional speaker, best-selling writer and coach who works with leaders and entrepreneurs from small businesses to large companies like Disney, Google and Starbucks.

Today on The Speaker Lab, John explains the more common challenges he sees in his line of work, the state of people's mindsets as a result of this pandemic and why and how to create the optimal mindset for success.

Join us for those subjects and so much more on episode 348 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How can you clear up your own limiting beliefs? * Does a positive mindset come easily to some people? * What did a Harvard study determine as the top factor in overcoming challenges? * Can you be so positive it is detrimental to you? * How do you maintain a healthy perspective on your own progress? * Why scheduling is a key part of rewriting your own story. * What's the key phrase to use when creating your new beliefs? * How to set your intentions for the day, every day. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * John Michael Morgan's web site * John Michael Morgan on Twitter * Books by John Michael Morgan * Episode 169 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 182 of The Speaker Lab * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome back to The Vault --- a special edition of The Speaker Lab Podcast where we are unlocking timeless episodes by revisiting some of your favorites from the show.

Do you ever wonder how some speakers are charging $20K for a gig and others can’t make ends meet? Mitch Joel is here to tell us how to become a highly sought-after speaker that can charge MORE.

If you’re curious about the “must haves” that will take you to the next level --- this episode is for you! Mitch talks all about speaker identity, helping you find your “content center of excellence”, and how to know if you’re killing it on stage.

Check out more episode details HERE.

Being an education speaker is Kyle Scheele's forte, he's very good at it.

He's also an education speaker on TikTok with over 2 million followers, and he has an amazing story of how he reached his first million in 25 hours! Plus, Kyle covers topics like following your own interests, writing and marketing his first children's book and whether or not he recommends following in his own eclectic footsteps.

Hear all of that and more on episode 374 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Did he have a specific strategy for being on TikTok? * Is TikTok something you should invest in if you're an education speaker? * What's the best way to transfer social media followers to email? * How Kyle grew his following from 17 to 1 million followers on TikTok in 25 hours. * What speakers would benefit most from being on TikTok? * Do you have to start over if you are moving into a new industry? * Why is he pursuing speaking in the corporate world? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Kyle Scheele's web site * Kyle Scheele on Twitter * Kyle Scheele on TikTok * A Pizza With Everything On It by Kyle Scheele * Episode 102 of The Speaker Lab * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to Episode 004 of The Vault --- a special edition of The Speaker Lab Podcast where we are unlocking timeless episodes by revisiting some of your favorites from the show.

If you’re looking to break into the college circuit, this episode is especially for you! I’m sharing my personal experience from the stage and highlighting 9 potential markets that exist within almost any institution.

This episode will help position you to market yourself effectively with colleges, universities, and the decision makers. We’re talking about three foundational questions you need to ask before pursuing a “new to you” market.

Check out the episode and more at https://thespeakerlab.com/speak-colleges/

What is the key to building a future-proof speaking business? The one and only Chris Ducker is here to tell us.

Chris is a veteran guest of the show but if you've missed his previous appearances on The Speaker Lab, he's a renowned entrepreneur, speaker and author. He's built several multi-million dollar businesses, written two best-selling books and traveled the globe sharing his insights with audiences everywhere.

You'll get to hear that wisdom on episode 346 of The Speaker Lab with Chris Ducker.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. * What other streams of revenue should you build beyond speaking? * How do you know which income stream(s) to pursue? * What has been the biggest game-changer for his business? * How do you stay focused while still being aware of opportunities? * Does he still have insecurities and doubts? * Do you have to work on your weaknesses? * Why pivoting is a natural progression of your journey. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chris Ducker's web site * Chris Ducker on Twitter * Rise of The Youpreneur by Chris Ducker * Virtual Freedom by Chris Ducker * Episode 175 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 15 of The Speaker Lab * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Virtual Freedom: How to Work with Virtual Staff to Buy More Time, Become More Productive, and Build Your Dream Business

Welcome to back to The Vault --- a special edition of The Speaker Lab Podcast where we are unlocking timeless episodes by revisiting some of your favorites from the show.

Today we’re talking about how to sell yourself as a speaker with Matthew Kimberly. Matthew shares how to build trust and credibility in sales and as a speaker. Matthew shares his masterful approach to speaking for free and the secret behind his successful business model.

Check out the episode and more HERE.

Embracing business development as a speaker might not be your favorite aspect of speaking, but it is one of the most critical.

And our guest, Mo Bunnell, is an expert on the topic. Mo is a speaker, author, and trainer. On today's show, Mo tells us how he went from being an actuary to a business development (BD) expert generating over $70 million in client revenue to running his own BD organization.

Join us to hear Mo's insights and expertise when you tune in to episode 345 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What did he get wrong in the beginning and how did he rectify it? * If you want to climb do you have to cut? * What has given his company stickiness and scale in a big way? * Why you don't need to be all things to all people. * How long is the half-life of speaking? * What's the thing most people miss? * How does the "give to get model" work? * What does he suggest if you don't enjoy the business development side of speaking? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mo Bunnell's web site * BD Habits video training * Bunnell Idea Group's web site * The Snowball System by Mo Bunnell * Mo Bunnell on Twitter * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to the Vault --- a special edition of The Speaker Lab Podcast where we are unlocking some of your favorites from the show.

In this episode, Jason Hewlett discusses how he struggled with how to start before finding great success as a professional speaker and entertainer. Jason shares how he made his dream a reality by establishing a plan and taking clear action to find his niche in the industry.

Learn more about Jason's story and the episode HERE.

Being a CEO and speaker is an enormous challenge and our guest embraces it fully!

Today Kara Goldin is an ultra successful business owner, author and speaker. On this edition of The Speaker Lab, she tells us how working with legendary organizations like CNN and Time magazine led her to create Hint, write her best-selling book Undaunted and become a sought-after keynote speaker.

Join us to hear her insightful tales and lessons on episode 344 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Did she embrace speaking opportunities right out of the gate? * What made her not use slides during speeches? * How does she balance being a CEO and a speaker for her brand? * Why you can't buy your way into a new category. * Do you need to tell the story of your speaking brand? * Does she still have fears and doubts today? * How do you choose which opportunities to say yes to? * Where should you start if you are beginning as a speaker? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Hint's web site * Undaunted by Kara Goldin * Kara Goldin on Twitter * Kara Goldin on Instagram * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters

The speaking industry's future is our topic today with speaking world veteran Blair Nichols.

Blair has worked with everyone from the Harper Collins' speakers bureau to Keith Ferrazzi to Advance Your Reach, where he currently works today.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we'll talk about the shifts he sees coming up in the speaking industry's future and how to keep a healthy mindset while building your speaking career.

You'll definitely want to tune in for that and much more on the 343rd edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How can you get the attention of a bureau? * Should you be open to all speaking opportunities (even free ones)? * How to approach a decision-maker to land a gig. * Has the pandemic changed anything about the best way to book gigs? * What is the time frame now for booking digital events? * Will there be more events in the virtual world going forward? * What's the rule of thumb regarding your virtual fee versus your in-person fee? * Is the bureau model going to be disrupted? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Blair Nichols on LinkedIn * Email Blair * Elite Speakers Agency web site * Blair Nichols on Twitter * BombBomb video service * Clubhouse app * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

With parts of the world opening up again, what is the future of virtual events? Our guest today has some insights and she's sharing them.

Christy Burch is an event planner who joins us to talk all things virtual events. On this edition of The Speaker Lab, she's giving us the full details on the future of online events including the most common mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

You'll hear those topics and more on today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * When should you not host a virtual event? * Does the size of your list determine your success? * Do you need a polished offer before hosting a big virtual event? * What's the best way to promote your virtual event so people actually attend? * When you have a small list what should you focus on? * How much should you charge for an online event? * Why you want to delay giving your audience access to recordings. * Is real-life swag a worthwhile investment for a virtual event? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Christy Burch's web site * Christy's virtual event checklist * Christy Burch on Instagram * Zoom meeting web site * Streamyard's web site * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Today you'll go behind the scenes of The Speaker Lab with the man who has been here from the start: Bryan Harris.

Listen in to hear Bryan ask me questions and vice versa; we talk about a few of our favorite books, the importance of coaching at any level and the main differences between those who flourish and those who don't.

We'll dig into all of that and more on episode 341 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What's the best way to teach and train people? * Why the "ah ha" moment is crucial to your success. * Why to start with the end of a story. * What's the #1 reason businesses shut down? * Is it ok to borrow other people's platforms to share your content? * How to keep showing up even when things get difficult. * The lesson we can all learn from Kobe Bryant. * What's one of the biggest cheat codes in business and in life? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Harris' web site * Bryan Harris on Twitter * The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunningham * The Lifestyle Investor by Justin Donald * Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks * Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson * Episode 28 with Bryan Harris * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The Road Less Stupid

Expert Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Creating a Mass Movement of People Who Will Pay for Your Advice (1st Edition)

The Lifestyle Investor: The 10 Commandments of Cash Flow Investing for Passive Income and Financial Freedom

Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling

Why is finding your signature message key to longevity and success as a speaker? Our guest will tell us!

Erick Rheam is back for episode 340 of The Speaker Lab and he'll explain what a signature message is and why it's critical to helping you survive and thrive during times of change (like the recent pandemic).

Join us to hear those subjects and more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What are the differences between a hobbyist and a professional speaker? * What are the four main reasons a signature message is important? * Who are some examples of speakers with signature messages? * Why riches are in the niches. * Is it ok to try something new at a speaking gig? * Why you shouldn't be afraid to prune down your message. * What role does mindset play in finding your signature message? * Why does having a creative outlet help you as a speaker? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Twitter * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One of the most intimidating aspects of becoming a speaker is developing a powerful talk. Here to help us is Mike Pacchione.

Mike is an incredible speaker who also helps Speaker Lab students to develop their talks. On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we get into details like why lists work well as a speech, how to figure out what lesson you're sharing with your audience, and how to take the pressure off yourself.

Join us to hear that and much more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why is a presentation like a math problem? * What's the best way to get all of your ideas out of your head? * When should you use case examples? * How can you make your talk more versatile? * Is it part of your job to make adjustments on the fly? * What to never say at the end of your speech. * Should you start with your best story? * What does he do differently when giving a powerful talk virtually? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mike Pacchione's web site * Mike Pacchione on Twitter * Mike Pacchione on Instagram * Episode 263 with Mike Pacchione * Episode 9 with Mike Pacchione * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Creating your talk is one of the basics of becoming a great speaker.

Joining us to lay out the details of this process is Harriet Turk. Harriet is a masterful speaker who also helps Speaker Lab students create their talks. On this episode, Harriet walks us through the basic steps, the role of stories and much more.

Tune in to hear it all on the 338th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What is the first thing you must know when creating your talk? * Is it okay to use secondhand stories? * How do you know which stories are usable? * Should you use a story that is emotionally charged? * How is authoring a story different than presenting a story? * How to tweak and develop your story over time. * Should you write out your entire speech? * Why memorizing your speech can lead to disaster. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Harriet Turk's web site * Harriet Turk on Twitter * Harriet Turk on Instagram * Episode 252 with Harriet Turk * Episode 82 with Harriet Turk * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How have you been pivoting in response to the pandemic? It's impacted the speaking industry and hear to tell us all about it is repeat guest and friend of the show, Clint Pulver.

We're catching up with Clint to hear about the pivots and shifts he's made during the pandemic into virtual speaking and what he sees as the long-term implications within the industry.

Join us to hear why he resisted virtual at first, the versatility virtual speaking offers and so much more on today's The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What does trombone oil have to do with speaking? * How do pop-ins add to his business? * What are ways he's combatting Zoom fatigue for his audiences? * How can you keep a pulse on the audience when you're online? * How has virtual helped him become a better speaker? * Where should you start when upgrading your virtual production? * Is virtual always going to be a part of his business? * How to ease your clients' nerves about doing virtual gigs. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Clint Pulver's web site * Clint Pulver on Instagram * Episode 226 with Clint Pulver * The Speaker Lab with Clint Pulver * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you need the solution to overthinking? If you stopped to think about it then you probably do! Our guest today has your answer.

Jon Acuff, masterful author and speaker, is here to talk about his latest book, Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking. On today's The Speaker Lab, Jon tells us what broken soundtracks are, specific ways to insert positive soundtracks into our lives and a few stories about bombing on stage.

You'll definitely want to hear his insights and tales so join us for episode 336 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What are "trailer moments" and why do you need to have them? * Does he struggle with Imposter Syndrome? * Do negative voices ever totally go away? * How can you recognize your own broken soundtracks? * What is the goal of any good thought? * What are the three questions to ask of your loudest soundtracks? * Why being fearless is ridiculous. * Can making mistakes actually help you connect with the audience? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jon Acuff's web site * Jon Acuff on Twitter * Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, by Jon Acuff * Jon Acuff's podcast * Jon Acuff's other books * Episode 167 with Jon Acuff * Episode 294 with Jon Acuff * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What's it like to go from a career in music to comedy to speaking? Our guest has done it and he's here to share!

Today Jeremy Rochford is an amazing public speaker and a coach in our Booked and Paid to Speak program, but he began work in the music world. On episode 335 of The Speaker Lab, Jeremy tells us about his journey from music to comedy to speaking, and some of the most common roadblocks speakers face when starting out.

Listen in for that and so much more on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What is the promise you're making to your audience? * Is booking gigs for music similar to booking gigs for speaking? * What can Chris Rock teach you about stage presence and delivering your speech? * Why does he recommend doing a comedy open mic night if you want to speak? * Why doing the things that terrify you is powerful. * What did he learn from his TedX experience? * Success is right at the edge of where? * Why you should focus less on your goal and focus on this instead. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jeremy Rochford's web site * Jeremy Rochford's Tedx Talk * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How do you effectively market yourself?

The Speaker Lab just created a new resource highlighting 22 ways you can get booked and paid to speak by marketing yourself. These 22 tactics are all about how to establish your expertise and online presence.

Here more from Grant on this important topic in this episode and check out the blog with the free download HERE.

If you're serious about succeeding as a speaker, learning how to continue scaling your speaking business is essential.

Joining us to dive into this topic is Nanette Hitchcock, a successful leadership expert and one of our very own coaches at The Speaker Lab.

On this episode, Nanette describes her journey from speaking for free to a leadership expert and coach who continues to scale up her speaking business. It's all here on episode 334 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What helped her gain momentum and be recognized as a leader? * How does she blend coaching and speaking within her business model? * If you really want to get paid how should you approach speaking? * Does Imposter Syndrome occur for everyone at some point in their careers? * How can you get over the mental hurdles that are keeping you from taking action? * How to be coachable and why it's critical to your success. * What are the differences between those speakers who make it and those who don't? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Nanette Hitchcock's web site * Nanette Hitchcock on LinkedIn * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What would you do to learn how to land a $40,000 speaking gig?

Fortunately all you have to do is listen to today's show and implement what our guest did! Our guest is Erick Rheam and he's here to share the details on how he signed his biggest contract so far. Today on The Speaker Lab he goes through his experience in detail so you can follow in his footsteps.

Join us to hear it all on episode 333 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How can you create a hybrid of offerings to meet your clients' needs? * Why you shouldn't run away from your market and what you already know. * Can you align your passions with your experience? * Why you should look for creative outlets to test your ideas. * How did he learn the lesson to book gigs from gigs? * What phrase should be music to your ears as a speaker? * Why believing in your message is key. * How do you start to mine the gold in your network? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Twitter * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What was 2020 really like for full-time speakers?

Our guest, Ty Bennett, is sharing his experience on today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

Ty typically does around 100 live, in-person gigs a year so 2020 was very different for him. On this edition, he talks about the changes he made as the lockdown began and how his business evolved over the course of pandemic and his advice for new speakers.

Join us to hear that and more on episode 332 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Where does he see the momentum shifting now? * Will virtual continue to be a part of his business? * What benefits has he found in virtual speaking? * Are people valuing virtual speaking equally in terms of fees? * What is the average lead time for virtual gigs? * How does he engage with his online audiences? * Does production value matter? * Where are keynote speakers finding opportunities today? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ty Bennett's web site * Ty Bennett on Twitter * Ty Bennett on Instagram * Episode 162 with Ty Bennett * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you heard of using Clubhouse for your speaking career? Clubhouse is the hottest app right now and it's by invitation-only.

Friend of the show, Brian Fanzo, is joining us on today's The Speaker Lab. He's here to talk about what it is, how to use it for booking gigs and how it has helped his mental health during the pandemic.

Hear us dive into those Clubhouse-related topics and so much more on episode 331 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What's the difference between speaking for free versus speaking for no fee? * What is his top tip for using Clubhouse as a speaker? * How is this app like a pop-up mastermind? * Why asking great questions on Clubhouse is the way to stand out. * Is it better to host or participate? * How this app has helped his mental health through this pandemic. * How can you find your groups on this app and insert yourself in their conversations? * Should you have a call to action? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Brian Fanzo's web site * Brian Fanzo on Clubhouse * Grant Baldwin on Clubhouse * Brian's Misfit Mafia * Brian Fanzo on Twitter * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you're looking to better understand how to speak to associations you are in luck!

Today's guest is Katrina Davis, who has been an event planner and education director for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives for over 15 years.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, she tells us about what she has learned from her work with a variety of speakers, how COVID has changed their approach to events and much more!

Listen in to hear it all on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How speaking at one association can open the door to many more gigs. * What question should you ask to adapt your speech to an association or industry? * When should you speak to members of an association? * What is one thing good speakers do ahead of time? * What can you do to get on the radar of an event planner? * Do your videos need to have recent footage of you speaking? * What info should your web site have on it? * Are there certain approaches that are more effective when following up? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives web site * NRECA web site * Katrina Davis on LinkedIn * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How to consistently find and book gigs is definitely necessary knowledge for all speakers!

And the person to share that knowledge is our guest today, Taylorr Payne of Speaker Flow. His business, Speaker Flow, helps experts build better businesses so they can spend time doing the things they love - like speaking from stage. On this edition of The Speaker Lab, Taylor and I talk about the main challenges speakers run into and how systems and processes apply in the virtual speaking world.

Hear those topics and more when you listen to episode 329 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What are the most important systems you need as a speaker? * Who can sell you better than you? * How do you find the balance between technology and humanity? * Why do so many prospecting efforts fail? * What should be automated and what should be personalized in your sales process? * Why you shouldn't solely rely on outsourcing. * What are the approaches working best during the pandemic? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Speaker Flow web site * Taylorr Payne on LinkedIn * Taylorr Payne on Instagram * Technically Speaking podcast * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What is the current state of the speaking industry? What is the latest? Erick Rheam is going to tell us.

Erick is a student of The Speaker Lab who now coaches for us in addition to having his own successful speaking business. As a coach, he hears from other speakers what is happening out there. Today we dive into the system he utilized to have a better year financial year than the previous one and hear answers to the most common questions speakers are asking him right now.

Listen in for all of that on episode 328 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How did he bring in over $300k in 2020? * How do you know how much to charge both virtually and in person? * What two questions can you ask yourself to shift your business right now? * Can you start from scratch and gradually invest in your virtual studio? * How having a system can help you in the good times and the difficult times. * Should you chase events or can you create your own? * Why COVID is actually a blessing for speakers. * Is virtual here to stay and if so, how does it shape future events? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Twitter * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know what is different about public speaking versus corporate speaking? Our guest does and he's here to tell us.

Ryan Avery is a speaker who got his start by winning the Toastmasters' World Championship of Public Speaking. Today, he talks to leaders and companies about what it takes to be THE go-to in an industry versus just another option.

Today he shares how got started in speaking on a fluke, how he became a World Champion public speaker in 8 months and why it's important to know the differences in public speaking versus corporate speaking.

You'll hear his thoughts on those subjects and more on today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Does everyone have something to say and a story to share? * What are the pros and cons of Toastmasters? * Do people hire you to speak or for your strategies? * Is there a wrong way to go into the speaking business? * What are the ways to nurture your speaking abilities? * Who are the three types of people you must add value for as a speaker? * Why and how to continually challenge yourself. * Why isn't he on any social media and how is it actually good for his business? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ryan Avery's web site * Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday * World Championship of Public Speaking web site * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How to focus and adapt as a speaker is one very important lesson everyone can learn, especially during a pandemic. Curt Steinhorst is an expert on focus and attention, and he's become adept at adapting thanks to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Curt speaks, writes and coaches on the science of attention. Specifically, he helps organizations and teams create a culture that fosters focus and attention. On today's The Speaker Lab, he tells us how he chose this area, he's pivoted and adjusted his speaking and other revenue streams during 2020, and what he plans to do in the near future.

You'll hear all of those topics and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How to balance what people are hiring for and what you want to talk about. * What kind of emotional prep can help you with the ups and downs of building a speaking business? * How can you utilize your past accomplishments as a foot in the door for speaking opportunities? * What did he do when 90% of his revenue disappeared in one week? * Why did he take an extra month off in the middle of the pandemic? * How does virtual speaking fit into his business now and going forward? * When did he hit his groove with speaking online? * How far in advance are people booking speakers right now? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Curt Steinhorst's web site * Can I Have Your Attention? by Curt Steinhorst * Curt Steinhorst on LinkedIn * Curt Steinhorst on Twitter * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Can I Have Your Attention?: How to Think Fast, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Concentration

A great way to land more speaking gigs is through event planners, and here to tell us how to work with event planners is Roy Cevallos.

Roy is an event planner and program manager for the Northwest Public Power Association. He works with a lot of speakers so we'll talk about what he looks for in new and existing speakers for his events, plus what things look like in this new, strange virtual world of speaking.

Join us to hear all of that and more on episode 325 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How can you be persistent without being annoying? * Where does he find most of his new speakers? * Why it's important to tap into your own network, and how to do it effectively. * What is the biggest roadblock he's experienced with speakers? * Why finishing your speech on time is critical. * What is one thing you can do to make an event planner's job easier? * How can you continue to evolve and polish your presentation? * Are we going towards a hybrid of live and virtual events, even when the pandemic is over? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Northwest Public Power Association's web site * Roy Cevallos on LinkedIn * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

2020 was a year like no other so it's natural for speakers to wonder about the future of live events. And our guest for today's edition of The Speaker Lab is going to weigh in with his wisdom.

Brandon is the Vice-President of Premiere Speakers Bureau and, prior to the pandemic, his job was to ensure their yearly 2,000 live events were all going off as planned. March of 2020 changed all of that and on today's show he shares what this year has been like at his agency. He also gives us his views on the future of live events and whether or not this is a good time to get into the speaking industry.

Join us to hear the details on episode 324 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Where has he found pockets of business during the pandemic? * What is the average difference in fees for virtual speaking versus live? * Is virtual a real option for the long term? * Why aren't keynotes working as well for virtual and what is? * Will virtual be a live add-on for the future? * How can you capitalize on virtual for more opportunities in the long-term? * What factors influence virtual speaking fees and how can you ensure you're on the upper end? * How soon does he think speaking events will be happening live again? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Premiere Speakers Bureau web site * Brandon Edmonson on Twitter * Brandon Edmonson on LinkedIn * Episode 163 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 242 of The Speaker Lab * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Speaking has changed because of COVID-19 and here to share about pivoting during a pandemic is our friend and yours Karen Harris of CMI Management.

Karen is a return guest, previously joining us on episode 210 of The Speaker Lab to share about speaking management. But today we're looking at how speaking has changed in light of the global pandemic, what the future holds and the differences between the speakers who are succeeding and those who aren't during this unprecedented time.

Join us to hear those details and more on the 323rd edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How did they pivot hundreds of their events because of the pandemic? * What was a catalyst for stronger movement in the industry? * What are the big milestones that will make people more comfortable with in-person meetings? * Does she think virtual speaking is here to stay? * What are shifts speakers have made to be successful in this new environment? * Why it pays to diversify your offerings. * What areas are doing well right now and will continue to do so? * How can speakers make virtual as impactful as possible? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * CMI Speaker Management web site * Karen Harris on Twitter * Episode 210 of The Speaker Lab * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What does it look like if you're scaling your speaking business? Our guest today shares his journey from being a one-man show to scaling his speaking business beyond just himself.

Houston Kraft is a speaker in the education world, as well as an author and the founder of Character Strong. On today's Awesome Health, he tells us how and why he started Character Strong along with the long-term implications of being a youth speaker in the education space.

Listen in to hear all the details on episode 322 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How did he combine his interests and passions to find his speaking path? * How do you start with what and who you know? * What's the best way to find a need you can fulfill for your audiences? * Why is this business a momentum business? * What's the first thing to think about if you want to build a speaking business not dependent on you? * The importance of boundaries when you're scaling your speaking business. * Can you say yes to too many things? * How your content can shift if you aren't the only one delivering it. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Houston Kraft's web site * Character Strong web site * Houston Kraft on Twitter * Houston Kraft on Instagram * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How to tell a great story and help audiences are two of the strongest skills a speaker can have in their repetoire, and someone who knows full well how to do both is Chris Field.

If you're a long-time listener of the show you'll remember Chris from a previous episode (123, which you can find here). But if you are new and/or haven't heard Chris before, he is a successful keynote speaker who founded a non-profit organization over a decade ago. With his background in that area, today he mainly speaks to associations and other non-profit groups.

Creating and running his own non-profit gave him a sense of purpose and led him to the topic he mainly speaks about now: empowering audiences to disrupt for good, something he has been doing most of his life. In fact, being a disruptor has been such a notable part of his path that he wrote a book called Disrupt For Good.

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, Chris tells us why disruption can actually be a good thing, how the pandemic has shifted his business and how he made the adjustment, and why it's cool to be in several industries.

Join us to hear that and more on the 321st edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What to do if you have the potential, but need a plan. * The three things you need if you want to be a successful speaker. * How can you transition from telling a great story to helping audiences and solving problems? * What's the difference between giving a good speech and disrupting and transforming audiences? * How he leverages his credibility into additional speaking gigs. * What advice does he have if you're feeling discouraged? * Why is it important to continue to get your reps in? * What is the best marketing for a great speaker early in their career? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chris Field's web site * Mercy Project web site * Chris Field on Twitter * Chris Field on Instagram * Chris Field on Facebook * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Is changing speaking topics a difficult transition? It can be done and here to tell us about the journey is Jessica Kriegel.

Jessica is an author, leadership expert and speaker who is a researcher at heart. On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, Jessica tells us how and why she got into speaking, what it's been like changing speaking topics and her advice for people looking to make it in the speaking world.

Join us to hear that and more on episode 320 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What was the goal of writing her first book? * Why did she seek out coaching to grow her speaking career? * What does your online presence have to do with your speaking success? * How did she translate her subject expertise into speaking topics and audiences? * Can you work with people who are not in your target industries? * Why you should consider doing your outreach yourself. * Are there downsides to changing speaking topics? * Do speaking bureaus do her marketing for her? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jessica Kriegel's web site * Unfairly Labeled, by Jessica Kriegel * Jessica Kriegel on Twitter * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Unfairly Labeled: How Your Workplace Can Benefit From Ditching Generational Stereotypes

The beauty of speaking is that you can do it full-time or you can make speaking as your side hustle. Our guest today has done just that. Ryan Gottfredson is a leadership professor at Cal State-Fullerton, and his speaking and consulting work on the topic of mindset is his side hustle.

Today on The Speaker Lab, he explains why the connection speaking offers is so fulfilling for him and how speaking feeds the other avenues of his business today.

Join us to hear his wisdom on these topics and even more on episode 319 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Where's the most bang for the buck coming from in his prospecting? * Did his early free gigs help him gain momentum? * Why you want to focus small versus focusing on big. * How effective is speaking as a lead gen tool for his consulting biz? * What questions should you ask before choosing a speaking course? * How has he pivoted as a result of the pandemic? * What early steps does he recommend taking if you are starting out? * And so much more!

How to speak on cultural diversity and inclusion is our topic for today's edition of The Speaker Lab. Joining us is speaker, consultant and corporate leader J. Israel Greene.

Israel speaks to tech companies on leadership development, diversity equity and inclusion. He works with them on cultural issues that often show up as low employee engagement, stalled sales and poor leadership. He helps them transform that culture through workshops and consulting.

On today's show, Israel tells us when he made the jump to a speaking career and how the Booked and Paid to Speak network has generated over $20k for him in his business. You can hear that and more when you listen in to episode 318 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Which of his acting skills does he apply to speaking? * What personal stories does he include in his content? * How did he know he wanted to make speaking into a business? * What are "fuel up" moments? * Can you borrow other people's stories and still be a great speaker? * How to reconcile your interests with what the market needs. * What does he do when he gets frustrated? * How does he use "lunch and learns" to generate business? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * J. Israel Greene's web site * J. Israel Greene on Twitter * Glassdoor web site * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

As a speaker, creating impactful stories matters. Here to talk about how creating impactful stories is something you can do consistently to help grow your speaking career is Rain Bennett.

Rain has been a documentary filmmaker who knows how to tell a good story when you don't have a lot of time, money and resources. Today he helps those folks understand the storytelling tactics they can use to make impactful video stories for their audiences. You'll hear about that plus how he went from his first non-paid speaking gig in the basement of a library to national keynotes in a year.

Join us for that plus his advice for anyone trying to build momentum on today's The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What strategy can get you from doing free gigs to being paid to speak at big conferences? * Should you make your social media a hybrid of your personal life and your professional? * Why sharing your missteps and struggles is so powerful to growing your network. * What does it mean to find your unique intersections? * How honesty and transparency became keys to his success. * Can you rely on discipline alone? * How can you go deeper with current clients during the pandemic? * Why inaction is the enemy and how to tackle it. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Rain Bennett's web site * Six Second Stories web site * Rain Bennett on Twitter * Rain Bennett on Instagram * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith has gone from physician to full-time speaker, and she joins us to tell us how she made the leap!

After two decades in the medical world, today Dr. Saundra speaks about burn out and work-life integration. During episode 316 of The Speaker Lab, we talk more about her own experiences in this realm and how she made the transition from physician to full-time speaker, and how the pandemic has impacted her business and her life.

Join us to hear those details and more on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What is the key to restoring ourselves without stopping all activities? * How many types of rests are there? * When should you start small? * How can you build a speaking business while you're working in another field? * Why your fee should include your time for studying your specific audience. * What part of the process was scary for her? * How many years did she speak before going into it full-time? * How did she adapt to virtual speaking and will she do it more in the future? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith's web site * Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on Twitter * Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on Instagram * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you have an interest in speaking in the tech space? Our guest is a premiere speaker in that industry and she's here to tell us about it.

Ilana Golan helps executives grow in their careers from performing better to reinventing themselves. Prior to speaking she worked in engineering and tech working her way up the corporate ladder. On today's The Speaker Lab, hear why she moved over to running her own enterprise and how she made the move from unpaid speaker to six figures.

Join us for all of that and more on episode 315 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Do organizations take it more seriously when they pay you? * What's the recipe to make you shine as a speaker? * What is the assumption if you aren't putting your message out in the world? * What two groups hire speakers in the tech space? * How can you accelerate your growth as a speaker? * Why you don't need to find the biggest keynotes to make an impact. * What changes has she made due to the pandemic? * Why you need to invest in yourself and your business. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ilana Golan's web site * Ilana Golan on Twitter * Ilana Golan on Facebook * Ilana Golan on LinkedIn * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One key to creating a thriving speaking business is knowing your identity and knowing what you bring to the table as a speaker.

Our guest is an expert at helping others know themselves and what they have to offer. Rocky Garza is a speaker and coach whose focus is on how our identities play into the roles and positions we fill. On The Speaker Lab today, we dive into what his life was like before he became a speaker and coach, how he made the leap and how he's adjusted to speaking during a pandemic.

Join us to hear that and more on episode 314 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why are so many of us "illiterate" about ourselves? * Can fearlessness and vulnerability co-exist? * What is the link between intensity and intimacy? * How to learn not to apologize for being who you are. * What is the most powerful thing we have as speakers? * How did he land on the corporate space as his audience, even though he's never worked in that world? * If you want to be a speaker then what should you do? * What single pivot led to him booking at least 10 events since the pandemic started? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Rocky Garza's web site * Rocky Garza on Instagram * Rocky Garza on Twitter * Rocky Garza on Facebook * Rocky Garza on LinkedIn * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Overcoming adversity is an experience almost everyone has at some point in their lives. Our guest today was faced with this challenge early on and today he shares how doing so led to his speaking career.

Chris Ruden speaks to corporations and non-profits about overcoming adversity and diversity inclusion, especially regarding diabetes. Chris was born with a limb difference, he had most of his hand amputated when he was born. At 19 he was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease. That diagnosis was his wake up call to do something, which led him to his current speaking path.

On this edition of The Speaker Lab, we talk about what his speaking business looks like today (including how it shifted as a result of COVID), and he tells the story of how he landed his first $50,000 client.

Join us to hear it all on episode 313 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why it's okay to change course when opportunities present themselves. * Why becoming a great speaker is not enough to have a successful speaking business. * When is opportunity the worst thing that could happen to you? * What's the difference between someone who talks to a crowd and a speaker? * How can you change your outreach to increase your fees? * How finding your core message will help you narrow your market. * Why your job as a speaker isn't over when you finish your speech. * What one question can you ask yourself to help define your message as a speaker? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chris Ruden's web site * Chris Ruden on Instagram * Chris Ruden on Twitter * Chris Ruden on Facebook * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever doubted if your message matters? Our guest has literally written the book on this subject and today he is sharing some of his insights on the matter.

Jonathan Milligan is an entrepreneur and speaker with over a decade of experience helping people hone and fine tune the messages they have to share with the world.

We dive into his experience plus how to believe in your message and define it so you can build a business around it. Listen in for all of that and more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How can you stop falling into the comparison trap? * Do we need outside perspective to see our own gifts? * Is it ok if your passions change? * What are egoic labels and why are they relevant to your audience? * What is the hourglass funnel and how does it work? * What are some red flags to look for when exploring your topic and your target audience? * How do you know if the market is saturated or if there is a niche opportunity? * What are the basics you need to grow your reach? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jonathan Milligan's web site * Your Message Matters by Jonathan Milligan * Jonathan Milligan on YouTube * Jonathan Milligan on Twitter * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Today we are talking about building your speaking web site: how to create it, what mistakes to avoid and what you must include.

We cover all the ins and outs of building your speaking web site with Rick because he's one of our coaches in our Booked and Paid to Speak program. He works with our Elite students to help them build their ideal speaking web sites.

Join us to hear his insights straight from the trenches! It's all here on Episode 311 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Who should you be building your speaking web site for? * How do ensure your site appeals to multiple generations? * What are the "must-haves" for your web site? * How can you create a demo video if you have no experience? * Where should your contact info go in your demo video? * How to ensure you have great lighting any time of day or night. * Should you fit your entire talk into your demo? * Every page of your web site is about what? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES: * Rick Clemons' web site * Rick Clemons on Twitter * Episode 40 * Episode 56 * Episode 203 * Episode 208 * Episode 241 * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How to shift to virtual speaking is something many speakers are exploring now, and our guest is sharing with us some of his best strategies for doing so.

Brian Lord has been an agent at Premiere Speakers Bureau for over 25 years. His career began in college when he booked gigs for local talent, including a gospel singer and speaker. Fast forward two decades later and he's still going strong!

On this episode of The Speaker Lab he shares what he is seeing in the speaking world today in light of the current pandemic. You'll hear how this pandemic compares to other dips in the market and his advice for new and established speakers.

Be sure to join us for that and more on episode 310 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Will virtual speaking have a real place in the future? * How are fees shifting in the new virtual space? * Is there a different skill set to be funny on video versus live? * Why your content must be delivered in a different way. * Are there any best practices that are exceptionally effective right now? * Do you need a different demo for virtual gigs? * Are all good speakers also good at speaking virtually? * Is it taking event teams longer to book speaking talent? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Premiere Speakers Bureau web site * Brian Lord on Twitter * The Successful Speaker * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome back to our fifth and final episode in this series on The Power of The Pipeline!

Once again Erick Rheam is joining us as our co-host. If you missed the first four parts of this series be sure to go here for part I, part II, part III and part IV. Then come back and listen in to this episode, the final piece of the speaking pipeline.

Today we are wrapping things up with a discussion on the contract negotiations stage: this is the cherry on top after all your efforts have paid off. You'll even hear Erick's story of securing a $20,000 gig.

It's all about closing the deal so be sure to join us for episode 309 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What are some situations in which it isn't possible to get a deposit? * What are items to include in your rider? * Why you should be specific with the introduction you send to the client. * What is the agreement package and the 3 parts it entails? * How do you follow up once the contract has been sent but not signed? * At what point do you send a final email to close out? * When do you need to have your own insurance? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Episode 6 * Episode 85 * Episode 171 * Episode 188 * HubSpot CRM web site * Pipedrive web site * The Successful Speaker * Speaker Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid To Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome back to the fourth in a five-part series called The Power of The Pipeline! Joining us again is your friend and mine, Mr. Erick Rheam.

If you missed last week's episode of The Speaker Lab (part III on episode 307), check it out here. You can also hear the first stage of the pipeline on episode 305 and the second stage on episode 306.

This week we are digging into the fourth stage: the proposal stage. Things get real in this step of the process as you'll find out when you listen in to episode 308 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * At what stage of the pipeline should you be introducing pricing? * How many pages should you proposal be? * Do event planners mind when you follow up? * What are the six parts of your proposal? * Where should you include testimonials and how many should you have? * When should you follow up after sending a proposal? * What is first right of refusal? * Is it okay to send a proposal for a talk you haven't finalized? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * HubSpot CRM web site * Pipedrive web site * Speaker Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to 307, the third episode in our five part series on The Power of The Pipeline. Joining us is my friend and co-host for this series, Erick Rheam.

Last week we covered the second stage which is the contact made stage (you can find the second stage here and the first stage here). This week on The Speaker Lab we are talking about the phone meeting stage; we will cover the two goals you should have for all of your phone meetings and why you should save pricing talks for the phone.

You'll hear details on why this stage is the most important part of this process - so be sure to take notes and follow step by step when you listen to episode 307 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Is it more effective to schedule a call? * What research should you do before getting on the phone? * Why you need to focus on the event and the event planner. * What is the number one thing you have to ask when on the phone? * When should you walk away from a potential gig? * What factors go into your pricing fee? * How to make the ask to secure the gig. * Why you always want to leave the connection open for future business. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * HubSpot CRM web site * Pipedrive web site * Speaker Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to the second episode in our 5-part series on The Power of The Pipeline. Joining me again as co-host is Erick Rheam, our Director of Student Success here at The Speaker Lab.

Last week we covered the first stage, the lead in stage of your speaking pipeline. If you missed it you can listen here.

This week we are diving into the second stage: making contact. In this stage, your primary goal is to move from email exchanges to talking on the phone with your contact. There are 8 steps to make that happen and you'll find out what they are when you join us for episode 306 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What are the two ways to schedule a phone call with your contact? * When should you schedule your follow up calls? * What is the magic move and how do you implement it? * Should you contact people every year? * Why there's power in being willing to walk away. * Is it ever a good idea to give pricing over email? * When do you know you aren't reaching out to enough people? * Why a 70% failure rate at this stage is great! * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * HubSpot CRM * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Episode 305 is a brand new series focused on the power of the pipeline.

Joining me as co-host for this series is Erick Rheam, our Director of Student Success here at The Speaker Lab.

Today we are talking about the five stages of the pipeline, including an in-depth discussion on stage one from initiating contact with a lead, structuring your follow-ups and avoiding several common mistakes speakers make.

Hear the details on all of that and more when you join us for episode 305 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What is a pipeline? * What four things do you need your CRM to do for you? * What are the five stages of your pipeline? * When should you embrace a high failure rate? * Is an email the most professional first step? * What are the major parts you should include in your introduction? * How many follow up emails do you send and how often? * When is it appropriate to follow up to your original email? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * HubSpot CRM web site * Booked and Paid To Speak program * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever wondered how to work with a speaking agent? Our guest, Li Hayes, has all the info you need to decide if an agent is right for you!

Li runs a boutique speaker agency and works with a dozen different speakers. On today's The Speaker Lab, she tells us what her role is as their agent and what you need to do if you are looking for an agent. She shares her advice for emerging speakers and what you should and shouldn't be doing when working with event management.

We wrap up with her tips on what is working right now for speakers so be sure to join us and listen in til the end of episode 304 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What's the difference between a bureau and a speaking agent? * Who actually needs an agent and who needs a personal assistant? * What are the best ways to find and book gigs if you are an emerging speaker? * How narrow should your market be? * Why you should stop trying to get on a big stage. * What is pull marketing? * What are the big 3 event planners want? * Why connecting with your audience makes a difference onstage and offstage. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Li Hayes' web site * Li Hayes on LinkedIn * Episode 267 with Jesse Cole * Got questions? Send them in here! * The Successful Speaker * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Speaking part-time to grow your full-time business can be a surefire way to expand your reach, maximize your impact and your bottom line. Our guest is a living example of this and she joins us to share her journey.

Liz Bohannon is a very successful keynote speaker but speaking itself is secondary to her full-time gig. Primarily, she is the founder and CEO of a lifestyle jewelry company called Sseko Designs.

On today’s The Speaker Lab, she tells us how speaking moves the needle of her lifestyle business and whether she is representing herself when she speaks or her business. We finish with what value there is in experiences themselves, including one of the riskiest and craziest stories you may ever hear!

Listen in to hear that story along with her passion, energy and insights on episode 303 with Liz Bohannon.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How do you harness the power of your own stories? * How to translate your personal experiences into topics for your audience. * Why sharing your message is an act of service to others. * When does she speak on behalf of herself and when does she speak on behalf of Sseko? * What questions should you ask to pinpoint the best speaking events for your business? * Should you build your business and your service for one person? * What do we need instead of more content? * Why you should give yourself time to let the "wow" set in, before the "how". * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES: * Liz Bohannon's web site * Sseko Design's web site * Beginner's Pluck, by Liz Bohannon * Liz Bohannon on Twitter * Liz Bohannon on Instagram * Got questions? Send them in here! * The Successful Speaker * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Stories are one of the most important tools for any speaker. So how do you tell stories that stick long after you've finished speaking? Our guest has the answer. Kindra Hall is a renowned speaker and author who is here to talk all things storytelling.

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, Kindra and I talk about storytelling for speakers, whether to use first person or third person and how to ensure your stories are built around your audience.

There's so much great content on this show so be sure to join us and hear it all on the 302nd edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How do you recognize when you're in the middle of a story? * What are the three reasons stories are so valuable to a speaker? * What parts of your speech should be illustrated with stories? * Is there a right balance of stories to include in your speech? * Does every story need to have an action item? * How do you use a bystander story effectively? * What makes a timeless story versus a time-sensitive story? * How to use social media to develop a story. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES: * Kindra Hall's web site * Stories That Stick, by Kindra Hall * Kindra Hall on Instagram * Kindra Hall on Twitter * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Ryan Giffen is an agent at Premiere Speakers Bureau and he's here to give us an update on the current state of the speaking industry.

He's been an agent for over a decade. While he's joined us in the past to talk about education and working in a speakers bureau, on today's show he's going to tell us what he's seeing on the front lines right now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ryan works with speakers and event planners on a daily basis so he has his finger on the pulse of the industry. Listen in to hear his perspective and much more on episode 301 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How are the different markets responding to the current pandemic? * Are certain avenues opening up more than others right now? * What kind of flexibility will you need as a speaker? * How do you need to prep differently for virtual speaking? * How can you tier your fees for virtual gigs? * Is virtual just a stop gap until we can get back to in-person events or is it the new normal? * When do you need to readjust your pricing? * Why you should focus on how your content can add value in different ways. * And so much more!

Don't quit your day job to start a speaking career. Begin building your speaking business on the side.

During this Speaking Workshop, We Cover:

The 7 things you must clarify from the outset
Where to spend your time and money as you get started (and where not to)
The one thing you CANNOT do while trying to grow your speaking business
Why not all full-time jobs are created equal
Why your plan should take into consideration the type of boss you have
The change levers you can pull to set yourself up for success
Live Q&A at the end with Grant and Erick

We answer the following questions:

Which one of the 4 full-time job types are you in?
Which one of the 4 types of bosses do you have? (This is a fun one to answer.)
Which one of the 3 life phases are you in?
Which one of the 4 career phases are you in?
Which one of these 4 financial situations sounds closest to yours?
What are your speaking goals? (We’ll help you make some if you don’t have any!)
What changes are you truly willing to make?

Schedule Your 1:1 Strategy Session Today: https://thespeakerlab.com/call/

Three amazing students join us for this very special 300th episode of The Speaker Lab!

All three of our guests today are students of The Speaker Lab and they crushing it. They are here to share their insights, wisdom and secrets to success. Going forward we're going to be sharing more students' stories on bonus episodes so be sure to join us for their stories.

And we've got a huge giveaway in honor of episode 300 and to thank you for being a listener! The grand prize winner receives free enrollment in our new program: Virtual Speaking Pro. This person will also receive five of my favorite speaking books, plus a free copy of my book, The Successful Speaker, and a free one-hour one on one coaching call with me. Want to enter? Go here!

Even if you don't win the grand prize, you might one of the lucky five runner up winners! Each of those winners will receive a copy of my book and a one-hour group coaching call with me and Erick Rheam (our Director of Education at The Speaker Lab). You can enter right now.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why it matters what you are saying to yourself. * Does everyone battle self-doubt? * When do you need a coach? * How long does it take to see results? * Why you must pick a lane, even if your topic appeals to all audiences. * How each of these speakers have pivoted during the pandemic. * Why you need to get reps, and how to do it. * How do you approach speaking for the long game that it is? * And so much more! * Celebrate our 300th episode with us by entering this giveaway!

EPISODE RESOURCES: * Kate Garnes' web site * Kate Garnes on Twitter * Email Kate Garnes * Daniel Lantis' web site * Daniel Lantis on Twitter * Jake Thompson's web site * Jake Thompson on Twitter * Email Jake * Episode 300 Giveaway * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One area we haven't touched on is how to be a corporate trainer, my friend Michael Bungay Stanier is here to change that!

Michael is a well-established keynote speaker and corporate trainer. On today's The Speaker Lab, we talk about what topics work in this industry, positioning yourself versus positioning a product/program, and who hires corporate trainers.

We have a lot of fun during this informative and practical conversation with Michael, so please join us for episode 299 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What's the distinction between selling yourself versus a product? * Why you need standards if you are going to scale. * How to define "good enough" and why you must. * Are there both prizes and punishments to scalability? * Can you dabble with having other people speak for you? * What are the three delivery models and what do they entail? * How should you determine your fees? * When do you charge per participant? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Michael Bungay Stanier's web site * Box of Crayons web site * The Coaching Habit, by Michael Bungay Stanier * Michael Bungay Stanier's other books * Michael Bungay Stanier on Twitter * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever

We talk about relationships but what about building relationships through giving gifts? What are the dos and don'ts of successful gift-giving? Here to tell us is gifting expert, best-selling author and keynote speaker John Ruhlin.

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, John tells us who to give gifts to, when to give gifts, and how to reframe gift-giving as an investment versus just another line item expense.

You'll hear those topics plus a few great gifting stories on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * How to show appreciation even during a pandemic. * Why gifting is the purple cow of business. * Why doesn't he allow his clients to send gifts at Christmas? * What makes gifting one of the most effective ways to stand out in a crowd? * Why you should stop putting logos on your gifts. * What are the four buckets of the Inner circle and how do you invest in those buckets with gifting? * Why you should never send a gift after receiving a referral. * What should you do if you cannot afford to give gifts? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * John Ruhlin's web site * Giftology by John Ruhlin * John Ruhlin on Twitter * How to Create a Gifting Plan For Your Business (for free) * Email John Ruhlin * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How to speak to the medical field is a question I get asked a lot, and today our guest is answering it. Nisha Mehta is a practicing physician, specifically a radiologist. She also speaks around the country to medical professionals on the topic of burnout.

Today we talk about how she got started speaking, the different speaking opportunities in the medical industry, whether or not you need a background in medicine to speak to doctors and how to use media to position yourself as an expert.

You'll hear those insights and much more on episode 297 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What is the typical speaking season for the medical industry? * Do you always have to choose between a job you love and speaking? * Can you get hired to speak on a topic that's important, but no one else is talking about? * What are some topics speakers are hired for in the medical industry? * How important are credentials in being hired to speak? * What specific speaking opportunities are available within the medical community? * What area is harder to get into within healthcare? * What niches have bigger budgets? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Nisha Mehta's web site * Nisha Mehta on Twitter * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Today's conversation is a discussion on race and the speaking industry with my friend Nicole Walters. Nicole is an incredible speaker, amazing entrepreneur and phenomenal human being.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we talk about the heavy but important topic of racism in the speaking world. We talk about what exists in the marketplace for her as a Black woman, how she sees things that I don't as a white male. She also gives advice for minority speakers and shares what the speaking community at large can do to better support diversity in the industry.

These are serious topics but Nicole brings her humor, lightheartedness and personal wisdom. Join us for this much-needed talk on episode 296 of The Speaker Lab with Nicole Walters.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why it's important for activism to be on-going and not just a trend. * How racism impacts her everyday life: a snapshot. * What are new factors she considers now when booking gigs? * Do you know what performative activism is and why you should avoid it? * What group of people are becoming entrepreneurs at a rate of 9x the average American? * When you should add 10% to your asking fee. * What are some ways white people can be an allies for speakers of color? * How to encourage diversity at your speaking gigs. * And so much more!

How to embrace your fears is the subject that helped our guest today jumpstart a whole new career as an international speaker and author.

Michelle Poler is here on The Speaker Lab to talk about how she embraced her fears through 100 fears in 100 days challenge, how that challenge culminated in a TEDx talk and how some of those fears even became things she now loves to do.

We explore those topics plus specific steps she took along the way and how you can do the same. Join us to hear the scoop on episode 295 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Which speaker was instrumental in both of our speaking careers? * What should you do if your fears are holding you back? * Why you don't need to believe all the speaking advice out there. * What is more important than the number of views of your video? * How she utilized her network to get the ball rolling on speaking gigs. * Why having your spouse on board is incredibly helpful to grow your business. * What actions did she take that led to referrals from Brene Brown? * What can you do to set yourself for success when approaching speaking bureaus? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES: * Michelle Poler's web site * Michelle Poler's TEDx Talk * Hello Fears, by Michelle Poler * Michelle Poler on Instagram * Michelle Poler on Twitter * Creative Mornings web site * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How to pivot to speaking virtually may not have been something you thought of before the pandemic, but our guest today explains why he and a lot of other speakers are embracing it now.

Jon Acuff is an entrepreneur and author. He is also one of the best speakers I've seen live: he takes this craft seriously and it shows. In our conversation on The Speaker Lab today, Jon explains the pivots he's made during the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual speaking and utilizing YouTube to grow his client base. We also explore the long-term implications of virtual speaking going forward.

This is a fun, informative, and engaging talk with Jon Acuff so join us on episode 294 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What can be done virtually that can't be done from the stage? * How do you adjust your pricing for virtual speaking gigs? * What are value adds to consider in your virtual offerings? * How can YouTube contribute to growing your client base? * Has he tweaked his content to reflect current events? * If you use humor when speaking live can you continue doing so virtually? * Should you read comments while you're speaking virtually? * Why it's okay to be an amateur when starting out as a virtual speaker. * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jon Acuff's web site * Jon Acuff on YouTube * Jon Acuff on Twitter * Jon Acuff on Instagram * Jon Acuff's books * Teleprompter app * The Successful Speaker * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Knowing what meeting planners want from a speaker can be the difference between booking some gigs and being a full-time speaker. Our guest today has the inside scoop on this very topic and he's telling us the answers on episode 293 of The Speaker Lab!

Jay Baer is an exceptionally successful speaker who has been in the industry for a long time and has accrued a wealth of knowledge along the way. Today on The Speaker Lab, we talk about Jay's recent research study that surveyed 150 event planners. We dig into what topics planners are looking for, what they want and hows event planners find speakers.

Join us to hear the details on all of those topics and more episode 293 of The Speaker Lab with Jay Baer.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Why micro-categories may be your ticket to success. * Who speaks on more topics: mediocre speakers or great speakers? * How much customization should you do for your speaking gigs? * Substance versus showmanship: what balance do you need to strike? * How can you build momentum when you are just starting out? * Why bringing something unique to the stage gives you an innate advantage. * What are the ways to test your material? * How does Jay think the coronavirus will affect speaking topics going forward? * And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jay Baer's web site * Dress Jay Baer web site * Jay Baer on Twitter * Standing Ovation podcast * Topics Meeting Planners Want For 2020 * What Meeting Planners Want * Top 9 Ways Meeting Planners Find Speakers * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Erick Rheam hosted a Facebook Live to talk about one of the biggest challenges professional speakers face: getting consistent speaking gig leads and what to do with them.

During the live stream, Grant and Erick discuss:

Where many speakers get stuck
Why you can’t afford to sit back and wait for the phone to ring
How Erick falls back on principles he learned in the military
What speakers can do to prepare for times of crisis
How to handle stressful times without getting stressed out
The value of creating a system to help you take the next right step
Identifying the secret sauce behind a sustainable speaking business
The 5 stages of your speaking gig pipeline
Where to never discuss your pricing
Setting up event planners for success and recruiting them to your team
How to replicate the success of professional speakers
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Master Your Speaking Pipeline * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How public relations helps speakers may not be something you've considered before, but after today's episode you will know how PR can make a difference in your speaking career.

Chris Winfield joins us to talk about this topic. He teaches PR (public relations) and the art of relationships and connections. We dig into those three areas right out of the gate, and also talk about my skepticism of the value of public relations!

We answer questions like how important is it to build long-term relationships? What are the challenges and potential obstacles if you are an introvert versus an extrovert? Chris also tells us about PR firms, why most are horrible, and a simple exercise you can do right now to move the needle.

This is a fun and informative show so join us for episode 292 of The Speaker Lab with Chris Winfield.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * Does everyone have Impostor Syndrome? * What is the law of reciprocity and how does it work? * Ten minutes in person can replace how much time online? * Who are the people who make the greatest connections? * Do you have something to bring to the table, even if you are starting out? * Are certain forms of media more impactful than others? * What does it mean to "borrow credibility"? * How do you know which platforms are ideal for you? * And so much more!

RESOURCES * Chris Winfield's web site * Chris Winfield on Twitter * Chris Winfield on Instagram * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

You may see the value of writing, but do you know why writing matters for speakers?

Our guest does and he's here to tell us on the 291st edition of The Speaker Lab! Hugh Culver is a repeat guest who is a successful speaker in his own right, and also works with other speakers and thought leaders on content, blogging, and writing.

Today we'll talk about the process of writing for speakers, how it can actually help you become a better speaker, and a simple framework to help you approach writing new content. We'll even give you insights on how we produce this podcast!

There's a lot to get to so join us and listen in to this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What happens when you hit on a topic that resonates with your ideal market?
How can Google analytics help you narrow down your topics?
What are the five components of your template for writing content?
How do you follow a framework without boring your audience?
What's the downside of not using a template or a framework?
When and when not to edit your content during the writing process.
What is a common trait among the highest paid speakers?
How do you know what to outsource and what to do yourself?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Hugh Culver's web site * BlogWorks web site * Hugh Culver on Twitter * Atomic Habits, by James Clear * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Are you interested in booking virtual speaking gigs?

Check out our new program, Virtual Speaking Pro, to learn how to diversify your speaking business without leaving your house.

Today's edition of The Speaker Lab is the final segment of our eight-part series on how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!

If you missed the first seven episodes check them out here: part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, part five here, part six and part seven.

A lot has happened in Bryan's life since our first show and we talk about it today, including some very vulnerable and personal sharing from Bryan himself.

This is a compelling episode you won't want to miss so, please join us for the conclusion of how to find your first paid speaking gig on episode 290 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: * What has helped Bryan process a personal tragedy? * How you can offer help to someone who is going through a crisis. * Who do people like working with as a general rule? * How do you know if you are doing work to get results? * Why you need to be aware of onstage hours vs offstage hours. * Is pivoting always a hard thing to do? * What is Bryan's advice for speakers who are where he was initially? * Why coaching matters in any profession. * And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Allain's web site * Bryan Allain on Twitter * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to part seven of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain.

Missed the first six episodes? You can listen here to part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, part five here and part six.

Today, you'll hear a two-part conversation: in the first part, we talk right before Bryan talks to a potential client he got a positive response from and in the second part, we recorded an update on how the call went and what his next steps are from there. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro we've got insights and lessons you can learn in this series.

Join us on episode 289 of The Speaker Lab to hear it part seven of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why is the goal to get someone on the phone?
What questions do you ask when you're talking to a warm lead?
How do you approach gigs with no pay?
Should you build travel into the fees you quote?
How to ensure you are exchanging value for value.
What should you say if you reach someone's voicemail?
What are potential wins you can look for in a reduced-fee speaking gig?
How to ask for referrals from new clients.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Allain's web site * Bryan Allain on Twitter * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to part six of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!

If you missed the first five episodes with Bryan you can listen to here to part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, and part five here.

On these in-depth talks, we are diving into what it takes to become a speaker: step by step what he needs to do, what he needs to think through on his journey to becoming a speaker. You'll also hear some real-life examples of his inquiries and how he should phrase his follow-ups.

This is a journey we all can learn from so join us to hear every step on episode 288 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Can you create a demo reel without a lot of bells and whistles?
What is a "noble obstacle"?
Why you don't always have to hit a "home run".
How do you keep your name top of mind with potential clients?
What should you say if someone isn't looking for a speaker right now?
When do you stop following up?
What is Loom and how do you use it in emails to potential clients?
When should you not ask for an introduction?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Allain's web site * Bryan Allain on Twitter * Loom * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to part five of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!

If you missed the first three episodes with Bryan you can listen to here to part one, part two here, part three here and part four here.

On this fifth episode, you'll hear about Bryan's progress as well as the work he still has to do. You'll also hear about a slight delay he had and what that sidetrack was all about and how he can get back on track.

Get ready to listen in to all of those experiences and more with Bryan Allain on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How do you approach events that are coming up in the next 3-6 weeks?
When is it too early to get on an event planner's radar?
How to evaluate whether or not to speak for free.
What's the best system to implement your follow-ups?
Why even making "wrong" decisions is ultimately helpful on your journey.
Do you need a business card?
What movie trailers can teach us about demo videos
What three things matter most when someone is considering hiring you?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Allain's web site * Bryan Allain on Twitter * HubSpot CRM * Followup.cc * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

Grant Baldwin and Erick Rheam hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how speakers are still getting booked and paid to speak even in the midst of the pandemic.

During the live stream, Grant and Erick discuss:

The state of the speaking industry
Dealing with ambiguity and anxiety
Long-term ramifications of social distancing
How some speakers are still getting booked and paid to speak
Reaching the point of turning down new opportunities
When to say no if a gig is outside your brand/industry
Thinking about the balance between virtual and live events in the future
How do you stay positive and keep moving forward?
Why proven systems don’t break even if the variables change
What speakers can do to work with live events to postpone without losing income
The value of relationships and why you can’t ignore them
Now is the time coaching really matters
Are speakers still booking events that are happening in the future? (Spoiler Alert: YES!)
Pros and cons of virtual events and how to book them
Why speakers are in the problem-solving business
How to adapt live event keynote to virtual offers that are still on message
Being prepared to pivot a lot
Starting somewhere and being willing to try new things
The dangers of a scarcity mindset
Never knowing who’s in the audience
How many “sleeps” are you gone for live events vs virtual gigs?
Going from 40 potential gigs in his pipeline to 81 during the pandemic
Industry insights direct from event planners
Using this time to position yourself for when the wave of live events comes back
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Michael Port hosted a Facebook Live to talk about what speakers can do to take advantage of the extra time during quarantine to improve their value as a performer.

During the live stream, Grant and Mike discuss:

This is the time to be working on your talk
“Either it will pass or I will pass."
Best practices for wearing glasses on camera
Surviving as a speaker in the midst of a crisis
Why speakers can’t afford to be average
Everything you do as a performer must be transformational
How the expected quality for speakers will increase
What speakers should be working on right now
How speakers can maximize the gift of time during quarantine
Why using live events as rehearsals is a mistake
What deep work looks like for speakers
Mapping out an effective rehearsal process
Reinventing your speech in ways you never imagined
Asking specific questions when it comes to feedback
How to scale your choices from good to great
Using a mystery box visual to raise the stakes for your audience
The risk of failing to deliver on the promise your performance makes
Why Michael retired from keynoting
How to wisely leverage the trust you earn from an audience to enrich their experience
What Pixar considers a “perfect” film
Crafting a transformational experience for your audience
Are virtual events merely a temporary fix or a lasting trend?
The challenges events face in replicating the impact of in-person trade shows online
Advice for speakers to keep their head in the right space
Making sure you continue to support your network of colleagues and clients
The #1 most important factor in booking more paid speaking gigs
Creating a productive work environment
Incrementally improving your speech 5 minutes at a time
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Heroic Public Speaking * Steal the Show, by Michael Port * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Steal the Show: From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life

Grant Baldwin and Clint Pulver hosted a live stream to talk about how speakers can change and adapt to a new “normal”.

During the interview, Grant and Clint discuss:

Developing a virtual demo video
Taking one day at a time on the rollercoaster
Live events that convert to digital and ask for virtual keynotes
Binge-watching the Imagineers documentary on Disney+
Creating a virtual studio at home
5 things that clients are asking virtual speakers for
Using a moderator to enhance the virtual experience for the client and their audience
Create a virtual landing page on your website that showcases the value you deliver to the market
How clients and audiences have reacted to live virtual events
Providing best practices to the client ahead of time to ensure the best possible experience
What to do when someone brings their phone into the bathroom during your live stream
Conducting a separate soundcheck or run-through before a virtual event to test tech
Obtaining testimonials from your virtual clients
The difference between offering value and selfish promotion
How to approach pricing for virtual events
Diversifying what you offer to meet the unique needs of different clients
Will virtual offers continue being available after quarantine is lifted?
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Clint on Instagram * Clint’s website * Clint’s virtual demo reel on YouTube * Good to Great, by Jim Collins * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't

Welcome to how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain - part four.

If you missed the first three episodes with Bryan you can listen to here to part one, part two here and part three here.

In this show, Bryan is establishing himself as the expert through his web site and his demo video. You'll also hear how to deal with the impostor syndrome, something he talks about today. We even discuss whether or not he should quit!

To hear all of this as it unfolds join us for episode 286 with Bryan Allain.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What determines how quickly you will see results?
As a speaker, is there value in becoming a connector and curator?
What should you do if you don't have any video clips for a demo video?
How to stop the comparison game.
Does Impostor Syndrome ever go away?
What are specific questions to ask to find potential leads?
Why you should attend some events even if you aren't speaking.
This one simple trick can help you find even more potential gigs.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Allain's web site * Bryan Allain on Twitter * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

Grant Baldwin and Nisha Mehta hosted a Facebook Live to talk about a physician's perspective on the speaking industry during turbulent times.

During the live stream, Grant and Nisha discuss:

Balancing a professional career as a radiologist while speaking internationally
Building large online communities among certified physicians
Maintaining social distancing to flatten the curve
Insights on the pandemic from behind the scenes
Making tough choices to opt-out of live events before “shelter-in-place” began
Partnering with events to make virtual options work and still deliver value
The responsibility of speakers to prioritize the safety of others
When can we expect live events to happen again?
How big will live events be allowed to be?
Preparing for a secondary surge after social distancing restrictions are lifted
Hoping to start seeing things reopen in the coming weeks
The liability of hosting live events post-pandemic
Searching for a sense of normalcy
The key difference between SARS and COVID-19
Uncertainty about the unknown when it comes to new diseases
Realistic timeline for a vaccine or treatment
GOOD NEWS!!
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Nisha’s website * Nisha on Twitter * Nisha on Instagram * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Scott Stratten hosted a Facebook Live to talk about the future of the speaking industry after a pandemic.

During the live stream, Grant and Scott discuss:

The long-term impacts the coronavirus will have on the speaking industry
Experimenting with style and facial hair while social distancing
Why “speaking” isn’t really your true profession
Understanding the gig is the payoff for building your platform and being an expert
Dealing with feeling like you’ve lost part of your identity
Grieving the loss of things that used to annoy you (like the too early soundcheck)
Predicting the recovery timeline for massive events and the impact on keynotes
Distributing a sub-standard virtual product will hurt your live speaking down the road by degrading your value
Accepting that the “new normal” is largely unknown
The pending lawsuits as a result of the virus spreading at large events
Treating the speaking gig as one component of your business and how you deliver value
Do what it takes to help you feel productive
Being okay with where you are at in responding to these unprecedented times
"Whatever your normal is right now, that’s fine."
Determining the right timing for when to pivot to virtual options for your audience
Avoiding guilt for not doing some things
A virtual answer isn’t the same as an in-person answer
Why you can’t shift the same equity you have on stage to a virtual gig at first
How webinars are a transfer of skills and what makes them different than a keynote
The drastic difference between our current circumstances and any emergency we’ve experienced in the past
Is everyone going to work from home in the future?
There will be a “new normal”, but it won’t be completely different from everything we know
How to avoid long-term risk by making short-term budget decisions that you sustain
Learning business lessons now that will carry you through the crisis and beyond
Ignoring hindsight regret
Getting creative with discovering new revenue sources and sponsored opportunities
How to approach outreach without appearing tone-deaf
Making sure you check on your contacts, colleagues, and clients to see how they’re doing
Reaching out to recent clients to offer a “thank you” video to their team
Losing your pride
Treat your email list as your most important asset and continue to build it beyond this crisis
Don’t feed the noise
Controlling who you follow
Healthy outlets for coping with stress and staying connected
Using the mute button on social media to create boundaries
Tips on growing a man bun
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Scott on Twitter * Scott on Instagram * Scott's books * The UnPodcast * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome! This is part three of our how to find your first paid speaking gig series with Bryan Allain.

If you missed part one and part two you can listen to here to part one and part two here. In those episodes you heard Bryan's background: he has done some speaking but is struggling with where to start.

This week on The Speaker Lab, you'll find out who Bryan has chosen to speak to, what problem he's going to solve for them and the pros and cons to his decision. We will wrap up with a chat about what to do next and how to move forward.

This series has been fun, insightful and intense. Join us to hear part three on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How can you deal with the negative voices in your head?
Will you ever feel completely confident in your choice?
How do you know if you have enough credibility to speak on a topic?
Why your choices don't have to be permanent.
Is there a perfect time to get started or to make a change?
Should you use visuals to differentiate yourself in your market?
How to use the SPEAK method to determine your audience.
What is the goal of your web site and what should be on it?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Allain's web site * Bryan Allain on Twitter * Episode 116 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 255 of The Speaker Lab * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Mike Pacchione hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how to work on your speech and hone your craft during the quarantine.

During the live stream, Grant and Mike discuss:

Tips and tricks for virtual speaking
Enjoying becoming a first-time dad
Helping speakers deliver the best talk of their lives
How to prepare for your next live gig while social distancing
Getting feedback on your talk using a recording
A simple survey to send to friends and colleagues to obtain actionable feedback
The power of asking strategic questions that actually help you build a better talk
Why most TED talks don’t even make the website
How speakers can set themselves apart from the crowd
The unanticipated break from speaking gives you the chance to be objective in assessing your talk
Sitting down to create a list of what you think makes a great talk and applying that criteria to your craft
Asking yourself a tough question: does this talk seem to go on for too long?
What characteristics can make or break a speaker’s presentation
Why watching yourself with the audio off or listening to yourself without the video can reveal unknown weaknesses
The underestimated value of self-awareness
Is a speech ever really finished?
The dangers of defaulting to quarantine or crisis-oriented content in your talk
Avoid making coronavirus jokes because everyone else will be doing it
Why virtual keynotes and digital presentation must have a higher quality than live talks
Pacing tips for virtual events
Erring on the side of more slides
Making your virtual keynote interactive
Just because there are more virtual events doesn’t mean there will be less live events
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mike on Twitter * Mike's website * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Josh Bauerle hosted a Q&A on Facebook Live to talk about how speakers can benefit from the stimulus and address your questions about the stimulus check, unemployment, EIDL, and PPP.

DISCLAIMER: We are not finance or tax experts. Please contact your financial planner or local financial institution for professional advice.

EIDL - Economic Injury Disaster Loan
PPP - Payroll Protection Program During the live stream, Grant and Josh discuss:

Unemployment being extended to business owners and freelancers
Two loan/grant programs for small businesses to take advantage of
Which program is best for speakers to pay attention to?
Are earning thresholds for the stimulus based on Billings or on adjusted gross income?
How much unemployment can you claim?
What is the timeline for unemployment payouts?
How to apply for the EIDL
Would speakers apply for unemployment? Or the grant? Or both?
Can you apply for EIDL if you have a W-2 in addition to speaking gigs?
What happens if you get denied?
Being patient and persistent
Do unemployment and IDL go off of W2 and/or K-1?
Does past credit history (specifically bankruptcy) factor into EIDL acceptance?
Do you need an LLC to apply for EIDL or can you apply as an individual citizen?
Two placed to get financial help
What is the PPP? Who is eligible?
Discretionary power of banks in deciding who gets access to PPP
How the PPP math breaks down on calculating what you’re eligible for
Tips on selecting a financial institution to apply through
What happens if the loan isn’t forgiven?
Is the PPP looking at average gross or net profits?
How to calculate payroll for a speaking business formed after the 2/15/19 date
What to do if you started your speaking business on Jan 1, 2020
Will interest accrues on the unforgiven portion of the loan?
What happens if you posted a loss because it was a new business?
Can you apply for more than one of these programs? Or do you have to pick one route to go?
Talk to your financial institution sooner vs later to figure out what you qualify for and how to get it
For the EIDL, do you need an EIN? or can you use a DBA?
What’s a "qualifying expense" to have the PPP converted from loan to forgiven?
Do “contractors” = “employees”?
If you file as an S-Corp, but are the only owner/employee, are you still eligible for the PP/EIDL benefits of a Sole Proprietor?
If approved for EIDL loan, can you take the advance and not take the loan portion?
If you’re a sole proprietor with little overhead, is it better to apply for EIDL or PPP?
Making it easy for the financial institution to process your application
Do you have to payback the stimulus?
Will the bank look at your credit score?
Are you taxed on unemployment?
Taking a tip from Frozen II
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Prestige Journal * Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources from the SBA * Video discussing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) * Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) walkthrough * Small Business Association (SBA) resources for EIDL and PPP * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Phil Jones hosted a Facebook Live to talk about the true confessions of a professional speaker dealing with the impact of COVID-19.

During the live stream, Grant and Phil discuss:

Rescheduling or canceling 27 events
Where do new event scheduling start coming from
How does the market react and build on the other side of this crisis
Using new technology and trying new things
Taking advantage of the opportunity to serve past clients
Finding joy in the gift of time to refocus priorities and spend time with family
Leaning into new revenue streams and discovering new ways to distribute value
Navigating schedule conflicts for Fall events with postponed Spring events
Creating custom programming for events now instead of rescheduling
Helping clients address the needs and fears of their customers
Showing up in the moment and modeling generosity
Maintaining the integrity of your speaking business long-term
What speakers have in common with 5-star Michelin chefs
Building a speaking business so that you’re not living month-to-month
How speakers are actually running two different businesses simultaneously
Discovering gifts and opportunity amidst the crisis
What you have permission to do now that you didn’t before
Inventing a new business model the creates recurring income
The Cupcake analogy
Redefining what success looks like now and thinking about your business in a different way
Why you need “resume points” on the other side of this crisis
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Phil's website * Phil on Instagram * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome! This is part two of our how to find your first paid speaking gig.

If you missed part one you can listen to it here. Then come back and join us for the second half of our talk with Bryan Allain.

Bryan has done a bit of speaking but is struggling with where to start. On this raw, authentic coaching call with him, we explore that topic.

Join us to hear how we walk Bryan through getting his first paid speaking gig and how you can do the same on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What speakers should you find and follow?
What does it mean if you can't find speakers in your chosen market?
How to separate the signal from the noise.
What five audiences could you speak to?
How do you narrow down among those five audiences?
Why you don't have to be the world's greatest expert to speak to an audience.
What are the pros and cons of being an emcee?
How much of a factor is passion when choosing a topic or an audience?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Allain's web site * Bryan Allain on Twitter * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

Wouldn't it be great if someone could guide you through how to find your first paid speaking gig?

One of our own team members is here to demonstrate, Mr. Bryan Allain. Bryan has worked with us for a year now and he wants to know if what we teach actually works. This is an unscripted walk the process of how to find your first paid speaking gig.

Get ready to hear the details on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What should one of your first goals be?
Is there a simple way to build your confidence?
What are the two sides to selecting a problem to solve?
What does it mean to establish your speaking expertise?
Why it's completely normal to second-guess your decisions.
What to do when you don't know where to start.
How can you use your real world experience to start your speaking journey?
Why it's easier to pivot and adjust when you have momentum.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Allain's web site * Bryan Allain on Twitter * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

Grant Baldwin and Mike Michalowicz hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how speakers should handle their finances in the midst of crisis.

During the live stream, Grant and Mike discuss:

Pivoting business to accommodate canceled or postponed events
Expediting projects to fill the gap created by live events
Amplifying communication frequency while decreasing quantity
Super long, rambling emails can have a negative impact on your brand
The difference between seizing an opportunity to serve and being opportunistic
Sending out short sound bits of value to your audience is powerful
Ask your email list what they need to identify themes
Create products to meet those needs at a reasonable rate (not free)
The economy is built on paying for stuff. If we all give everything away, it falls apart.
Lessons small businesses and speakers can learn to prepare for the future
The business crisis trend
What can you do to keep the lights on
1-Step Back Technique to discover new opportunities
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mike’s books * Mike on Twitter * Mike on Instagram * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Carrie Wilkerson hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how speakers can diversify their business.

During the live stream, Grant and Carrie discuss:

Starting her brand as “The Barefoot Executive"
Self-isolating with teenagers in Texas
Why worry won’t do you a bit of good
Prioritizing daily communication with your audience
Marketing with empathy and not appearing tone-deaf
Creating leverage in your business to create a “stage” in different ways
Teach a masterclass on your area of expertise
Provide mentoring to a few clients to coach through a specific process
Create the infrastructure for a membership program (>1000 email list subscribers)
Do not stop your marketing
Using the tools you have to deliver value to your audience
Asking the question: How can I serve your people from a distance?
Don’t wait for fancy tools to create value for your audience
Virtual keynoting and reimagined virtual conference for 50,000 people
Suit up and show up every day
Make the most of the opportunities you have
If you stop your marketing now and disappear, you’ll be forgotten
Stay in healthy communication with both colleagues and clients
It’s time to build your email list and stay in connection with them
Why you can’t rely on social media and paid advertising alone
How to go get some paid contracts
Learn something new while you’re stuck at home
Stay away from the fridge and stay in your speaker clothes
Practice your material and test new stuff on Facebook Live
Take care of yourself. Your image is your business.
Acknowledge your stress and grief, but don’t live in it. Focus on gratitude.
Set goals for each day and establish minimum expectations
Don’t be ashamed to get help. This crisis is not your fault.
Small businesses are what keep the country going.
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Carrie on Twitter * Carrie on Instagram * Carrie’s blog * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Erick Rheam hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how speakers can convert live events that are postponed or canceled into virtual gigs.

During the live stream, Grant and Erick discuss:

Booking webinars and workshops to replace/supplement live events
Finding value in what you’re already doing and converting it to an offer
Repurposing the challenge of working from home to create new value
Discovering new opportunities to diversify your speaking platform
Add value while recognizing your clients pay you for the solutions you bring
Prioritizing service doesn’t have to sacrifice revenue
Strategies for stopping the bleeding in your business
Throw out the rule book in the short-term
How to price virtual speaking gigs versus live events
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Staying positive on your speaking journey will help you succeed, and our guest today is the perfect example of this.

Jon Gordon is the author of Stay Positive, The Energy Bus and many other best-sellers. He's also an equally prolific and successful speaker.

On episode 282 of The Speaker Lab, he tells us how he got started speaking, the pros and cons of speaking for free, and how he thinks about his business beyond the stage. Join us for this intriguing and illuminating conversation with Jon Gordon on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does he take the challenges of flying and transform them into opportunities?
Why did he give 80 free talks?
Why you shouldn't expect to be good when you start.
From where did he get the idea for his first book?
What a telescope and a microscope have to do with achieving your goals.
How can you take a big topic and carve your own niche within it?
What does research show about positivity?
What is the power of being introverted?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Jon Gordon's web site + Stay Positive, by Jon Gordon + Jon Gordon's other books + Jon Gordon on Twitter + Jon Gordon on Instagram + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Josh McGhee hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how event planners are responding to the coronavirus and its impact on the speaking industry.

During the live stream, Grant and Josh discuss:

How many events an event planner will typically manage in the course of a year
An insider view of how events approach the decision to cancel or postpone
The likelihood of rescheduling and postponing events that are further out than 1-2 months
Adapting to fast-changing circumstances in the midst of unprecedented times
Placing a high value on safety
Adjusting accordingly to accommodate travel bands
Determining which events are able to be converted to virtual experiences
Just because your physical gathering is canceled or postponed doesn’t mean you can’t deliver value in the digital space
Organizations being pushed to create a more interactive experience whether it’s in-person or virtual
How do conference owners/organizers continue education between annual events and leverage technology to stay engaged with their audience?
Staying connected throughout the year by using virtual learning options
Finding opportunity amidst the storm
Speakers who serve in times of crisis will stand out when normalcy returns
Exploring alternative options to speaking on stage when events get canceled or moved
Focus on creating value here in the now and pausing on selling future bookings
Prioritizing relationships is the most strategic things speakers can do
Partner with event planners now to help them amidst the chaos
How current social distancing will swing back and create a visceral need for in-person events
The aftermath of the current crisis will lead to new virtual opportunities that expand speaker revenue streams
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Terry Brock hosted a Facebook Live to talk about you can create virtual speaking opportunities.

During the live stream, Grant and Terry discuss:

Making room for natural reactions to stressful times
Intentionally focusing on positive attitude
Leveraging technology to reach our audiences and deliver value
Why now is the time to hustle
Market trends when it comes to events canceling vs postponing
Speakers are communicators who solve problems
How to suggest virtual options to existing clients
Pull in experts in your network to deliver additional value
The problem you were hired to solve still exists
Exploring new ways to solve the same problem
Speakers don’t have to speak on stage to deliver value
Simple tips to improve the quality of your virtual presence
Scalable tools for video streaming and conferencing
Don’t get distracted by shiny, new tools. Pick one that works for you and move forward.
The importance of backup technology
Social distancing doesn’t cancel our need for social connection
Rolling up our sleeves to work harder and smarter
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Terry Brock on Twitter * Terry Brock’s Blog * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Shawn Hanks hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how speaking bureaus are responding and adjusting to the coronavirus.

During the live stream, Grant and Shawn discuss:

How appropriate the term “unprecedented” is in these unique times
Finding comfort in shared experiences
Adapting in the midst of unforeseen circumstances
Navigating the process of postponing/rescheduling 400+ events
The challenge of responding with grace versus reacting in fear
Operating from a place of fear in the short-term creates long-term losses
Focusing on relationships and maintaining bridges
Adjusting presentation to fit virtual delivery
Following wise financial practices to prepare for times of crisis
Diversify your business with other offers besides speaking on stage
Be cautious before you pivot your entire platform
Reaching out to clients to see where their pain points are and how you can serve their audience with content in the interim
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Premiere Speakers Bureau * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Kyle Scheele hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how the youth speaking industry is responding and adjusting to the coronavirus.

During the live stream, Grant and Kyle discuss:

Navigating the crazy ups and downs
Adjusting to unexpected free time
Plenty of events that are rescheduling and postponing instead of canceling
How long will it take to get back to normal
Looking back to history for a sense of hope
Taking steps to prepare your finances for difficult times
Making a list of what you can control
Not wasting your time worrying about whatever is outside your control
Taking advantage of the downtime to catch up on projects you avoided
Spending time with loved ones and using technology to stay connected
How to ethically market your speaking business in times of crisis
The hidden benefits of working with a speaking agency
How will you tweak and adapt your content after this crisis?
How can you change to better serve people?
We have been through hard things as humans and we will continue to go through hard things
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Kyle on Twitter * Kyle on Instagram * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Neen James hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how to diversify your speaking income right now.

During the live stream, Grant and Neen discuss:

Comparing the impact of COVID-19 to the 2008 recession
Relocating to the United States and starting speaking business over from scratch
How uncertainty creates a unique challenge
Keeping your head in the right space
A service vs a sales mindset
Defaulting to positivity and generosity
The difference between making money during a crisis and making money from a crisis (shout out to Sean McCabe)
Unique challenges faced by different industries
Managing a long lead time before your next live speaking gig
The domino effect of events getting postponed
Financial practices that speakers should emulate
The reality of what events are actually getting canceled vs rescheduled
How speakers can look at their available speaking dates as inventory
“Be kind or be quiet."
Avoided short-sighted decisions
Don’t sell something you’re not qualified to teach
Playing the long-game with intentional attention
The invaluable gift of asking “how can I help?"
"You can’t organize history. You can’t live in regret of what you should’ve done."
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * Neen James on Twitter * Attention Pays, by Neen James * The Thought Leaders Practice, by Matt Church * Preet Banerjee finance videos * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Attention Pays: How to Drive Profitability, Productivity, and Accountability

The Thought Leaders Practice

Narrowing down and focusing on your speaking topic is can be one of the harder aspects of speaking.

Here to help ease that process is David Newman. David is a professional speaker who also coaches other speakers, and all-around great guy!

Today on The Speaker Lab, we talk about everything from speaking fees, the NSA and demo videos. He even walks us through a specific exercise to find the right topic that has speaking opportunities within it. Be sure to join us and hear it all on episode 281 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Do we often teach what we ourselves need to learn?
How did he narrow his topic down from 30 potential options?
What it means if nobody else is talking about your subject matter.
Why actively choosing our own niche is a powerful privilege.
How do you know if there is a market for your topic?
Why it's necessary to pivot throughout your career.
Can you have both depth and variety in your speaking offerings?
Why speaking is the new marketing.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + David Newman's web site + Do It! Speaking by David Newman + Companion tools and downloads for Do It! Speaking + David Newman on Twitter + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

Grant Baldwin and Vinh Giang hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how speakers and magicians can adapt to delivering virtual experiences in unprecedented times.

During the live stream, in addition to a live magic trick, Grant and Vinh discuss:

How a state-mandated shutdown impacts live performers
Identifying audience categories and how to serve them
Assuming a position of generosity as a strategic investment
Putting relationships first
Accepting the new normal of virtual events
The opportunity to redefine webinar experiences and improve the quality
How do you have conversations with event planners to explore virtual options
Your audience still has the same needs now that they had before a crisis
How to help clients deliver value to their audiences through virtual
Role-playing a client call with someone interested in learning about virtual event options
Production value is under-estimated for virtual presenters
The indispensable value of being so good they can’t ignore you
How to stand out from the crowd
Hidden innovations to uncover in the midst of trials
Fostering audience engagement through interactive technology
The only 2 things you can control
And more

EPISODE RESOURCES * VinhGiang.com/virtual * So Good They Can’t Ignore You, by Cal Newport * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

Grant Baldwin and Brian Fanzo (from iSocialFanz.com) hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how speakers can best use technology in this current climate.

During the live stream, Grant and Brian discuss:

Leveraging technology and social media to grow your speaking business
Starting a podcast to supplement your speaking and increase your audience
How to use virtual options to replace in-person meetings
Reinventing digital meeting experience with the distracted attendee in mind
The challenge event planners face in moving or redesigning large-scale events
Take a beat and remember the groundwork you’ve put in that will last beyond a crisis
Don’t sacrifice long-term wins for short-term gains
Getting creative in responding to canceled or postponed events
The importance of being transparent (and why it’s different from over-sharing)
Alternative options besides being on stage that speakers can do well
How do you think about pricing for virtual speaking gigs?

EPISODE RESOURCES * Digital Futurist * iSocialFanz * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Grant Baldwin and Jane Atkinson (from Speaker Launcher) host a Facebook Live to talk about how speakers can deal with the current changes in the industry.

During the live stream, Grant and Jane discuss:

Being aware your mindset
Intentionally limiting your intake of the news and social media
Balancing negative and positive influences
Taking the opportunity to learn something new
Importance of diversifying your booking strategies
Asking bureaus to pay your compensation in advance
High demand for meeting space and venues shifting to Fall 2020
New opportunities in the marketplace
Focusing on what you can control vs what you can't
Avoiding a scarcity mindset and look for opportunities
The difference between speakers who weather the storm vs those who bail out
What it means to be a #FocusedHustler
Proactively check on your clients and ask how you can serve
Use extra time to build on the basics of your speaking business (that you might be avoiding otherwise)
Explore remote/virtual event options

EPISODE RESOURCES: * The Wealthy Speaker 2.0, by Jane Atkinson * The Epic Keynote, by Jane Atkinson * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The Wealthy Speaker 2.0: The Proven Formula for Building Your Successful Speaking Business

The Epic Keynote: Presentation Skills and Styles of Wealthy Speakers

Grant Baldwin and Erick Rheam hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how coronavirus has impacted the speaking industry and how you can thrive in the midst of crisis. During the live stream, Grant and Erick discuss: * How to process times of crisis * The importance of managing cashflow * Be flexible and proactive with event planners * Challenges of rescheduling and postponing events * Creating value and security with event planners through patience * How airlines are setting an example for customer service * Remember that speaking is a relationship business * Experiment with alternate presenting options to save gigs * How the size and frequency of event types will change * What’s a good way to suggest virtual speaking engagements?

EPISODE RESOURCES: * How to Thrive In a Crisis with Erick Rheam * Virtual Workshop with Vinh Giang * How to Become a Virtual Speaker with Terry Brock * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Speakers are feeling fearful right now, and to help ease that we're talking about how to thrive in a crisis.

Joining us to talk about this unique time is Erick Rheam, our Director of Student Success at The Speaker Lab and also a well-respected speaker in his own right.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we're going to help you deal with the COVID-19 crisis and future challenges you may face in the speaking industry. Erick lays out four points to mitigating the impact of any crisis as he learned during his time in the armed forces.

1. Secure the perimeter

Ensure you and your family are safe.
Engage in medical professionals and local authorities' recommended guidelines.
Ensure you are following proper protocol for safe social distancing.
Take stock of your finances.
Finalize potential gigs.
Continue reaching out for future gigs.

2. Evaluate your business. Now is the time to evaluate, learn, think and pause. Ask yourself questions like:

How do I make money speaking?
How will that change as a result of this crisis (and does it need to change)?
What online courses can I promote?
Can I work on that book I’ve wanted to write?
What virtual training gigs can I secure?

3. Gain Perspective.

Keep the big picture in mind.
Try to limit your information and be careful of your sources.
Practice gratitude.
Opportunities will present themselves, look for them.
Be flexible and be open to change.

4. Enjoy these moments.

We are creating unprecedented memories now.
Slow down, look around and take in the good.
Be a good human: be patient and be kind.
Journal your thoughts.
Serve others.

EPISODE RESOURCES * + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

Our guest today, Srini Rao, runs the site and podcast called The Unmistakable Creative. He's also a prolific best-selling author and sought-after international keynote speaker.

Today, he joins The Speaker Lab to talk about his speaking journey, how he pitches a broad topic like creativity to companies and how he balances the business side of being an artist.

This is a far-reaching conversation, be sure to join us on episode 280 of The Speaker Lab to hear it all!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Has his podcast helped him garner speaking gigs?
When do bureaus approach you about working with them?
Why does he have two emails?
What is essential to every brand and business online?
Where should conferences be held?
What is one of the things he asks every potential client?
Why he always get referrals, and you should too.
What is an OKR and why is it one of the most effective filters he has used?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + The Unmistakable Creative web site + The Unmistakable Creative podcast + Srini Rao on Twitter + An Audience of One, by Srini Rao + Unmistakable, by Srini Rao + Make More Art, by Srini Rao (free ebook) + ROI of Creativity At Work, by Srini Rao (free report) + Extreme Revenue Growth, by Victor Cheng + This Is Your Path to The $1,000-Per-Hour Mindset, by Joshua Lee + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

Unmistakable: Why Only Is Better Than Best

Extreme Revenue Growth: Startup Secrets to Growing Your Sales from $1 Million to $25 Million in Any Industry

An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake

Here to tell us how passion can fuel your speaking success, and why you don't need to climb Mount Everest or win a gold medal first, is Kindra Hall.

Kindra is a successful keynote speaker who has exploded on the speaking circuit in the last few years. On today's The Speaker Lab, you'll hear how passionate Kindra is about speaking, and how you can be a great speaker even if you don't have any special skills or experiences.

We cover those areas, plus a lot more on this show. So get ready to take some notes and join us for The Speaker Lab with Kindra Hall!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What three things do you need in place to embark on your speaking career?
Where do you start if you have no experience?
How do you find people who want to hear your message?
Why speaking for free was important to her early success.
How do you know if you are meant to do this?
What to do once you start building momentum and how to keep it going.
Do bureaus create demand or manage it?
What are the pros and cons of being a female speaker?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Kindra Hall's web site + Kindra Hall on Twitter + Kindra Hall on Instagram + Kindra Hall on Facebook + Stories That Stick, by Kindra Hall + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + Bonuses from the book + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

Ever wonder how successful speakers are managing the highs and lows of speaking? Mitch Joel can tell us and he's here to do just that for today's The Speaker Lab.

Mitch is a returning guest (previously on episode 144) who came back to cover everything from the value of building relationships with other speakers to managing the highs and lows of this career path to the importance of making friends with other speakers.

You're going to learn all of that and more when you join us for episode 278 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How do you stay ahead of your competitors?
Why saying yes is key to being a great speaker.
Why what you do this year does not provide any guarantees next year.
When being good enough is okay.
How are speakers like coffee?
What is one question he asks himself with every speaking engagement?
Why the audience's show and the speaker's show are two different experiences.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mitch Joel's web site * Six Pixels of Separation web site * Mitch Joel on Twitter * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Episode 144 of The Speaker Lab * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

To commemorate the official launch of my book, The Successful Speaker, my friend and co-author of the book, Jeff Goins, is here!

On this edition of The Speaker Lab, Jeff and I talk about the book writing process for The Successful Speaker: Five Steps For Booking Gigs, Getting Paid, and Building Your Platform. We also give you a behind the scenes look at the making of this book, how this journey began with a joke (!) and how working on this book actually helped Jeff's speaking career.

Join us and you'll find out all of that and so much more on episode 277 of The Speaker Lab with Jeff Goins.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why did we decide to co-brand The Successful Speaker?
How do you find the right voice for your book?
Why writing like you speak is terrible advice.
What types of collaborations are there between writers and authors?
Why did Jeff want to try ghostwriting after writing 5 of his own very successful books?
What is the one word that will tell you a book is most likely written by a ghostwriter?
Would Jeff change anything about the book?
Who was our secret hero of writing this book?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + Bonuses from the book + Jeff Goins' web site + Jeff Goins on Twitter + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

Welcome back to The Speaker Lab for a special bonus episode!

The Successful Speaker is a book I am releasing soon and as part of the launch, you're going to hear the first few chapters on today's show.

Directly from the actual audiobook, you'll hear what's in this book, who I am and my story on becoming a speaker. You'll also get an overview of the successful speaker roadmap and then chapter one about choosing your audience.

Join us to hear these topics and then be sure to get your own copy of The Successful Speaker!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the foundation of your speaking career?
What will all audiences be wondering no matter who is speaking to them?
What is the topic trifecta and how do you apply it to your business?
Which 7 major industries have the highest demand for speakers?
If industry comes first, what follows?
Can you change industries later in your career?
Knowing what to speak about begins with what?
Why you should choose two industries, and how to move forward after you do.
And so much more!

Tweetable: "Your job is to solve a problem, not deliver a speech.."

EPISODE RESOURCES * + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

Virtual reality is becoming part of our lives, even part of our speaking careers.

Terry Brock is our guest for today's show and he's to dig deeper into something we touched on during his first visit: how to become a virtual speaker.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we get into the finer details on virtual speaking and things like the technology you need, how to price yourself, the clients who hire virtual speakers, and how you can actually earn more as a virtual speaker than speaking in-person.

Terry tells us those things and much more so please be sure to join us for episode 276 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Is Zoom a necessary part of a virtual speaking set up?
How can an index card help you create a connection virtually?
What is key to ensuring a win for both your client and for you?
Are there industries or clients that are more receptive to virtual speaking?
Why would people initially be reluctant to use video?
When and why you should offer a bonus session for your clients.
How do you set up pricing and fees for virtual speaking?
What is the most important piece of your online set up?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Terry Brock's web site + Terry Brock on Twitter + Get Coaching from Terry (free!) + Loom's web site + Episode 265 with Terry Brock + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

Erick Rheam is our co-host and we are talking about the 5 step goal setting process you can use to create and achieve your goals in 2020 and beyond.

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, Erick and I walk you through each of the five steps and we also talk about how we use these personally in our speaking careers and also here within The Speaker Lab itself.

Whether you're listening at the start of the year or any other time you're going to get useful and practical advice, including specific examples you can follow immediately. Join us for that and more on episode 275 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why are mini-retreats so important to the goal setting process?
How to plan out where you and your business are headed.
Do you have to wait until January 1st to set goals?
What are habit goals and achievement goals, and how many of each do you need?
How many primary goals should you set for your business each year?
What is a component most people miss in their goal setting?
How often should you read your goals and refresh them?
Why clarification is a critical step in the 5 step goal setting process.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Erick Rheam's web site + Erick Rheam on Twitter + Streaks app + Vivid Vision, by Cameron Herold + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie + Read the show transcripts here

Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool For Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future

Whether you're a speaker or a writer or both, you should be asking how to find your voice.

The woman with the answer is Allison Fallon and she joins us on episode 274 of The Speaker Lab. On this edition of the show, Allison and I talk about how to deal with nerves before you speak, the value of writing as a speaker and why you should create a writing habit.

Be sure to check out those topics and more in this conversation with Allison Fallon on episode 274 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why you should you write even if you don't think you're a writer.
How much time should you spend writing every day in order to reap the benefits?
What are some ways to combat nerves while you're speaking?
What does it mean to look for the common thread?
Should you write about an in-demand topic or something you're passionate about?
Can you write a book that is both content-driven and story-driven?
Does being in the right place at the right time play a role in the success of a book?
Is it an option to not be a writer in our world today?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Allison Fallon's web site * Allison Fallon on Twitter * Indestructible: Leveraging Your Broken Heart to Become a Force of Love & Change in The World, by Allison Fallon * Allison Fallon on Instagram * Bread and Wine, by Shauna Niequest * The Shack, by William P. Young * Find Your Voice podcast * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

Indestructible: Leveraging Your Broken Heart to Become a Force of Love & Change in the World

The Shack

Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes

A man who is an expert at selling yourself as a speaker is here for episode 273 of The Speaker Lab!

Mr. Matthew Kimberley is a sales wizard and he gives us great strategies on what it takes to truly sell yourself in the speaking world. On today's show, we also talk about when and why he speaks for free and the math behind that choice.

You can hear that and much more when you tune in to this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the best way to build trust, credibility and stature?
Where does he live and how does that impact his business?
Is anyone a natural born sales person?
Why asking when you need something is too late and what to do instead.
What are the benefits of calling someone versus emailing them?
Should you speak on your own stage?
What kind of response rate should you expect initially?
Why you need to be explicit when collecting testimonials and referrals.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Matthew Kimberley's web site * Matthew Kimberley on Twitter * 5 Things You Need to Do Every Morning to Get More Clients in 60 Days * The Checklist Manifesto, by Atul Gawande * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

The Checklist Manifesto

Ever consider how to turn your clients into fans - even raving fans? Our guest today, David Meerman Scott, has literally written the book on doing so and he's here to share his insights.

Today on the Speaker Lab, we talk about how to turn your clients into raving fans, and how he can talk about a general topic that applies to many audiences while still standing out in the marketplace. We also discuss how he landed speaking gigs on Tony Robbins' stages, something he does frequently.

Plus you'll want to stay tuned til the end when he tells one of the BEST stories! It's a nightmare for any speaker, but it's hilarious so join us to hear it on episode 272 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did he book a gig on Antarctica?
Why do Tony Robbins' speakers give away everything during their talks?
What is news jacking and why is it so beneficial for speakers?
Why he doesn't he read or listen to other content in the marketing niche.
What is the first step in how to turn your clients into fans?
Are there scientific reasons for hanging around after you give your talk?
How can hash tags help you connect with people after a speech?
Why does he do yoga before he speaks?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * David Meerman Scott's web site * Fanocracy, by David Meerman Scott * David Meerman Scott on Twitter * New Rules of Marketing and PR, by David Meerman Scott * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

How to communicate in an online world is very different from in-person communication, and today's guest is an expert at both!

Dr. Nick Morgan is returning to The Speaker Lab to talk about his latest book, Can You Hear Me?. The book is about how to connect with people in a virtual world including how to ensure you are getting the correct message across to your clients. We also talk about the power of emojis!

This is a wide-ranging conversation I think you will really enjoy so join us for episode 271 of The Speaker Lab with Nick Morgan.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What can you do offstage to ensure more referrals?
How does negativity bias impact our virtual communication?
Does using emojis give you a greater chance at having a successful email exchange?
How should you use emojis?
What is the hierarchy of communication in the online world?
What are things to keep in mind when talking on the phone?
How many years does it take to learn to have a normal conversation?
What does consistency tell others about our trustworthiness?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Nick Morgan's Public Words website * Can You Hear Me?, by Nick Morgan * Nick Morgan's other books * Nick Morgan on Twitter * Episode 153 of The Speaker Lab * Tim Sanders web site * Screencastify * Loom * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

What's one thing you can do to ensure success? It's delivering results as a speaker. Mark Bowden is a phenomenal speaker who has built a thriving business doing just that in a niche market.

Today on The Speaker Lab, he explains the 3 things that have moved the needle most for him, the difference between picking a topic you're interested in versus a result you can deliver and the messages you may be sending with your body language on stage.

Hear his wisdom and insights on those concepts and more on episode 270 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When do opportunities come your way?
How do you know if your passion is something you can be hired to speak on?
What results can tell you about a niche in the marketplace.
What's the fastest way to earn trust and credibility?
Why is it important to connect with other speakers in your niche?
What's the #1 thing speakers don't do that is hurting them?
What is the audience's job?
What are the optics of the stage and why do they matter?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Mark Bowden's web site + Mark Bowden on Twitter + Mark Bowden's Ted Talk + Speech breakdown of Mark's Ted Talk + Sir Ken Robinson's Ted Talk + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

For some speakers, presenting in front of an audience is only the beginning of their impact, but knowing exactly how to expand beyond the stage can be intimidating. On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, Joe Sanok is sharing some best practices for building out your audience.

Joe Sanok is a keynote and TEDx speaker, business consultant, and podcaster. Joe has the #1 podcast for counselors, The Practice of the Practice Podcast.    In episode 269, Joe walks us through the finer details of creating additional products your audience needs, from courses to live events. Joe walks us through how to determine if your product is needed and how much your audience is willing to pay for it. Stay tuned for that and much more on today’s edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does niching down help you charge more?
When does it work to microniche down and when does it not?
What can you do to help your audience level up?
When is it beneficial to be "the first" to speak on a topic?
Can you niche down too much?
How do you evolve your business to better serve your audience?
What kind of strategy is needed for monetizing a smaller niche market?
How does understanding your end-goal help you set your strategy?
What is the best way to expand your reach?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Joe Sanok's web site + Joe Sanok's podcast + Podcast Launch School + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

How writing and speaking go together may seem obvious, but there are important distinctions and here to explain what they are is Ryan Holiday.

Ryan is a best-selling author of several books as well as an in-demand international speaker.

On episode 268, he tells us more about how writing and speaking go together in his business, as well as his process for writing and developing a talk and how he gets into the zone before speaking to big audiences. You can hear us dig into those topics and more on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does he test new material?
What similarities does he find among his diverse audiences?
What does he try to do with each of his books?
Does he set specific speaking intentions when he writes his books?
When can it be difficult to get reps as a speaker?
Can geography impact your speaking opportunities?
How does he define stillness?
Why is it better to speak earlier in the conference series?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Ryan Holiday's web site + Daily Stoic web site + Stillness Is The Key, by Ryan Holiday + Ryan Holiday's other books + Ryan Holiday on Twitter + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

Jesse Cole has a unique story that highlights how to use creativity to stand out, and you are going to hear it on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

I won't give away too many details because I don't want to spoil it for you, but we will be hearing his modern-day Field of Dreams story as well as how his entrepreneurial journey ties into his speaking business.

We also talk about how to zig when the world is zagging, why he wears a custom yellow tuxedo and much more on episode 267 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What does PFT stand for and how does it apply to being a speaker?
Why does he write a thank you letter every single day?
Has he always had the same marketing approach with his baseball team?
Can you develop a stronger level of creativity in your life?
How to use your audience's friction points in a positive way.
What is the alter ego effect and how does it apply to speaking?
How can you use what is normal to actually be different?
When you give fun and have fun, then what happens?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Jesse Cole's web site + Savannah Bananas web site + Find Your Yellow Tux, by Jesse Cole + Jesse Cole on Twitter + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

How do you know what to ask for your speaking fees and when to raise them? And should you work with speaking bureaus?

Josh Linkner is the man to ask and he's here with the answers on today's The Speaker Lab. Today with Josh, we discuss how to know if your fees are too high or just right, and how to know when to raise them.

He also shares how to set yourself up to be ready to work with bureaus and how to know if they are a good fit for your business.

Get ready for all of that and more on episode 266 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did he grow his business to receiving 5-15 inbound leads per day today?
What does the balance of gratitude and hunger offer?
What is his strongest recommendation for speakers who want to grow their business?
Should you ever lower your fees?
What does it mean to be "bureau ready"?
Who are bureaus interested in?
When should you initiate conversations with bureaus?
What percentage of leads should say yes to your fees?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * + Josh Linkner's web site + Three Ring Circus web site + Josh Linkner on Twitter + The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin + The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call + Got questions? Send them in here + Email me! + Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review + Read show transcripts here

One of the important aspects of speaking is solving a problem for the right audience.

So how do you choose the right audience and find the most pressing problem they are facing? There's one man to answer these questions and he is here today: Mr. Terry Brock.

Terry has been in the speaking industry for a few decades and he has a wealth of knowledge! Today he shares how to ensure you are solving a specific problem for a specific audience, and how to validate that in the marketplace. We also touch on virtual speaking: how he's done it and what that has looked like for his business.

You'll hear from Mr. Terry Brock on those subjects and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is his connection to Thomas J. Stanley, author of The Millionaire Next Door?
What it means to grow bigger ears as a speaker.
How can you use social media to find what the market is looking for?
How do you know which opportunities to focus on?
What is a CSP and why do speakers need to be one?
Do the most successful speakers do just one thing?
How much of his business is virtual speaking gigs?
Who is the National Speakers Association right for and how do you get the most out of it?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Terry Brock's web site * Terry Brock on Twitter * The Millionaire Next Door, by Thomas J. Stanley * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * National Speakers' Association web site * The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin * The Speaker Lab Elite coaching call * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

Our guest for episode 263 of The Speaker Lab is Mike Pacchione and he's giving us his 5 strategies for storytelling from stage.

Mike is a speaker and coach who works with a lot of names you'd recognize and he helps his clients tell better stories during their speaking engagements. You can find out more about his back story on his first visit to The Speaker Lab in episode 9.

We will also do a brief breakdown of one of Seth Godin's stories. You can hear that breakdown and more on the 263rd edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What does it mean to prime your audience for a story?
How do you build credibility into your stories?
When do details help and when do they hinder your story?
How many characters in a story is too many?
Why stories need tension and a release of that tension.
What does it look like to build the right amount of tension?
How do you summarize the lesson of your story properly?
Can you tell a longer story at the beginning or at the end of your speech?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mike Pacchione's web site * Mike Pacchione on Twitter * Full clip of Seth Godin story breakdown * Breakdown of Sir Ken Robinson's Ted Talk * Made To Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath * Speech Breakdowns on YouTube * Work With Us * Got questions? Send them in here! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

How to use slides, stories, and data in your speeches is something every speaker should know, whether you're new to the game or have been around for a while.

And there's no one better to spell it out for us than Nancy Duarte. Nancy is the author of several books including Illuminate, Resonate and her most recent book, DataStory.

She is also a prolific speaker and storyteller and on today's show, she explains when to use slides, the most common slide mistakes speakers make and how to use both data and stories in the most powerful way possible. Join us and you can find out all of this and more on episode 262 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How did she start working with Apple over 30 years ago?
How the audience affects the content of your slides.
What number of slides is too many?
Who are the finest speech crafters in her experience: introverts or extroverts?
What is the messy middle and how do you apply it to speaking?
Why first-person stories are most effective.
How do you determine whether or not a story should be shared?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Nancy Duarte's web site * DataStory, by Nancy Duarte * Nancy's other books * Nancy Duarte on Twitter * Diagrammer * Presentation Zen, by Garr Reynolds * An Inconvenient Truth on YouTube * Got questions? Send them in here! * Email me! * Read show transcripts here

PresentationZen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (Voices That Matter)

What does it mean to be a self-reliant entrepreneur? Our guest today is here to tell us; he has literally written the book on the subject!

John Jantsch is a phenomenal speaker and author, and today we're talking about how he uses speaking for lead generation for his business and how he has created longevity and relevancy as a speaker for over 30 years.

We wrap up with his latest book, The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur and we do something that we've never done before on any show. Stay tuned for that and much more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How did he quadruple his speaking fees?
The importance of being able to evolve your message.
Why did he start his podcast?
How do you ultimately build the strongest business eco-system?
Speakers who get a lot of referrals do this one thing: what is it?
Can you determine if you are referable?
Why trusting yourself is key to being a speaker and an entrepreneur.
What is one of the key markers to success?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * John Jantsch's web site * Duct Tape Marketing, by John Jantsch * Referral Engine, by John Jantsch * Self-Reliant Entrepreneur, by John Jantsch * Duct Tape Marketing podcast * John Jantsch on Twitter * Got questions? Send them in here! * Email me! * Read show transcripts here

How do you know if your speaking topic is financially viable or if your audience will actually pay to hear what you have to say? The man to answer those questions and more is your friend and mine, Clay Hebert.

Clay was here way back on episode 5 of The Speaker Lab and today he is back. We have a fun conversation about several topics including how to figure out if your audience or target market can actually pay speaking fees, the best way to respond to the question of what do you do and why you need to work on your personal brand while also working on your craft.

Tune in to hear the details on episode 260 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why certain talks don't pay but can still build your brand and change your career.
What three entities pay for speakers?
What's one of the big untold secrets in the speaking industry?
Why it's important to work on your personal brand while you're also working on your craft.
Is it true that winners quit all the time?
When does a talk become great?
Why do speakers some times choose safe topics?
Success leaves what?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Clay Hebert's web site * Clay Hebert on Twitter * Clay Hebert on Episode 5 of TSL * The Dip, by Seth Godin * A free strategy session with our team * Got questions? Send them in here! * Email me!

The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

Scott Stratten is a phenomenal professional speaker who has been in the business well over a decade, and today he tells us what he's learned about how to stay relevant as a speaker.

We also talk about Imposter Syndrome why even the most accomplished speakers are not immune, and his latest book, The Jackass Whisperer.

This is a fun conversation full of Scott's trademark honest wisdom so join us for episode 259 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Do you have to be the expert on something before you speak on it?
Why it's not keynote or bust in the speaking world.
What it means to follow your grain.
Why did he have to focus on non-Canadian markets at a certain point?
What is his advice for people who think they'll "make it" once they sign with a bureau?
Why is he pivoting with his next book?
What is his biggest issue with the speaking world?
How and when does he say no?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Scott Stratten's web site * The Unpodcast * The Jackass Whisperer, by Scott Stratten * Scott's other books * Scott Stratten on Twitter * My breakdown of Scott's talk * Schedule a free call with our team! * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How can you create a really great event? One person who knows is Chris Mefford.

Chris knows the 5 parts to a successful event and he's going to tell us what they are on today's episode of The Speaker Lab. As the former VP of Development with Dave Ramsey and a business coach and consultant today, Chris has a massive amount of experience when it comes to putting on events of all sizes.

Today he tells us how to think about, plan and program events. He has a lot of tricks of the trade and you'll hear them all when you listen to episode 258 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

These are the two things you must-have for a successful event: what are they?
Where do you start when planning your event?
Why it's ok to think small!
How do you calculate the costs involved?
Can you launch too early?
Should you have multiple tracks or just one?
When do you send out your post-event survey?
What are the three ways to make money from an event?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chris Mefford's web site * Chris Mefford on Twitter * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

How to create a speaking pipeline might be one of the most important differentiators between those who speak full-time and those who wish they did!

On today's The Speaker, we will be diving headlong into how to create, develop and manage a strong and healthy speaking pipeline. We each share how this one strategy has helped both of us build successful speaking businesses.

Get ready to take some notes when you join us on episode 257 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is a pipeline exactly?
The two reasons it is important to have a system.
What three key areas are needed when you create your pipeline?
Why your pipeline must have a trigger.
What stages should you have for your contacts?
Why is it better to take someone's business card versus giving out yours?
When do you need to check your metrics and update them?
How long should you work your pipeline system to know it's working?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Twitter * Pipedrive * HubSpot * Episode 225 of TSL * Booked and Paid to Speak elite program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie * Read the show transcripts here

Do you have fears that hold you back?

Most speakers do and here to tell us the five most common fears among speakers is your friend and mine, Eric Rheam.

On today's show, we also talk about how to overcome those fears and we remind you that you are not alone on this journey. Get ready to tackle your fears and more on episode 256 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How do you know if your message matters?
Should you be willing to speak for free?
Is your message going to evolve over time?
How do you become a better speaker and get over self-doubt?
How long does it take most speakers to go from amateur to speaking full-time?
Why it's important to surround yourself with people who believe in you.
How do you battle fear?
Why resistance is a sign you are on the right path.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Twitter * Jerry Seinfeld: Comedian * Booked and Paid to Speak elite program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie * Read the show transcripts here

How do you make a living speaking your life's story and stand out from other motivational speakers?

How do you position yourself and make your story relevant and applicable to the right audiences? The man with the answers to those questions is our guest today, Josh Sundquist.

Josh is an incredible speaker with an equally incredible life story, which he shares today along with what separates those speakers who make it from those who don't and the importance of hustle. It's all here on episode 255 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does he track the data of potential clients and leads?
Do you have to have a crazy life story to speak about your life?
How can you find your story?
What is a requirement to be successful at sharing and speaking your life's story?
What is his motto and how does it relate to his speeches?
How he has narrowed down his topic to appeal to specific groups.
Why should you speak to anyone, anytime and anywhere?
Why the job of being a motivational speaker isn't just giving speeches.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Josh Sundquist's web site * Josh Sundquist on YouTube * Josh Sundquist on Twitter * Josh's advice for aspiring speakers * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read show transcripts here

One of the most challenging aspects of being a speaker is avoiding the feast or famine financial rollercoaster.

Our guest today has advice on how to leave the rollercoaster ride at the amusement park, and keep your bank balance on an even keel. Mike Michalowicz first joined us on episode 119 and today he's back to talk about the financial side of speaking.

Mike is an entrepreneur, well-known keynote speaker and best-selling author who has written several books including Profit First and his latest, Clockwork. His strategies have had a big impact on my life and on this edition of The Speaker Lab you'll get a taste of why. Join us for episode 254 with Mike Michalowicz.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is "the drip"?
How does he approach quarterly tax estimates?
What are we actually taxed on?
How much should you reserve off your fees for tax liabilities?
Can you own your content and have someone else deliver it?
How he has specialized his Profit First content for different verticals.
When does it become about the product and not the speaker?
How do you know what size business is appropriate for you?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mike Michalowicz's website * The Entrepreneurship Elevated Podcast * Clockwork, by Mike Michalowicz * Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz * Mike Michalowicz on Twitter * Episode 119 of The Speaker Lab * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you begin your career speaking to certain people do you know how to change target audiences?

Or even if you should change target audiences? Never fear our guest for this episode has done it and she is sharing all the details! Vanessa Van Edwards began her speaking career talking to teens and parents, but today she runs the site Science of People.

On episode 253 of The Speaker Lab she tells us why she changed audiences and how she did it as well as why she's moving to a new part of the country to help her speaking business, and why doing the same might help you, too! Join us to hear all of that and more on today's The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did her online course help her narrow down her target market?
What are the differences between introverts, extroverts and ambiverts?
How can you appeal to all three types of people in your presentation?
What was the moral turning point when she changed her business model?
How did she make the shift from teens and their parents to corporate audiences?
Why she opted to niche her speaking topics rather than her audience.
How did she leverage her web site traffic to cultivate her own research?
What are some reasons she didn't raise her rates sooner?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Science of People web site * Vanessa Van Edwards on Twitter * Captivate, by Vanessa Van Edwards * Free Speaking Fee Calculator * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What's one of the most important aspects of your business? Cultivating relationships as a speaker, and here to give us wisdom on that topic (and more) is Harriet Turk.

On episode 252 of The Speaker Lab, we talk about a wide range of topics including how to connect with event planners and meeting planners via text and email and how to manage the busy times and the slow times in the speaking business.

There's a lot to uncover and learn from Harriet so join us on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Do seasoned veteran speakers feel insecure at times?
What are the top 2 things speakers do that annoy planners?
What are a few cold email approaches that work?
When is a text conversation with planners appropriate?
What links should you include in your introductory email?
Why is she reaching out to potential clients via the postal mail right now?
How do you know when to try a different method of contacting planners?
Is the speaking world big enough for everyone to get a piece of the pie?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Harriet Turk's web site * Harriet Turk on Twitter * Harriet Turk on Facebook * Email Harriet * Episode 82 of The Speaker Lab * Booked and Paid to Speak Elite program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * View show transcripts here

Change is inevitable, but what is it like navigating life changes as a speaker? Our guest for today's episode of The Speaker Lab shares her journey. She's someone you know and love - Ms. Melanie Deziel.

Since her last visit to the show, she's had some major life changes: like becoming pregnant! Having a child is a major life event and she'll tell us how she's changing her speaking business as a result.

Listen in to hear how to navigate a significant change like having a child or any other major life milestone on episode 251 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What was the most important question she asked herself?
Are there speaking options that don't require travel?
What was one of her fears about sharing her pregnancy?
How has she navigated planning and booking gigs around her due date?
What elements has she ramped up to offset the lack of speaking gigs?
Why did she create a remote mastermind group?
Should you charge a higher fee to compensate for having fewer gigs?
How to share expectations with your significant other and family about travel and speaking gigs.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Melanie Deziel's book * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Episode 203 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 202 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 192 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 191 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 190 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 187 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 186 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 185 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 174 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 173 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 172 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 171 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 51 of The Speaker Lab * Booked and Paid to Speak elite program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What's the best way to create and use new speaking material? Our guest, Ron Tite, knows how and he is sharing all the details on today's The Speaker Lab!

Ron is a phenomenal speaker and accomplished entrepreneur who you might remember from episode 45. He is back for episode 250 of The Speaker Lab to talk about his process when creating new content and testing it out, as well as how to put it together in a new talk.

You'll hear all of that and so much more on the 250th edition of The Speaker Lab with Ron Tite.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What are the three things he does when capturing new ideas?
How can you keep your material current?
Does geography play a part in what subjects he discusses?
What is the "new two"?
When should you try out new content?
How new speaking material can help you secure repeat clients faster.
Why did he retire one of his funniest bits?
What is the importance of keeping your material in the development stage?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ron Tite's web site * Think, Do Say, by Ron Tite * Ron Tite on Facebook * Ron Tite on Twitter * Episode 45 of The Speaker Lab * Booked and Paid to Speak elite program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Think. Do. Say.: How to seize attention and build trust in a busy, busy world

What does a day in the life of a professional speaker look like? You'll find out on today's show!

Today on The Speaker Lab, we get into how to organize your day and how to maximize your time, especially if you are growing your business on the side. Lastly, we wrap up with a look at a day in the life of a professional speaker: we walk you through what each of us does every day.

Listen in to hear all of that and more on episode 249 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What's the difference between being busy versus being productive?
How can you avoid the comparison trap?
What Abe Lincoln can teach us about preparation.
When is your peak energy and how do you leverage it?
Which tasks are those that actually move the needle in your speaking business?
What is the #1 thing speakers struggle with?
Why you don't need full-time employees in order to effectively delegate.
What's the value of experimenting within your business?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Booked and Paid to Speak Elite strategy session (free) * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read episode transcripts here

How can you leverage your network to land more speaking gigs? There are plenty of ways and here to tell us is my co-host, Eric Rheam.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we talk about specific ways to leverage your network including the importance of shifting your mindset and prioritizing your contacts in your network.

Join us for all the details on those topics plus so much more on today's The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is a simple way can you better engage your market?
Which two questions will help reverse engineer potential referrals in your network?
What are the three priorities in your network?
Why the “spray and pray” email strategy does not work.
What should you say in your first contact email to your network?
How to create win-win scenarios for you and your contacts.
How do you follow up without being annoying?
What are ways to show appreciation for people who help you?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Booked and Paid to Speak Elite strategy session (free) * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read episode transcripts here

If the idea of selling yourself as a speaker is your least favorite aspect of speaking then we have the solution for you!

On this edition of The Speaker Lab, we are joined by my co-host, Mr. Eric Rheam. Eric is a successful speaker in his own right, and he's also a coach from our Booked and Paid to Speak.

Today, Eric and I give you tips and strategies on how to develop the mindset of selling yourself as a speaker, how to organize your marketing assets and ways to experiment with what works and what doesn't work. You'll hear us dig into those topics and more on episode 247 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the most common challenges speakers face when selling themselves?
Does selling come naturally to people?
Rejection is part of the game: how to get used to it.
Does the mental hurdle of quoting your fees ever go away?
Why it's important to develop a consistent work habit.
What is the priority of work and how do you use it?
There are three key marketing assets you need as a speaker: what are they?
What four organizational tools are important when you are starting out?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Booked and Paid to Speak Elite strategy session (free) * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review * Read episode transcripts here

What could you accomplish if you were truly free to focus on the things you love most? A man who will help you find out is our guest today, the one and only Michael Hyatt.

Michael is an amazing, successful speaker, author, and entrepreneur, as well as a husband and father.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, Michael and I cover a lot of ground including his evolution as a speaker, and specific elements of his book Free to Focus that relate to your speaking journey. We talk about the freedom compass and the weekly and daily three, and more.

This is an exceptionally insightful episode you won't want to miss so join us for number 246 of The Speaker Lab with Michael Hyatt.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What's the hustle fallacy?
What does the power of constraints mean?
How can you include your family in your side hustle dreams?
Why he recommends having someone else with you on the road.
What is a weekly preview and how do you do it?
How do we apply the Pareto Principle?
How many goals should you set per quarter and per year?
What happens once you've worked more than 55 hours in a week?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Michael Hyatt's web site
Michael Hyatt on Twitter
Free to Focus, by Michael Hyatt
Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, by Michael Hyatt
Business Accelerator coaching program
Booked and Paid to Speak Elite (free) strategy session
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review
Read episode transcripts here

What event planners look for in a speaker may seem like a mystery, but today's guest is going to reveal all the secrets!

Josh McGhee is an event planner who books professional speakers with fees ranging from a few thousand dollars up to $40,000.

Today he'll tell us how he and his team choose those speakers, including the one thing they all must have or he won't book them, and what you can do to be a better partner with your clients and grow your referrals.

Join us for those great insights from the other side of the table on the 245th episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How many speakers does his organization hire annually?
What are the three tiers of speaker fees in their non-profit?
How can you be pro-active without being irritating?
What specific details in your videos are important to event planners?
Why does he talk with the potential speaker before hiring them?
What role does post-event communication play in your referability?
How does his organization determine if a speaker provided their value?
How partnerships and sponsorships can work to cover your speaking fees.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Josh McGhee on LinkedIn * Booked and Paid to Speak Elite (free) strategy session * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How to leverage YouTube for more speaking gigs may be a question you've asked yourself. If so your answer is on today's episode of The Speaker Lab, and you'll definitely want to hear!

Joining us to talk about leveraging YouTube to build and grow your speaking business is Amy Landino. Amy has a YouTube following over 300k subscribers, and she's leveraged her success there to become an author and grow her speaking business.

Today we talk all things YouTube, but we also dig into the broad topics she speaks on, the details of her recent speaking agency experience: why she signed exclusively with Vayner Speakers and the pros and cons of signing with any agency.

You'll hear all of that and more during our conversation with Amy Landino on episode 244 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is good content marketing at its core?
How do you know you've hit your stride?
Why you should not use your YouTube content in your demo video.
What is the biggest mistake she sees people making in their speaker trailers?
What should be included in your speaker trailer?
How often should you upload your videos to YouTube?
What's the biggest benefit of creating videos?
How asking this one question can massively help your career.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Amy Landino on YouTube * Amy Landino on Twitter * Vayner Speakers * Free strategy session * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know how to make a good first impression? Have you thought about it? You will after you listen to this episode!

On The Speaker Lab today, Sylvie di Giusto talks with us about how to make a good first impression, something she speaks about in the corporate world. Specifically, she tells us the four people to consider when choosing what to wear, the 3 S's to picking out your onstage outfit and the ABCDs of your personal brand.

There's a lot of great content she brings to the show so join us and hear it all on episode 243 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is confirmation bias and how does it work?
How did she land on the topic of first impressions?
Why your speaking topic evolves over time.
Why accents can be an asset and not a hindrance.
What are the first steps to making a good impression?
How do you find your signature style?
How does branding impact our everyday life?
What is your reputation based on?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Sylvie de Giusto's web site * Sylvie de Giusto on LinkedIn * Sylvie de Giusto on Twitter * How You Impress, Sylvie's digital course

Booked and Paid to Speak Elite program
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What's the current state of the speaking market like right now? Our guest, Brandon Edmonson, has the answers and he is telling all on episode 242 of The Speaker Lab!

Brandon is the Vice-President of Premiere Speakers Bureau and today he'll share what they are seeing in the marketplace right now. We'll get into details like how far out clients are booking, what the fee range is and the different topics clients are booking.

That's just a small slice of what we cover so join us and listen in to episode 242 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What do all speakers need to have in their speaking video right now?
Brandon's rule of thumb for how much should you spend on your video.
How important is SEO for speakers today?
Where are their primary lead sources coming from?
Why being local is a value add for event planners and booking agents.
How far out are most events booking right now?
What's the financial outlook for the speaking industry?
How to manage the mental game of the speaking cycle.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Premiere Speakers Bureau * Vinh Giang's videos * Brandon Edmonson on Twitter * Brandon Edmonson on LinkedIn * Episode 163 of TSL * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How much does branding matter to a speaker's career? Quite a bit, and here to talk about creating your speaking brand is industry expert, Rick Clemons.

Rick is a former student now coach with our Booked and Paid to Speak program who worked in branding for several decades. He shares his personal as well as professional experiences on the topic today.

We also talk about branding: what elements go into making a brand, what it means to have your own personal speaking brand and what questions to ask if you are creating your brand. You'll hear us weigh in on those topics and more on today's The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why branding is more than just your logo and your color scheme.
How is a brand like a person?
What do you need to think through when creating your brand?
How much of branding is you defining the brand versus the market defining it for you?
What is the umbrella of your brand?
Do you need a company name?
How do values fit into your branding?
Why simplicity makes the sale.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Rick Clemons' web site * Rick Clemons on Twitter * 40 Plus: Real Men. Real Talk podcast * Episode 208 of TSL * Neen James' web site * Tamsen Webster's web site * Booked and Paid to Speak elite program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If becoming a speaker in the international market is something you dream about then you'll love this episode of The Speaker Lab!

Our guest today has delivered 90+ plus events every year for the last 11 years, and has spoken in 57 different countries and has been paid to speak over 2500 times.

His name is Phil Jones and he spends the bulk of his time helping people sell with more confidence and more credibility while getting better results.

You'll hear how he does that along with what the markets are like in South America, Europe, Asia and Australia when you join us on the 240th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Are there budgetary variations in Europe vs. South America vs. Asia?
Why you must allow yourself to go through periods of reinvention.
What two businesses should every speaker have?
If you are outside of the US, what are practical ways to break into that market?
The importance of getting clear on why you want to speak internationally.
Why should every speaker do simultaneous translation at least once?
What little things can and should you do when speaking to an international audience?
Why giving yourself permission to try, play and fail can create some of your best experiences.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Phil Jones' website * Phil's Audible book * Phil's other books * Phil Jones on Twitter * Episode 158 of TSL * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Wondering how to transition into speaking full-time? The Speaker Lab guest today, Erick Rheam, has made the leap, and he'll talk about what it's like to turn pro and make your speaking career a reality.

Erick is one of our original Booked and Paid to Speak students, and today he's a highly successful speaker. But he only recently left his corporate job to pursue his speaking career on a full-time basis.

You'll hear what gave him the confidence to finally leave and so much more on episode 239 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When did he know he had to choose between speaking and his job?
What were the two reasons speaking was a good fit for him?
What you should do if your boss isn't supportive of your speaking side hustle.
What are the two keys to being successful at something?
Should your target market and topic evolve throughout your speaking career?
What was the tipping point that showed him it was time to leave his job?
Why you need mentors in your life.
What are the biggest regrets most people have in their lives?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Episode 225 of TSL * Erick Rheam on Episode 150 of TSL * Erick Rheam on Episode 126 of TSL * Erick Rheam on Twitter * Erick Rheam on LinkedIn * Michael Hyatt's web site * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie * Read the show transcripts here

We are back with the history of The Speaker Lab part II! If you missed part one you can hear it here.

On episode 238, I am again interviewed by a former Booked and Paid to Speak alum and current coach in the program, Eric Rheam.

Today we talk about how this show has evolved over time, where we are going in the next few years and my advice for anyone starting their speaking journey. Join us to hear that and more!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When did I know it was time to retire my first podcast?
What failures did I have and what did I learn from them?
Why you have to love the process that gets you the gigs.
How has my team evolved from 2014 through today.
Why not making myself the focus of The Speaker Lab has led to our success.
What are common characteristics among the most successful Speaker Lab alums?
What's the difference between being interested and being committed?
Why you have to be ready for the grind in order to be successful.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Episode 237 of The Speaker Lab * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Episode 237 of The Speaker Lab is a unique show: we are diving into the history of The Speaker Lab!

And we are doing it by flipping the tables: I am going to be interviewed by Eric Rheam. You may recognize him from previous shows, he's a former alum of Booked and Paid to Speak and a current coach with the program.

This is the first of a two-part series in which we detail how I got into speaking, what my early years were like as a speaker, and then how and why I created The Speaker Lab. Join us for those goodies and more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What's a great exercise I recommend to other speakers today?
How many gigs did I do in my busiest year?
How long did it take to go from my first gig to my first $1k gig?
Do I still experience insecurities and doubts today?
What is the purpose of The Speaker Lab?
Why speaking is a high-paying manual labor gig.
What are the two primary ways to make more money as a speaker?
What does it mean to "sell the sawdust"?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Episode 001 of The Speaker Lab * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Booked and Paid to Speak Elite program * 48 Days to The Work You Love, by Dan Miller * The Cure For The Common Life, by Max Lucado * Rework, by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

48 Days to the Work You Love: Preparing for the New Normal

Rework

Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot

On this episode of The Speaker Lab I have a fireside chat with Jane Atkinson, founder and creator of The Speaker Launcher. The journey to creating this business began with a desire to work for an inspirational speaker. The seed was firmly planted when she saw a Les Brown TV special not long after, and it soon sprouted her first marketing gig.

Hear how that gig led her to later work with Peter Legge and Vince Vicente, before she ultimately formed The Speaker Launcher. You'll hear her stories and advice, as well as some of my own experiences when you join us for episode 236 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is one of the most difficult finds in this industry?
What it means if you aren't getting referrals.
Why being difficult doesn't just mean being a diva.
What to do when fear creeps in.
Why referring business to other speakers is critical to your own success.
What's the difference between speakers who make it and speakers who don't?
How becoming known for one thing can be beneficial.
Why you should triple down on what is working.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Speaker Launcher web site * The Wealthy Speaker 2.0, by Jane Atkinson * The Wealthy Speaker podcast * Jane Atkinson on Twitter * Jane Atkinson on Facebook * How to get booked and paid to speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

We are back with another YouTube speech breakdown; this time we are giving you the ins and outs of what works and what doesn't from the venerable Mel Robbins. On today's The Speaker Lab, we are breaking down Mel's very popular Ted Talk called How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over. Mel is a well-known keynote speaker and presenter so you will learn a lot from her speech.

Be sure to hear it all by tuning in to episode 235 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What pieces of your speech should be the most tightly scripted?
Is there a way to create humor without using words?
What types of callbacks should you use in your speech?
What lighting is best for you on stage?
What is one way to emphasize a powerful moment?
Why should you leave the stage and walk among the audience?
What works best for slides?
How to use call and response in your presentation.

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Mel Robbins' web site * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Has a company ever asked to license your material? Whether or not you've ever been approached, it's important to understand the topic of intellectual property for speakers.

Here to tell us about IP for speakers is Pamela Slim. Pamela is a successful coach, author, speaker and all-around amazing woman.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Pam explains when and how to license your material, how to protect your IP (intellectual property), as well as how to market it, price it, and leverage it to your greatest advantage.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What qualifies as intellectual property?
How can licensing help you leverage your knowledge and tools to reach new markets?
When do you know licensing is your best option?
Do you need to be famous to license your material?
What is essential to intellectual property and brand recognition?
What are the best ways to market your licensed material and IP?
Why do you need to track how many people use your materials?
Why money shouldn't be your sole focus when licensing your IP.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Pamela Slim's web site * Pamela's blog post on licensing * Pamela Slim on Twitter * Escape From Cubicle Nation, by Pamela Slim * Body of Work, by Pamela Slim * Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain * Speaking fee calculator (free!) * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

We're doing something different this week on The Speaker Lab: coming straight from our YouTube channel is our play by play breakdown of speeches and popular Ted Talks. We'll talk about what works, what doesn't work and some ideas on areas to improve.

Today our speech breakdown is of 2018 Toastmasters Champion Ramona J. Smith.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about Toastmasters which I will share on today's episode. So tune in to hear my thoughts on Toastmasters and our speech breakdown of Toastmasters champion Ramona Smith on episode 233 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is one of the ways you get better as a speaker?
How does Toastmasters help you improve?
Can you ever be too polished as a speaker?
What are the drawbacks to Toastmasters?
How to use cadence in your speeches for the greatest effect.
When does physicality work in your favor and when does it not?
How can you create visual representations on stage?
How to use strategic pauses to emphasize your points.
And so much more...

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * 2018 Toastmasters Champion Ramona J. Smith's video * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Are you overlooking some simple ways to book more gigs? You'll find out when you listen to today's show!

Kris Reece is a professional faith-based speaker who also coaches and writes books for women about reaching their fullest God-given potential.

On this episode we talk about some issues she is facing in her speaking business. Specifically, we help Kris find new gigs, leverage connections from previous gigs and evaluate whether it makes sense to pay to speak.

Join us to hear insights on those topics and more on the 232nd edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the reasons you should consider speaking for free?
Why you send an invoice even if you speak for free.
The two things you can do during a speaking gig to generate future gigs.
What's the best way you can approach previous clients for referrals?
How do you evaluate whether you should buy a sponsorship and pay to speak?
What is one of the quickest ways to build a relationship?
How do you find the key person who books speakers at big events?
Why you should never stop marketing your speaking services.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Kris Reece's web site * Kris Reece on Twitter * Free strategy session * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Follow up is what separates part-time speakers from full-time professionals.

But how do you follow through on your follow up in the most effective way? That's what we are talking about today on The Speaker Lab with Jim Kukral.

Jim is an online marketer and serial entrepreneur who wants to grow the speaking aspect of his business. This episode is a one on one coaching call with Jim about what he's been doing for follow up and what he can start doing right now to improve that aspect of his business. You'll hear that topic and more on episode 231 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What does it mean to be "unskippable"?
How do you get better as a speaker?
Why speaking fees are more than just a check.
How often should you follow up?
When should you call people you've contacted about potential gigs?
How to ensure you have accountability.
What do you do when you have a hot lead?
Why you need to always be knocking on doors for leads.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jim Kukral's web site * Be Unskippable web site * Jim Kukral on Twitter * Jim's TEDx Talk * The E-Myth, by Michael Gerber * Episode 162 with Ty Bennett * Free strategy session * Free speaking calculator * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

Ever feel like your topic should be heard by everyone? If you said yes today's show is perfect for you. Our guest is facing the same dilemma many speakers have faced: how to narrow your speaking audience.

To address this common challenge on today's The Speaker we are joined by Rocco Cozza. Rocco is a successful businessman who wants to do more speaking and today we're going to help him accomplish that goal by narrowing his audience.

Join us to hear exactly how to do this and so much more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why is kindness the most important thing in business?
Why a message for everyone is a message for no one.
When you pick a lane does that choice have to be permanent?
How to determine if there is a market for your topic.
How you can trojan horse your topic into existing speaking needs.
What should you do if you have doubts about your speaking fees?
How do you determine if a free speaking gig is valuable to you?
What is one of your best marketing tools?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Rocco Cozza's web site * Rocco Cozza on Twitter * The A.L.P.H.A. Way, by Rocco Cozza * Episode 158 with Phil Jones * Free strategy session * Free speaking calculator * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

The A.L.P.H.A. Way: Five Keys to Unlocking Your Greatness and Living Your Best Life

Hugh is one of our rare 3-peat guests and he's back to tell us how to use blogging to book speaking gigs.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, Hugh specifically explains why you should blog to grow your speaking business including how often you should blog, what you should blog about, how long your blog posts should be, and where you should promote your blog.

In addition to being a keynote speaker and best-selling author, Hugh runs a business called BlogWorks. BlogWorks is a company devoted to helping speakers book more speaking gigs through the art of blogging.

Hugh shares his wealth of knowledge and more so join us to hear it all on episode 229 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How often should you post to ensure you're relevant?
Why more is not necessarily better.
The three steps to take after you write every blog post.
Should you write your blog for your audience or people who hire speakers?
What are the two ways to know if your blog post resonates with your audience?
What should you do if you have run out of topic ideas?
Is there a standard format you can use for your blog posts?
What four statistics should you focus on?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Hugh Culver's web site * BlogWorks web site * Hugh Culver on Twitter * Hugh Culver on episode 10 of TSL * Hugh Culver on episode 120 of TSL * Free Speaker Workshop * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Do you know how to network and get more keynote speeches as a result? Our guest is here to find out, and you'll hear too when you listen to today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

Lea Pica is part of our elite coaching program and she is looking for ways to turn her existing speaking opportunities into additional paid keynote engagements. Lea is a data storytelling evangelist who teaches digital analysts and internet marketers how to look at the data from their programs, tie it to the success of their organizations or clients and then tell that story.

During episode 228, Lea tells us how speaking fits into her current business model, what she is doing right now to garner more gigs and what type of follow has worked and hasn't worked for her. We dive into all of that and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What options is she considering to boost her keynote opportunities?
Do you have to be outgoing and extroverted to be a good networker?
Why direct conversations translate to the hottest leads.
What are the two ways to promote yourself while you're speaking?
Why do you want to be the one to follow up, not vice versa?
Why it's easier to get more gigs the more you speak.
Why should you do your keynote before your workshop when you're doing both at a conference?
How to use video to follow up with stagnant leads.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Lea Pica's web site * Lea Pica's speaking page * Lea Pica on Twitter * Loom * Bonjoro * BombBomb * Screencastify * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak Elite program * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Is getting paid to speak on creativity really a viable option? Is that a topic to build your business around? Here to explore those questions is one of our Elite coaching students, Beth Inglish.

Beth is an artist who speaks to other artists and leaders in the community to help them rediscover their creativity. Of late, she's been speaking to leaders in corporate America about how to be more creative and how to lead with a creative mindset.

On today’s The Speaker Lab, we talk about what changed for Beth that made her want to pursue speaking as a business, how to go from doing free gigs to paid gigs and how to know if you can make a living speaking to a particular audience. Join us for those topics and more on today’s edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are questions to ask if you are struggling to find your target audience?
How do you know if your potential audience is viable?
Why you need to keep your big picture goals in mind.
Does everyone have creativity inside of them?
How can you narrow down who you speak to?
Why it's important to spread the word that you are a speaker.
How can you find subgroups and other events/opportunities within the same company?
Why having someone vouch for you can be a win-win for you and your client.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Beth Inglish's web site * Beth Inglish on Facebook * Beth Inglish on Instagram * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak Elite program * Booked and Paid to Speak program * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Everyone loves an underdog, right? If you're just starting out as a speaker you definitely fall in the underdog category. So why not take full advantage and create your own underdog Rocky story? Clint Pulver did and success has followed suit.

Today he's going to tell us how he tapped into the power of his own Rocky story to make powerful relationships with speakers he admires and respects, and how he created his own board of directors as a result.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, he'll also tell us how he incorporates professional drumming experience into his speaking gigs. Join us for the details on all of these topics with my friend and yours Clint Pulver.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did he get his first speaking gig while still in high school?
When did he quit his full-time job in the medical field?
The 3 things that make up a dream job: what are they?
What one thing did he do that directly led to booking 7 gigs?
What questions did he ask of his prospective audience?
How much of a financial buffer did he have saved for himself?
What one piece of content generated 85% of his bookings in his first year?
What three business investments paid the biggest dividends?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Clint Pulver's web site * Clint Pulver's demo video * Clint Pulver on Instagram * National Speakers Association * NSA's Influence 2019 * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Do you track any of your speaking metrics? Our guest today, Erick Rheam, says there are 5 key metrics to growing your speaking business.

Erick has been on the show before so you can revisit his story on episode 126 and episode 150. I brought him on to today's episode of The Speaker Lab to talk about the exponential growth he has had using certain key metrics. Specifically there are 5 key metrics he focuses on, and those metrics have taken his business from $15,000 to nearly $200k in under 4 years.

Even if you're already successful in your speaking career you'll learn plenty from hearing about Erick's metrics and how he uses them to gauge the health of his business. Tune in for those insights and more with Erick Rheam on episode 225 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are lagging indicators versus leading indicators?
How has he determined his $5,000 speaking fee and when does he raise it?
What are the 5 steps in his prospective gig pipeline?
How soon should you contact a prospect who shows interest in hiring you?
When does he stop everything and focus on generating leads?
What does it mean to him if no one books him from an event where he's speaking?
How many gigs does he aim to book from each of his speaking events?
Why you've got to be serious about the numbers if you want to be serious about speaking
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Episode 150 of TSL * Erick Rheam on Episode 126 of TSL * Erick Rheam on Twitter * Erick Rheam on LinkedIn * Pipedrive * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Todd Henry is a successful speaker, consultant and best-selling author who is here to give us speaking tips from the accidental creative point of view.

Todd has written four books, including The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder than Words and his latest work called Herding Tigers. Herding Tigers is about how leaders can create environments in which creative teams can thrive.

On today's The Speaker Lab, we talk about his evolution, why you need to have a great speaker video and the importance of lovingly punching your audience in the gut! Hear what that means and more on episode 224 of The Speaker Lab with Todd Henry.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Is it always necessary to replace your full-time income before you leave to go out on your own?
Who are your stakeholders and why must you all be in alignment?
How many years did it take for him to make the leap to entrepreneurship?
What is the goal of taking risks?
How many times did he almost quit while he was building his business?
How does he cope with the struggles and the low moments he experiences today?
Why you shouldn't be afraid to stand up and have a point of view.
Why a good speaker "lovingly punches you in the gut".
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Todd Henry's web site * The Accidental Creative web site * The Accidental Creative podcast * The Daily Creative podcast * The Accidental Creative, by Todd Henry * Die Empty, by Todd Henry * Louder Than Words, by Todd Henry * Herding Tigers, by Todd Henry * Todd Henry on Twitter * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Does the idea of cold calling strike fear into your heart? It won't after today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

Joe is an up and coming speaker who has quickly added a lot of gigs to his calendar by using the four rules of cold calling for speakers. On this episode, Joe tells us what those four rules are as well as how to remove the fear of cold calling and how to make it easy for your prospects to say yes to you.

This is another terrific guest you won't want to miss so be sure to join us on episode 223 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did he first uncover the power of cold calling?
How can you get your foot in the door of an industry in which you are not known?
Do you have to go in hot to a cold call?
How do you know if you are a good fit for a potential opportunity?
Why uncommon commonalities are important in your cold calling process.
What's the best way to reach out: phone, email, or social media?
How expecting nothing and appreciating everything will explode your business.
The type of follow up you can do to show your gratitude for the people who help you.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Joe Hirsch's web site * Joe Hirsch on LinkedIn * Joe Hirsch on YouTube * Joe Hirsch on Twitter * The Feedback Fix, by Joe Hirsch * Joe's TEDx Talk * Joe's Inc. Column * Digital Summit * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Mike Kim is one very smart man who knows marketing and branding, and he is here to share his 7 step process for creating your speaking brand. This is the same process he has used with his clients, including well-known thought leaders like John Maxwell, Donald Miller and Suzanne Evans.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, he walks us through those 7 steps and what they entail. We also talk about why positioning determines so much of everything else you do in your business, how to price yourself as a premium speaker while still being able to negotiate and take lower-priced gigs.

Whether you are new to speaking or are a long-time veteran, this is a great episode chockfull of helpful recommendations and frameworks to help you. Without further adieu take a listen to Mike Kim and I on today's The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the most unique selling proposition that any of us have?
Who should your marketing materials be speaking to?
Which platform is best for you?
Why you should position yourself towards the high end of the market.
How do you know what kind of product you are offering?
What is the best way to pitch and sell yourself?
What are the three sub-identities to every brand?
Can you sell lower-tiered products while being positioned as a high-end brand?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mike Kim's web site * Mike Kim on Twitter * Mike Kim on Instagram * Mike Kim's free recap and resources * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Some people do it all and our guest today is one of those people! Alli Worthington joins The Speaker Lab to tell us all how to write, speak and host conferences.

Alli is a speaker, author, business coach and conference host who fell into speaking the same time she hosted her first event, an interesting story she shares with us today.

We also talk about how having a book has impacted her speaking career, what you should do if you want to speak to female entrepreneurs, and how she chooses which speakers to hire when she is hosting her conference, Blissdom.

You'll hear all of those topics and more - there is a LOT to learn from Alli Worthington on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why she hosted her first event before she had ever been to a conference!
What did Scott Stratten say that shifted her mindset about being nervous?
Does she consider herself an author or speaker first?
When is it worth speaking for free?
What is the perceived value in having someone else handle your calendar?
Is there a connection between the quality of your writing and the quality of your speaking?
What advice does she have for women about fees?
When should you say no to an opportunity?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Alli Worthington's web site * Alli Worthington's books * The Alli Worthington Show * Blissdom Conference * Alli Worthington on Twitter * Find and Book Paid Speaking Gigs * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you are just starting out your main concern might about how to get started as a speaker. Our guest on this episode of The Speaker Lab is here to tell us how he did it.

Today Jason Hewlett is a professional speaker and entertainer, but like many people he had no idea where to start. He had the dream and the desire, but he needed a plan.

On today's episode we talk about how he got a plan in place and took action. We also discuss how he went from performance-based speaking with impressions and impersonations to more serious keynote speeches. You'll hear his tips and ideas on those topics and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why does he prefer the keynote closing session?
How did following up after gigs help build his business from scratch?
Why event planners are in the risk-mitigation business, and how you can help.
How did he keep integrity with his fees?
What advice does he give to people moving from one niche to another?
Why speaking is a humbling business.
Why he always takes a selfie with a client, and what he does from there.
What's the value of having relationships with other speakers?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jason Hewlett's web site * Jason Hewlett on Twitter * Jason Hewlett on YouTube * Jason’s training course * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Justin is a unique guest who is unlike any other guest we've had before on this show: he's here to explain what magic can teach us about speaking.

As a magician, Justin is an amazing entertainer who speaks and performs from stage. On episode 219, Justin tell us when he knew he wanted to pursue a career in magic, how he strategized which markets to focus on and what his business look like today.

We dig into those topics and more so join us on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How to deal with a topic that needs to be explained to your potential clients.
How did he get on The Ellen DeGeneres Show?
What would he do if he were starting over today?
Why there is no silver bullet to content marketing.
How did doing one event for free lead to a book deal with Wal-Mart and an international ad campaign for Coca-Cola?
Does he customize his magic presentations for each client?
Where does he get his ideas for new material?
When does he know a bit is ready for stage and how does he test it?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Justin Flom's web site * Justin Flom on Facebook * Justin Flom on YouTube * World's Best show on CBS * Good One podcast * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

As we kick off the new year resolutions are in the air! Is writing a book one of yours? If writing a book is your way of running down a dream then there's no one better to help you on your path than our guest today, Tiim Grahl.

Tim is a book marketing expert who has been in the industry for 10+ years. He has worked with everyone from Dan Pink to Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank, and many other names you'd recognize.

Today on episode 218 of The Speaker Lab, he tells us what it takes to make a book successful. He also talks with us about his latest book, Running Down A Dream, how you can overcome doubts, fear and insecurities about running down your own dream and how to find time to build your speaking business no matter how busy you are.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why shouldn't you focus on social media?
Why just having a book out on the market can build your platform.
How many years should you continue to promote your book?
The one exercise to find the truth about how much time you actually have.
Where did the idea for Running Down A Dream come from?
Why don't most people run down their dreams?
How to know when to course correct your path.
What is the difference between coasting and settling?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Tim Grahl's web site * Tim Grahl on Twitter * Running Down A Dream, by Tim Grahl * Tim's other books * Story Grid Podcast * The Speaker Lab on YouTube * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Running Down a Dream: Your Road Map To Winning Creative Battles

Is there something unique about you, perhaps something you haven't fully shared with the world? Our guest joins us to share how being different is awesome and how what makes him different has opened doors in his speaking career.

Ryan Haack is a student in our Booked and Paid to Speak training program, and has had success speaking to elementary schools. Specifically, he talks to elementary school assemblies about a physical difference he has had since birth and why being different is positive.

Also on today's show we talk about the pros and cons of speaking to elementary schools, including fees and other logistics, plus how he juggles speaking with a full-time job. Join us for those topics and more on episode 217 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What two questions to ask yourself to determine your audience.
How does he balance speaking to multiple audiences while not being too broad?
What came first: his book or speaking?
How do you know you're doing the right thing?
What model works best for speaking to elementary schools?
How does he adjust his speeches according to the age groups in his audience?
Who is typically the decision-maker he goes through?
What next steps does he recommend if you are getting started?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ryan Haack's web site * Ryan Haack on Twitter * Different is Awesome, by Ryan Haack * How to Find and Book Paid Speaking Gigs * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What is a speaker showcase and how do you master the art of showcasing to colleges? Justin Laipply will explain on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

Justin has been on the show before on episode 107. On that show, we dig into his background in the college/education space as well as his current market: the corporate world.

But today on The Speaker Lab, we talk about what showcases are exactly, who is in the audience and how to leverage these appearances into paying gigs and long-term relationships. Join us for all the details on episode 216 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the #1 marketing tool of a speaker?
What's the difference between a showcase audience versus any other audience?
Who hosts showcases in the corporate space?
What is block booking and how does it work?
What speaking market has the singlest easiest barrier to entry?
How can you get your foot in the door at APCA or NACA?
What is a contract request?
Is it better to start at a regional or go straight to a national?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Judson Laipply's web site * Judson Laipply on Twitter * The Evolution of Dance video * NACA web site * APCA web site * NODA web site * Episode 107 with Judson Laipply * Find Paid Speaking Gigs * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

People who excel at speaking and any other profession have one thing in common: they invest in themselves. A great example of this is our guest for today's show, Kate Garnes. Kate is a member of our elite coaching program and her results reflect why investing in yourself matters so much.

On this episode, we will talk about the moment she knew she wanted to be a motivational speaker, why she signed up for the elite coaching program, and how she went from zero gigs a year ago to having 13 upcoming paid keynotes across the country! Join us to hear Kate and I dig into those topics and more on episode 215 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What was her first step after deciding to become a speaker?
How did she hone in on her niche of teen leadership?
Why your topic and your target market will always be changing.
How can you avoid rookie mistakes?
Why having a rock solid talk will book gigs.
How much did she invest in her speaking career?
What systems does she have and what is her process for following up?
Why it's okay to doubt yourself, and what to do in those moments.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Kate Garnes' web site * Kate Garnes on Instagram * Kate Garnes on Facebook * Harriet Turk’s web site * HubSpot * The Speaker Lab Elite * Find Paid Speaking Gigs * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever thought of YouTube as more than a place to host your videos? What if you could find out how to use YouTube to grow your speaking business? The man to tell us how is none other than my friend Thomas Frank.

Thomas went through our Booked and Paid to Speak trainings a few years ago. I met him when he was in college; I spoke at his school. We stayed in touch and he's become extremely successful, especially with his YouTube channel.

On today's show, we talk about his origins, how you can use YouTube to build your audience and find and book potential speaking gigs, and best practices for YouTube videos to generate more interest and views. Join us for Thomas' insights on those subjects and much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is his strategy when he goes to a conference?
How does he use his platform to build relationships?
What other income streams has he built aside from speaking?
How Fizzle and Pat Flynn influenced his platforms and business growth.
What is the second biggest search engine after Google?
Is it best to position yourself as a topic expert or a speaker?
What are the 3 factors to succeeding on YouTube?
What can flags teach us about using YouTube effectively?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * College Info Geek web site * Thomas Frank on Twitter * Thomas Frank on YouTube * College Info Geek on YouTube * College Info Geek on Twitter * Find Paid Speaking Gigs * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

At a certain point, most of us think about how to ensure we are living a life of significance. One person who has definitely done this is our guest today, Pete Smith. Pete has devoted his career to this very topic and he's here to share with us how he's successfully done so as a keynote speaker.

Today he has between 40 and 50 engagements a year, most of which are opening or closing keynotes on the topic of bringing significance into our lives. But how he choose that topic and how he's grown his speaking career from free local association gigs to international keynotes is a fascinating story.

On this edition of the show, he'll tell us how he got his start, the funny story of what happened the first time he was asked what he charges to speak and how he picked his domain name since his name is so common. Tune in to hear that and more on episode 213 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the 3 biggest takeaways he wants his attendees to get from his talks?
How did having a stroke impact his speaking career?
Why is he the poster child for how NOT to go out on your own?
How local associations helped him get his start.
How many free events vs paid events did he do in his first year?
What type of person is cut out for this business?
What is working for him right now to find and book gigs?
If you have a message to deliver what is the question to ask yourself?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Pete Smith's web site * Pete Smith on Twitter * Free resource to find and book paid speaking gigs * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One of the fundamental keys to succeeding as a speaker is providing an exceptional customer experience for your client. This includes all aspects of your client's event: before, during and even after.

A man who knows this truth like the back of his own hand is Joey Coleman. You may remember Joey from epsiode 197 of the show, and you may remember we finished that show with a tease to bring him back. Well he's back and in full force for part II!

Today Joey walks us through an 8 step process of what to do before, during and after an event to provide an exceptional customer experience. He also explains why this all matters so much and gives us his top pro tip on what to never, ever, ever do! Jump on in and join us for this in-depth look at providing an exceptional customer experience on episode 212 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How can you keynote the same event year after year?
When do clients have buyer's remorse and what can you do about it?
Why you don't have to be an exceptional speaker to be successful.
Why does he send letters of agreement and not contracts?
What are questions he always asks during planning calls?
What is the biggest fear most event planners have?
You have a minimum of three audiences for all of your gigs: what are they?
How to get your client to become your biggest advocate.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Joey Coleman's web site * Never Lose a Customer Again, with Joey Coleman * Never Lose a Customer Again on Audible * Joey Coleman on Twitter * Episode 197 with Joey Coleman * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days

Can you change your audience once you’ve started speaking? You can, and here to share how to pivot in your speaking career is Kendra Dahlstrom.

On today’s episode of The Speaker Lab, Kendra shares how and why she changed her speaking niche, how she gained traction early on in her speaking career, and what it was like to make the jump from alast full-time job to a full-time speaking career.

Join us for all of that and so much more on today's 211th edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When did she know she wanted to work full-time as a speaker?
Why did she resist nailing down her niche?
How did she stay positive through multiple transitions?
What did she do early on to get gigs?
How did she know how much to charge initially?
Why does creating time blocks help prioritize?
How did she decide when to add coaching, consulting and courses?
What advice does she have if you want to leave your full-time job?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Kendra Dahlstrom's web site * Kendra Dahlstrom on Twitter * Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms, by A. J. Gregory and Tim Tebow * Email us! * Ready for more? Join our free speaker workshop * Speaking Fees Calculator * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life's Storms

Do you need a speaking management company? What's the difference between a speaking management company and a speakers bureau?

Here to answer those questions and more is Karen Harris of CMI Speaker Management, a management agency for speakers. Karen's agency is designed to represent the speaker's interests and take care of their needs, while also growing their business.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we talk about the differences between speaker agents and bureaus before discussing what clients want to see from potential speakers and what distinguishes those speakers who make it from those who don't succeed. Join us for that and more on episode 210 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What does Karen look for in potential clients for her agency?
Are videos better shown in small chunks or one longer clip?
What can we learn about marketing from the latest Mission Impossible movie?
Why should you have multiple YouTube channels and what should each of them be?
What are the top two topics event planners are booking for right now?
What works well to book gigs when you are a new or emerging speaker?
Do you always have to do "exposure opportunities"?
Why you must take a video down if it's more than a year old.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * CMI Speaker Management web site * CMI Speaker Management on Twitter * Database of speaking opportunities * Email us! * Ready for more? Join our free speaker workshop * Speaking Fees Calculator * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever considered how to develop your voice through speaking and writing? Whether you are a speaker who wants to write or a writer who has a book to promote writing and speaking go hand in hand. Here to tell us more about this is Ann Handley.

Ann is the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs, she's also a best-selling author and a speaker. Today on The Speaker Lab she and Melanie are talking about writing and speaking are intertwined, how to find and refine your unique voice and the importance of showing up authentically on stage and in your content.

Episode 209 is also a different kind of episode: Melanie Diezel is back as our interviewer. We've done this once before and you all loved it so much we decided to do it again. Let us know if you want another Melanie-run interview and a repeat visit from Ann after you listen to this latest edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the essence of public speaking?
What is the dirty truth of being an author?
Can we develop a strong sense of our own voice, even if we aren't writers?
What makes the best writing?
Is writing something only a few special people have been gifted with?
How does content play into building your speaking business?
What gave her the feedback to know she needed to write her second book?
What is a baby step you can take right now to experiment with writing?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ann Handley’s web site * Ann's newsletter * MarketingProfs web site * Everybody Writes by Ann Handley * Content Rules by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman * Ann Handley on Twitter * Aaron Draplin on Instagram * Content Marketing World * Email us! * Episode 195 of The Speaker Lab * Ready for more? Join our free speaker workshop * Speaking Fees Calculator * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Some of the advice you'll hear most on this show is about how to narrow your audience. Yes your topic may appeal to a wide range of audiences, but how are you going to find the people perfect for you? By staying focused and going narrow.

Someone who epitomizes this is Rick Clemons, our guest for this episode. Rick has gone through The Speaker Lab elite coaching program and has made fantastic strides in the process!

Today we are talking about how he's worked to narrow down who his audience is (even though his topic could appeal to many different groups), why systems and structure have helped him to book more gigs and simple strategies to increase engagement when contacting potential clients. Join us for that and more on episode 208 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When did he realize he's a storyteller who happens to speak?
How did he pivot so he could narrow his focus?
How to adapt your language to connect with potential clients.
What is a common mistake most speakers make?
How and why to get clear on the results you want.
Why he focuses on the six to eight states nearest him.
What is his email follow up system?
How does he utilize video to personally connect with potential clients?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Rick Clemons' web site * Rick Clemons on Twitter * The Life Uncloseted podcast * Loom video and screen recording software * Speaking Fees Calculator * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you think if you get listed with a speakers bureau the gigs will just come pouring in? It's not quite that simple.

Marcus Sheridan joins us to share why speakers bureaus alone won't make you successful (and what will) on episode 207 of The Speaker Lab.

Marcus is a successful speaker who has built his business in an unconventional way. Today we break down and bust through myths he held, how his perception of speaking bureaus has evolved and changed, how he thinks about speaking fees and quantifying the value you offer.

And we finish with Marcus giving an answer he is certain I disagree with! Tune in to hear what that answer is and if I actually do disagree on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Is a bureau pivotal to booking higher quality gigs?
Why bureaus should supplement your business, but not be the sole source.
Was it hard for him to ask for money for his own services?
Why success takes more than just getting on stage and speaking.
At what point did he start bringing in a team to help him?
Why does he think speakers have difficulty asking for higher fees?
Why people aren't paying you for your time, and what they are paying for instead.
How to take full advantage of the seeds of trust you have already developed.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Marcus Sheridan's website * Email Marcus * They Ask You Answer, Marcus' latest book * Marcus Sheridan on Twitter * Speaking Fees Calculator * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

They Ask You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer

Do you know what SEO stands for or how SEO can grow your speaking business? You're in luck because today's guest will answer those questions, and more. Brian Dean of Backlinko joins us for episode 206 of The Speaker Lab.

Brian's company is Backlinko, an SEO training company that teaches people how to rank in Google and YouTube. Most people know Backlinko as a blog, it gets 3 million visitors every year and is one of the top SEO blogs in the world.

If you're wondering what SEO is the term stands for search engine optimization, which means getting your site to rank higher on Google. The purpose of SEO is driving more traffic to your site from search engines, like Google and YouTube.

On this episode, we'll talk about why SEO (including blogging and YouTube) should be a part of your marketing strategy. Brian will also share techniques you can use, including where to begin, and much more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What does EAT stand for and why does it matter in your Google rankings?
What is the barbell strategy?
How do you know which keywords you should use?
How many keywords should you be targeting to be most effective?
What are the two ways Google reviews your site to rank it?
Why has he put so much effort into YouTube?
What is the 2nd biggest search engine in the world?
How long should your videos be on YouTube?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Backlinko web site * Backlinko blog * Backlinko on Twitter * Seed Keywords Engine * Database of speaking events * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Free Speaker Workshop * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

You know it takes time, effort and energy to build and grow your speaking career; succeeding as a speaker means you also must know how to compete every day. Someone who embodies this is Jake Thompson. Jake's brand, Compete Every Day, is an apparel lifestyle brand based on the idea that life is worth competing for.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Jake will go into more detail on the evolution of his brand as well as how he's uncovered who his audience is, how he battles discouragement in this business, and how he hustles to expand his business without getting overwhelmed or spreading himself too thin.

We also get into some coaching before wrapping up with Jake's advice for hanging in there through the ups and downs of your journey. Join us for all of that on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When did he feel called to the stage, and why?
What is the goal behind his brand?
How has he gotten traction over the last six months?
What role has content played in helping people to find him?
Why it's easier to pivot from the wrong niche than it is to speak to a broad target market.
What can we learn from Kobe Bryant's basic drill exercises?
How is batching a variety content helping him grow his business?
Why you can do it all, just not at once.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Compete Every Day web site * Jake Thompson's web site * Compete Every Day on Twitter * Database of speaking events * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Free Speaker Workshop * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Can publishing a book help your speaking career? It can and here to explain how to get a book deal is my friend Chad Allen. Chad has 20 years of publishing experience under his belt, including being the head of the Baker Books division of The Baker Publishing Group.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we're going to talk about how to create your book proposal, why and how to follow authors in your space, how to contact potential publishers, and much more.

Chad has been extremely instrumental behind the scenes of my own book deal and publishing process so I wanted to share his advice with you. Join us on to hear what we've been up to along with his advice for you on how to get a book deal on episode 204 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why you need a business plan for your book.
What are the six major elements of a book proposal?
Do you always need a book agent?
How do publishers decide which books to publish?
What are the key metrics a publisher uses when evaluating your platform?
What is the #1 reason publishers turn down a proposal?
How many email subscribers do you need at a minimum?
What are the three forms of credibility and how does a book give you all of them?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chad Allen's web site * Chad Allen on Twitter * 5 Insider Secrets to Landing a Book Deal webinar * Episode 199 of The Speaker Lab * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Free Speaker Workshop * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One of the most common topics people ask me about is how to create a demo video. To dive into this topic our co-host, Ms. Melanie Diezel, is returning for episode 203.

This is an important part of building your speaking business and your brand so we're dedicating an entire show to it.

Today, Melanie and I will walk you through the best practices to keep in mind for your demo video, how to actually create your demo video with or without footage, and our best technical tips and software suggestions even if you aren't technically-oriented.

There's a lot to get to so tune in to hear it all on episode 203 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why your audience is key when you are creating your demo video.
How and why to use B roll and voiceover in moderation.
How can you layer in photos to show diverse experience?
What is one of the easiest ways to punch up your demo video?
What do you do if you need footage?
What are some ways to hold people's attention throughout your video?
Can you shoot your entire video using just an iPhone?
Why your title and description of your video are also important.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Envato Market web site * Pond 5 web site * Episode 56 of The Speaker Lab * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Free Speaker Workshop * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Are you a part-time speaker, or are you someone who speaks on occasion? Or maybe you're doing a lot of speaking on the side while still working your full-time job, and you're wondering how to transition into full-time speaking. If any of those scenarios sound like you then you're in luck!

Today's episode is completely dedicated to this very topic - how to transition into speaking full-time. Melanie and I will share our own stories of how we went from part-time speakers to having full-time speaking careers.

We'll also tell you when it makes the most sense to make the transition, how to juggle everything before, during and after the transition and how best to prepare yourself so you can make the transition as smooth as possible. Join us for those topics and more on episode 202 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why are so many people intimidated by making the leap from their jobs to speaking?
How long does it take most speakers to build their business into full-time speaking gigs?
Why there is never the perfect time to do anything.
What are the two types of regret?
How can you promote yourself without ruffling the feathers of your full-time job?
What are other streams of revenue you can use while you build your speaking skills?
How to determine a realistic budget and a financial safety net.
Will there be some seasons that are busier than others even when you're an established speaker?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Episode 33: How to Pay Taxes on Your Speaking Fees * Episode 51: What It's Really Like to Start a Speaking Career * Episode 113: How to Become a Full-Time Speaker * Episode 150: How to Work Full-Time and Build Momentum as a Speaker * Free Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

This is my favorite guest we've ever had and ever will have: my wife! We are talking with Sheila Baldwin, my other half.

Sheila was previously here with us on episode 60, and we're bringing her back for part two today. We'll talk about how to be married to a speaker: what Sheila's role has been in my business, what it's really like for her when I travel, how we divide up chores and what we like to do for fun.

You'll hear Sheila give her thoughts on those topics and more today. Please enjoy this conversation with me and my wife on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What was it like to make the transition from full-time work into self-employment as a speaker?
Will there ever be the perfect time?
How did we stay connected while I traveled for speaking gigs?
How can you stay fully present when you are at home?
When Sheila has been kept separate from my business, and why.
What challenges has she witnessed as the business has evolved over the years?
Did she ever want me to give up speaking?
Why does she have me do my own laundry?
And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Episode 60 of The Speaker Lab * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to The Speaker Lab for a very special milestone: episode 200! Whether it's your first time here or you've been with us for all 200 shows, thank you for listening.

On today's episode we are doing something different - we've reached out to our speaker friends and other people in the speaking industry and asked them to share their best speaking tip. It could be related to connecting to the audience, building your business or the craft itself.

About 20 some speakers chimed in with their #1 tip and you're going to hear it when you listen in to episode 200 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why should you throw away half of your best presentation?
What is a contextual model and why should you have one?
Why you should stop seeing others as competition and start learning from them instead.
Three ways to take full advantage of the ecosystem around your speaking engagement.
How do you get your audience to share your talk?
What three things do you need to have a sustained, successful speaking career?
Why you want to niche down as far as possible.
What is the one question you can ask to create more sales?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Dr. Susan Ettinger's web site * Rick Clemons' web site * Convince and Convert web site * The Pivot Method toolkit * Unmarketing web site * Pamela Slim's web site * Front Row Factor web site * Shawn Hanks of Premiere Speakers Bureau * Tamsen Webster's web site * Chris Ducker's web site * Mitch Joel's web site * Beyond The Stage webinar * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

By now you know publishing is a great way to solidify your reputation in your niche. But did you know you can also grow your speaking revenue through publishing? You can and our friend Jeff Goins is here to share exactly how.

Today is a different type of episode, it's actually an interview taken from our upcoming course Beyond The Stage. Our conversation focuses on all things publishing: self-publishing, traditional publishing or a hybrid of the two we are covering it.

There's a lot of great stuff on this show so please join me and Jeff Goins for a preview of Beyond The Stage right here on episode 199 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why getting a traditional book deal isn't necessarily going to make your career.
Did Mark Twain self-publish his books?
How are book advances determined?
When does it make sense to get a traditional book deal, and when not?
How do you know if your platform qualifies as a "big" platform?
What is hybrid publishing and how does it work?
When does a hybrid deal make sense and when does self-publishing make sense?
What are your "subrights" and why should you keep your audio rights?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jeff Goins' web site * Jeff Goins on Twitter * Tribe Writers course * You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One), by Jeff Goins * Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams Into Your Comfortable Life, by Jeff Goins * The Art of Work, by Jeff Goins * Real Artists Don’t Starve, by Jeff Goins * The Coaching Habit, by Michael Bungay Stanier * CreateSpace * Beyond The Stage webinar * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into your Comfortable Life

You know a speaker only makes money when they speak - unless they build their business beyond the stage. And today we are exploring one of the ways to do just that with the one and only Mr. Pat Flynn.

Pat is an entrepreneur and renowned public speaker who runs a site called Smart Passive Income. Even though he and I could geek out on speaking all day long we have a different focus for this show: affiliate marketing.

Pat has built a significant business going this route so I brought him on to share what he's learned along the way. If you're interested in building your speaking business beyond the stage you'll want to check out this episode along with our free live training here. Be sure to join us for the training and for episode 198 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Are there any types of products or services that lend themselves better to affiliate marketing?
The one question to ask yourself to determine which affiliate products to offer to your audience.
Why do you have an advantage in affiliate sales in your role as a public speaker?
What is the purpose of demo videos and how do you use them?
Can you ever get a higher commission rate?
What can you do if a product you like doesn't have an affiliate program?
Why would a company ever offer 100% commission rates?
What rules should you be aware of when offering affiliate sales?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Smart Passive Income web site * Pat Flynn’s affiliate marketing course * Pat Flynn on Twitter * Beyond The Stage webinar * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Wouldn't it be great if you knew how to never lose a customer again? Absolutely! To give us insights is the man who literally wrote the book on this subject: Joey Coleman.

Joey is a full-time speaker who talks to companies about what they can do to keep their customers, especially in the first 100 days of a new customer's journey and how to keep that customer coming back for more.

We dive into those topics as well as his one tip for providing an exceptional experience for your speaking clients. Hear what that tip is and much more on episode 197 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What percentage of customers stop doing business with a company before their 100 day anniversary?
How did he double his speaking fee with one gig?
How did he rack up over 4,000 hours of speaking before he gave he became a full-time speaker?
While speaking why does he give examples of both big clients and small clients?
Do you need to tell your audience you are a professional speaker?
Did he actually close his agency in under a week to become a speaker?
Why you should prep one hour for every minute you are speaking.
How much of a keynote should be customized so your audience feels your speech has been written for them?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Joey Coleman's web site * Never Lose a Customer Again, with Joey Coleman * Joey Coleman on Twitter * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever listened to a speaker and felt like they knew you and your fellow audience members personally? That feeling makes all the difference as a listener, but it also makes a difference for the speaker.

Here to tell us how customizing improves you as a speaker is our Chris Hogan, our guest on today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

Chris is part of Ramsey's Solutions, Dave Ramsey's company and has been for the last 13 years. Over time, Chris has evolved from coaching pro athletes, entertainers and musicians to traveling the globe giving customized speeches to Fortune 100 companies.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab we also talk about how he balances his family with giving close to 100 talks a year, plus what it means to be a good leader. Join us for all of that and more with Chris Hogan on episode 196 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why was his first gig a "hot mess" and what can it teach you about being a better speaker?
What does his process look like today when giving a new talk?
What allows him to grow his craft?
How does he track potential stories and anecdotes to include in his talks?
Why are first person stories so powerful?
What is the magic that connects you with an audience?
What advice does he have if you are just starting out?
Why we can never be 100% balanced.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chris Hogan's web site * The Chris Hogan Show * Chris’ speaking events * Retire Inspired, by Chris Hogan * Chris Hogan on Twitter * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Why is being your authentic self on social media important to your speaking career? The answers are on this episode, and it's an extra special one. We're doing something today we have never done before: Melanie Deziel is your host, not me.

Joining her is Michael Barber, a marketing expert and talented speaker who is sharing how speakers can show up as their authentic selves on social media and on stage, plus the 3 different types of content speakers should share online to market themselves and how your day job can compliment your speaking and vice versa.

This is a phenomenal and fun interview covering those topics and much more so be sure to listen in to episode 195 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are you amplifying when you take the stage?
What are two ways you can be more you on social media?
Why you've got to be okay with sharing the real you.
What are the three categories for what to share and what not to share on social media?
Why is email still the #1 social media channel?
Which is better: short or long-form content?
Who should you focus on: your engaged subscribers or unengaged?
Why your metrics are yours, and you should forget about anyone else's benchmarks.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Michael Barber's web site * Michael Barber on Twitter * Michael Barber on Instagram * Principles by Ray Dalio * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Knowing how to get attention in today's increasingly digital world is no small feat, and our guest is here to fill us in. If you've listened to the show for awhile you may remember her from episode 124 - Ms. Neen James.

She's a rare repeat guest and we make great use of her visit on today's The Speaker Lab. We talk about attention: getting and keeping attention from potential clients and even other speakers, and how to pay attention.

We're also talking about the grind of speaking and how to stay positive and not give up. Neen is a long-time speaker who knows the ups and downs of building and maintaining a speaking career, together we talk candidly about our own experiences of the highs and the lows. There's much to learn from Neen so settle in and join us on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How to go analogue in a digital world.
What's the absolute best marketing tool?
How peanut butter and jelly landed her a client.
What is her approach for using a CRM effectively?
How to use simple video to create custom communication.
What is her process to follow up without being annoying?
Why attention is really about authentic connection.
Which should you approach first: associations or contacts in your specific industry?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Neen James' web site * Neen James on Twitter * Neen James on Facebook * Attention Pays, by Neen James * Digital Persuasion, by Erin Gargan * Never Lose a Customer Again, by Joey Coleman * 5 Ways to Create Advocates blog post * Vidyard Video * HubSpot Free CRM * Boomerang for Gmail * Calculate your speaking fee * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days

Do you hate the idea of networking or do you see it as an opportunity to give to others? For some networking has a negative connotation, but our guest is here to set the record straight and tell you how to improve your life through networking.

David Burkus is a successful author who considers himself a writer first, and a speaker second. He's written several best-sellers including his latest book called Friend of a Friend., which is specifically about how to enjoy networking.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, we'll specifically talk about what most of us do wrong when networking, and what we should instead. David will tell us how to actually connect with other speakers, and do it in a way that fosters real connection, and he'll explain how to find out who you already know to help you find gigs. Buckle up and get ready to enjoy this episode of The Speaker Lab with David Burkus.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the biggest mistakes most people make when networking at an event?
Why it helps to partner up when you're networking.
What two questions should you ask when meeting others?
What is the majority illusion and how does it work?
How many introductions away from most of the people you want to meet?
What is multiplexity?
How can you develop a deeper relationship faster with someone you've just met?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * David Burkus' web site * David Burkus on Twitter * Friend of a Friend, by David Burkus * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Preparing for your speech is an important aspect of giving a great talk and here to give us her trade secrets is Melanie Deziel.

If you've been here before you know Melanie is a frequent co-host of the show and she joins us again on The Speaker Lab to give you a breakdown of her personal speaking preparations.

We give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we each rehearse and get ready for the stage. We specifically talk about music we listen to, food we eat or don't eat, how much we hydrate, and what else we do in the hours leading up to the talk. Get your head right and body right before you take the stage, hear how on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How far ahead of time should you have your content down pat?
How to use voice recording to help you in preparing for your speech.
Why not to touch your content the hour before you go on stage.
What is the best way to prepare your voice for your speech?
Should you work out the day you are speaking?
What to do backstage before giving your talk.
What else should you schedule for your gig day?
How to find out if there's a courtesy clock or countdown clock before you go on stage.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Episode 166 with Shawn Stevenson * Free Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

On episode 191 of The Speaker Lab, we're talking about the technical aspects of slides when you're speaking: the pros and the cons, and how to deal with the cons.

As a recap from last week's episode, our co-host Melanie Deziel is here with us for part two of our talk on slides. She's a fan of slides, and uses them with almost all of her presentations. As she says, she's all about the slides!

It's not that I'm not a fan of slides it's just that they can really make or break a presentation. There's a lot that can go wrong when you're using slides, and today we'll help you avoid those mistakes.

Join us to hear how to do so and how to address all the technical aspects of using slides properly on today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Powerpoint or Keynote: is one better than the other?
What's the best size to use for your slides?
What types of file will most clients want your slides to be created in?
How to make friends with the A/V people.
When can you include Internet-dependent audio or video?
How to spell out what your slides can and cannot be used for in your contract.
What extra equipment should you carry just in case?
What questions should you be asking your client about slides before creating your talk?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Episode 89 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 173 of The Speaker Lab * Free Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Should you use slides as a speaker? Some say yes, some say no and some say it depends! To weigh on whether or not you should use slides during your speech we're bringing back our lovely and talented co-host Ms. Melanie Deziel for this edition of The Speaker Lab.

We'll be debating about the pros and cons of using slides as well as customizing slides, and using text, video and images in your slides. Melanie uses slides in almost all of her speeches, and I rarely use them so you'll hear both sides!

On next week's episode, the second half of this interview, we'll get into the technical side of slides from dimensions to formats to using your own equipment or not. Be sure to visit us again to hear the details, and tune in to episode 190 of The Speaker Lab this week.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How to be sure your slides are enhancing your speech.
Can you provide two different versions of your slides? If so, how?
Are there certain fonts and font sizes you should use?
Why you should sit at the back of the room before your speech.
What's the proper way to use images in your slides?
How can you use slides to add humor to your speech?
What's the best way to customize your slides for your audience?
What contact info should you put on your slides and where should it go?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Free Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Our guest is an expert at many things, especially how to put yourself out there! Nicole Walters is our entertaining, energetic and sassy guest on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

Nicole is an income strategist, and globe-trotting speaker. In her business, she helps everyday entrepreneurs apply corporate income strategies to get more profitability, more popularity all the while creating a life they love.

On today's show we talk about her practical tips on how she pitches for gigs, her follow up formula after her initial pitch and how she balances speaking, travel and a family. She also breaks down her different revenue streams for us, why she has a specific season for speaking and her love of making jam! Join us for those insights plus a lot of fun on the 189th episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does speaking feed her other businesses?
By what metric does she measure how well she spoke at an event?
Why does she do meet and greets rather than sell from the stage?
Why does she arrive the day before an event?
What sets her apart in the marketplace from other speakers, and can you do the same?
What percentage of her business time does she spend pitching herself?
How many months of pitching did it take for her to speak at a Dave Ramsey conference?
What are the two things between you and the biggest stage you are looking for?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Nicole Walters' web site * $1K in 1 Day Academy * Get Fierce Clarity course * Nicole Walters on Facebook * Nicole Walters on Twittter * Find Speaking Engagements * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What do you need to know about insurance? Do you even need to know about insurance? Yes! I get questions about this all the time so I'm bringing you the man with the answer: Matt Ham. Matt is our guest today on The Speaker Lab.

For the last 10 years Matt has focused on helping families properly insure their homes, their businesses and their lives. But not long ago he also felt a calling to step into something new, and he wrote a book called Redefine Rich. From there he began speaking which has morphed into his organization called YouPrint which is a faith development organization.

Today we talk in great detail about what you need to know about insurance, both personally and professionally. Wherever you are in your evolution as a speaker this is a topic that matters so join us on episode 188 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Do you need life insurance if your employer already provides a policy for you?
What questions do you need to ask to choose the insurance that's right for you?
How to determine how much should your life insurance policy should be worth.
What other types of insurance do you need for your speaking business?
What is an own occupation disability policy and why do you need one?
What is the difference between short-term and long-term disability, and which do you need?
How important is disability insurance for speakers?
What is E&O insurance and is it different than liability insurance?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Matt Ham's personal web site * Redefine Rich: A New Perspective on The Good Life, by Matt Ham * YouPrint organization * Matt Ham on Facebook * Matt Ham on Twitter * Liberty Medishare * MediShare * Christian Healthcare Ministries * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

There's something the most successful speakers do that you might not know: they know how to create systems for success. Without systems, businesses either never really get going or they fall apart. The same is true for speakers and their businesses. Join Melanie Deziel and I as we talk about that very topic on today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

Melanie is back with us again for the third week in a row and we're going to help you figure out the ins and outs of systems for your expenses, your outreach, your travel, your calendar, your taxes, etc. These are all things you need to track and systemize, and to pay attention to this in advance! If you really want to have longevity in your industry you need to know how to create systems for success.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the most important aspect of having a system?
What are the different ways to handle outreach, and which are best?
What is a CRM and why do you want one?
Is it okay to use a simple spreadsheet as your system?
What app can turn a picture on your phone into a PDF?
Why how much you take matters more than how much you make.
What's the best way to save for your taxes?
Why discipline is critical when you are self-employed.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Episode 6 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 21 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 33 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 72 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 119 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 171 of The Speaker Lab * Grant on Mike Michalowicz's podcast * HubSpot CRM * Highrise * Followup.cc * Boomerang * Todoist * Tiny Scanner app * Hello Sign * Docusign * Freshbooks * Xero * Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz * Tripit * AwardWallet * Mixmax * Acuity * ScheduleOnce * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Elite Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Want to know how to pull off the riskiest move as a speaker? Then you'll want to know how to interact with your speaking audience! And here to help us break this topic down is our returning co-host Melanie Deziel.

Today on The Speaker Lab, we are talking about audience interaction: how to engage and interact with your audience, the pros and the cons plus the different ways to go about connecting and when to use which approach.

We'll also cover how to manage your audience interactions so you don't lose control of the room. It's important to connect with your audience, but it can go sideways quickly so join us to hear how to handle it on episode 186 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When does it make sense to engage with your audience, and when does it not?
What are the downsides of doing this?
What are pattern interrupts, and why do you want to use them?
Where should you try out your interactions first?
How to "feel the room" and adjust accordingly.
Do you have to call on someone if they raise their hand while you're speaking?
What should you do if someone "goes off the rails"?
Your interaction with your audience should be in proportion to what?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Episode 91 of The Speaker Lab * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Elite Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Part of living the speaker life is travel, so today you'll find out how to be a true road warrior! Joining us to give her expert insights and wisdom is our co-host, Melanie Diezel. If you've been listening to The Speaker Lab for awhile you'll remember Melanie from some recent episodes: she is an outstanding speaker, coach and consultant on her own - and she also does a phenomenal job of coaching our Speaker Lab students.

And we had such terrific feedback from her recent appearances we decided to bring her back to the show. She's joining us for the next 3 episodes and we'll be talking about a few different topics.

Today we're covering how to be a road warrior, booking travel, packing essentials, travel perks and rewards. It's all things travel today as a speaker and road warrior! Join us for that and more on today's The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Should you book your hotel or ask the client to do it for you?
How far out should you book your travel?
What is a tech tackle box?
Why you should travel in clothes you could speak in.
What is a travel one sheet and should you have your own?
Why and how to choose one particular airline and its rewards program.
Should you pay for TSA Pre-check and how can you get reimbursed for it?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Episode 73 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 74 of The Speaker Lab * AwardWallet app * Episode 83 of The Speaker Lab * TripIt * FlightAware * GateGuru * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Elite Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know how to provide value offstage for more success? It's true - what you provide offstage can do just as much (if not more) to help grow your onstage business. Our guest today is proof positive and he's here to tell us all about it!

If you recognize his name from a previous episode of the show you would be right - Brian Fanzo was here for episode 116. And he's back for today's edition of The Speaker Lab to share the simple ways he promotes his events to his audiences and how he connects with event planners before he speaks.

Also on today's show he breaks down strategic tactics that help him stand out among the competition, especially his offstage tactics. Join us to hear all of that and more on today's episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is a fly-in, fly-out speaker and do you want to be one?
Why does he promise six hours of his time on every contract?
Can you offer this type of speaking package if you are an introvert?
How do you "prime the pump" before you speak?
Why audience members often care more about off-stage connections than onstage performance.
Who are the three groups of people he focuses on when he does an event?
How does he use video to promote the events he is speaking at?
Why you should think of yourself as being in partnership with the events that hire you.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Brian Fanzo's web site * Brian Fanzo's Fomo podcast * 7 Ways I Increase My Speaker Value for Event Organizers, Brian's blog post * Brian Fanzo on Twitter * Brian Fanzo on YouTube * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * Episode 116 of The Speaker Lab * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

When you think of speakers do you normally think of extroverted people? Does that have you wondering if you can be an introvert and a great speaker?

That's a question I answer today with Jonathan Fields. Jonathan is a best-selling author, entrepreneur and international speaker who is known for his brand, Good Life Project.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we take an introspective look at being speaker. Jonathan shares how he handles being an introvert during his speaking engagements, and how to be comfortable in your own skin while you're on stage. Join us to hear all about it and more on the 183rd edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Is being an introvert an advantage as a speaker?
What are the two ways he helps maintain his energy levels during longer speaking engagements?
How does being on stage pull out a different aspect of his personality?
How do you learn to be comfortable with silence when you're speaking?
Why he's pushed himself to tell more personal stories on stage.
Does it always lot of time and work before you know if you are great speaker?
How do you share enough to create a connection but not so much to create discomfort in your audience?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jonathan Fields' personal web site * Good Life Project web site * Good Life Project podcast * Jonathan Fields' books * Camp GLP * Jonathan Fields on Twitter * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you are wanting to learn how to speak effectively in two different markets our guest today is your source! Typically I tell people not to speak to two markets but John Michael Morgan has done it quite successfully.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, John tells us how he speaks in the business and faith-based markets, how he does it effectively and how he uses speaking in different markets as a way to stand out from the crowd.

While I'm typically not a fan of having a foot in more than one market, John is a master at doing this. He started out focusing on speaking to leaders which led to his initial start in the business world. Originally he was focused on staying in that lane. But over time he realized he wanted to touch people in the faith market, and take his message to a more global audience. Today you'll hear how he did it and much more on episode 182 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did he approach his first speaking gigs in the faith world?
What role does emotion play in business speaking settings versus in church/faith settings?
What is a mistake he often sees speakers make?
Why can he afford to pick and choose gigs or miss out on some all together?
What does he say when potential clients ask if he is right for their event?
Why does he put his "marketer hat" on when speaking in some faith situations?
What does he suggest if you are in one market and want to start speaking in another?
Did the faith world come to him, or did he go to them?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * John Michael Morgan's website * John Michael Morgan on Twitter * John Michael Morgan on Facebook * Episode 169 of The Speaker Lab * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How to use systems to build your business is one of the keys to creating a lasting speaking career. No one is better at this then my friend Andrew "Drew" Davis.

Drew is a master at implementing processes and procedures to ensure he makes the most out of every lead.

Today on the Speaker Lab we'll cover each and every step of his system along with why you should track certain metrics in your business, how to use that data and why a quality system is important to becoming a high-paid successful speaker.

There's so much good stuff on today's show so get ready to take notes when you join us for episode 181 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the three types of stage-side leads?
Why you should have a loss rate of 50%, not higher nor lower.
Why does he always start with a phone call for any inbound lead?
When does he turn down events?
Why responsiveness always trumps overthinking.
What does he include in his initial email and how often does he follow up after?
How does he approach gigs in which committees choose the speaker?
What one thing increases your likelihood of getting a gig?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Andrew Davis' speaking website * Andrew Davis on Twitter * Andrew Davis on LinkedIn * Episode 168 of The Speaker Lab with Andrew Davis * FullContact app * Find and contact potential gigs * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The true key to your speaking business is knowing how to expand your business beyond the stage, and applying what you know. David Loy is going to share that knowledge with you on today's show so you can apply it after you listen!

David has been involved in speaking industry in many capacities for over a decade. Today much of his time is devoted to managing the career of Andy Andrews, the author of The Traveler's Gift.

In fact, that book is what propelled David into the speaking industry. After reading it David was so moved he reached out to Andy's team. That email would lead David to his first job as an agent with Premiere Speakers Bureau and eventually to his role today managing Andy's career.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we talk more about that story, and also how David has helped Andy expand his business from speaking and consulting to online memberships. David gives us a breakdown of Andy's revenue from speaking, coaching, books, online memberships, etc.

You'll also hear him give his advice on the next steps to create additional services and products beyond speaking.

Join us for that and more on the 180th edition of The Speaker Lab. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why is speaking a high-paying manual labor job?
What are the two ways to maintain or grow your revenue without adding more speaking gigs?
How can you capitalize on the people in your audience?
How best to position yourself as both a speaker and a consultant.
What questions should you be asking prior to your keynote?
What is a "noticer" and why should you want to be one?
How have Andy's books opened doors for him that otherwise would have been closed?
How to avoid being a speaker who speaks only to sell your own products.
And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Leverage Creative Group website * Email David * Andy Andrews' website * The Travelers Guide, by Andy Andrews * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

As a speaker you want to leave a good impression, but do you know how to craft an experience for your audience during your speech? Our guest, Stephen Shapiro, is a master at doing this and he's here to tell us how on today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

Stephen began his career with Accenture where he spent 15 years and created a 20,000 person practice around process and innovation. As a result he was charged with speaking to this group and soon found himself giving over 100 speeches a year. He realized he loved it, and he wanted to do it as his own full-time business.

Also on this episode, Stephen explains how he got his start, how he has built momentum and how he differentiates himself as a speaker through experiential keynotes and two specific ways he uses technology. You'll hear what those ways are and much more when you join us on episode 179 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Does it really take 10 years to build a solid speaking business?
What does he do today to get bookings that is different from when he started out?
Should you pursue a relationship with a speaking bureau - why or why not?
What is personality poker and how can you use it in your presentations?
How to experiment with different experiential techniques while speaking.
What does a brick have to do with his keynotes?
How can you help your audience retain your information 10% better?
How does he use technology to keep his participants engaged after his speech?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Stephen Shapiro's website * 30 Day Innovation Challenge website * Stephen Shapiro on Twitter * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Publicity isn't just for actors and celebrities! Learning how to grow your speaking career with publicity can be one of the fastest ways to grow your brand and your speaking platform. And to explain how is none other than publicity and media ninja, Selena Soo.

Selena is the resident expert on public relations, having worked with notable names such as Ramit Sethi, Derek Halpern and Kimra Luna. She's also helped her clients secure coverage in media outlets like Forbes, Inc., and O, The Oprah Magazine.

Today on The Speaker Lab, Selena stops by to explain why public relations and publicity matter so much to your speaking career, along with a step-by-step breakdown of the pitch process. She also shares how to leverage the media coverage you get from those pitches.

We always strive to bring you the best of the best here on The Speaker Lab, and Selena is no exception! Get your notepad ready and tune in for my conversation with Selena Soo on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did she build relationships with thought leaders early in her career?
What is the secret to getting people interested in you?
Do you have to have something "big" to give your favorite influencers?
How are different types of media good for different types of goals you have?
What is the publicity pyramid, and how do you use it?
Why the right audience is more important than a large audience.
Why a little bit of homework can go a long way when sending out media pitches.
What should you do after you've received media coverage?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Selena Soo's web site
Selena Soo's gift for you
Selena Soo on Twitter
How to book more paid speaking engagements
Find and contact potential gigs
Speaking Fee Calculator
Booked and Paid to Speak
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

"How can I speak to the military?" is a question I am asked on a regular basis, and you will uncover the answer on today's episode!

Our guest is Mike Domitrz, international speaker and founder of the Date Safe Project. In his role as founder and leader, Mike travels the world working with universities, military installations, corporations and organizations to create a culture of consent and respect.

On episode 177, Mike tells us how his sister's experience led him to become a speaker which in turn led him to found the Date Safe Project. He also goes into detail on how to speak to the military, what you need to know about this unique niche, and also how he has kept his topic fresh and relevant both for himself and his audience for over 25 years!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why was timing a critical factor when he first started speaking?
What is the key to finding the ideal conferences for your topic?
What kept him going when times were really tough?
How do you know you have a good business?
What serving your audience looks like after your speech.
How has he kept his topic fresh and relevant for 25+ years?
The question to ask yourself if you want to speak to corporations or to the military.
The military is hiring speakers for which topics?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Date Safe Project website * Date Safe Project on Twitter * Date Safe Project on Facebook * The Aha Center speakers page * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Ever wonder how to speak to the education market? Are you interested in making a career out of touching the lives of students, teachers and the parents of students? If so you are in the right place!

Joining us for this show is my friend, Scott Backovich, one of the leading speakers in the youth market. Scott may look young but he has plenty of experience and wisdom on this topic, and he shares it all with us today.

On episode 176, we talk about about how he finds and books school assemblies and school leadership conferences, and who to contact at schools depending on the region of the school. He also explains how to transition from free speaking gigs to getting paid, and more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did he network and find other speakers to learn from early on in his career?
Is being great on stage the best marketing strategy?
Why isn't constant communication from a speaker a good thing?
Where do you start if you want to speak to school audiences?
Why did he intentionally not have a presence online at one point in his career?
What are the most common topics speakers are hired for in the education market?
What four groups are eager to book speakers - even those with no experience?
What is HOBY and why does he speak at two of their events each year (for free)?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Scott Backovich's web site * Scott Backovich on Twitter * Scott Backovich on YouTube * Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One of the most important things you can for your speaking career is to find out how to position yourself as an expert. And I could think of no one better to describe and demonstrate this topic than my good friend Chris Ducker.

Chris is an internationally-recognized expert on all things personal branding. He's also a best-selling author, globe-trotting speaker, and successful business mentor. He knows more than a thing or two about standing out as an expert!

On today's show, we're talking about his latest book, Rise of the Youpreneur as well as the origins of Chris's speaking career and his personal brand. He also explains why you should want to become someone's favorite and how to grow your personal brand beyond the stage. Listen to those great topics and more with me and Chris Ducker today on episode 175 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How do you figure out who you serve and what problem you are solving?
What is the Youpreneur self-awareness test?
Why being different is better than being better!
How do you build a business that is 100% original?
Why is a book one of the best expert positioning strategies?
What percentage of your audience is likely to become a client of yours?
What NOT to do when you finish speaking!
Where are some of the best relationships forged and the best business deals made?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chris Ducker's website * Rise of the Youpreneur, by Chris Ducker * Virtual Freedom, by Chris Ducker * Chris Ducker on Twitter * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Should you ever speak for free or accept a lower fee? Today my co-host Melanie Deziel and I are answering both of those questions for you.

We specifically talk about why money isn't the only reason to speak, and what the other benefits and non-monetary perks are which you can negotiate as a speaker.

We'll also cover how to build your business beyond the stage, speak to build your credibility and your visibility, and give examples of when we've both been willing to speak for a reduced fee or even for free.

Join us for those topics and more. And when you're done let us know if you like this co-host format on episode 174 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How to know if the audience you're speaking to has the potential for spin-off business.
What is pay to play and why should you watch out for it?
How can you sell from the stage without being pushy?
What travel perks can you negotiate?
What should you do if an organization doesn't have a budget or cannot pay your fees?
A free tool to find out how much you should be charging.
How can you volunteer with your speaking talents?
When is speaking for exposure a good idea, and when is it not?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Episode 35 of TSL with Matthew Kimberley * Episode 39 of TSL * Episode 80 with Cole Hatter * TSL podcast archives * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Elite Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Inevitably you'll run into some issue before, during or right after you give a talk. Do you know how to prepare for when things go wrong as a speaker? Both my co-host and I do and that's what we're talking about on today's show.

Our co-host Melanie Deziel is back for her 3rd segment: the blooper reel. On episode 173 we talk about how to respond to any number of potential scenarios and pitfalls as a speaker.

You'll find out what to do if you are running late or having travel issues or if you are feeling sick. we'll discuss how to handle tech issues, if your time is cut short or if you have a difficult audience member.

Today we'll pull open up the curtain to share our best and worst stories, buckle up and join us because there's plenty to learn on episode 173 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why to avoid traveling the day of your speaking engagement.
How to think two steps ahead and always have a Plan B in place.
How do you know if you should go on stage when you're sick?
Why keeping the same routine is just as important on the road as it is at home.
What are the two technologies that never work for speakers, and how can you avoid using them?
Why shouldn't you apologize from stage?
What do you do if someone heckles you or shows off from the audience?
Should you call out the elephant in the room when you're speaking?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Episode 166 with Shawn Stevenson * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Elite Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Once you've given your speech the next step often becomes how to get the most referrals and testimonials after you've given a speech. Today we're going to walk you through the best ways to do this.

On episode 172 of The Speaker Lab, I'm joined by my co-host Melanie Deziel again. In case you missed our introduction of Melanie last week she's a successful speaker who came over from the corporate world after discovering her love of public speaking.

Today she speaks and consults full-time and is also a coach for students in The Speaker Lab programs. As a former TSL alum she is the perfect person to help other budding speakers gain their chops.

On this edition of the show we're covering what to do after your speech, how to request feedback, how to ask for testimonials, referrals, videos, pictures and other marketing materials you can use to promote yourself. Join us for insights on all of these topics and more today on The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What's the first thing you have to do after giving your speech?
What are the different ways to show appreciation after speaking?
In addition to your client contact, who else should you thank?
How do you ask for positive and negative feedback, and why should you get both?
When is the best time to ask for a testimonial?
What type of testimonial is most effective?
How do you get marketing assets like photos and videos of you speaking?
What are the two ways to ask for referrals from clients and from other speakers?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn * Elite Speaker Workshop * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One of the common questions I get asked is what you need to know before signing a contract. To answer this question we are joined by Melanie Deziel today. But unlike our usual format Melanie isn't a guest today, she's our first co-host!

Melanie was a student who has gone through our training programs and has become one of our coaches. Before branching out on her own in the speaking world, Melanie worked in a corporate environment. She helped brands think more like journalists and tell better stories.

She shifted into speaking when she realized how much she enjoyed the speaking gigs she was doing to represent her team. She took a course with The Speaker Lab and for the last two years she's been speaking and consulting full-time.

To keep things interesting and extra fun, I invited Melanie to join me as a co-host for the next four weeks. Today we're talking about a common question we get at the speaker lab: what do I need to know before signing a contract? We'll dig into that answer today on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

The two reasons to ask potential clients about the length of your speech.
How to be the hero for your event organizer.
What can you ask to find out details about your audience?
Why does it matter to you and your contract who the other speakers are at the event?
What is the one question to ask so you know what success looks like to your client?
What is a rider and how can you use one for logistics like travel and technology?
Why should you find out specifics about the venue beforehand?
Why does dress code matter?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Melanie Deziel's website * Melanie Deziel on Twitter * Melanie Deziel on Instagram * Episode 92: How to Dress as a Public Speaker * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Because there is a right way and a wrong way to sell yourself, our guest is here to explain how to sell yourself with digital persuasion. Erin Gargan is a multi-entrepreneur who currently owns and operates an agency that specializes in social media for trade shows, conferences and events.

One day a client of hers was in a panic: they were a week away from the opening of their event and one of their social media speakers had canceled. Erin offered to help her client by filling in. Her speech went so well several audience members approached her about speaking for them, and asked for her fee. And so began her journey into public speaking.

Today on The Speaker Lab, Erin tells us who she primarily speaks to today, how to be different by focusing on others (rather than ourselves), and how to use the art of digital persuasion to create higher quality connections that serve others while also growing our own careers. Erin holds nothing back on this episode so be sure to join us and catch it all!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does she avoid falling into the comparison trap?
Why doesn't she watch other speakers before she takes the stage?
How much more persuasive in person are we according to the Harvard Business Review?
How can you be different than 99% of all cold outreach messages?
What does PUB stand for and how do you use it?
How to get a 60% higher response rate in half the time.
What is the ideal length of any email?
What is your next step after initiating contact with someone?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erin Gargan's web site * Socialite Agency's web site * The Art of Digital Persuasion, by Erin Gargan * Erin Gargan on Twitter * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

To be comfortable with your imperfections may not be a speaking goal you've set for yourself but our guest on today's episode of The Speaker Lab shares how doing so has made an impact on his career and an even bigger impact on his audience.

John Michael Morgan is a world-class coach, best-selling author and keynote speaker who has found just how powerful it is to be raw, vulnerable and real with his audiences. On this episode of The Speaker Lab he shares how he came to this discovery and how doing so helped him branch out from speaking on branding and marketing to also speaking about the power of mindset.

You'll also hear John's story of what he learned from interrupting Seth Godin at breakfast and how to create a distinct speaking brand even if you have a common name. This is a fun and illuminating learning session on the 169th edition of The Speaker Lab with John Michael Morgan!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

If you have a common name how can you create a distinctive personal brand?
How did he make the shift from talking about branding to speaking on mindset?
Why being raw made his speaking more relevant to his audience.
What is the purpose of influence?
How to put your oxygen mask on first.
What is the core strategy in all of speaking, in his opinion?
What are two common limiting beliefs speakers have?
Do you have to be an expert first in order to be successful?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * John Michael Morgan's web site * Achievers Alliance group coaching * John Michael Morgan on Twitter * John Michael Morgan on Facebook * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If the true hallmark of a great speech is how many referrals it generates, how can you create the most referrals from your speeches? Our guest, Andrew Davis, knows exactly how to do it and he tells us on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

In the process of becoming an international keynote speaker, Andrew has discovered how to consistently generate a high number of referrals every time he speaks to an audience.

On episode 168 he explains how he does it, which industries and which events he focuses on and why and whether or not bigger events are the better events. Join us to hear that and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does he know he has given a great keynote speech?
Does he ever recommend doing industry gigs for free?
What is a kingpin conference?
How can content production help you speak at national conferences?
What is the audience influence pyramid?
Is everyone facing similar problems, regardless of their niche?
The three ways he evaluates new verticals, and why he focuses on one each year.
Why you must focus on the speech first.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Andrew Davis' speaking website * Andrew Davis on Twitter * Andrew Davis' marketing website * Find and contact potential gigs * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Social media is part of our everyday lives, and it can be an effective business tool. But do you know how to use social media to land more gigs, while still being the real you? Our guest, Jon Acuff, does and he'll explain how in episode 167 of The Speaker Lab.

When Jon isn't speaking or writing best-selling books, including his latest book Finish, he is actively sharing his work and his life on social media.

Today we talk about how his social media platform and his online content have helped his business grow, plus the various strategies for each of his platforms. We also talk about how and why he learns about speaking from comedians, as well as the hows and whys of goal-setting for speakers. Join Jon and I as we explore these topics and more on the latest edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What's the fastest way to get feedback?
How does he avoid becoming complacent with his success?
How did he use soft pitches to land more gigs and work with a speakers bureau?
What are ways you can establish authority (without overselling) while you're speaking?
How can social media help you and how can it hurt you?
Every gig is a chance to do what?
Why it's important to make your goals fun.
How many forms of income should you aim for as a speaker?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jon Acuff's website * Finish, by Jon Acuff * The Finish Course * Jon's other books * Jon's email list solely for speakers * Jon Acuff on Instagram * Jon Acuff on Twitter * Jon Acuff on LinkedIn * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

Whether it's the start of a new year or not, it's your job to stay healthy. Your health should be a top priority for you as a speaker. Which begs the question: how to stay healthy when speaking on the road? It can be challenging and here to offer some practical solutions is Shawn Stevenson.

Shawn knows all about speaking and staying healthy, he may be the healthiest person I know! I'm excited to share our conversation with you, we talk about his travel tips for eating healthy, staying hydrated and getting good, quality sleep.

Today we also talk about the origins of his online business and how he transitioned into it from a brick and mortar location. You'll hear that story plus many fascinating insights into how the human body works and what keeps us healthy! Join us for episode 166 of The Speaker Lab with Shawn Stevenson.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How do many of his speaking clients find him?
How does he plan ahead so he can eat healthy meals while on the road?
Does your metabolism slow down if you don't eat?
What is one of the biggest contributors to jet lag?
How much water should we drink, and what temperature should it be?
What exercise does he recommend when on the road?
Why it's important to exercise the first day you are home from a trip.
His weird recommendation for the best possible sleep.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Model Health Show website * The Model Health show podcast * Sleep Smarter, by Shawn Stevenson * Shawn Stevenson on Instagram * How to book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know why and how to diversify your revenue streams? Our guest for today does and she's here to tell all. Dorie Clark is a marketing strategy consultant, executive coach, author and professional speaker who has 8 different revenue streams!

Today she shares how she evolved her business to include speaking and diversified to have 8 different revenue streams. We also touch on how she's built those revenue streams over time, how she's positioned them to all feed into each other and how you as a speaker can find and create other revenue streams to add to your business.

Whether you are just starting out or are a long-time veteran of the speaking world, you'll learn something new to enhance your speaking career in episode 165 of The Speaker Lab with Dorie Clark.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is Clark's Law of Professional Speaking?
Why and how to raise your profile to help your keynote speaking career.
The three key components to being seen as an authority and recognized expert.
What type of content is most valuable for speakers who want to raise their marketability?
What is one of the most powerful forces in networking?
How does she manage 8 revenue streams, and how long did it take her to develop them all?
Which revenue streams should you add and when should you add them?
Why speaking is tied to the economy, and how to ensure your bottom line is not.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Dorie Clark's website * Dorie Clark on Twitter * The Recognized Expert Evaluation Toolkit * Entrepreneurial You, by Dorie Clark * Book more paid speaking engagements * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you were creating your greatest competitive advantage what would it be? Our guest for today has discovered his and he's here to share what it is and how he found it.

Vinh Giang is an international speaker and magician who is known for his ability to educate, entertain and enlighten his audiences. He joins me on this episode of The Speaker Lab to talk about the tireless dedication and work ethic needed to catapult him to such a high level of success.

He also explains how his TEDx talk changed the trajectory of his career and how he leveraged it to grow and expand his business. We wrap up with how he uses magic in his presentations without being labeled as a magician and discuss why his demo video is so critical to his success.

You'll hear all of that and more when you join us on episode 164 of The Speaker Lab with Vinh Giang.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is his greatest competitive advantage?
What is the other language we all must learn to speak?
How many years did he do gigs for free?
Why he continues to invest in professional feedback on his speeches.
How many books did he read about speaking when he first started?
Why did he spend a year on his TEDx talk before giving it?
How did he go from speaking for free to being paid $12,000 per gig?
Why you have to be willing to create something no one will stand in line for.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Vinh Giang's website * Vinh Giang's TEDx Talk * Vinh Giang on Facebook * Vinh Giang on YouTube * Vinh Giang on Twitter * Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The key to repeat business and staying booked solid is learning how to stay top of mind with potential clients. And one man who knows exactly how to do this is Brandon Edmonson of Premiere Speakers Bureau.

Brandon is an agent with the bureau and in his role he books hundreds of gigs each year. He's gained a lot of insight in the process, all of which he shares today.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we talk about how he finds and books engagements, how he stays top of mind with his potential clients as well as what common topics associations and companies are booking for and how you can position your material on those topics.

We wrap up with a chat about what it's like working with celebrities, including a really great story of working with a late night talk show host! This is a fun and informative session with Brandon you won't want to miss so listen in to episode 163 of The Speaker Lab now.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why you need to have 3 actionable items for your audience.
What is the #1 marketing asset all speakers need to have?
How do you narrow down a broad topic to pursue a specific market?
What will always be a requested topic for speakers?
What do the bureaus do during "dead" months?
How does he balance staying top of mind without being a bother?
Why you should create a documentary-style video as part of your marketing effort.
How important are your website and your one sheet?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Premiere Speakers Bureau * Brandon Edmonson on Twitter * Episode 24 of TSL with Shawn Hanks * Episode 154 with Ryan Giffen * Exactly What to Say, by Phil M. Jones * Vinh Giang's website * Find and contact potential gigs * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

None

If you want to know how to land 100 speaking gigs a year, or even a fraction of that number, you will love today's guest!

Ty Bennett first found his passion for speaking and training when he and his brother built a $25 million a year direct sales business together. As part of growing that business, he did a lot of speaking and training for their sales teams.

In 2010, he decided to make speaking his top priority after he published his first book. He sold his half of the business to his brother and focused solely on speaking and writing. Currently, he gives about 100 keynote speeches a year for corporations and associations.

Today he joins us to share sound advice for speakers of every level, including the two most important aspects of ability, how to build a platform when starting from nothing and what his marketing efforts look like. Whether you're an up-and-coming speaker or established veteran you're going to learn so much from this episode 162 of The Speaker Lab with Ty Bennett!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why are his keynotes based on three of his books?
Where does he primarily spend his outbound marketing time, and why?
What are the three things every speaker needs, according to Ty?
The one honest question you have to answer to be hired as a speaker.
What is the true test of your ability as a speaker?
These are two areas all speakers can improve on - what are they?
What technique has a unique ability to connect you with an audience?
Why does Ty study comedians so much?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ty Bennett's website * The Power of Storytelling, by Ty Bennett * The Power of Influence, by Ty Bennett * Partnership is The New Leadership, by Ty Bennett * Ty Bennett on Twitter * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Learn how you can make money speaking to non-profits and why you shouldn't listen to all the myths you hear in the industry.

Is it really true that non-profits don't have funds to pay for speakers? Or is it just a matter of finding out how to make money speaking to non-profits?

Our guest today, Connie Albers, says it is the latter. Today she is debunking the myth that non-profits have no money for speakers, and sharing how to find the ones that do!

Connie has been in the speaking world for many years, as both a speaker and as an event organizer. We'll talk about the lessons she's learned while working with everyone from Disney to churches.

She will also explain the opportunities available for speakers wanting to reach the non-profit and faith-based markets. You're going to hear all of that and more on episode 161 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why should you go to your local Chamber of Commerce events?
How to follow up after you attend those Chamber of Commerce events.
Why does she customize every pitch she makes?
The reason to take pictures with people you meet - and it's not for social media!
How do you know which types of non-profits have money, and which don't?
Why is your media kit vital to showing you are worth your asking fee?
How do you prove your worth if you're fairly new to speaking?
What are steps to take if you are interested in speaking to the faith-based market?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Connie Albers' website * Connie Albers on Twitter * Email Connie * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know what the best of the best do differently? There are universal principles, and our guest today will tell you what they are on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

Alan Stein, Jr.'s career began as a performance coach working with youth and high school programs. The two schools he started with are part of Nike's elite programs. That work led to gigs with Nike and USA Basketball, which then opened more doors to the best coaches and players of the NBA.

It was at that elite level that Alan learned what the best of the best do differently. He took that knowledge and began sharing it as a speaker, first in the basketball industry and then in the corporate world where he is today.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, we talk about how he made a name for himself in the basketball world and then transitioned into speaking for the corporate industry. He shares the process he uses to find and book gigs, and why much of his success has come from work nobody sees. He finishes with a great story about being part of a workout with Kobe Bryant, and the lessons Alan learned just by watching him.

Whether or not you're a basketball fan there is plenty for you to uncover when you join us on episode 160 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the key to being successful as a speaker, according to Alan?
What are the two sides of any speech?
Who are the coaches he has worked with, and why does he believe in coaching?
What is purposeful practice and why do you need it?
How do you know if your content works and what should you do if it doesn't?
How to combine serving others with self-promotion.
The advice from Louis CK he follows, and why you should too.
How many years does it take to "make it" in the speaking circuit?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Alan Stein's website * Alan Stein on Twitter * Alan Stein on Facebook * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Learn how to book more speaking gigs when you're able to connect, follow-up, and build authentic relationships with event planners. It's one of the most important things you can do for your career and will help you make the transition from hobby speaker with intermittent gigs to a professional speaker with a full schedule of paid speaking engagements.

Today on The Speaker Lab Podcast, Lindsey Castleman is here to share her experience planning big events for everyone from Lifeway to Dave Ramsey. She demystifies the event planner's decision process when she explains what she is looking for from a speaker's online presence and why you need a clear topic with specific outcomes.

Get ready to dial it in and be fully present for today's awesome conversation on episode 159 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why both inspiration and application are equally important to the audience.
Why Lindsey took a chance on a speaker who had never been on stage before?
Is it easier to choose someone who speaks on a specific niche versus a generalist?
What does she look for on a highlight reel?
Are followers and fans on social media important to her evaluation process?
How best to get on an event planner's radar - without being annoying.
What are servant leaders and why does she prefer to work with them?
Is it better to be okay on stage and easy to work with, or amazing on stage and difficult offstage?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Email Lindsey * Lindsey Castleman on Twitter * Lindsey Castleman on LinkedIn * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know how to avoid common mistakes when selling yourself - the kind most speakers make even if they are seasoned pros? Today's guest does, and he tells all on episode 158 of The Speaker Lab.

Phil Jones is now a keynote speaker and seminar leader who has delivered over 2,000 paid presentations in 56 countries on 5 continents. He also has 18 revenue streams in his speaking business. He does about 90 in-person events, 25 are traditional keynote engagements while the others are split up among his seminars and independent work with sales teams.

On this show he shares his journey of building those 18 revenue streams, transitioning from a workshop leader to a keynote speaker, along with the most common mistakes speakers make when selling themselves to potential clients. We wrap up with a three-stage formula to get just about anyone to do just about anything! Tune in to hear that plus a few role-playing conversations on episode 158 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What do you need to build a sustainable business, according to Phil?
What can cupcakes teach you about how to build your business?
Why can't you build more than one thing at a time?
What is the stupidest question any speaker can ask?
The two questions you must answer to have success in any industry.
Why should you be the one to call potential clients?
Will you be limiting yourself if you narrow your audience?
How to create a reason big enough for your client to agree to your fees.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Phil Jones' website * Phil Jones on Twitter * Exactly What to Say, by Phil Jones * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Exactly What to Say: Your Personal Guide to the Mastery of Magic Words (The Magic Words for Influence and Impact)

Do you know how to overcome Impostor Syndrome, that voice inside that doubts you? It's that voice that says you don't belong on stage, you aren't good enough, etc. Nearly everyone has that voice, but there are ways to conquer it and our guest today shares some of them.

Laura Gassner Otting is relatively new to speaking, but she has 25+ years of CEO and entrepreneurial experience that she draws from on stage.

She is also an executive coach, a writer, and a consultant. Her work stems from her belief in Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy that we all have the ability to be great because we all can serve.

Today we focus on how she differentiates herself from other speakers in her niche, why she's added live coaching to her talks, and why it's okay to be an introverted speaker.

You'll also hear how she joined former President Clinton's presidential campaign, and how she mentally prepares for her speaking gigs.

Be sure to join us for that and more on episode 157 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How running the Boston Marathon led to a TEDx talk for her son.
What is the myth of self-importance?
What is the loudest sound on Earth?
What advice did Scott Stratten give to her about speaking?
What's the difference between price and value?
Does your audience want you to succeed?
How to establish common ground with your audience.
Why you should surround yourself with smart people.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Laura Gassner Otting's website * Limitless Possibility website * Laura Gassner Otting on Twitter * Laura's blog post on her TEDx talk * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Ever wonder how to know if you're worth charging higher speaking fees - and be confident when you quote your fee? Our guest for this episode does, and he spills all the beans on episode 156!

Ian Altman is a sales expert and the go-to authority on integrity-based selling. He's also a sought-after keynote speaker who now earns $20k for his speeches. Today we're talking about how he rose to that level of speaking fees, how to determine your correct audience and why it's important to be sure you're speaking to the right people.

We also talk about how to sell yourself as a speaker and be confident when quoting your fees. He has so much wisdom to share on today's show, be sure to join us on episode 156 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why it's important to be a subject matter expert who speaks, rather than a speaker.
Why he never holds back his best content.
How do you know if you are speaking to the right people?
Does the size of your audience matter?
Why you must know the symptoms or problems you solve for your audience.
What are the two trigger points for selling yourself as a speaker?
Why you can never charge a penny more than you think you are worth.
Is there a lot of opportunity for speakers charging under $5k?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ian Altman's web site * Ian Altman on Twitter * Same-Side Selling, by Ian Altman and Jack Quarles * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know how to bring humor into your speeches, and do it a way that amuses your audience but still conveys your message? Our guest for episode 155 does, and he tells all today.

On today's show, Patrick Henry and I talk about how to use humor in your speeches, build relationships with other speakers, and why it's important.

Patrick Henry is an author, songwriter, and performance keynote speaker who partners with meeting planners to make meetings memorable.

As a former Nashville songwriter and humorist on the SiriusXM Radio Family Comedy Channels, Patrick brings a unique blend of humor, music, and message to his audiences to create an event that is full of energy and actionable ideas.

His Book The Pancake Principle: seventeen sticky ways to make your customers flip for you was released in 2013 and he will soon be featured on a comedy album alongside Jeff Foxworthy, Steve Martin, Larry the Cable Guy, and Jeanne Robertson.

One of Patrick’s audience members best described him as “what happens when, keynotes, comedy, and concerts collide.”

Patrick also tells the story of why he thought his first speaking gig as a performance! It's a fun tale you'll want to hear on episode 155 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Where are the best speakers born? Hint: There are only two.
When does Patrick advocate speaking for free?
Why you should give 100 speeches before you start charging.
How many new bookings should you get from giving one good speech?
Two reasons why you aren't getting as many gigs as you'd like.
Why bureaus should only be a slice of your speaking pie.
How to start networking with other speakers.
What's the best way to form your own mastermind group?
How can you get your foot in the door with a speaking bureau?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Patrick Henry's website * Patrick Henry on Twitter * National Speakers Association (NSA) * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Would you like to make a living speaking in the education market? Does the idea of helping educators light you up? If you said yes then you will love our guest on today's episode of The Speaker Lab!

Ryan Giffen is a booking agent in the education and the university industries. He has booked speakers for several thousand events in his time with Premiere Speakers Bureau.

Today we talk through common events speakers are hired for in the K-12 and university industries, how to determine who the decision makers are, and why the idea that schools and universities don't have money for speakers is a myth.

If you want to speak to students, universities and colleges, then tune in to episode 154 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Do you have to have formal teaching training to speak in the education world?
What is the difference between life dollars and profit dollars?
Why speaking to the education world requires a different mindset than other industries.
What are the most common speaking opportunities in the university space?
How do you know if you are talking to the wrong person at a school or organization?
Why offering more than just a talk for teachers is the greatest idea possible.
Who are the three groups of people in the K-12 education world and why do they matter?
What is the range of fees speakers can expect from school districts and from universities?
How volunteering and long-term relationships can be important to your success in this market.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Premiere Speakers Bureau * Contact Ryan Giffen * Episode 24 of TSL with Shawn Hanks * NACA * APCA * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know how to share your story to connect with your audience in a way that conveys your message while still helping them? Do you fully understand how your unique story can skyrocket your speaking career? The man to answer those questions is here today, Mr. Nick Morgan.

Nick is an acclaimed international, keynote speaker and a best-selling author. He also coaches other speakers and executives on how to communicate more effectively.

Today we cover how most speakers drop the ball in their presentation and delivery, and three mistakes speakers make at the beginning of their speech. We also dig into why the beginning of your speech is valuable real estate, and the power of telling your own story as a speaker on episode 153 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did Nick become the speechwriter for the governor of Virginia?
Who is responsible for the message of any speech: the audience or the speaker?
What are the three classic mistakes speakers make to lose their audience's attention?
What should you be doing in the first minutes of your speech?
Why you have to "kill your babies" to become a better speaker.
Why narrowing your focus is actually a way to increase your reach.
How to balance sharing your story while still making your speech about your audience.
Where should you focus if you are in the early stages of your business?
Why there has been a big increase in public speakers, and how that can benefit you.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Nick Morgan's Public Words website * Give Your Speech, Change The World, by Nick Morgan * Nick Morgan's other books * Nick Morgan on Twitter * Speaking Fee Calculator * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Are you struggling to speak on the topic of your choice? It is one of the most frequent questions I am asked so today's show is going to answer that question.

In this edition of The Speaker Lab, we are giving you access to a bonus Q&A call from our Booked and Paid to Speak group, something we have never done before today.

The conversation you are about to hear is a behind-the-scenes look at the process to help one woman narrow down the who, what, where and how of her speaking career. This is not like any other show we've released, but I am sharing it because I think you'll get SO much out of it. As you listen to episode 152 of The Speaker Lab, I'd recommend you ask yourself how these questions apply to you and your speaking career.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How do you research a potential niche to find out if it is financially viable?
How to balance what you want to speak about with who is actually hiring for that topic.
What is the Trojan Horse method, and how do you use it?
Should you hyperfocus on one niche topic, and if so, for how long?
Do credentials matter?
How to turn your speaking topic into a tangible problem you solve for others.
What do you do after you find your speaking niche?
What to do if your audience and the people who will book you are two different groups.
How to use email to stay top of mind with your audience.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you know how to be a great speaker to work with, or if you already are? Today you'll find out directly from an expert!

Chris Mefford is a speaker and a former executive in charge of events for Dave Ramsey. In that role, Chris oversaw all of their events - about 80 a year.

Along the way, he learned a lot about what makes a speaker great to work with and what doesn't, why he and his team hired certain speakers over others and why some speakers became repeat guests and not others.

He shares insights on those topics and more on episode 151 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What were the two ways speakers got on Chris' radar?
What NOT to lead with when connecting with potential clients.
What does easy to work with actually means, and why it's important.
Can you communicate too much with event staff?
What is the one thing Chris believes makes great speakers?
What's the best way to present a speaking idea when pitching a potential client?
The most effective approach to connecting with an event planner, according to Chris.
Why you should keep your email to 125 words, or less.
Two suggestions to ensure you are serving your clients before, during and after the event.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chris Mefford's web site * Chris Mefford on Twitter * What I Learned From 100 Days of Rejection, Ted Talk by Jia Jiang * Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln, by James C. Humes * Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear, by Frank I. Lutz * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers

Do you struggle to work full-time and build momentum as a speaker? Does it seem like an impossible feat to grow your speaking business while juggling your full-time job, your family and your other obligations?

Our guest does all of that and today he shares his secrets! Erick Rheam is making his second appearance as a guest on The Speaker Lab Podcast.

Today he shares how he went from 20 gigs last year to 53 this year, all while working full-time and being an active, involved father and husband. He gives the specific steps he takes to get at least two referrals for every speaking gig he does, why being easy to work with is so important and how you can generate momentum like him.

Get ready for all of that and more on episode 150 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How Erick has gone from 20 gigs one year to 53 gigs the next.
What worked for him to find gigs earlier in his career
Why was speaking for free helpful for him?
Should you take any and all opportunities to speak?
The specifics of what made him an "easy speaker" and why it has led to consistent referrals.
What is his 70/30 rule?
Why you need to give people an action item.
How and when to make a tasteful ask for referrals in your presentation.
Should you do an exit interview and if so, what should it include?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Episode 126 of TSL * Erick Rheam on Twitter * Erick Rheam on LinkedIn * Nozbe * Highrise * Xero Accounting * Leaddigits * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or revie

Today on The Speaker Lab Podcast, I have Josh Steimle Entrepreneur and International Speakers, here to talk about how he manages his time while owning an international marketing agency and speaking around the world.

Josh Steimle has locations in China, the U.S., and the U.K. Finding the time and resources to land more speaking gigs while being a full-time entrepreneur is a real struggle.

Maybe you work a full-time corporate job and you're struggling to book paid gigs.

If so, you are not alone.

Today, Josh generously shares his quandaries and I help him find solutions.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How Josh manages an international team with three office locations
When it's worth his time to speak for free
What obstacles that stop him from speaking more, and what he can do about them
Why you should know the lifetime value of a client
What activities can you outsource in pursuit of new speaking opportunities
If it is ever okay to have someone else write your pitch emails
The importance of having systems for creating and securing new speaking leads
At what point in the pitch process should you be "the closer"
An example of what to "hand off" once the gig is booked, and how to do so properly.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Josh Steimle's web site * Josh Steimle on Twitter * Josh Steimle on Facebook * SweetProcess * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you want to hire a virtual assistant (VA), but don't know where to start? Or have you been disappointed when you tried to get further in your speaking career with virtual support? In either scenario, Trivinia Barber is here to help on episode 148 of The Speaker Lab.

Trivinia is the founder of Priority VA, a virtual staffing company that matches high-level entrepreneurs with talented virtual support. Prior to starting her firm, she worked as a VA for entrepreneurs like Michael Hyatt and Amy Porterfield. Soon her demand grew and her availability shrunk - so she built a company of talented people like her. Four and a half years later she has a staff of 83 VAs!

Today we'll talk about how to utilize virtual staff to help grow your speaking career, the pitfalls to watch out for when hiring, some simple steps to take to ensure you find a good match and why you can start delegating to a VA with just one or two small tasks. Trivinia is a wealth of knowledge so be sure to tune into this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How to know if you're ready for virtual support?
Why you need help if you plan to get farther than you are right now.
What are the primary reasons entrepreneurs don't hire someone?
Where to start if you struggle to give up control in your business.
One exercise to find tasks you can and should outsource.
Why you should outsource for outcomes and NOT tasks.
What are common things a VA can do for you in your speaking business?
When do you need a domestic VA versus an overseas VA?
The three Es to build a long-term lasting relationship when you find a great VA.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Priority VA web site * Trivinia Barber on Twitter * Trivinia Barber on LinkedIn * E3 Collective web site * Fiverr * Freelancer * Upwork * Fancy Hands * Zirtual * Hire My Mom * Online Jobs * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Learn how to scale your business, pitch and validate your ideas without losing time or money getting to the next level. Fast-track your success now.

Jill Christensen, Human Resources professional, and repeat guest on The Speaker Lab podcast, helps senior executives re-engage their workforce.

She had so many great insights during our first chat that we ran out of time. Today, we expand on more ways to scale and grow your business, how to create and validate your ideas before investing time, money and effort.

There's a lot to unpack so be sure to leave a comment or send me a tweet about the one thing you learned and will apply in your business today.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How to choose a business partner.
The different ways to pitch your product depending on who the audience is.
How to choose a business partner.
When are webinars a great medium for a course?
How selling a course can position you as an expert and spokesperson.
The pros and cons of working with affiliates.
How to validate your idea before investing tons of time and money.
How to create what your audience needs to ensure they will buy from you.
How to target people through Facebook advertising?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jill Christensen's web site * Episode 141 of TSL with Jill Christensen * Episode 139 of TSL with Rick Mulready * Jill Christensen on Twitter * Jill Christensen on LinkedIn * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you're struggling to gain traction or just get started speaking today's guest is here to help.

Dr. Sue Ettinger is a veterinarian who joined one of our programs about a year ago because she wanted to book more speaking gigs. She has been rocking it ever since!

Today we talk about how she finds gigs, why she's still nervous to quote fees, and how The Speaker Lab podcast and our program, Booked and Paid to Speak, have both helped her. We wrap up the show with a valuable teaching/coaching lesson about how to build and expand her brand, it's useful information that will also apply to you.

You're going to get a lot out of today so get ready to take some notes and then join us on episode 146 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why did Dr. Sue become interested in pursuing public speaking?
What is her long-term goal with speaking?
How is she landing gigs so consistently?
How speaking gave her and her family the trip of a lifetime.
How to begin with the end in mind.
How to communicate when your audience is two distinct markets.
Why growing your speaking business really is a marathon, and not a sprint.
Is it really all about your talks?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Dr. Sue Ettinger's web site * Dr. Sue Ettinger on Facebook * Dr. Sue Ettinger on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Whether you are a newcomer or a veteran listener, I'm glad you are here! Thanks for joining us on episode 145 of The Speaker Lab. Today we have THE go-to expert for memberships, Mr. Mike Morrison of The Membership Guys.

As you might imagine, we'll be talking about memberships! We dive into what they are, why they matter and why you as a speaker should pay attention to them. We also cover what memberships should look like, and what tools and tricks of the trade to use when building membership communities and content for those communities.

You're going to like what we have to say today so get ready and join me and Mike Morrison on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Are Amazon Prime Video and Netflix examples of membership sites?
What are the pros and cons of having a membership site?
Do some topics and industries lend themselves better to memberships?
Why it's not a "set it and forget it" business model.
Why you don't have to have the "most stuff" to provide a valuable membership site.
Can you deliver value just by participating in your community?
How can you validate your membership idea?
The early mistakes most people make and how you can avoid them.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Membership Guys web site * The Membership Guys blog * The Membership Guys podcast * Membership Site Academy * Plugin comparison PDF * The Membership Guys on Twitter * Mike Morrison on Twitter * Will It Fly?, by Pat Flynn * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Can you imagine how you'd feel if your first speaking gig was in front of 6,000 people, and Dr. Phil was speaking at the same event? You'll hear how today's guest on The Speaker Lab felt because that's exactly what happened the first time he took the stage as a speaker!

Mitch Joel is an international speaker, author and CEO who works with major companies like Wal-Mart, Google and Starbucks. He joins us for this show to walk us through his early career days, including whether or not he rocked his first gig or he bombed. We also discuss his recommendations for becoming a premiere speaker who charges $10k, $20k or more.

And we wrap up with the three different types of speakers, examples of each and which one you should be if you are a beginning speaker. Tune in for that and so much more on episode 144 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is your content center of excellence, and how do you find it?
Who are examples of great speakers who have gone from $5k speaking fees up to $50k?
What is an SME and how can you be one?
What three criteria must you meet to be considered someone with a "significant platform"?
How do you know if you are killing it or not as a speaker on stage?
Why being memorable is better than being funny.
Do you have to have a large social media following to charge $15k or more as a speaker?
What is the Louis CK model of public speaking?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mitch Joel's web site * Mitch Joel on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you like to record video content but you know your audience is on Facebook, what should you do? Here to answer that question, and so much more about content creation for speakers is our very own Maggie Rowe!

Maggie is a friend of mine and is also a member of the support team at The Speaker Lab. Behind the scenes she's been helping us create our content, including our blog posts, emails and other projects. She's an expert at writing for speakers, and content creation in general.

On this edition of The Speaker Lab Maggie will be sharing how to write your speaking bio, how to create the most impactful titles for your speeches and descriptions as well as how to choose which platform to connect with your audience and why you should meet them wherever they are online. Join us to hear all of those great nuggets from Maggie today on The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Which aspects of your bio are most important?
What is the cardinal sin most people commit?
What communicates credibility to a potential decision-maker?
What are the three aspects necessary for an engaging talk title?
What should be included in your talk description?
How important is it to get feedback from your actual target market?
What is best: to be on a platform you like or a platform your audience uses?
How often should you communicate with your audience?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Maggie Rowe's website * Maggie Rowe on Facebook * Maggie Rowe on Instagram * Maggie Rowe on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If negotiating your fees has ever been difficult for you our guest will solve that problem today! Liz Saunders is an expert on booking speaking gigs, including how and when to negotiate your fees.

On episode 142 of The Speaker Lab, Liz shares her background as an event coordinator and road manager, and how she created The Tivich Group, an independent booking agency for speakers. She even walks us through a typical sales call for one of her clients, including the all-important fee discussion.

Liz also explains how and when to build your fees around your clients' priorities, and how to know when to lower your fees without shooting yourself in the proverbial foot. Whether you've been booking your own speaking gigs for decades or you're just starting out, Liz's information will be valuable and eye-opening. Join us to hear it all on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Should you do your own bookings when you're starting out?
What are the pricing clues to listen for in a conversation with a potential client?
How to transition to talking about your fees.
What is the most awkward part of the conversation with a potential client?
How to keep your pricing from being seen as arbitrary.
Why to shut up after naming your fee!
What's the one step that has led to many bookings for my business?
What does her follow up process consist of?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Tivich Group web site * Negotiate Better Contracts web site * Liz Saunders on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you've ever worried that narrowing your audience and your target market will hurt your speaking business, you'll want to listen to today's guest. Jill Christensen has grown her speaking business by leaps and bounds simply by focusing on one type of audience.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, Jill shares how being a member of Booked And Paid To Speak has helped her narrow her target market, why doing so has been tremendously successful for her and her advice for creating that same level of success.

We also talk about why some speakers don't get traction, the importance of hard work and what to do if you find yourself stuck. Check out that and much more on episode 141 of The Speaker Lab with Jill Christensen!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did she choose her target audience and create her signature keynote?
What aspects of her research does she outsource, and why?
According to Jill what are conference planners really looking for in a speaker?
Why being a published author really helps grow your business.
How to make yourself stand out from hundreds of other quality speakers.
When has she spoken for free, and does she ever now?
What is the definition of an expert, and how do you know if you are one?
Why it's important to "pick a lane".
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jill Christensen's web site * Jill Christensen on Twitter * Jill Christensen on LinkedIn * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Could public relations (PR) help you get more speaking gigs? This isn't an area I've paid much attention to but our guest for episode 140 changed my tune. Janet Murray is an author, speaker and PR wizard with 16 years of experience working with publications like The Guardian, The Telegraph and Huffington Post.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, Janet joins us to talk about why PR will help you grow your personal brand, your audience and get you more speaking gigs. She also shares her thoughts on quality versus quantity: is it better to be featured in a lot of publications, or a few select outlets?

You'll hear the details on those topics as well as how she started her current work helping entrepreneurs and business owners become featured in the press. Listen in to hear her thoughts plus her lovely British accent on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

The two ways PR helps your credibility.
Are high profile media outlets still effective?
Is it better to write a freelance article, or to be featured by someone else?
What social media outlets are journalists active on?
How to do the necessary research before pitching your ideas.
How much of connecting with the media is based on relationships?
Should your approach vary depending on the medium?
Is it better to be in the New York Times or to be in a specialty magazine?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Janet Murray's website
Soulful PR, Janet's podcast
Your Press Release Is Breaking My Heart, by Janet Murray
Janet Murray on Twitter
7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever considered running ads on Facebook, YouTube or Google to get more speaking gigs? If not then you'll reconsider after hearing today's guest, Rick Mulready. Rick is an expert who has been in this world since the days of AOL and dial-up! He's worked with companies like AOL, Yahoo, and Funny or Die.

Today on The Speaker Lab he talks about how this whole online advertising thing works. You'll come away with an understanding of the basics of each online platform, and which is the easiest to start with.

You'll also learn about how to use online advertising to better automate leads on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

The pros and cons of the different online advertising platforms.
Are there really over a billion people on Facebook?
How much should you spend on your ads?
What are the keys to a successful online advertising campaign?
Why reverse engineering is necessary when creating your online ads.
Is YouTube a beneficial place to run ads for your speaking business?
What is a lead magnet and how do you use it most effectively?
How to use online advertising to position yourself as an expert.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Rick Mulready's web site * Art of Paid Traffic podcast * Rick Mulready on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

When you think of improv do you think of sketch comedy, Saturday Night Live or do you think of becoming a better speaker? It can be all of the above! So says our guest for episode 138 of The Speaker Lab, Mike Ganino.

Mike is a former self-proclaimed restaurant guy with an intereste in theatre and in improv. After leaving the restaurant biz he became a consultant and learned to use his improv skills to help his clients become leaders. Soon he found his niche speaking about building organizations for the present and the future, and working with public speakers with Michael and Amy Port.

On today's show we dive deeper into his personal story, as well as how to use improv to improve your speaking skills and why improv doesn't always mean funny. You'll learn about that and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is blocking, and why should you avoid it?
How much improv training should you take?
Why improv isn't the same as "winging it".
A few things you can do to practice by yourself.
What's the only cure for bombing on stage?
What is the "last word first word" technique?
Why the time you put into rehearsal is so critical to your success on stage.
Is improv always funny?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mike Ganino's web site * Mike Ganino on Twitter * Mike Ganino's Improv For Speakers giveaway * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Many of you have been asking about the mastermind I'm in and how to start and run a mastermind of your own. To fill you in on all the details I've gathered the other three members for episode 137 of The Speaker Lab.

On today's show you'll hear from me, Jeff Rose, Bryan Harris and Joe Michael. The four of us will chat about how we got started, what our format is and how we run the group - including our inside jokes! You'll also hear how the group has evolved and changed over the years, what advice we all have if you're not yet in a mastermind but want to be.

I guarantee you a funny, lively and educational conversation so tune in and check it out on episode 137 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is a mastermind exactly?
How each of us have benefited from being in a mastermind.
How do you find, form and/or create a group of your own?
How should you structure your mastermind?
Is it okay to change your format of your group over time?
How should you communicate with your mastermind: Slack, retreats, phone calls, or something else?
What does BAAS stand for and how do you use it?
How and when to leave a mastermind.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Bryan Harris' web site * Bryan Harris on Twitter * Jeff Rose's web site * Jeff Rose on Twitter * Joe Michael's web site * Joe Michael on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

A lot of speakers want to write books and be recognized as best-selling authors - but not many speakers call themselves a writer who happens to speak. But our guest for episode 136 of The Speaker Lab does!

Scott Berkun, author of Confessions of a Public Speaker and his latest book, The Dance of The Possible, joins us to talk about why his books drive his speaking career, how his career has evolved over the years, and how he chooses his book topics.

Scott has authored 7 books in the last 12 years and in that time his speaking career has evolved from workshops and consulting gigs to lectures and keynoting conferences. You'll hear how he did this, where his speaking career began and how to develop your expertise in one area. You'll even hear his worst speaking moment! Join us for that and more on today's The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How much of his income is from speaking vs book sales?
The two ways he narrowed down his speaking topic and his audience.
What does he recommend to speakers just starting out?
Do you need to publish a book in order to be a speaker?
Does he ever speak for free today?
Why did he write Confessions of a Public Speaker?
What Steven Soderberg can teach you about creativity and profitability.
What is the test of whether or not an idea is valid?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Scott Berkun's web site * The Dance of the Possible, by Scott Berkun * Confessions of a Public Speaker, by Scott Berkun * Scott's other books * Scott Berkun on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The Dance of The Possible: A mostly honest and completely irreverent guide to creativity

Have you ever listened to someone's speech and immediately taken action as a result? It's rare for a speaker to do this for their audience, and yet it's critical to making a lasting impact.

One of the best in the world at this is Noah Kagan. He's here on episode 135 of The Speaker Lab to share how he crafts his speeches so his audience has results during his talk.

If you've lived in a cave and don't know Noah, he is the creator of AppSumo and SumoMe. AppSumo is Groupon for geeks and SumoMe is an 8-figure business that provides tools to grow your online traffic. His career began with Intel, Microsoft and Mint; he was also one of the first employees at Facebook!

On this edition of The Speaker Lab we also discuss ways he learns from the best, how he decides what to talk about and the importance of content creation. Join us as we dig into that and more on today's The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What can you learn from the first time Noah and I hung out?
The two impactful things people respond to in a speech.
What is true of the best speakers in the world?
Why he engages his audience and includes them in his speeches.
How does he determine the ideal actions he wants his audience to take?
Which types of stories are critical to memorable speeches?
How important is it to put out content on a regular basis?
What does he do when he's discouraged?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Noah Kagan's website * Noah Kagan's podcast * Noah Kagan on YouTube * Noah Kagan Twitter * SumoMe website * AppSumo website * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you think creative types must be starving artists with no hope of real income? Our guest for today's episode of The Speaker Lab is going to change that mindset if you do!

Jeff Goins is a published author with five books under his belt, as well as a highly-respected international speaker. And at his core Jeff is an artist.

On this show he tells us why it's okay to profit as an artist, and how to overcome the mental barriers of getting paid well for our craft.

You'll hear Jeff share his back story and also explain why you don't need to wait until you think you're ready, and why you should stop calling yourself an "aspiring" anything! Jeff gives plenty of sage wisdom on those topics, and much more during the 134th episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When can a speaker call themselves a speaker?
How John Grisham became a writer, and what his story can teach you.
Why doesn't Jeff like the word "aspiring"?
How to be okay charging money for what you do.
Why is being a starving artist a choice?
What is one of the rules of not being a starving artist?
Why to start speaking for a fee as soon as possible.
What to say if your prospect has no budget for speakers.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jeff Goins' web site * Real Artists Don't Starve, by Jeff Goins (plus bonuses!) * Jeff Goins' four other books on Amazon * Jeff Goins on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If there's one thing nearly all entrepreneurs and business owners have in common it is the desire to live a life of significance. We want to do something that matters, something that makes a positive impact in the world. A great example of this is our guest on today's episode of The Speaker Lab, Mr. Aaron Walker.

Aaron has been self-employed and owned a business of some variety since the age of 18; he hasn't worked for anyone else in 38 years! In all of those years he has experienced the full spectrum of the entrepreneurial journey: the highs, the lows and everything in between. On our 133rd edition, he talks candidly about that journey, especially the life-altering experiences.

We also talk about his advice for managing the roller coaster ride of being your own boss, and why he came out of retirement to coach (including who encouraged him to do so!). Today Aaron Walker is a coach, best-selling author, podcaster and acclaimed speaker, and he's our guest on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why does he love coaching the most of any of the 12 businesses he has owned?
Why you have to give any idea at least two years.
Is work-life balance a myth?
The thing that holds most people back, and how to not let it stop you.
What is the enemy to excellence?
How and why should you get true and honest feedback?
The power of promoting others: why it works and how to do it.
How has he managed his focus in his businesses over the years?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Aaron Walker's website * Aaron Walker's podcast * View From The Top, by Aaron Walker * Aaron Walker on Twitter * [amazon text=The 12 Week Year&asin=https://www.amazon.com/12-Week-Year-Others-Months/dp/1501277332], by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months

It isn't often we have guests come back for a second visit but today's guest is a special one! Tamsen Webster is here for her second conversation on The Speaker Lab.

If you missed her first appearance on the show check out episode 118 where we talk all about Ted and TedX Talks. And if you didn't hear that show you probably don't know that Tamsen is the Executive Director of TedX Cambridge, and is also the CEO and Founder of her company, Strategic Speaking.

On this edition of The Speaker Lab we're diving deep into how to find your "big idea" for your talks. Tamsen calls herself part idea whisperer, part message strategist and part magpie. You'll hear why when you tune in to this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the purpose of speaking, according to Tamsen?
What is psychological reactance and how do you work with it?
Three key components to finding your big idea: what are they?
Which of the three components should you start with?
What will make your talk 1,000x better than it is right now?
How to go from breakout sessions and do more keynote sessions.
Why you can't reverse engineer the need of your audience, and what to do instead.
What is the hardest question for a speaker to answer?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Tamsen Webster's web site * Tamsen's next retreat * Red Thread worksheet * Tamsen Webster on Facebook * Tamsen Webster on Twitter * Episode 118 with Tamsen Webster * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What if you'd like speaking to be a complement to other aspects of your business, like consulting? Should you approach speaking differently if so? Today's guest has your answers!

Joe Sanok is the founder of Practice of the Practice, a speaking and consulting business that helps counselors in private practice to start, grow and scale their practices. Joe speaks selectively as a keynote and does so in a way that generates consulting leads.

On this episode he shares how he generates potential consulting clients from select speaking gigs, and how he's established himself as a keynote in his super specific niche. We also dive into how he and his family made the final leap from full-time employment to full-time self-employment. Listen in to hear that and more on the 131st edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does he identify which events are right for him and his business?
Why did he start the Most Awesome Conference?
How to identify if a niche is big enough to support your business.
What's the "trojan horse method" and how do you use it as a speaker?
How to connect with event organizers to create long-term relationships.
Why and how to set boundaries and rhythms in your business and your life.
How to reverse engineer so you know what your rates should be.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Practice of the Practice web site
Joe Sanok on Twitter
Practice of the Practice podcast
Most Awesome Conference
Booked and Paid to Speak
Free speaker workshop
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever found yourself tongue-tied when a potential client has asked about your speaking fees? If you have today's guest will help you solve that problem in the future!

Joy Groblebe is an entrepreneur who helps speakers and other entrepreneurs overcome the chaos of their busy minds, busy businesses and busy lives.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Joy talks about her switch from working for KMOX in St. Louis to becoming an entrepreneur after the birth of her first son. She shares the journey she's been on and how she's created the business she has today.

You'll also hear her backstage view of the publishing and speaking world. And you'll learn the steps she takes to get the most out of any potential speaking deal for her clients, and how you can fill your speaking calendar following her guidance. Listen in to hear that and more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why you shouldn't answer your own speaking calls.
Should you speak for anyone who asks you to when you're starting out?
Why you need to respond to an inquiry within 24 hours.
The secret 4 word sentence to booking: what is it?
What to do when your potential client doesn't have the budget for your fees.
The two ways to follow up after speaking for a client.
When should you change your high-bar fees?
Why you can never be too generous nor too grateful.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Joy Groblebe's web site * Joy Groblebe on Twitter * Scorre Training (use the code JOY to save $200) * Michele Cusatt's web site * Ken Davis' web site * Booked and Paid to Speak * Free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Ready for another one?! Today on The Speaker Lab we have two more questions from listeners just like you. Stephanie sent a voicemail asking about the proper strategy for thanking clients after a speaking gig. She wondered if it's okay to send gifts, or what other approaches are acceptable to say thank you to a client.

We have a second and equally interesting question from John. He is getting into speaking and starting to build his platform. He has written a book and intends to write more, and he plans to give away some of those books. John asks if he needs to be a non-profit, or if he can still operate as a for-profit business.

Listen in to hear the answers to both of those questions and then apply them in your speaking career! It's all here on episode 129 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

The four reasons to give thank yous to your clients after an event.
Which should you go after: relationships or gigs?
What is something most speakers don't do (but should)?
The 5 ways my team and I show appreciation after an event.
Who should you give handwritten thank you cards to?
What types of thank you gifts can you send?
Do you need to operate as a non-profit to make donations?
Why it's okay to receive money for helping people.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Stephanie Salasek's web site * John Mouser's web site * How to Manage Your Taxes with Josh Bauerle, Episode 72 * Choosing a Business Structure for Your Speaking Business, Episode 38 * Booked and Paid to Speak * Free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome back to The Speaker Lab! This week we've got another episode of listener Q&As. We have one question from Cathy about the absolute essentials to pitching yourself.

We also have a question from Greg who asks about using past media appearances that are notable but not related to his current line of work. Can he do it and if so, how should he do it?

Tune in to hear the answers. And if you'd like to ask a question of your own go to the Ask Grant section here and ask away!

A big thank you to Cathy and Greg for chiming in, and thanks to you for listening to episode 128 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the point of a demo video?
What is a topic menu and why do you need one?
How many different topics and talks should you initially offer?
Do you need testimonials and recommendations to pitch yourself?
Why it's good to have multiple pricing options for your talks.
Why you need a follow up system in place.
Can you use media appearances and exposure from different industries?
What is topic authority and human credibility, and why do you want them?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * How to Set Up Your First Speaking Web Site - Episode 36 * How to Create Demo Videos, with Wes Wages - Episode 56 * What Do You Want to Speak About? - Episode 8 * How to Get Speaking Testimonials - Episode 111 * Questions About Speaking Fees - Episode 54 * How to Follow Up on Speaking Leads - Episode 21 * The Speaker Lab web site theme * Bowery 315 web site * Booked and Paid to Speak * Free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever wanted a guide or a road map to help you along your speaking journey? Today I'm giving you exactly that!

On this listener Q&A show, Clayton Watson called in to ask what his next steps are to get bookings. Clayton is from Calgary in Alberta, Canada and runs a site called Coaching Caregiver. He also has written a book, and is now wondering what to do next to land paid speaking engagements.

When you listen to this episode, you'll hear my answer to Clayton's question as I lay out the five pieces of the speaker road map puzzle. I explain what each step is, why it is important and how to implement it in your journey.

Today you'll also hear my answer to another listener's question about whether YouTube videos of your speeches can help or hurt your chances of getting hired as a speaker. Listen in to hear the details on episode 127 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the 5 steps of the speaker success road map?
Why you are in the problem-solving business as a speaker and entrepreneur.
What is the topic trifecta and how do you use it?
What are the 7 primary speaking industries?
What are the two main tools you need to establish yourself as an expert?
What is the simplest way to find paid speaking gigs?
Can having YouTube videos of your talks hurt your chances of getting paid speaking gigs?
How to protect your talks in your contract with clients.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Clayton Watson's web site * Jeff Domenic's web site * Booked and Paid to Speak * Free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Today we've got an extra special guest for you: Erick Rheam. Erick is a student of our Booked and Paid to Speak program, and he has been wildly successful in his speaking career since signing up for the course. He joined us in December of 2015 and in the 15 months between then and our recording of this episode, he has made over $80,000 in speaking gigs!

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Erick joins us to talk about his success and how he decided who to speak to and what to speak about, why it's important to have a good web site and demo and how he gets referrals.

Because Erick is still relatively new to the speaking world his story is relatable, as his resulting success. You'll want to tune in to hear more about what's next for him on episode 126 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What was he making in his speaking business before joining Booked and Paid to Speak?
Why agreements and contracts have been critical to his financial growth as a speaker.
What does Erick say you have to love in order to be a successful speaker?
How did he decide what to speak about and who to speak to?
Why helping people achieve signficance in their lives also helps you.
The four things he's learned that are critical to running a successful speaking business.
What percentage of this business is the grind of pursuing and getting gigs?
How he's preparing to go from his full-time corporate job to speaking full-time.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Erick Rheam's web site * Erick Rheam on Twitter * Erick Rheam on LinkedIn * Booked and Paid to Speak * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

As a speaker or an aspiring speaker you know the importance of a demo video. But what about other forms of video content like a YouTube channel or Facebook Live? Could those help you build your speaking career? Absolutely says our guest for this episode! Josh Drean is here to tell us how.

Josh's primary gig is as a youth motivational speaker but he's also a father and a part-time student at Harvard University in Boston where he is studying business management. As if that wasn't enough, he is also a street performer who does almost daily videos for his YouTube channel.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, he shares how to leverage video content as a speaker, how he uses content to get gigs and promote those gigs, as well as what to talk about on your video. His insights on those topics and more will get you off the fence about video and in front of the camera! Hear it here on episode 125 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

By 2020 what percentage of all content will be video?
Your fees are directly proportional to the quality of your what?
Why did he start producing videos multiple times a week?
Josh explains what vlogging is exactly.
Does everyone need to do video?
Why and how to work for "celebrity status" online.
What is Musically and what will it teach you about connecting with your audience?
What is the bare minimum equipment you need to get started creating quality video?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Josh Drean's web site * Josh's Speaker's Videography Starter Kit * Josh Drean on YouTube * Josh Drean on Facebook * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever considered that how to set yourself apart as a speaker may be to embrace what is uniquely you? Maybe it's an accent you have or your above-average height, whatever it is it may be the key to standing out in our crowded speaking marketplace.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, I've got a guest who has used her unique voice and stature to create a thriving speaking career. Neen James stands a petite 4'10 (and 1/2!) and hails from Australia. With her tiny height and self-professed Disney princess voice she was told by many no one was going to book her or take her seriously as speaker.

But with her undeniable sass, drive and determination she has proven them wrong! Listen to this episode to hear how she accidentally became a professional speaker, how she pivoted from productivity to her current topic today, and how's she built her reputation in the corporate business world. You'll hear that and more on episode 124 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What's the trick to having a successful speaking career?
What are "telecoffees" and how did she build her business with them?
Why you should audit the things you are good at.
What are the things that make us "rememorable"?
Why speakers have to establish credibility and do it quickly.
How she pivoted from productivity to attention.
Can you be a jack of all trades and be successful as a speaker?
How can you become a great resource and trusted advisor to your clients?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Neen James' web site * Neen James on Twitter * Neen James on Facebook * Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison * CultureGrams web site * National Speakers Association (NSA) web site * NSA's Voices of Experience app * Speaker Magazine * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Episode 123 of The Speaker Lab is unlike any other episode we've done before! In essence today's show is a one-on-one coaching call I had with a listener who emailed me.

I wanted to share our conversation with you because his story is common: he has done a number of free speaking gigs but wasn't sure about how to move into the paid realm. He also wasn't sure how to narrow down his list of potential audiences and topics.

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, Chris Field joins me to gain clarity on those topics and more. Listen in to hear his stories (including his run for mayor at the age of 19!), and our brainstorming session on this coaching call. You'll hear how all of that applies to you wherever you are in your speaking journey on episode 123 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How do you know if your speaking plan makes financial sense?
Why is the audience you speak to a variable in what you can charge?
What are the 5 components of the speaker success roadmap?
What are the 7 major industries you can speak to?
How to know if you are on the right path, or if you need to pivot.
What does integrity have to do with your choice of speaking topics?
Why it is ideal that you find something other speakers are already doing.
What is the reason organizations ultimately hire someone?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chris Field's non-profit's web site * Chris Field on Twitter * Chris Field on LinkedIn * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Buckle up buttercups! We've got our sassy friend back in the saddle with us today: Ms. Carrie Wilkerson and she is in rare form on episode 122 of the Speaker Lab. If you missed her previous visit to the show you can listen in here.

I wanted Carrie to return to the show because she's proven how to turn one speaking gig into many, and I wanted her to share that with you. Specifically on this show she will explain how she creates and structures valuable long-term offerings for her clients, and how she turns those offerings into a consistent monthly revenue stream.

This is one episode you don't want to miss! Get out your pen and paper and get ready for some actionable insights from the one and only Carrie Wilkerson on episode 122 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the "hit and run" approach and why doesn't Carrie like it?
What questions does she ask to create a 100% closing rate?
At what point does she pitch a package deal to clients?
Why serving first is the best approach, and how to do it properly.
What are the magic words to use when offering a long-term arrangement?
How to add value without offering a discount.
What are some of the industries where this works, and where it might not?
What does she do to land more referrals?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Carrie Wilkerson's web site * Carrie Wilkerson on Twitter * Episode 109 of The Speaker Lab * Getting Naked, by Peter Lencioni * The Ultimate Sales Machine, by Chet Holmes * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Getting Naked: A Business Fable About Shedding The Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty

The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business with Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies

Would you struggle for five years as a speaker if you knew it was going to pay off? Would you be willing to travel 220 days a year if that's what it took to one day share the stage with Simon Sinek and Gary Vaynerchuk? That's exactly what our guest for episode 121 of The Speaker Lab has done and continues to do presently.

John Spence spends anywhere from 170 to 220 days a year giving speeches around the world. He speaks on leadership, high performance teams, culture, strategy, strategic thinking, and business excellence, and has been for 23 years.

His speeches are never canned, each one is unique. That coupled with the tremendous value he brings to every speaking engagement has allowed him to build a business that is based almost entirely on referrals. Today he outlines his strategic approach to generating repeat business and referrals, how he got through the struggle of his first five years and why he enjoys being a road warrior.

On this edition of The Speaker Lab, you'll also hear how he helps charities rather than giving free speeches. Listen in for that and more from the one and only John Spence.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the one question he asks all of his clients?
How does he create a unique topic for every speaking engagement?
The three ways he differentiates himself as a speaker.
How much of his business has been word of mouth?
Does he get nervous when he goes on stage?
How long does he talk with each potential client before working with them?
Why he refuses to sell from the stage.
How he got his foot in the door with companies like Mayo Clinic, Merrill Lynch, and Allstate.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * John Spence's website * John Spence on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What makes a speech a memorable one? Our guest for today knows! He says there are 5 keys you must include to make your speech memorable. Joining us for episode 120 is our repeat visitor and friend, Hugh Culver.

He was previously here for episode 10, which feels like an eternity ago! If you missed his first visit, Hugh is an adventurer turned speaker. He started out in the adventure travel industry and later became a speaker. For the last dozen years or so, he's been speaking to corporate audiences about productivity.

On today's show, Hugh tells us about the 5 things he's learned along the way that are needed to give a memorable speech. They are: solve a problem, warm up the audience, make the audience work, teach with stories and make your speech about them. Listen in for that and more on episode 119 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why is your speech your best marketing tool?
What type of speeches don't pay and how can you avoid giving them?
What are the variables that go into making a good presentation?
Why it's okay to speak on a competitive topic.
Two tricks to find out what topics people are being paid to speak about.
The three phases of warming up an audience.
Why should you make your audience work during your speech?
What does it mean to be "situationally extroverted" and why does it matter?
The quick check to ensure you are making your speech about your audience.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Hugh Culver's web site * Hugh Culver on Twitter * Business of Speaking School * Episode 10 of The Speaker Lab * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you built several successful businesses and sold them, what would you do next? Would you write books and become a speaker? That's what our guest for today's episode of The Speaker Lab has done!

Mike Michalowicz (listen in and he'll help you pronounce his name) is a well-known international speaker and best-selling author who made a lot of money in previous endeavors, and started over as a speaker and author.

On episode 119 of The Speaker Lab, he shares why he has gone down this particular road and several hacks that have helped him continue to level up his success. We also discuss how to pronounce his name and why his web site makes fun of the various mispronunciations he's heard over the years, how much of his time is devoted to speaking versus writing and so much more on today's show!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is a domain name hack you can use if your name is hard to spell and pronounce?
What should you do with your biggest weakness?
Why he became an author and speaker when he started over.
What are the strongest domains and how can you get backlinks from them?
Where do you get the best practice as a speaker?
How he made the transition from college speaker to the corporate realm.
How did he nearly double his speaking frequency?
What introduction did Simon Sinek make for Mike?
What is realistic and unrealistic to expect when working with an agent or an agency?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Mike Michalowicz's web site * Mike Michalowicz on Twitter * Episode 59 of The Speaker Lab * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Is giving a TED Talk or a TEDx Talk on your bucket list? If it is then today is your lucky day! Joining us for this episode of The Speaker Lab is Tamsen Webster. Tamsen is a keynote business speaker and strategist who helps people find the power of their ideas and share those ideas with the world.

She also happens to be the Executive Producer of TEDx Cambridge, the oldest TEDx in the country. In her role, she decides who speaks at their events and she oversees all coaching and designs the coaching process for those speakers.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, she shares the differences between TED and TEDx Talks and why giving either one is a great feather in anyone's cap. She tells us how she helps her speakers prepare for their TEDx talks, how you can get your foot in the door with your local TEDx and how to know if your idea is interesting enough to be considered for a TEDx talk. Listen in for that and more on the 118th edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is the oldest TEDx in the country?
What are the differences between a Ted talk and a TEDx talk?
How to get your foot in the door at your local TEDx.
Why it's always helpful to know the organizers of any event.
What are the two different levels of licensing for TEDx events, and why do they matter?
Why do professional speakers have an extra barrier to being accepted as a TEDx speaker?
What are the three "I"s of a great TED Talk?
What gets in the way of connecting with the audience in Tamsen's experience?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Tamsen Webster's web site * Tamsen Webster on Facebook * Tamsen Webster on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you given both keynotes and taught workshops? Some speakers prefer one over the other, while some enjoy both.

Marcus Sheridan of The Sales Lion is an interactive and engaging speaker who likes doing both. On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Marcus is here to talk about his journey from a missionary in Chile to running a successful pool company to commanding audiences around the globe today. He also shares how that journey led to the creation of latest book, They Ask You Answer.

You'll hear about all of that plus the importance of video today, why it's only going to continue to become even more vital and what he learned from his worst speaking moment ever. Check it out on episode 117 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Are good keynote speakers always good at teaching workshops too?
What did being a missionary in Chile teach him about speaking?
The lesson you can learn from how he landed his first speaking gig.
How he made the leap from workshop speaker to keynote speaker at Content Marketing World in one year.
Why is giving gigs the most effective way to land more gigs?
Why it works for him to be so interactive with his audiences.
How much attention should you be paying to content marketing?
Should you have a videographer?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Marcus Sheridan's web site * Email Marcus * They Ask You Answer, Marcus' latest book * Marcus Sheridan on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

They Ask You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer

Speakers often come from diverse backgrounds, and today's guest is no exception! Brian Fanzo began his career in Computer Science working for the United States Department of Defense on issues like cybersecurity.

Today he is a change evangelist who helps people embrace change in their businesses, and grow their presence in the process. And it's something he's been widely recognized for: in 2014, The Economist named him one of the Top 25 Social Business Leaders of The Future. He's also spoken in 11 countries at over 50 events.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Brian shares the light bulb moment that led to his leap into entrepreneurship a few years ago, what social media platforms you should be using to grow your speaking career and his reverse engineering that creates more speaking gigs for himself. You're going to learn all of that and so much more on the 116th edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How Brian landed his first speaking gig ever - at The Pentagon.
When did he make the shift to being an evangelist for his own brand?
How to create your own path while still following in the footsteps of your role models.
How do we truly stand out in any marketplace?
How he's using online video to advance his speaking career, and how you can too.
Why you should think like a fan, and what that means according to Brian.
What percentage of internet traffic will be video in 2020?
How does he make sure his social media content is seen by decision-makers?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Brian Fanzo's web site * Brian Fanzo's Fomo podcast * Entrepreneurship Taught Me I Suck at These 10 Things, Brian's blog post * Brian Fanzo on Twitter * Brian Fanzo on YouTube * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Can you imagine doing 800 gigs in 5 years? Our guest for this edition of The Speaker Lab did just that and she's here to share exactly how she successfully managed such a feat!

Chantelle Adams got her start as a speaker in the education and corporate markets before making a name for herself in the entrepreneurial field.

On today's podcast she explains why she started where she did, how she structured her offerings and her schedule to fit 800 gigs into five years and how she now spends her days helping the change-making women of the world step into their own and shine.

When you join us for episode 115 of The Speaker Lab you'll hear Chantelle talk about all of that plus her worst speaking gig ever (and how she turned it into a positive experience). Listen in for all of that and more on today's show!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What did she do prior to becoming a speaker?
Why did she decide to become a speaker in the education field?
How to add more value to your speaking gig so you stand out and land more clients.
What did she do to solicit new leads from clients?
How to make your clients say "heck yes" to your proposals!
Why gratitude and being grounded leads to ongoing success.
What local industries and organizations does she recommend focusing on?
How did she handle being a mom of three boys and speaking so often?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Chantelle Adams' web site * Chantelle Adams on Facebook * Chantelle Adams on Twitter * 7 Proven Steps to Finding And Booking Paid Speaking Engagements * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Many speakers' businesses rely solely on getting paid to speak. But how can you build a business in addition to your speaking roles? Is it possible to have a successful speaking career and a thriving business?

It is! Here to tell us how he's done it is Jay Baer. Jay is the best-selling author of multiple books, and he's an international keynote speaker. Jay also runs Convince and Convert, his fifth business endeavor.

Today he talks about how Convince and Convert is set up as three solid divisions, how he's created a business that can run without him, and how he's gone from speaking to Kiwanis Clubs to connecting with audiences around the globe. Listen in for all of that and more on episode 114 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How many live keynotes and webinars did he do in 2016?
Why he became a speaker who consults versus a consultant who speaks, and what the difference is.
What was the mental shift he made to feel confident in his speaking content?
How can you tell a true keynote speaker from the wannabe?
Why he prefers the process of elimination over the process of discovery.
How to find exactly what topics to speak on.
What would he do differently if he were starting over?
Why the less he writes the better his business does!
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jay Baer's web site * Convince and Convert * The Convince and Convert podcasts * Jay Baer on Twitter * Hug Your Haters, by Jay Baer * The Now Revolution, by Jay Baer * Trust Agents, by Chris Brogan * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust

Hug Your Haters: How to Embrace Complaints and Keep Your Customers

You've probably heard of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but did you know there is a similar charity that helps adults and kids with life-threatening illnesses? It gives them the opportunity to experience the live event of their dreams from the front row!

The charity is called The Front Row Foundation and the co-founder is Jon Vroman, our guest for this show. Jon is also a full-time speaker and the head of his own company, Front Row Factor.

Today he shares how his charity was started, and how his speaking career became his full-time pursuit as a result of the lessons his Front Row Foundation's recipients taught him. You'll hear how he shares their inspiration with the college world, and how he is transitioning into the corporate market as well. Dive in with us on episode 113 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How he started speaking at 19.
Why he went from a six figure job to spending $90k to be a full-time speaker the next year.
How long did it take him to land his first speaking gig?
How he attended one event and walked out with 14 paid gigs.
What are the things a speaker needs to get started?
How did relationships help him find his speaking topics?
Why speaking to everyone means you actually speak to no one.
How he's building his name in a new market, and how you can too.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Front Row Factor
Front Row Foundation
Living College Life in The Front Row, by Jon Vroman
The Front Row Factor podcast
Jon Vroman on Twitter
Giftology, by John Ruhlin
APCA
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Positioning yourself an authority is a surefire way to be featured in major media outlets and open doors that would otherwise be closed. But how do you do it?

Our guest for episode 112 has the answers! Jeff Rose of Good Financial Cents is here to spill the beans on how he became a regular contributor for Forbes. Jeff is a certified financial planner who was named one of the Top 10 Young Advisors to Watch, by Financial Advisor magazine.

Today Jeff explains how he developed a relationship with Forbes, why it takes time and a focused niche. He also shares other major media he's been featured in like CNBC, Entrepreneur, and Huffington Post to name a few. Hear it all on episode 112 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why did he start his blog, Good Financial Cents?
How could he have gotten more traction quicker?
What's the best way to get quoted by the media?
How do you know if you should expand or narrow your focus?
If he was starting from scratch today would he change anything?
What is HARO and how can it help you?
The story of how he became a contributing writer with Forbes.
The John Corcoran strategy and how to use it.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Good Financial Cents blog
Jeff Rose's podcast
Soldier of Finance, by Jeff Rose
Jeff Rose's life insurance web site
Jeff Rose on Twitter
HARO web site
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

When you try a new restaurant do you read what others have posted about it on Yelp? Or before you buy a new product do you read the Amazon reviews people have written?

If you do you understand why I highly recommend getting your own speaking testimonials: your potential clients and potential audiences want to know who you are a speaker and what you bring to the table.

On episode 111 of The Speaker Lab, I'll be sharing exactly why these tools are so useful in garnering new clients and new gigs, how to go about securing the best possible testimonials and the keys to making a testimonial great. Listen in for all of that and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What do testimonials give your potential clients?
What are the two key pieces of a good testimonial?
Who are the two types of people you should you get testimonials from?
An example of how to properly solicit a testimonial.
Are recommendation letters beneficial?
What are the different ways you can use testimonials?
Why you can never have too many testimonials, and what to do with all of them.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Today is a Q&A episode highlighting a question asked by listener, Eric Moss. Eric called in with a great question about finding the appropriate contacts within the faith-based market.

It's a relatable one for me because I got my start as a speaker in this realm. After college I became a youth pastor and began speaking to my youth group, and from time to time I'd have the opportunity to speak to the "big church". That paved the way for me to create a full-time business as a speaker and a speaking expert.

On episode 110 of The Speaker Lab, I share exactly how to find out who you should be contacting at different religious organizations, and much more.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How I got my start in the speaking world, and what it has to do with the faith-based market.
Why is the faith/church market a fairly common one for speakers?
What is the first thing you want to do when reaching out in the faith-based market?
The three questions to answer to determine who to contact within a church.
Does the topic you want to speak about matter when finding a contact?
How does the size of the church's congregation impact you as a speaker?
When should you reach out to the pastor of a congregation?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Episode 1 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 31 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 37 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 63 of The Speaker Lab * Episode 81 of The Speaker Lab * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you think speakers are born or can they be made? Is there a checklist of characteristics that make someone a great speaker? Our guest for episode 109 is here to weigh in on those topics, and more!

Carrie Wilkerson, my extra sassy friend and founder of The Barefoot Executive, joins us to talk about her background as a trained musician, and how growing up as the pastor's daughter set up her present day speaking career.

According to her parents, Carrie has been a talker since birth! In fact she talked so much as a child that her dad once told her if she could find a way to get paid for it she'd have it made. Carrie shares those stories as well as how a transition from performing as a singer in her dad's church to introducing those songs and making them relevant helped her hone the natural cadence she has on stage.

She also shares a great lesson she learned firsthand about why it's important to be a fit for for your audience. Hear it all on episode 109 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Did she know she would always be on stage?
How big were her earliest crowds?
When did she know speaking was the thing she was meant to do?
Does she think anyone can be a speaker?
How did John Maxwell describe her speaking style?
How The Barefoot Executive was born.
What three assets should you take care of the most as a speaker?
What's the best way to become a really good speaker?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Carrie Wilkerson's web site
Carrie Wilkerson on Twitter
The Birth Order Book, by Dr. Kevin Leman
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are, Revised & Updated Edition

Whether you are building a speaking business or any other kind of business, you most likely are doing so while still working a full-time job. When you add in the responsibilities of being a spouse, a parent and the other roles in your life, how do you do it while staying sane?

One man who knows how it's done is Erik Fisher. Erik is the Social Media Manager for the Social Media Examiner's web site and is also host of the podcast, Beyond The To-Do List.

On his show he has conversations with some of the best and brightest successes in the world about their productivity habits, their successes and failures, and how they balance it all with their home life and their loved ones.

You'll hear Erik talk about how that show got started, why there is no silver bullet solution to productivity, and so much more on the 108th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Can you have both a full-time job and a side gig you are working on?
The secret to how he started podcasting, while still in his full-time job.
Can time constraints ever be beneficial?
What is Parkinson's Law and how does it apply to productivity?
How accountability can help you stay connected and on track.
How do you balance the hustle of building a business with a happy home life?
Is there an easy way to know you are on the wrong path?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Erik Fisher's web site
Erik Fisher on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Our guest today is from an exclusive club: he's the proud creator of one of the most viewed videos on YouTube! Judson Laipply is our guest and he is known as "The Evolution Dance" guy.

He's here to talk about the video by the same name, as well as how his own speaking career as he evolved through the years.

On episode 107 of The Speaker Lab, Judson shares how he started as a speaker in high school, the mentorship that helped him build his career and where his dance video fits into it all.

You'll hear all of that and so much more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Who knocked Judson off the top of the most viewed list on YouTube?
What market has the simplest barrier to entry?
What can the musical Hamilton teach you about speaking?
Why did he start offering "inspirational comedy" as a speaker?
What percentage of your speech will audiences remember?
The #1 question to ask yourself when speaking to college students.
What are the two reasons people hire a speaker?
What is his advice when entering into a new market?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Judson Laipply's web site * Judson Laipply on Twitter * The Evolution of Dance video * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Episode 106 of The Speaker Lab is a double feature! Listener Breahna wrote in with two questions, and I recorded two answers for her and for you.

Today I'll be explaining what to do if you have an amazing, sad, impactful, life-altering or otherwise significant story and how to develop that story into the pillar of your speaking career. Find out if you need to earn more credentials, go back to school, or just answer a few simple questions.

Breahna also wanted to know what to do if you radically alter your appearance once your speaking career is underway, so I'll chime with a reply to that topic as well! Tune in to hear to my responses on today's episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What level of credentials do you need when you have a powerful story to share?
If you have a great story will people automatically pay you to speak about it?
The three key questions you need to answer when starting your speaking career.
Why there has to be a compelling reason for people to hire you, and how to find yours.
What life insurance has to do with creating a speaking career.
What does your marketing need to reflect about you?
What should you do if you make significant changes to your appearance?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Paul Evans on episode 63 of The Speaker Lab
Joe Sangl on episode 62 of The Speaker Lab
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Two listeners wrote in with two great questions this week so rather than choose one, I'm answering both on episode 105 of The Speaker Lab!

Paton left a message asking how and when to use visual aids and Todd wanted to know if he should keep using his name as his web site now that he is seeking more speaking gigs, even though he previously was promoting his music skills on that web site.

Today I'll speak to both of these questions: I will explain why I'm not a big fan of slides, and how to use other visual cues properly in your speech or workshop.

I'll explain why you are always the product people are buying when they hire you as a speaker and what that has to do with the domain name you choose, plus so much more! Tune in to hear it all on episode 105 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How to know if your slides are an enhancement versus a replacement.
Is a picture really worth a thousand words when speaking?
When are visual aids most powerful and impactful?
The three basic rules for using props in your speech.
How to determine what you want to be known for.
When should you use your name as your web site domain?
How to clearly communicate the primary role you want to be hired for.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Bill Gates Ted Talk: Mosquitos, Malaria and Education
Jamie Oliver Ted Talk: Teach Every Child About Food
Jill Bolte Taylor Ted Talk: My Stroke of Insight
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If there's one thing I've learned in my time as a professional speaker, it is the importance of the follow up.

A listener called in and asked about how to properly and effectively follow up with potential clients, so that topic is the focus of this solo episode of The Speaker Lab.

You'll hear me answer his question by laying out the different phases and stages of follow up, including how to make initial contact with an organization, and what to say when they are close to making a decision about their speaker lineup.

I'll also cover how to find the right person to contact within a company and why it's always your goal to get a potential client on the phone. You'll hear that and much more on episode 104 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What has been the "secret sauce" for me in my career?
The strategic yet simple method to use for your follow ups.
Why clients might be interested in you, even if they don't call you back.
How far in advance should you reach out prior to an event you'd like to speak at?
Why keeping your initial email short and sweet is critical.
What a follow up flow chart is and how to use one.
How long should you wait for a reply to your email?
What is the "ball in your court" email and why is it so effective?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

High Rise CRM software
Contactually
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever considered adding Master of Ceremonies (MC) to your speaking offerings? Our guest for today's show is a talented keynote, MC and overall great speaker.

Thom Singer, otherwise known as the Conference Catalyst, joins us to talk about what it takes to be a great MC, as well as a keynote/MC.

On episode 103 of The Speaker Lab, Thom shares his background and how he got into the speaking world, including how he grew his MC career.

We also dig into what a Master of Ceremonies actually does, how to structure your pricing, and the basics of getting started as an MC. You'll hear all of that and so much more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Who sets the tone for the entire event?
Why you should see yourself as an event professional, not just a speaker or MC.
Is an extrovert or introvert better suited to the role of Master of Ceremonies?
How does he structure his pricing as Master of Ceremonies?
Why you have to play "bad cop" if you're an MC.
What are call backs and why are they important?
What to do if you'd like to get started as an MC.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Thom Singer's web site * Thom Singer on Twitter * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

When someone says motivational speaker, what do you think? Chris Farley's character on Saturday Night Live, or someone who actually helps people move their lives where they want to go? Our guest, Kyle Scheele, is a motivational speaker who does the latter!

Kyle is also an entrepreneur and one of the most creative guys I know. We've been friends for a few years, and I've watched him grow from his career from a fledgling state to a full-time, profitable business.

On episode 102 of The Speaker Lab, Kyle joins us to share how he the faith he had to have when making the leap to a full-time speaker, his speaking topics for youth audiences, why he's a motivational speaker with an asterisk and much more. Kyle brings the goods on today's show, tune in and check it out!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How has his message evolved over time?
What were his early steps to get traction as a speaker?
How he kept himself on track when things were tough.
How were other speakers instrumental to building his business?
Why he spends time with beginning speakers.
Can you make speaking a less lonely gig?
When did he make the transition to speaking full-time, and how was it for him?
Is there just one way to have a successful speaking business?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Kyle Scheele's web site
Never Grow Up web site
Kyle Scheele on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Summit
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

The question of how to make a career out of speaking to college audiences is a common one, so I decided to bring my friend, Adam Carroll, on the show to give you the answer.

Adam has been a speaker on over 650 college campuses as well as countless local and regional events for college students. He knows that market like the back of his hand!

On episode 101 of The Speaker Lab, he's sharing that knowledge with you. We talk about the different markets within the college community, how to know what group, committee or department to contact when you're looking for speaking gigs and how to set yourself to get repeat gigs with the same university.

He's got some great tricks up his sleeve, and you'll get to peek at them on today's show. Listen in for all of that and more on episode 101 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What were the two big factors that started his college speaking career?
Why knowing your content is critical for continued success.
What is a strong interest form and how do you use one?
The 3 key steps to start getting booked at colleges.
After you've identified who to speak to, what is your next step?
One simple trick to get decision-makers on the phone.
Why you should include a complete marketing campaign as part of your speaking agreement.
What are the more common topics being booked on college campuses?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Adam Carroll's personal web site * Money Savvy web site * Winning the Money Game, by Adam Carroll * Adam Carroll on Twitter * Broke, Busted and Disgusted, the documentary * Episode 100 of The Speaker Lab * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

(HUGE Giveaway: in honor of our 100th episode, we’re doing a big giveaway including lifetime access to The Speaker Lab Community + a 30 minute Skype call with me to help with your speaking business. It’s free to enter. Get all the details here. To celebrate the 100th episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, we decided to compile a list of 100 tips on how to become a motivational speaker (note: if you read ‘motivational speaker’ and immediately think of Matt Foley from SNL, just know these tips apply to all speakers. But how great was Chris Farley as that character? 😃

(Note: if you’d prefer to listen to my velvety pipes share these 100 tips with you through your ear buds, click the audio player above or download episode 100 of The Speaker Lab podcast in your podcast app of choice) This may be the largest collection of speaking tips on the internet. We’ve broken these tips down into 11 different categories addressing all facets of speaking and running a business as a speaker. Feel free to skip around or just jump straight to the section you’re most interested in (possible to link to a link that jumps to each section?)...

1: Preparing The Talk 2: Before You Go On Stage 3: Delivering The Talk 4: Connecting With Your Audience 5: Getting Speaking Gigs 6: Fees 7: The Client 8: Building A Speaking Business 9: Growing Beyond The Stage 10: The Travel 11: Your Health

Free Bonus: Download a free PDF list of these 100 tips + links to all podcast episodes and resources mentioned. Alright, let’s jump in….

PREPARING THE TALK 1. Avoid powerpoint slides with heavy text - Often times speakers want to have Powerpoint or Keynote slides to use as notes for their presentation. This is lazy. Don’t do this. Any slides you use should be an enhancement not a replacement of your talk. If you’re just going to stand up there and read off the screen, what does the audience need you for?

2. Use powerpoint to show images that make a point - Some speakers will build their talk around their slides. Start with the talk FIRST and then (and only then) determine if slides are needed or necessary. Generally, the most effective use of slides is for showing images or videos that can’t be conveyed in words. For example, if you were in some death-defying crash and that’s part of your talk, it’s one thing to tell that story, but it’s incredibly more powerful if you show pictures or video of it all.

3. Write out your material - Professional speakers don’t just make stuff up. They don’t write a few thoughts on a notecard and then shoot from the hip for an entire presentation. They take the time to write and carefully craft their material.

4. Use humor - You don’t have to be a comedian to become a motivational speaker, but humor makes a massive difference. Humor works to endear you to an audience, but it’s also a big differentiating factor in the speaking market. Many of the top speakers in the industry use humor in their talks. (for more on using humor when speaking, check out this episode and this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast.)

5. Tell stories - Humans relate to stories. We connect to stories. Funny stories. Sad stories. Inspirational stories. We love stories. So tell them. Lots of them. Stories will keep your audience engaged and are also easier for you to memorize.

6. Tell 1st person stories - There’s nothing wrong with telling a 3rd person story or using some case study or example. Telling stories that you lived and experienced generally makes the story better for you and the audience. For the audience, they can often times find themselves in your story. For you as the speaker, it’s much easier (and more powerful) to tell a story that you lived versus one you read in a book.

7. Learn from others but don’t mimic - You’ve probably watched a lot of speakers before haven’t you? You’ve attended conferences, events, meetings or you’ve watched TED talks and YouTube videos of your favorite speakers. You know the things they do that work. It’s easy to want to just duplicate what you saw them do since you know it works. But don’t do that. Learn from why it worked and how you can incorporate a similar (but not copied) methodology into your own talks.

8. Your best marketing is a great talk - If you’re a great marketer and are awesome at getting gigs, but you suck as a speaker, you won’t last long. You can’t build a business that way. Your marketing is telling people what to think about you until you show up and open your mouth. At that point, you have to deliver. Think about your favorite products and services that you recommend to others. Why do you recommend them? Not because they have the best marketing, but because the product or service is so dang good, you can’t help but talk about it.

9. Begin with the end in mind - You ever get to the end of listening to someone else speak and you’re left wondering, “what was the point of this talk?” Don’t do that to your audience. When creating your talk, determine the destination that you want to take them to. Once you pick a point, then you can work backwards and reverse engineer how to get your audience to that place. (for more on developing your talk, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

10. It’s not about you - The more the audience feels like you’re on stage just to brag or show how awesome you are, the more turned off they’ll be. Your job is to encourage, motivate, challenge, and inspire them. Not to pat yourself on the back and manipulate them into giving you a standing ovation for your own ego’s sake.

11. Answer “now what?” for the audience - Your audience is always asking two questions: so what and now what? So what means what does this have to do with me? Now what is what you want the audience to do as a result of your talk. Give them action steps to implement what you taught them. If they hear you speak but literally don’t do anything differently, what’s the point?

12. There is no “right” way to create a talk - I prefer to manuscript my talks. I don’t view them as a script to be memorized, but manuscripting helps me to think through the entire presentation and to know exactly how it all flows together. I know other speakers who prefer to have an outline with several bullet points and flesh it out from there. Every speaker is different. Find a process that works for you.

13. Have your radar up - Pay attention in everyday life. What makes you laugh? What makes you stop and question something? What makes you cry? What are the triggers that cause change in your own life? Many of the stories I tell are from everyday experiences in my life. Stories about going skydiving, taking my kids to Disney World, or losing my wedding ring on a canoe trip. When these stories happen, I look for ways to use them when I speak.

14. Manuscript stories before you tell them - If I told you to tell me the plot of your favorite movie, you could probably give me a good 60 second summary off the top of your head. But if you had a few hours to really think about it, and carefully craft that same synopsis, I bet you could tell it better. You would include more details and imagery. It would be more succinct and to the point. When you manuscript a story before you tell, it makes the story better.

15. Create a rhythm to your talk - Rhythm means creating a pace or flow to your talk that makes it easier to follow and navigate for the audience. I generally follow this rhythm when presenting: present a main point or idea…expand on that point….tell a story related to that point…make application….wash, rinse, repeat.

16. Open and close loops - This tactic works well to keep the audience engaged. It’s similar to the common speaking advice of “tell them what you’re going to tell them,” but sprinkle this throughout the talk. Opening a loop means raising a question in the audience's mind that makes them want to keep listening to hear the answer. For example..."in just a couple of minutes, I'm going to share with you the biggest mistake new speakers make on stage that you can avoid." I've just opened a loop. You want to keep listening because you want to know what the answer to the question is.

17. Professionals have very few speeches - One misconception is that the way you become a motivational speaker is you must have 94 different talks or presentations and they all must be amazing. This is not true. The best speakers on the planet only have one or two talks they do and those talks are insanely good. They don’t have 94 different mediocre talks like amateurs. If you’re going to do this long term, focus your talks down to just a few.

2) Before You Go On Stage 18. Manage the nerves - There’s nothing wrong with feeling some nerves before you go speak. Those nerves are often confused with excitement. Having some of that excitement or nervous energy before you speak reminds you that what you’re doing matters. It forces you to focus your attention and be fully present. One of the best ways to minimize those nerves is to practice so you know exactly where you’re going with your talk. (for more on managing nerves when you speak, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

19. Don’t wing it - The best motivational speakers on the planet don’t just get on stage and open their mouth and see what comes out. They don’t just shoot from the hip or make it up as they go. Nearly every word, every phrase, every pause, every audience interaction is carefully thought through and rehearsed. Amateurs wing it. Professionals put in the work. (for more on practicing and rehearsing, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

20. Look professional - Before you open your mouth, the audience is making judgements and assumptions about you just based on how you look and dress. You may or may not like it, but we have to accept it’s reality. Be professional in how you dress. Make an effort. Don’t look like you just rolled out of bed. (for more on what to wear when you speak, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

21. Do a walkthrough ahead of time - When you practice and rehearse your talk, do it like you would if you were actually presenting. If you are using props, include those in your rehearsal time. If you will be using a handheld microphone, practice by holding some type of object. Then do a walk through at the venue to get a feel for the stage, lighting, and where the audience will be seated. These walkthroughs ahead of time will give you more confidence when it’s time to take the stage.

22. Set yourself up for success - There are a lot of variables that go into making a presentation good, so your job is to put as many of those variables in your favor as possible. Don’t stay up late the night before at some conference social party. Don’t speak during a meal when servers are coming and going and dishes are clanking. Don’t feel the need be “on” all the time at the conference. Stay in your room and relax a lot of the time. Because if all the variables are stacked against you but you crush your talk, it may still only feel like a C+ to the audience. You don’t want the audience or event planner to say, “she was good, but she wasn’tthat good” because of factors working against you.

23. Talk to the audience before you speak - Before a talk, sometimes it helps to wander the room and meet a few people. It helps in a few ways. It helps you to get a vibe for the room and the energy of the group. Are they tired? Are they excited? Are they experts on this topic you’ll be covering or are they complete newbies? You’ll also connect with them on a 1-on-1 basis which helps both you and them. If before a session started, the speaker came up, shook your hand and had a meaningful 5 minute conversation, do you think you’d be more likely to pay attention to what they were saying? You bet you would. So it helps engage your audience, but it also helps you to better understand who is in your audience and how you can best serve them.

24. Crowd density is a speaker’s best friend - The environment where you speak can be one of the biggest factors in how a presentation goes. Environment matters. A lot. The room where you speak can make a lukewarm audience an awesome crowd or a cranky crowd. You want the audience as close to the front and center as possible. Energy, laughter and engagement are all contagious. If you are speaking to a group of 50 people in a room that seats 800, it’ll feel empty and dead. The more dead space you have, the tougher the audience will be. Put this variable in your favor.

25. Have a pre-game ritual - A pre-game routine calms nevers and reduces stress. Make sure you arrive to the event in plenty of time so you’re not rushed or stressed. Go over your talk one more time back stage. Check out the room and stage where you’ll be speaking. Talk with the client and meet some of the audience members. Drink some water and stay off your feet. Relax. Enjoy the moment. Whatever you need to do before you speak that will help you to perform your best….do that.

26. Check your fly - Thankfully I’ve never made this mistake, but I’ve heard the horror stories. Right before you go out on stage, make sure to double and then triple check that everything is zipped up and put away.

27. Join Toastmasters - The way you become a better speaker is you speak. Reading this post will definitely help you, but it means nothing until you implement what you learn. Toastmasters is a huge international organization that gives you the opportunity to speak and get better. Check the Toastmasters site to find a chapter near you. (for more on the pros and cons of Toastmasters, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

28. Make a good speaker introduction - Your introduction is an incredibly important part of your presentation. It’s different than a bio you may have on your website. You want to create the introduction. Don’t leave it up to the client. Your introduction should match the audience (the introduction I would use to speak to entrepreneurs would be different than the one I would use to speak to college students) and should set the tone for your talk before you event take the stage.

3) Delivering The Talk 29. Stick to your allotted time - Audiences, conference planners and other speakers HATE when speakers go over their time. If anything, end early, not late. Before you speak, you should time yourself so you know how long that talk could take. When you leave early, you leave them wanting more. Five minutes can be the difference between “I would love to hear them speak some more” vs “their talk felt a little too long.”

30. Don’t be afraid of the silence - The silence to a speaker can feel deafening but it can be powerful. Silence shows confidence that you’re in control of the talk and the room and you’re continuing to guide them towards a common purpose. When you make a strong point, don’t rush to the next line. Stop and let it hang there. The silence is your friend.

31. Stop apologizing - The audience doesn’t know what you don’t tell them. Stop apologizing that you don’t feel well. The audience doesn’t care. They just want you to deliver a good talk. Stop apologizing that your allotted time got cut. The audience doesn’t care. Stop apologizing that your slides aren’t working. Just move on. There’s a good chance the audience wouldn’t have known you didn’t feel well or that your time got cut or that the slides weren’t working if you hadn’t ever brought it up.

32. Be willing to roll with it - Be flexible as a speaker. Sometimes 5 minutes before you’re supposed to speak, the event planner says instead of speaking 60 minutes, you need to be done in 45 minutes. I once spoke in a metal building during a hail storm. I spoke in a conference ballroom where the hotel power had gone out and it was pitch black, so everyone held up the flashlight on their phone so we had some light. I’ve had the fire alarm go off during a presentation. Things happen. Just roll with it. It makes for a good story or blog post later.

33. Relax - For some reason, there’s this misconception that the audience is out to get you. Like they are rooting for you to fail. Nothing could be further from the truth. The audience wants you to do well. They don’t want it to be a train wreck. If they’re going to spend their precious time sitting in your session, they want it to be good. They’re on your side. So relax. Take a deep breath and enjoy yourself. And don’t yell at your audience

34. Slow down - When you are talking really fast, it becomes difficult for the audience to follow. It’s hard to keep up and process. Plus the faster you talk, the harder it is to understand what you’re saying. So slow down and enunciate. Give the audience the chance to keep up with where you’re going. Sloooooowwwww dooooooowwwwwnnnn 35. Pause - Pausing is really hard for speakers because we hate the silence. A 3-second pause can feel like an eternity for a speaker. But that pause allows the audience to digest what you just said. If you barrel right into the next thought, they won’t catch it because they are still trying to digest what you just said a minute ago. So take a deep breath and pause.

36. Errors make you human - Speakers worry sometimes, “what if I forget what I’m supposed to say next? What if my slides don’t work? What if I tell things out of order?” For one, most people never know. But two, when things go wrong or you have a brain fart, it makes you more relatable. If you are overly polished, you come across fake or even untrustworthy. Remember at the end of the day, you are just one human talking to a group of other humans. No need to pretend to be something you’re not.

37. Be appropriate - You don’t need to be crude or inappropriate just for a laugh. It’s not worth it. If you deliver a killer keynote and are flawless throughout, but you make one inappropriate remark, nobody will remember anything else you said. There’s nothing wrong with using humor or making a strong point on something, but don’t do it as the expense of crossing the line and turning people off.

38. Allow the audience a chance to laugh - When you tell a joke or deliver a punchline, give the audience time to laugh. Sometimes speakers like to rush to the next point, but don’t do that. You need to give the audience a chance to respond to what you just said (in this case to laugh), but also if you rush on to the next though while the room is still laughing, nobody will hear what you’re saying.

39. When things go wrong, don’t panic - It happens. There’s a million things that can go wrong and eventually some of them will happen to you. Recognize what you can and can’t control. There will be times when the mic doesn’t work and you have to switch mics or just speak really, really loudly. There will be times when the remote for your slides stops working. There will be times it all seems to be going wrong, but don’t panic. Those moments make you a better speaker. Stay calm.

40. When possible, do Q&A - In the right context (generally in smaller groups…less than 100), doing audience Q&A is extremely effective and powerful. You’re able to answer their specific questions and not just what you think they want to hear. You’re able to connect with people on a more personal level. You would usually do Q&A at the end of your talk and usually for around 15 minutes (depending on the setting). (for more on doing audience Q&A, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

41. There’s no absolutes when speaking - You don’t have to do anything a certain way because so-and-so does it that way. You don’t have to stand on stage. You don’t have to use slides (I don’t). You don’t have to be a comedian. You don’t have to use wild gestures or movements. Your job is to be you and to deliver an insanely good talk. Do whatever you need to do on stage that will help you do those two things.

42. Don’t be a hero - My speaker buddy John Michael Morgan said, “you don’t have to be perfect because you’re on stage. We need more humans.” Don’t try to be something you’re not. The more you go on about how amazing you are and all that you’ve done, the more turned off the audience will become. The audience wants to hear from another human that is genuine, authentic and vulnerable.

43. On stage, be an amplified version of you - The bigger the venue, the bigger you need to be on stage. The way you would communicate to a group of 10 people is very different than how you would need to communicate to a room of 10,000. Both should be an authentic version of you, but simply amplified to the setting. The bottom line is don’t try to be something you’re not on stage. Be you.

44. Don’t stand behind a lectern - Lecterns are dumb. You don’t need one. When you stand behind one, it literally puts a barrier between you and the audience. That’s not good. Good speakers use the entire stage, so don’t get trapped behind a lectern. If you need to have notes or notecards (most speakers don’t need them), come back to the lectern from time to time to reference them, but don’t get trapped behind it.

45. When speaking, get out of your own head - Speaking is like playing jazz. You don’t have to give a talk the same way every time. You can improvise and mix it up sometimes. Some speakers get so deep in their own heads that they’re not truly present with the audience, but rather they’re just regurgitating a script they memorized. You don’t need to plan out every hand gesture or movement or exact line you’ll use. Some of that is fine, but also be present enough with the audience that you can play jazz when the moment calls for it.

4) Connecting With Your Audience 46. The audience takes their cues from you - As the speaker, you set the tone for the audience. If you’re excited, they’ll be excited. If you’re bummed out and clearly don’t want to be there, don’t be surprised if they feel the same. This also applies when things go wrong. If you come across as uptight, nervous or panicked, the audience feels that and it makes the entire room uncomfortable. But if you’re calm, cool and collected, they’ll feel the same.

47. Stick around to meet audience members - Often times, audience members will want to talk with you after you speak. They may have a question. They may want to share a story. Often times they’ll just want to say thanks for your presentation. This is a fun part to speaking is meeting these people and interacting with them. As a speaker, you speak to a collection of individual humans, meaning even though there may be 500 people in the room, they all come in with different stories, struggles, doubts, fears, and insecurities. And to hear afterwards from those individuals how your talk impacted them in some way is extremely rewarding.

48. Know your audience - Not all audiences are created equal. They are each unique. Like a special snowflake. As a speaker, it’s your responsibility to learn about your audience and determine how to best apply your message to them. One size doesn’t fit all when speaking. Even though 90% of your talk may work from one audience to the next, the more you know about your audience before a talk and the more you can customize it to fit their collective situation or circumstance, the better your talk will go and the more well received it will be.

49. Use a worksheet to keep the audience engaged - If I’m doing a workshop or breakout session for a smaller group (usually under 100 people), often times I’ll use a worksheet. As in old school fill-in-the-blank worksheet. It sounds cheesy but it can be extremely effective. It keeps the audience engaged because every few minutes, they have something new to write down. Plus you’re able to put more information on the sheet such as links or resources, so they don’t have to write those things down but rather can just focus on your presentation.

50. Get the audience involved - A good presentation should be a dialogue and not just a monologue. You may be the one with the mic, but it’s your responsibility to get your audience involved. No matter how good of a speaker you are, the natural human tendency is to lose focus and stop paying attention. Audience involvement if often times a direct relation to how much trust you’ve earned with that audience. The more you build trust with them, the more you can ask them to do. Getting your audience involved could be asking for a show of hands, repeating after you, getting people to answer your questions, having the audience physically move or conducting small group discussions or interactions.

5) Getting Speaking Gigs 51. Have a solid website - If you don’t have a website, you don’t exist. A website is the most common way for clients to find and research you. And no, we’re not talking about a Facebook page or a LinkedIn profile. An actual website on a domain you own. I recommend you use your name as the domain (i.e.GrantBaldwin.com), because as a speaker, you are the product. You are the brand. And please make sure your site looks sharp. Whether we like it or not, please judge books by their cover, so if your website looks like it was designed by your 2nd grade child, they’ll assume you suck as a speaker. (for more on doing speaker websites, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

52. Make a demo video - If you want to get booked (and especially if you want to get paid), a demo video is a must. Think of a demo video like a movie trailer. It should be short enough to give people an overview but make them want to see more. If you post a video online of a 45-minute talk you gave, your mom will watch that 897235987 times, but no event planner will take the time to watch it. Good demo videos are usually between 2-4 minutes and just show the highlights of you speaking. (for more on demo videos, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

53. Network with other speakers - You should network with other speakers for two reasons. 1) Speaking is very lonely and isolating. Nobody outside of other speakers really understands this weird career path. So it helps to have others you can share the journey with. 2) Other speakers can be a great source of business. No one person can speak at every event. There’s plenty of business to go around. Speakers are regularly asked for recommendations and referrals of other speakers for events. I’ve both given and received thousands of dollars worth of business from other speakers. (for more on doing audience Q&A, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

54. Pick a target market - You can’t speak to anyone. You may think your target market is humans, but that’s a bad plan. If you think you can speak to anyone, you really can speak to no one. It doesn’t mean that you can’t speak in different markets, but focus on one specific audience in your marketing (especially if you’re just getting started). You may be able to speak to entrepreneurs and moms and dentists and cat lovers and moms of cat lovers, but if you try to communicate that on your website, nobody will book you. Pick an audience. The audience you want to speak to may change over time but start by picking an audience.

55. Don’t speak about everything - If I were to ask you what you speak about, the worst possible answer is, “What do you want me to speak about? I can speak about anything!” (insert eye roll). No you can’t. Just like you can’t speak to anyone, you also can’t speak about anything. While it may seem counterintuitive, often times, the more specific and focused you are in what you speak about, the more gigs you will get. Event planners often want specialists and not generalists who think they can speak about anything. (for more on determining what to speak about, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

56. Stop looking for an agent - So many speakers don’t want to do the hard work of looking for gigs and building relationships with decision makers, so you think you need an agent that will be a shortcut to the system. But you don’t need an agent. You can find gigs on your own. Besides, legit speaker agents aren’t interested in 99% of the speakers on the market. They work with the best of the best who are in-demand and charge high fees. (for more on speaker agents, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

57. Speaker bureaus aren’t interested in you - My friend Shawn Hanks who runs Premiere Speakers Bureau says, “Bureaus manage demand…they don’t create it.” Meaning, if you’re not already getting lot of booking requests and inquiries, a bureau isn’t going to magically create that for you. If you can’t get a booking on your own, I promise that a bureau is not going to be interested in you. Plus, keep in mind that bureaus make their money off of commissions, so they generally only work with speakers in the upper levels of fees ($10k+). (for more on speaker bureaus and how they work, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

58. Be clear on why you want to speak - A lot of speakers enjoy this business because it’s fun. We get to stand on stages and run our mouths. And while it is indeed fun, doing something purely because it’s fun won’t carry you through the times when it’s just work. So why are you doing this? Really be clear on why you want to speak and how it fits into the bigger picture of your business. (for more on figuring out your why, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

59. Marketing never stops - While it’s true that the longer you speak, the easier it is to get gigs, the effort of finding and booking gigs will almost always remain. Even actors, musicians and celebrities have to work to maintain relevancy and to stay top of mind with people. As speakers, we’re trying to do the same thing with audiences and event planners. It may get easier over time, but you will never get to a place where you can just coast.

60. Collect testimonials - Testimonials are incredibly valuable for speakers. They are the social proof that you are good at what you do. Ideally you want testimonials from event planners and decision makers so other future event planners and decision makers can feel validated when hiring you. But you can also get testimonials from audience members. You can never have to many testimonials.

61. Don’t depend on social media for gigs - Nobody ever booked a gig because of a tweet. Or a cute Instagram picture. Or a Facebook post. Social media is good for building awareness and credibility, but don’t assume that you posted that you’re a speaker to your 46 followers and now the floodgates will open with booking requests. It doesn’t work like that. 62. Find the decision maker - The bigger the event, the more people are often times involved in the decision making process. Sometimes it’s a committee but often times it’s still an individual. Part of your role is to figure out who that person is and make sure you’re communicating to them.

63. Stay relevant - Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean that way will continue to work. Stay relevant in the examples and case studies you use from stage. Stay relevant in the topics that you speak on. Stay relevant in what’s happening in your industry. Stay relevant in the platforms you use (social media and otherwise) to communicate to your audience and potential clients.

Free Bonus: Download a free PDF list of these 100 tips + links to all podcast episodes and resources mentioned. 6) Fees 64. Have a fee structure - A fee structure gives a client options. Generally offer 3 different options. You want just one keynote? It’s $X. You want a keynote and two workshops? It’s $XY. You want a keynote + two workshops + 100 books? It’s $XYZ. It’s the same reason fast food chains offer you “value meals” or you can buy ala carte. Every event planner has different needs and a different budget, so offer them options. (for more on speaking fees, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

65. Do all inclusive pricing - There’s two ways to price travel…separately or all-inclusive. We’ve done both and recommend all-inclusive. It’s easier for you the speaker, and there’s no surprises for the clients. It’s just generally simpler for everyone. (for more on fees and travel, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

66. Be confident in the value you offer - At any stage of your speaking career, it may feel strange at times to charge anything, let alone thousands of dollars to do something you love like speaking. But remember you’re not being paid for that one hour you’re on stage. You’re being paid for the thousands of hours you’ve practiced, researched, worked, learned, spoke at other events, etc, so by the time you show up to speak at their event, you are providing massive amounts of value for that client and their event.

67. Negotiate based on value - Don’t be a speaker who just flippantly discounts for no reason other than you just want the gig. If you’re going to reduce your fee for some reason, find value that you can get in return. Maybe that client can introduce you to 5 other potential clients. Maybe they can provide a provide extra nights at the hotel for you or your family (if the event is in a cool place :). Maybe they can provide footage of your talk that you can use for a demo video. If you’re going to reduce your fee for that client, make sure you’re still getting something in return.

7) The Client 68. Do a pre-event call - Usually 2-3 weeks before an event, we’ll have a pre-event call with that client. Remember that many events are booked 6-12 months out (and some more than that), so there’s a good chance everyone forgot what was discussed in the interim when something was booked and when the actual event takes place. This pre-event call allows you the speaker to walk through the event schedule and details with the client to make sure everyone’s on the same page and there’s no surprises. It also allows you to learn more about the event and the audience, so you can customize your material accordingly.

69. Ask for referrals from clients - One of the best leads is one that comes from a referral. Whenever you speak somewhere, always ask the client if there are other event planners they know of that would be interested in what it is you do. If so, and assuming you did a good job, ask for an introduction or referral. A key component though is you have to do a great job. Even if the client likes you, they won’t recommend a speaker that did a poor job. (for more on getting referrals, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

70. Show appreciation for the client - Before the event, share your excitement with the client about the opportunity be part of their event. While on-site, compliment the quality of the event and how things are running (be genuine). After the event, I give clients a handwritten thank you card from me. My assistant sends a thank you card. We send thank you emails to everyone involved in the event that we worked with. We also send a small gift. Be grateful for the opportunity you were given.

71. Serve - When you’re at the event, don’t have this celebrity mentality that you’re better than everyone else. By all means, guard your time and don’t allow clients to walk all over you, but have a mentality that you’re there to serve the client and the audience. I heard a quote one time that said, “Business is like tennis. Those who serve well, win.”

72. Be just as good off stage as you are on - If you’re amazing on stage, but you’re a pain in the butt or a jerk off stage, you won’t get booked. I’ve heard numerous stories of speakers that were phenomenal on stage but because of who they were off stage, nobody wants to work with them. Don’t be that speaker.

73. Never embarrass the client - Never say anything on or off stage that would embarrass a client. You are there as a representation of that company or group, so never do anything that would make them look bad. Remember that clients talk, so if you do something stupid from stage, expect word to spread quickly that you are to be avoided as a speaker.

74. Thank the tech crew - The tech crews for conferences and events have worked with hundreds of speakers and have seen plenty of divas and prima donnas. Don’t be that speaker. They have the ability to make you look and sound better than you really are. Be kind and courteous to them. Show appreciation and gratitude for the work they do behind the scenes that makes your job easier (and better). (for more on working with AV crews, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

8) Building A Speaking Business 75. Have a long term perspective - Becoming a top notch speaker is not an overnight thing. It takes years and years to become an overnight success. So if you don’t get that gig this year, it’s not the end of the world. They are most likely having the same event next year, and they’ll need a new speaker then. Focus on relationships not gigs.

76. Join the NSA - The National Speakers Association is a collection of speakers who are helping one another build their business. They have many local chapters that meet regularly as well as various national conferences you can attend. NSA is great for networking with other speakers and also gives you the opportunity to rub shoulders with and learn from some of the best in the business. (for more on the NSA, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast )

77. Take your business seriously - If you treat speaking as a hobby, don’t be surprised when you get hobby-like results. You’re running a business, so treat it accordingly. Have systems and processes for how you do things. Be professional. Respond in a timely manner to requests and inquiries. If you’re not going to take your business seriously, why should anyone else, especially potential clients?

78. Build relationships with clients - My favorite clients are those I also consider friends. We exchange Christmas cards. We text. We keep up on what’s happening in each other’s lives. At the end of the day, people do business with people they know, like and trust. So don’t just fly in, collect a check and fly out. Work to build a meaningful, long term relationship so that clients want to bring you back multiple times over the years as well as refer you to their colleagues and peers.

79. Stop looking for a shortcut - Building a speaking business takes time. This is not an overnight thing. The best speakers on the planet and who have had the most successful careers didn’t get lucky. They didn’t find a magical shortcut that is hidden from you. They worked their butt off on their craft and their business. There’s no shortcut here. Just do the work.

80. Create systems - Having systems in place removes the guesswork. It create a logical flow and pattern to how you do things. Systems make your life simpler because you don’t have to think or reinvent the wheel every time. But systems also make your client’s life simpler because you’re easier to work with and have your crap together.

81. Hire to focus on only what you can do - As the speaker in your business, only you can speak. But you don’t necessarily have to be the one to book travel, create contracts and invoices, follow up with clients and make sure you get paid. As your business grows, so will the moving pieces in your business. Determine what only you can do and where you’re at your best and hire to fill the other roles. (for more hiring, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast - http://thespeakerlab.com/hire-staff/)

82. Invest in yourself and your business - I’ve invested tens of thousands of dollars in myself and my business over the years. Investing in coaches, training, conferences, mentorship, etc is the ultimate fast pass to the front of the line. Sure you could stumble around the internet trying to cobble together some free resources on a topic and hypothetically save yourself a few bucks (but potentially waste a lot of time) or you could invest in yourself and get quality advice from an expert who will save you the time and cut your learning curve significantly.

83. Always have a written agreement - When you get booked, always have a written agreement. It’s crazy but people have fuzzy memories when money is involved. Write everything down. I had a speaking mentor early on who told me, "a paper trail is a safe trail. If you didn’t get it in writing, it didn’t happen.” (for more on speaker agreements, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast - http://thespeakerlab.com/speaking-contracts/)

9) Growing Beyond The Stage 84. Develop ways to build your business and serve beyond the stage - Speaking is extremely powerful, but it certainly has it’s limitations. Think of the last speaker you heard. How much of their talk do you even remember? Probably a very small percentage. So how can you help your audience learn and retain your content AFTER you leave the stage?

85. Write a book - While I don’t think you must have a book in order to get speaking gigs, it certainly doesn’t hurt. If you’re going to write a book, I generally recommend you self-publish. First, traditional publishers (like speaker bureaus) most likely aren’t going to be interested in you. Second, when you self-publish, you control the process and get to make the decisions (title, layout, editing, etc). It’s may be more work at times, but you also make more as well. If you go this route though, my biggest advice would be that your self published book shouldn’t look self-published. People judge books by their covers, so spend the time (and money) to make it look sharp and like it belongs on the shelves of a local bookstore. (for more on writing a book, check out this episodeof The Speaker Lab podcast - http://thespeakerlab.com/chandler-bolt/)

86. Diversify with multiple streams of revenue - It’s never smart to have all your eggs in one basket. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with speaking being the primary bread and butter, but you better think about what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t speak. What if a medical issue knocked you out for several weeks or months? What if the economy got hammered again and speaking gigs started drying up? Make sure you have options beyond just speaking.

87. Develop revenue sources that don’t require you to leave home - The challenge with speaking is it doesn’t scale. The nature of the profession is you generally have to get on a plane and leave home. The problem is that you become the bottleneck. If you’re not traveling/speaking, you’re not generating revenue. And worst case scenario, if something were to happen to you or you simply wanted to take some time off, your income would suffer. Whether it’s a product (book, curriculum, online course, etc) or service (coaching, consulting, referrals, sponsorships, etc), find revenue sources that don’t depend on you getting on a plane.

10) The Travel 88. Be a loyal traveler - When traveling, status does matter. Status leads to free checked luggage, complimentary upgrades to first class, and maybe the most important but overlooked perk…priority flight changes. More and more airlines don’t allow you to go standby for a flight (for free) unless you have status. When a flight is canceled and everyone needs to be re-booked on something else, guess who goes to the top of the priority list? Those with status. Having status has saved my butt on numerous occasions to make it to an event and also has got me home faster because I could go standby on flights home.

89. Don’t book the last flight to an event - If you have the last flight to an event and something goes wrong, you’re screwed. You never want to leave yourself in a spot where you have no other options. Always leave yourself some wiggle room in your travel plans, so you can ensure you’re able to get to the event in plenty of time. (for more on travel tips for speakers, check out this episode and this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast - http://thespeakerlab.com/travel-tips/ andhttp://thespeakerlab.com/travel-tips-2/)

90. Do what’s best for the client - As I said above, I’m a loyal traveler, however if the client is paying for the airfare, and I have the choice between a lower cost flight on one airline compared to a significantly higher priced ticket on my preferred airline, I will do what’s best for the client. You may be great on stage as a speaker, but if your travel expenses were too high in the opinion of the client, unfortunately, that’s what they’ll remember.

91. Always have a plan B - When traveling, always be thinking one step ahead of what your plan B might be. If you see that you might miss a connection, figure out your other options. If it looks like there’s a storm moving into the area that could cause delays or flight cancelations, start figuring out what else you could do. Figure out your plan B before you need it. That takes a lot of unneeded pressure and stress off you when things in evidently do come up.

92. Never miss an event - I’ve rented a car and driven through the night multiple times. I’ve taken a redeye and brushed my teeth in the parking lot of a venue before. I’ve felt sick and exhausted on stage several times. But thankfully, I’ve never missed an event (knock on wood). There may be things that are way outside of your control when traveling, but if you miss an event, you need to know that you at least did everything you possibly could to get to that event. Your effort (or lack thereof) will speak volumes to the client.

11) Your Health 93. Don’t let being a speaker get in the way of being a human - One of my favorite sayings is ‘who you are is more important than what you do.’ Being if you’re a great speaker and you make a difference for everyone else but you drop the ball as a husband, wife, mother, father, friend, or you’re just a shell of a human being…that’s not worth it. Nothing wrong with being a speaker that makes a difference, but don’t let that get in the way of you just being a human.

94. Take care of your health - Traveling and speaking is much more tiring and draining than people may realize. When you travel/speak, you get out of your normal routine of life and as a result, your hopefully normal, quality health habits can tend to go out the window. Make sure that while you’re away, you continue to eat well, get enough sleep and exercise. You know, all the same stuff your mom would tell you to do.

95. Stay hydrated - A simple and commonly overlooked health secret of speakers is we drink a ton of water. Staying hydrated helps keep you healthy when you travel. It also keeps your throat from drying out when you speak. Personally, I prefer room temperate water. Ice cold water can hurt your vocal chords.

96. Stay grateful and humble - As a speaker, you get to do something very few people do. You get paid (often times extremely well) to travel, stand on stages, share your message, and make a difference in the world. There’s not many people who get to experience that. And sure, there are certainly non-glamorous and non-sexy parts of the job (like any job), but always be extremely grateful and humble for the opportunity you’ve been given to speak and impact lives.

97. Stay connected back home - When I travel, I text, call and FaceTime my wife and daughters constantly. I want to keep them updated on where I am and what I’m doing, and I want to stay connected with what they’re doing back home. Far too many speakers end up with broken marriages and become absentee parents by the nature of the job. Don’t let that happen to you. Work extra hard to maintain the relationships with those you love most even when you’re away from home. (for more on staying connected while on the road, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast - http://thespeakerlab.com/sheila-baldwin/)

98. When you’re offstage, be off the stage - My buddy Scott McKain makes this great point in this post (http://createdistinction.com/top-10-aspects-about-the-speaking-business-that-all-professionals-and-those-who-want-to-be-should-know/). You don’t need to be on all the time. You don’t need to be the life of the party. Being “on” all the time is not only fake to who you really are, but it’s exhausting. Don’t do that.

99. Have fun - You have a great gig. You get to travel and speak and change the world. Enjoy that. Savor the moments. Be fully present when people are sharing their story. Give lots of hugs and high fives. Show gratitude and appreciation for others. Enjoy the journey.

(HUGE Giveaway: in honor of our 100th episode, we’re doing a big giveaway including lifetime access to The Speaker Lab Community + a 30 minute Skype call with me to help with your speaking business. It’s free to enter. Get all the details here. Whew... That was a lot. Any speaking tips that I missed? Or maybe you have a question about one of the tips above. Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.

If you've ever struggled to come up with ideas for a speech you won't after today's episode! Today I've brought in one of my friends, Jeremy Johnson. He is simply one of the best speakers I've ever heard, and I had to share him with you.

On episode 99 of The Speaker Lab, Jeremy talks about his yearly, monthly and weekly process for content creation. He's the pastor of a large church in Missouri and generates different messages every week for that congregation.

Whether you speak to church organizations, youth or any other groups, Jeremy's wisdom can be applied to every situation. Listen in for all of that and more on episode 99 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How does he come up with 45 different talks a year?
How to have your radar up for content ideas.
What is his "bucket" process for mapping out his talks?
How far in advance does he plan his Sunday sermon?
Why you must spend time bringing credibility to your topic.
What does he do when a talk doesn't go over well?
What is the biggest tool to use in any environment you are speaking in?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jeremy Johnson's church's web site * Jeremy Johnson on Twitter * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you emailed potential clients about speaking gigs only to hear crickets? If you aren't getting the response you want (or any response at all), today's show is just your cup of tea. Ed Gandia is the master of using email for prospecting.

On episode 97 of The Speaker Lab, Ed and I talk about his previous life as an IT services sales person, as well as how he discovered the proper way to use email as a prospecting tool and later built a career from it.

Today Ed has pearls of wisdom on everything from the importance of interrupting the email status quo, the role snail mail plays as a connecting tool, and the different components your initial email must have to be successful. Check it out on episode 97 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How can you make your email stand out?
Advanced Google search techniques you can use to find an email address.
Why you should make your first email 125 words or less.
What are Ed's four meaningful connections to use in your emails?
What are the two reasons to end your email with a question?
What generates the biggest response rate in initial communication with a client?
How to follow up without being annoying!
What response rate should you expect to from your first email?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Ed Gandia's web site * Ed's sample script for you * Ed Gandia on Twitter * All My Tweets * Any Mail Finder * Charlie app * Data.com Connect * The Speaker Lab Summit * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you're looking to connect with a highly targeted group of prospects to help you grow and advance your speaking career, you'll want to hear today's guest! Josh Turner is a LinkedIn guru, as well as the founder and creator of LinkedSelling.

On episode 97 of The Speaker Lab, Josh and I discuss how he became interested in LinkedIn, how he helped his first client generate $20 million from a campaign on the networking site and the proper ways to connect and grow your network with LinkedIn (and why so many people are using it wrong).

I decided to bring on Josh because many people have asked me how to use LinkedIn to grow their speaking careers. Not only is he a friend, but he's a wealth of information. He'll help you figure out the best way to tap into the LinkedIn scene and much more on today's show!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How Josh knew he had something special with his LinkedIn business.
What is Linked University and who is it for?
How NOT to use LinkedIn and why it's gotten a bad rap in many circles.
The three ways to stay top-of-mind with your highest value prospects.
The best way to initiate a connection with someone on this particular site.
What's the biggest mistake most people make on LinkedIn right away?
When to include a call to action, and when to make a pitch to your prospects.
What a campaign on LinkedIn consists of, and how to do it properly.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Josh Turner's web site
Josh Turner on LinkedIn
Josh's 3-hour masterclass on using LinkedIn
Linked University
Josh Turner on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you think starting a podcast can help you reach your target audience and land more speaking gigs? Our guest for episode 96 says yes, and he's got the history to prove it.

Cliff Ravenscraft, known as the Podcast Answer Man, joins us to talk about the connection between podcasting and public speaking.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Cliff shares how he got started as a podcaster, how he's helped people start 40,000 podcasts (!), why podcasting is still relevant today, and the main ways podcasting will grow your speaking career.

Listen in for all of that and so much more on today's show!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why was 2008 a financial disaster but the best year of Cliff's life and his marriage?
How Dan Miller helped his career trajectory.
How did he initially generate revenue when he started podcasting full-time?
Why are his free speaking gigs the most profitable ones?
How can a podcast help your speaking career?
The two ways to choose your podcast topic to get more speaking gigs.
How has podcasting made him a better speaker?
Does the average podcast listener prefer weekly or bi-weekly episodes?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Cliff Ravenscraft's web site
Cliff's free podcasting tutorial
Cliff Ravenscraft on Twitter
Learn to podcast from A to Z with Cliff Ravenscraft's podcasting course
The $12,000 check Cliff received from a listener
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Whether you're a business owner, self-employed or work for a company, you know today's marketplace isn't like the past. It's no longer about getting a good job and staying with a company for 40 or 50 years until you retire.

Today it's about pivoting, and here to share just how to pivot in your career is Jenny Blake.

Jenny is the best-selling author beyond Life After College and her upcoming book, Pivot. She's also an entrepreneur and well-known speaker who formerly worked at Google honing her skills as a coach and speaker.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Jenny explains why she left Google to move to New York City and start her own business. She also details how speaking fits into her overall business and career goals, as well as the four stages to pivoting from what you're doing now to what you want to do in the future. Listen in for all of that and so much more on today's show!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why did she wear turtlenecks when speaking for 5 years?
What one keynote topic brought in 50% of her income for 3 years?
Did she speak to an empty room for her first demo video?
How she doubled her speaking rate when she was starting out.
What to double down on when making a transition.
What is drafting and how can you see it for success?
Should you get a mentor?
The 4 stages to pivoting successfully.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Jenny Blake's web site * Pivot podcast * Pivot, by Jenny Blake * Pivot method coaching * Life After College, by Jenny Blake * Jenny Blake on Twitter * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you think you could learn from 40 of the best, brightest and most successful speakers on the planet today? I thought you could so I gathered them all in The Speaker Lab Summit.

To give you a sample of what you'll be hearing when you join the summit, I've brought two of those 40 speakers to you for today's show: Dan Miller and Andy Andrews.

Dan Miller is an author, speaker and coach who shares his 48 days message around the globe through numerous channels. He shares how his message began as a Sunday school class. He also digs into how you can find and hone in on your core message and how you can take that core message to the masses on numerous platforms while creating multiple sources of revenue for your business.

Andy Andrews is a comedian turned professional speaker. His primary focus is on getting results and he shares that message with numerous industries from churches to corporations to the military. Today Andy talks about how to avoid being watered down by your clients' requests, and why it's so important to befriend the people who hire you.

Both of these men have decades of experience as professional speakers and successful businessmen. You'll learn a ton from both of them on episode 94 of The Speaker Lab.

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Speaker Lab Summit * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

What if you could learn from 40 super successful speakers and you could learn from them all in one place? That's what you'll get in my latest course, The Speaker Lab Summit.

To give you a taste of what is in store for you in the summit, I'm bringing two of those 40 speakers to you today: Pat Flynn and Tim Sanders.

Pat Flynn is an author, international keynote speaker, blogger, entrepreneur and founder of Smart Passive Income. Tim Sanders primarily makes his living as professional speaker and is also a noted author and equally good guy like Pat!

Today they both explore what it takes to make it as a professional speaker, why it fits into their business models. Pat explains what his preparation process is, while Tim explains the three reasons anyone gets paid to speak. They both have immense wisdom they share on this episode, as well as in The Speaker Lab Summit! Hear them first on episode 93 of The Speaker Lab.

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Speaker Lab Summit * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Different speakers dress differently. I'm sure you've seen speakers come on stage in everything from jeans to a suit. So what should you wear?

On episode 92 of The Speaker Lab, I share my thoughts on what attire is appropriate and when. While I don't claim to be a fashionista, I do know how important what you wear is when speaking to an audience!

I'll be digging into that specific topic on this special solo edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

When should you wear business casual attire?
Can you dress like Scott Stratten if you aren't Scott Stratten?
Why you should ask about the audience's dress code before the event.
Why I don't like speaking in a suit.
Are there certain things to avoid wearing if you are going to be on video?
What Tommy Boy can teach you about dressing for your speaking engagement.
Why to pack a back up shirt/outfit.
What are the three things to check right before you go on stage?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Grant Baldwin on Twitter
Email us for more information on Booked and Paid to Speak
Ready to reach out to decision-makers? Join our free speaker workshop
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever held a question and answer session (a Q&A) after one of your speaking gigs? Do you know what made it successful, or why it wasn't?

A Q&A session can be fun, scary and even a little dangerous!! But it can also make a huge difference in how your audience sees you, so it's crucial it is done right. On episode 91 of The Speaker Lab, I explain what it takes to make a successful question and answer session each and every time you speak.

Listen in to find out all the details on today's solo episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What type of speaking setting is most typical for audience Q&A?
Is the size of the audience a factor in whether or not you should do a Q&A?
How much time should you allow for a question and answer session?
Why you should always repeat the question for your audience.
What should you do if you hear the same questions every time you speak?
When should you NOT do a Q&A session?
What if no one asks questions at multiple Q&As of yours?
What to do if someone in the audience is confrontational.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Grant Baldwin on Twitter
Email us for more information on Booked and Paid to Speak
Ready to reach out to decision-makers? Join our free speaker workshop
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

In previous episodes we've talked about the important role a book can have in furthering your career as a speaker. It's a great marketing tool to open more doors and get your foot into and through those doors!

Our guest for today's show, Chadwick Cannon, is here to share his publishing experiences working with speakers and helping them spread their messages far and wide.

On episode 90 of The Speaker Lab, he explains his history in the publishing world, as well as the upside and drawbacks to working with a publishing house.

We also get into what he does with his digital agency today, and the best way to amplify your speaking brand with your book. There's all of that and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why you have a built-in distribution channel, and may not even know it!
What are the pros and cons of self-publishing?
What does APE stand for and why should you know?
How to be taken seriously as a self-published author.
What's the value in a publishing relationship?
What percentage of proposals are actually picked up by a publishing house?
Should you ever give your book away for free?
How and why to peak people's interest in your book during your speech.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Chadwick Cannon web site
The Author Coaching Network
Chadwick Cannon on Twitter
What If My Book Doesn't Earn Out?, by Chip McGregor
Ape, by Guy Kawasaki
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One of the most crucial aspects of a great speaking gig is the audio visual team. If you want to be taken seriously as a speaker and make a great impression every time you're on stage the first step is to work with the A/V team. The people in charge of the lighting and sound for the event literally control how you look and how you sound!

On episode 89 of The Speaker Lab, Jeff Douglass of Cybis joins us to talk about the best ways to utilize the A/V team as a speaker. He shares what to do and what not to do with the audio visual crew when setting up for your talk.

And Jeff knows the ins and outs of the production world! His company Cybis does everything from cameras to lights to sound to music to stage management. He brings that wealth of knowledge to this edition of The Speaker Lab, listen in to hear it all!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why you should rehearse with the AV team, every single time.
How much time should you allot for your walk through before your speech?
What's the worst experience Jeff's team has had with a speaker?
Should you use the AV staff's equipment or trust your own?
How to stand out as a professional, and avoid being seen as an amateur.
What should you provide the AV crew with in advance of your speech?
What are his recommendations for a microphone?
What's the worst thing you can do as a speaker?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Cybis web site
Cybis on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you've ever spent hours cleaning out your garage or attic or any other space in your home, you will be intrigued by today's guest's story.

About eight years ago Joshua Becker decided to clean and organize his garage. He spent hours doing it, while his young son played on a swing set in their yard by himself.

When Joshua's neighbor mentioned minimalism to him, a light bulb went off. He realized not only was all his "stuff" not making him happier, it was keeping him from the things in his life that gave him purpose, fulfillment and happiness (ie his family).

On episode 88 of The Speaker Lab, Joshua shares how that experience began the odyssey that is today his business, Becoming Minimalist. We talk about his decision to start writing about his minimalist experience, and how he knew people were resonating with his message enough to build a business around it. There's all of that and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What were the 3 indicators that told him to share this message?
How did he know he was the right person to help others with minimalism?
What book prompted him to include speaking in his offerings?
Why are speakers who write better speakers, and writers who speak better writers?
How did he narrow down his target audience?
Why doesn't he charge to speak?
How does he balance making a difference in the world with his financial obligations?
What's the best thing we can do to help people?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Becoming Minimalist web site
The More of Less, by Joshua Becker
Joshua Becker on Twitter
Good to Great, by Jim Collins
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Now that I've been working as a speaker there are things I wish I had known at the beginning of my career that I know today. On episode 87 of The Speaker Lab, I'm sharing the top 10 items on that list!

Whether you're brand new to speaking or have your career in hand, there is something you can learn.

Listen in to hear topics like why you shouldn't bother with a speaking bureau or agent, what your best marketing piece is and the importance of investing in yourself and your business. That's all here plus more on today's solo episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How to keep a long-term perspective, and why you should.
How long does it take most speakers to build a full-time speaking career?
Who do people do business with?
Why you should be just as good offstage as you are on stage.
Should you focus on one talk or many talks?
Why finding a speaker to model yourself after is a good strategy.
Should your marketing efforts ever stop?
Who you are is more important than what?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 24 of The Speaker Lab
Episode 46 of The Speaker Lab
Episode 60 of The Speaker Lab
Grant Baldwin on Twitter
Email us for more information on Booked and Paid to Speak
Ready to reach out to decision-makers? Join our free speaker workshop
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

How do you know when it's the right time to hire someone? Whether you think you need help now or you simply have an eye to the future, today's episode is all about hiring a staff to grow your speaking career.

On episode 86 of The Speaker Lab, I'll be sharing my personal staffing journey: who I hired, when I hired them and how I paid them.

I'll also answer the most pressing hiring questions we all have as speakers: do we need to hire someone? How do we know if we can trust them? How should they get paid? Can we afford the expense of staff?

Listen in for the answers to those questions, and much more on today's solo episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How do you know if you even need to hire someone?
What is the most valuable resource and commodity we all have?
The 3 list exercise to help you figure out what to hire for when you're ready.
Cash is king in a new what?
Why selling has to be your top priority, and can never be outsourced.
Where to find the right person to hire, and how to know they are a fit.
Why doing a 30 day or 60 day trial run with a new hire is important.
Why not to hire someone full-time right away.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 15 of The Speaker Lab
Virtual Freedom, by Chris Ducker
Episode 24 of The Speaker Lab
Episode 46 of The Speaker Lab
eaHELP
Grant Baldwin on Twitter
Email us for more information on Booked and Paid to Speak
Ready to reach out to decision-makers? Join our free speaker workshop
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever heard those crazy stories about musicians who would include ridiculous requests in their riders, like Van Halen and their brown M&M clause? Ever wonder exactly what a rider is, and if you need one?

While you don't need to go the Van Halen brown M&M route, a speaking rider is still a good idea. On today's solo episode I explain what a rider is, why you should have one, and why sometimes those ridiculous requests have a good reason behind them!

You'll hear about all of that and much more on the 85th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

The important reason Van Halen didn't want brown M&Ms backstage.
What I include in my rider, and what you should you include in yours.
Can you request a specific seating style at your speaking gig?
Should you include your rider as part of the contract, or separate?
How to walk the fine line between making requests and being demanding.
What is the point of having a rider?
Do most clients read and remember riders?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 6 of The Speaker Lab
Grant Baldwin on Twitter
Email us for more information on Booked and Paid to Speak
Ready to reach out to decision-makers? Join our free speaker workshop
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

When you started speaking did you give much consideration into how it would serve your business? If you didn't, you are not alone! Often, people begin speaking without thinking about how it will fit into their business model.

Whether your career is successfully underway or you'll still getting started, you should give some thought as to why you want to speak.

You should also ponder how it fits into your overall business, both brand and long-term goals, as well as what type of speaking engagements you enjoy most.

On episode 84 of The Speaker Lab, you'll hear why these three questions are important to answer. You'll also hear what the four revenue models for speakers are and you can decide for yourself which fits you best. Tune in for all of that and more on today's show!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the 4 revenue models for speakers?
How can you speak less, and charge more?
The two most common reasons people want to speak.
What other revenue sources can you tie to your speaking engagements?
What is the biggest downside to speaking?
Why it's important to diversify your income sources.
How my speaking business model has changed and evolved over time.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 3 of The Speaker Lab
Ready to reach out to decision-makers? Join our free speaker workshop
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

What if you could travel to Australia for free? Or take your family to Hawaii for next to nothing? Our guest on today's show, Travis Sherry, knows how and he's built a business by helping others with his knowledge.

Travis was teaching English in Japan a few years ago and wanted to travel more and spend less. That led him to Google which led him down a virtual rabbit hole.

To help him better understand what he was learning, and to share it with other people, he started a site called Extra Pack of Peanuts. It began as a blog to chronicle journey into the world of free travel including hacks, airlines points, frequent flier miles. Today it has grown to much more!

On episode 83 of The Speaker Lab, Travis shares what he's learned along the way, his best travel tips, and how to accumulate miles and points so you can get free travel for yourself and your loved ones. Check it out on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

One of Travis' top tips for making travel as enjoyable as possible.
How can you get more time to explore the cities you speak in?
The 3 best ways to get miles and points, even if you fly only a few times a year.
Why not all points are created equal.
Should you get frequent flier accounts with all airlines?
How to use credit card offers to get more miles.
Are certain credit cards more valuable than others?
A next-level travel hack my family uses that you can use too.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Extra Pack of Peanuts web site
Travis Sherry on Twitter
Extra Pack of Peanuts on Facebook
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you considered creating a lifelong speaking career? Whether you've pondered your speaking longevity or you just want to break into the speaking world, you'll hear about both topics from Harriet Turk, our guest on today's show.

Harriet has been speaking in the youth and education areas for nearly two and a half decades, earning her stars and stripes along the way.

On episode 82 of The Speaker Lab, Harriet Turk joins us to talk about her lengthy career as a speaker, how she got started and what it's like to be a female speaker then versus today. She explains why relationships and connections with other speakers are so vital to your career.

You'll get to hear the wisdom she's earned, and so much more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Why it's so important to learn the art of storytelling.
Can your audience really only handle 3-5 points?
What is the market like for female speakers today?
What would Harriet do differently if she were building her business now?
Can you work locally and be successful, or must you always travel the country?
How does she maintain a balance between speaking and being a single mom?
How to build your network when you're starting out.
Harriet's real-life story of the importance of building and fostering friendships with other speakers.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Harriet Turk's web site
Harriet Turk on Twitter
Harriet Turk on Facebook
Email Harriet
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever wanted to speak to college students or collegiate staff? If you have but weren't sure where to start this is the show for you!

Recently a listener named Eric wrote in wanting to know how to get booked for speaking gigs at colleges. To answer his question, we'll talk about how to get started speaking at colleges, and where there are the most opportunities in this market.

On episode 81 of The Speaker Lab, I share my personal experiences and insights gleaned from speaking on the collegiate circuit. I'll also share the 9 potential markets that exist within almost any university. You'll hear about all of that and much more on the 81st edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

The 3 foundational questions to ask and answer before speaking in any market.
What questions do you need to answer to define your marketing to colleges?
What are the 9 potential markets you could speak to on most campuses?
What are the APCA and NACA, and why should you know?
What is block booking and how does it work?
Why student orientation and staff trainings are good opportunities to be hired.
How should you reach out to potential decision-makers in the college market?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 2 of The Speaker Lab
Grant Baldwin on Twitter
APCA
NACA
Ready to reach out to decision-makers? Join our free speaker workshop
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Can you imagine speaking for 3 days? What if it meant making 7 figures a year - can you imagine it then? Our guest for today, Cole Hatter, doesn't imagine it - he lives it.

Cole began as a multi-million dollar real estate investor who continues to run several companies in that industry today, as well as speaking from the stage around the world.

On episode 80 of The Speaker Lab, Cole is here to talk about how he got into speaking, how he uses his own successes and failures as examples for his audience and what it's like to speak on stage for 72 hours! He shares all of that and more on today's show.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What were some of his earliest steps he took to start speaking?
How speaking for free - and even losing money on gigs - helped build his career.
What's it like to speak for three days at a seminar?
How and why you must earn the right to be on stage.
Why honesty is the best policy when selling on stage, and elsewhere.
What does it mean to sell at 90 degrees?
What are open loops and why are they key to selling from stage?
How to position your product as the solution to real-world problems.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Cole Hatter's web site
Cole Hatter on Twitter
Cole Hatter on Snapchat
Episode 121 of HDYGIT with Cole Hatter
Thrive, Cole's event
Delivering Happiness, by Tony Hseih
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you think your niche is ready for a conference or other major event? How would you know if there's enough interest, before booking a venue, speakers, etc?

Our guest today is here to answer those questions. He is Phillip Taylor and is the founder of FinCon, the world's largest Financial Content Expo.

Not only will PT talk about how and when it's the right time to create an event for your particular area of expertise, and he also shares what works and what doesn't work when connecting with the event hosts of conferences you want to speak at.

On episode 79 of The Speaker Lab, PT explains where the idea for FinCon came from, how he grew it to a profitable enterprise over the years and what criteria event organizers look for from their potential speakers. Whether you've spoken at a large conference or simply want to soon, you'll want to hear all of those details on today's show!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What should you do before you decide to create an event?
What were the two tipping points that told PT FinCon was a good idea?
Why it is important to partner with your community.
How long did it take for this event to be profitable?
Keynotes vs. workshop speakers: what does he look for in each?
How to stand out and increase your odds of being selected to speak.
When is it okay to submit multiple session ideas?
When is there value in speaking for free?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

FinCon web site
FinCon on Twitter
Phillip Taylor on Twitter
Email PT
Episode 112 of HDYGIT with PT Money
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

One of the surest ways to excel as a speaker is to find someone who is a success, and then follow their early steps. It's true in speaking, it's true in business and it's true in other avenues of life.

A man who has done just that is Bob Burg. Bob is the best-selling author of The Go-Giver and Endless Referrals. After picking up audio cassette tapes at a Zig Ziglar event and enrolling in their speaking program, Bob's speaking career took off.

On today's show, Bob shares how the National Speakers Association also had an impact on his speaking career, and why you're better off following in the footsteps of successful giants than trying to go it on your own. It's all here on episode 78 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

How did he get his first bookings?
How can you prepare for the inevitable rejections?
The follow up process to help you build on your successes
Why discipline and sweat equity are so vital to growing your speaking career.
What knocks many people out of the speaking business in the beginning?
What are reactive referrals and should you depend on them?
What is Burg's Law of The Back Doors?
How to desire a result without being emotionally attached to the result.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Bob Burg's web site
The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg
Endless Referrals, by Bob Burg
The Go-Giver podcast
Bob Burg on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Today Scott Stratten is a world-renowned keynote speaker, best-selling author and all-around awesome guy who is known by nearly everyone in the speaking community.

But did you know that in the early days of his career he flew around North America training people to sell bubble wrap?! As our guest on episode 77 of The Speaker Lab he shares that amazing story, and much more.

Scott also shares his earliest experiences as a corporate trainer after college, and why he chose that path. He explains the origin story of the video that catapulted him to speaker stardom and led to receiving 97 speaker invitations in two weeks!

Whether or not you ever create a viral video to aid your speaking career, Scott gives specific suggestions on how to get your start on this episode. We go into the how and when of leveling up your speaking career, once you've got your feet wet as a speaker. He is equal parts hilarious and wise today! Listen in to laugh along with us, and get a little wiser on episode 77 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

Are many keynote speakers introverted or extroverted?
Why he has hired for his weaknesses.
Should every person you bring on to your team be an extension of you?
The importance of having tact and empathy, no matter what happens.
What are his two demands he includes in every contract?
What is his biggest fear as a speaker?
Why you must "show your work" before you can increase your fees.
What two things will all speakers eventually learn firsthand?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Scott Stratten's web site
The Unpodcast
Scott's books
Scott Stratten on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you already have a business becoming a speaker can only expand your reach, your audience and how many people you can serve. A great example of this is our guest, Jordan Harbinger of The Art of Charm.

Jordan is the co-founder and host of The Art of Charm. The AOC, as it is called for short, is an in-person school as well as a podcast focused on helping men achieve peak performance in every area of life. Jordan's been interviewing experts for his show since before most of us knew what a podcast was!

On today's show he shares some of the knowledge he's learned in that time. Jordan explains how to build relationships with event organizers, the three criteria he considers when evaluating a potential speaking gig and why you must be comfortable hearing the word no in order to land more gigs. Check it out on episode 76 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What's been the biggest value-add Jordan has gotten out of being a speaker?
The three things he considers when asked to speak at an event.
Why exposure isn't a reason to speak.
What's the difference between Ted Talks and Tedx Talks?
Why is networking at an event high on his priority list?
What is the people-location-compensation calculation?
How to get feedback when you are turned down for a speaking gig.
What's a recipe for unhappiness?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * The Art of Charm * Jordan Harbinger on Twitter * The Art of Charm podcast * Email Jordan! * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Is there a connection between acting and speaking in public? There most certainly is a link between, according to today's guest. Amy Port joins us to talk about that connection, and how to tap into it to become an even better speaker.

Amy is an amazing speaker, performer in her own right. Her background is in acting, theatre and performance. She earned a Master of Fine Arts from Yale's School of Drama and consistently worked as an actor after graduation.

But the transient life of an actor was not for her and she moved on. Fast forward 15 years and she's sharing her acting knowledge to help speakers become great performers and speakers on stage.

On today's show, Amy explains why we are all performing and taking on various roles in our lives even if we don't consider ourselves actors, plus how to use those roles effectively on stage. Tune in for all of that and more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

The two parts to making a speaker great versus good.
How do you make the mental shift from speaking into performing your speech?
Why rehearsing properly is so important.
What does it mean to "sculpt" your performance?
When should you get in front of test audiences?
Staging: what it is and how to do it effectively.
How to find the balance between being rehearsed and over-rehearsed.
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Heroic Public Speaking
Amy Port on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Continuing from our last show today I'll be sharing more of my personal travel tips for your speaking engagements. On episode 74 the topic is what to do when things go wrong during your travel.

Mishaps are simply a part of the travel experience. In fact, you're better off if you plan for delays, lost luggage, cancellations and anything else that could get in your way of getting to your client.

As you travel more you'll be able to spot potential problems before they arise, and today's episode will also give you a leg up on what to do in case of issues.

You'll learn plenty about how to travel most efficiently and effectively on the 74th edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How to create a back up plan, before you need it.
If you miss a connecting flight how to find your other options.
Why going to your airlines with options is so helpful.
The rule I follow when booking and taking flights.
Why getting upset about travel mishaps doesn't work.
Why you need to keep the client in the loop when your travel plans change.
Should you ever miss an event?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 73 of The Speaker Lab
Award Wallet
Kayak
TripIt
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

When most people think of traveling for speaking gigs they think it's glamorous: you travel first class, visit a new city, stay in a nice hotel, etc.

And sometimes it is fun and exciting - and other times it is exhausting. Like when the airlines loses your luggage, or when your flight is delayed and you have to sleep in the airport or a sketchy motel because nothing else is available! I've been in all those scenarios, the glamorous and the not-so-glamorous.

On episode 73 I'm sharing what I've learned about the ins and outs of travel. Today I'll talk about what you should do before you travel, what to do when you book your travel and what to do during the actual travel. Whether you're already a road warrior or you're prepping for your first out-of-town gig, you'll learn plenty on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What travel rewards program should you become a member of, and why?
How to pick your preferred airline, hotel and rental car company.
How to get upgrades and when to fly standby.
Why American Airlines is my preferred airline, and why it matters to you.
Why you shouldn't book the last flight to an event.
What are Kayak and TripIt and why should you use them?
Should you ever book non-refundable hotel rooms?
Should you invoice travel fees separately or bill one flat rate inclusive?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Award Wallet
Kayak
TripIt
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you dread taxes or worry you aren’t using the right entity for your business? Then this is the episode for you! Josh Bauerle, CPA, accountant and all-around tax wizard is here for the 72nd edition of The Speaker Lab.

Josh has started his own business working directly with entrepreneurs as a CPA. Between tax entities, business entities, and deductions, there’s a lot to know, and Josh has you covered. Josh has worked as an accountant for over a decade, and currently works as a CPA for Entrepreneur on Fire as well as running CPA on Fire.

He provides services to small business owners that are both high-quality and affordable, and shares his knowledge and experience with us today. In this episode we talk through the different types of small business classifications and how taxes factor into each of them. Tune in for all this and more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What are the differences between an S Corporation, sole proprietorship, and an LLC?
How to set your salary in order to maximize your income.
What are the benchmarks you should be looking for when moving to an S Corp?
How do you set aside money for taxes?
What can you write off as tax-deductible?
How do legal concerns factor into your small business type? Josh explains.
What happens when your business crosses state lines?
And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Josh Bauerle's web site
Josh Bauerle on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever wondered what goes on in the world of mobile marketing? Perhaps you’ve heard of the website System.ly and are curious about its origins and its purpose. Then Greg Hickman is the man to talk to!

As the CEO of System.ly, Greg focuses on making marketing as easy as possible for speakers and entrepreneurs who are busy building their careers. He also has a background in speaking so he understands the nature of the speaking business and how hectic a speaker's lifestyle can be.

Today on the show, Greg shares how he came up with the idea to create System.ly, how his own career in speaking sparked his interest in mobile marketing, and how he utilized his talents as a speaker to spring this topic into the mainstream. He also explains a call to action he uses in his speaking that you can too, plus plenty more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

What is System.ly and how does it work?
How can your audience interact with System.ly?
What’s the best way to start and grow your email list.
What are the next steps after you speak to an audience?
How to entice your audience to call you after email marketing.
How can you engage the audience through email long-term?
What is a master email list and how can you use it?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

System.ly web site
Greg Hickman's web site
Greg Hickman on Twitter
Episode 7 of How Did You Get Into That?
Episode 28 of The Speaker Lab
Episode 58 of The Speaker Lab
Active Campaign
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If you've considered creating your own online course but never pulled the trigger because it seemed too complicated then episode 70 is just what the doctor ordered! My friend and fellow mastermind member, Joseph Michael, is here to give us the inside secrets.

Joseph was a pretty typical 9 to 5 guy until he noticed a pain point in the marketplace: Scrivener. Scrivener is a powerful writing software that most users initially found confusing and hard to use. Seeing so many struggle to implement the software he understood, Joseph created an online course and the rest is history.

On today's show, he joins us to share that history, his process of creating that course, how he helps others discover and promote courses for their audiences, and how to build a side income from online courses or a full-fledged business. Dig in with us on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What makes a good online course, in terms of content?
Why do most people take a course?
What pieces should go into your online course?
Why it's important to know what your course's audience needs.
What steps should you take to create the course once you have your topic?
How much content should you include in your course?
The simplest way to create a video course, even if you aren't tech savvy.
How to create sales of your course, even if you don't have an email list.
And much, much more.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Joseph Michael's web site
Joseph Michael on Twitter
Join our webinar!
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

If I told you today's guest has had such notable clients as Michael Port and Seth Godin, would you be impressed and pay attention to what she has to say? If you said yes then get ready to tune in because that is exactly who our guest on episode 69 of The Speaker Lab has worked with.

Elizabeth Marshall helps thought leaders and people who want to be seen as thought leaders get their message out to the world. A major milestone came in 2006 when she helped Michael Port launch his acclaimed book: Book Yourself Solid.

And on today's show Elizabeth takes us back to that experience, how to keep a long-term perspective while building your audience and honing your message, as well as the 10 pieces you need to build a strong platform. Get ready to hear all of that and more on The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What is an example of an evergreen title and why is that important?
How can you develop your key message over time?
How to avoid wasting precious time, energy and money while developing that key message.
Why should you start with one piece of your content to build your audience?
How to stay connected to changes in your market, and why it's important.
When to focus on traditional media, and what to do first.
Why the size of the audience isn't as important as the quality of the audience.
What are the four ways to promote your book if you have a small platform?
And much, much more.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Elizabeth Marshall's web site
Elizabeth Marshall on Twitter
The 10 Elements of a Thought Leader Platform
Book Yourself Solid, by Michael Port
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Many of us as speakers love what we do - so much so we'd consider doing it for free! But since we also need a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs and clothes on our back it's important to know how to negotiate fees for your speaking gigs.

On episode 68 of The Speaker Lab, I'll give you insights based on the lessons I've learned in my speaking career. I'll also get into if you should negotiate and exactly how to do so.

With that in mind I've also included the nine circumstances when it's okay to lower or discount your fees in today's show. Listen in for all of that and more on episode 68 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Should you ever put your fees on your web site?
Do you ever quote fees over email?
A simple trick to quoting your fees - even when you're nervous to do so.
What solutions are available for potential clients with smaller budgets?
How should you raise your fees?
What is fee integrity and how do you maintain it?
Should you ever walk away from a potential gig?
Should you ever speak simply for the "exposure"?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 37 of The Speaker Lab
Episode 49 of The Speaker Lab
Episode 54 of The Speaker Lab
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Will having your own book help you land more speaking gigs? Should you write a book before even trying to land your first speaking job? And how exactly do you navigate the self-publishing waters if and when you decide to write your own book?

The man to answer those questions is none other than Chandler Bolt, and he's our guest for episode 67 of The Speaker Lab!

Chandler is the founder and visionary creator of Self-Publishing School, a site devoted to helping you write, market and publish your own book in 90 days. The site also helps you leverage that book into coaching, speaking and other gigs.

On today's show, Chandler shares how his own self-publishing success became the groundwork for the Self-Publishing School, why you should have a book at all, and why you don't have to be a great writer to become a published author. It's all here for you on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Which comes first: your first speaking gig or your first book?
How do you overcome Blank Screen Syndrome?
What is Chandler's 3 step writing process?
How did he and his brother write a book in a week?
Why he transcribes his own audio recordings to write his books.
What are the pros and cons of self-publishing?
Why publishers only give publishing deals to people who don't need them.
Does self-publishing have to cost a lot?
And much, much more.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Self-Publishing School web site
The Productive Person, by Chandler Bolt
Breaking Out of a Broken System, by Chandler Bolt and Seth Bolt
Book Launch, by Chandler Bolt
Chandler's other books on Amazon
Chandler Bolt on Twitter
Find out more about Chandler's Summit
Rev for transcriptions
Upwork web site
CreateSpace web site
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you ever wondered what it takes to host a successful webinar? My good friend and future webinar co-host, John Corcoran, offers some valuable help on episode 66!

John excels in many vital aspects of it, including marketing and networking. He's found that the webinar model is a great business model because it creates so much communication with an audience.

On today's episode, John discusses how he found webinars and how he integrated them into his business. He also breaks down how to research the topic or theme of your webinar, and the similarities between conducting a webinar and speaking live in front of an audience. John is a wealth of knowledge on webinars, tune in to hear all it all on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

The pros of using webinars as an addition to your speaking business.
How can webinars earn new clients?
What you can do to begin building a webinar audience.
What webinar tools are the best to use?
How can you promote your new webinar and who can help you?
The most important things to include in your webinar presentation.
What are the benefits you can give your listeners from webinars?
What to expect from the webinar we've created for you!
And much, much more.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Smart Business Revolution
John Corcoran on Twitter
John Corcoran on LinkedIn
Get John's free ebook and register for our June 1st webinar
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you heard of seminar companies? Do you know what they do and if they are of value to your speaking career? Today's special Q&A will answer those questions and more about working with seminar companies.

Seminar companies are companies that present seminars for a fee. Usually they are attended by employees who have been sent by their employers to learn a specific skill like accounting, social media or finance. The seminars happen all over the country on a daily basis.

On today’s episode I’ll talk about the big three seminar companies and what my experience was like working for one. Find out what the pros and cons are of becoming a speaker for a seminar company, how to utilize this avenue fully if you decide to speak for them. Tune in to find out how the pay structure works and much more on the 65th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What are the big three seminar companies?
What would your role be if you worked with a seminar company?
My personal experience working with one of these companies.
How do you know if these companies are in your area?
Would you speak on one or several topics if you worked for a seminar company?
What a “swing” is and how it works.
What are the pros and cons of working with a seminar company?
Should you have an exit strategy if you go this route?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

SkillPath Seminars
National Seminars Training
Fred Pryor Seminars
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Are you interested in speaking to youth or a school audience? On today's episode of The Speaker Lab my close friend and mentor Phil Boyte joins us to share his insights on that very topic. Phil focuses exclusively on speaking in schools, everyone from students to teachers to the district administrative team.

He begins episode 64 by discussing what speaking looks like for him. He also offers his advice on how to truly make an impact when speaking to young people, and why his assembly schedule works well in the school system.

And if you're curious about the most effective way to speak to a young audience Phil talks about that too! Based on his personal experiences speaking to young audiences, he imparts plenty of wisdom on the topics of youth and school audiences. Listen in to hear all of it on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Exactly how Phil got his start speaking in schools.

What are the three stages of a speaking career?

How can you speak effectively to a younger audience?

Paul's advice for finding and keeping bookings.

How can you become a "category of one"?

The difference between the success of a program and the success of an individual.

Is there money in the youth and the school market to hire you as a speaker?

What Phil has learned about maintaining a healthy personal life.

And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Phil Boyte's web site
Phil Boyte's speaking web site
Breaking Down the Walls, Phil's program
Phil Boyte on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Would you like to talk about faith or speak to faith-based audiences? On this episode of The Speaker Lab, my friend and accomplished speaker Paul Evans joins us to talk about that very topic.

Paul began his career in speaking after his first wife passed away, and was inspired by his experience with the life insurance company. Since then he has focused on positive encouragement and utilizes faith as a unique aspect in his speaking business.

Paul offers his guidance on several different topics today, including how to communicate your message differently to the various niches you will be speaking to, as well as how to tweak your talk while keeping your experiences the same and staying authentic to your story.

We wrap up the show today by discussing his financial life and by giving you a little taste of our dual training course that takes place on May 19th. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How can your unique experiences help you advance your speaking career?
What are the differences in the faith-based speaking market versus other markets.
How can you adjust your message for different audiences?
How best to establish your particular brand.
The best tactic for getting in front of many buyers at once.
What's better: a referral or a recommendation?
How to create a memorable structure.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Paul Evans web site
Million Dollar Keynote web site
Life Insurance Keynote web site
Paul Evans on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you have a personal story that could help others, but you aren't sure how to get it out to people? Our guest on episode 62 will share how he took his own experiences and turned them into several businesses and a profitable speaking career to boot!

Joe Sangl owns several businesses, has authored multiple best-selling books and speaks around the world.

His own personal financial journey took him from dealing with debt and living paycheck to paycheck to being a successful entrepreneur, coach, speaker and leader today. And the experiences he gathered along the way are what he speaks about and shares to help others on their own financial journey.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Joe talks about how he turned his early experiences and insights into courses, coaching and books. He also explains how speaking naturally arose from those endeavors. Listen in for that and so much more on this edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How do you make the leap from having a story to sharing it?
When did he know his financial passion could be a real business?
What birthed his first real speaking opportunities?
Why your message will always be evolving and changing.
What happened in January 2008 that would become his ultimate launch pad?
What resource is really important to having a successful speaking career?
The three things a church must address to have a system that helps people with their finances.
Can you make a living speaking to churches?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Joe Sangl's web site
Injoy Stewardship web site
Joe Sangl on Twitter
I Was Broke, Now I'm Not, by Joe Stangl
Joe Stangl's other books
Email Joe
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

I Was Broke. Now I'm Not.

Have you been asked for your speaking fee but weren't sure how to bill for the travel aspect of your gig? Or have you ever wondered how to handle that topic when it does come up in the future?

Wherever you are at in your speaking career the issues of travel expenses is going to come up. On this edition of the show I outlined the two ways to address travel expenses for your speaking gigs, including the pros and cons of each.

I'll also share which of those two options I personally use and why. Tune in to hear it on episode 60 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

The two ways of handling speaking-related travel expenses.
What are the pros of invoicing your travel expenses separately?
What are the main drawbacks to doing the same?
What is my normal travel fee and what do I include?
Why it is wise to include travel expenses in a flat speaking fee.
What is the main downside of doing so?
Should you let the client to book any of your travel?
Why I never let the client book my airfare.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 6 of The Speaker Lab
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, I have a very specialguest for you! My lovely and amazing wife Sheila Baldwin is here. Ibrought her on the show to talk about what it’s really like to bemarried to a speaker.

Today we share the inner workings of our story and our lifetogether, so you can learn from our struggles and our triumphs.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Sheila and I talk about theearly days of our relationship and our marriage, and how we havealways made things work even when we were strugglingfinancially.

We answer a few listeners' questions, and dig into how we as afamily deal with my frequent travel, and how Sheila and our girlshave become accustomed to our crazy schedules. Listen in to hearall of that and so much more on this episode of The SpeakerLab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Our "how we met" story.

What it’s really like in the early days of a speakingcareer.

How can your family "find their groove" when you're gone?

How can you avoid being a workaholic at home?

The benefits and disadvantages of homeschooling yourchildren.

How can both spouses stay invested in one business?

How you and your spouse can live a balanced life on abudget.

The story of why we moved to beautiful Nashville!

And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

TheSpeaker Lab Facebook group
TopSpeakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speakerworkshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating orreview

If you are truly serious about becoming a speaker there are twothings I recommend you have: a web site of your very own andownership of your name as a domain. For example I have The SpeakerLab as well as Grant Baldwin.com.

On episode 59 of The Speaker Lab I explain why I have bothsites, and why owning the domain of your own name is so important.I also share why you'll want to create a separate web site ifyou're going to have other speakers present your materials in thefuture, and how this is similar to a franchise model.

Whether your choose to have just your personal name as your website or branch out with a program, both a domain and a site arecritical to being seen as an expert on your topic, and to gettinghired to speak. So listen in to episode 59 to hear all of that andso much more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Do you want a potential client to hire you or yourprogram?
Why do I have both The Speaker Lab and GrantBaldwin.com?
Should you secure your own name as a web site?
What you should do if your name has already been claimedonline.
Where do I recommend purchasing domains?
My top five recommendations on what to do if your name is hard tospell.
What suffixes should you buy - .com, .net, etc.?
Why do you need hosting and what is my recommended resource forit?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode 36 of The Speaker Lab
Episode 29 of The Speaker Lab
All of my recommended resources
MyBluehost affiliate link
TheSpeaker Lab Facebook group
TopSpeakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speakerworkshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating orreview

Have you ever wondered if you could grow your email list even when you're speaking live? There is a way and our guest, Tim Paige of LeadPages, is here to talk about it. Tim is an expert on email lists, including how to add people even when they aren't at their computers.

If you haven't heard of LeadPages they are a company that creates online tools based on the latest and greatest of what's proven to be working in marketing. They are best known for their opt-in pages but they have also created LeadDigits and are committed to finding the best ways to get more leads and customers for their clients.

Tim shares more about that today on this episode as well as how to get started growing your list and why your social media following matters to getting more speaking gigs. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

• Why does an email list matter? Tim explains.

• What is the most effective type of following?

• What are ways to build your list offline?

• Why you want to force your visitors to make a decision.

• The simplest way to share the slides from your speech with your audience.

• Why you should create multiple "buckets" for your email list.

• What two types of people are typically in the audience for your speeches?

• How many lead digits does he have working right now?

• And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

LeadPages
Tim Paige on Twitter
Tim Paige on Episode 98 of HDYGIT
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

We're coming down to the final few episodes of our 30 shows in 30 days. In fact this is 27 of 30 and it's another good one courtesy of a listener like you.

Joe Sanok left a voicemail for me and asked the following brilliant question: Which of these two things has a greater impact on a person's speaking career: doing a podcast or hosting a live event?

I love this question and can't wait to share my answer with you. Check out my thoughts on episode 57 of The Speaker Lab.

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Whatever level of speaking expertise you have you know the importance of a good demo video. But do you know what actually constitutes a good demo video and how you can create one? After this episode you will!

On today's edition of The Speaker Lab, Wes Wages joins us to answer those questions and more. I brought Wes on to the show because he does all of my video content!

He is an accomplished videographer who began his career by shooting weddings with his wife. After growing tired of endless weekend work he moved into helping entrepreneurs with their video needs.

Today, Wes shares his expertise on how a great demo video can advance your career, what exactly should be included in your video and how long it should be. He also shares his advice on including audience reaction in your demo video, how to incorporate a good "hook", and how long a video can be before losing the audience's interest.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

• Wes shares why having a demo video is truly important.

• How to avoid "selling yourself" and instead showcase what you do.

• What can you do to personalize your demo videos?

• How to professionally include your contact information.

• What types of conferences should you focus on?

• Wes' 9 tips for an enjoyable experience with your videographer.

• What is a "raw file" and why do you need to request a copy of it?

• How to shoot a video without a videographer.

• And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Wes Wages' website
Wes Wages' gift for you
Wes Wages on Twitter
Wes Wages on Instagram
Wes Wages on Facebook
Episode 2 of The Speaker Lab
Episode 40 of The Speaker Lab
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Do you have different topics you would like to speak about? Do you have expertise in multiple areas and want to know how (or even if) you should give a speech for each area?

Those are the questions being asked and answered on this episode, thanks to webinar viewer Marti who raise the topic originally.

Join me as I dig into this rich subject on episode 55 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

As a speaker it's our privilege to share what we know and impart our wisdom on others. And it's also our privilege to get paid to do so!

On episode 54 I'll be answering specific speaker fee questions from listener Danny. He wants to know if speaking fees should be priced per employee and if those fees should be available on your web site.

Check out today's edition of The Speaker Lab to hear my answers and get the scoop on speaking fees!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Today's question is coming from our friend Joe. Joe called in wanting to know if it's better to speak at other people's events, or host your own and speak at it?

What are your thoughts - when should you speak at other people's events and when would you be ready to host an event on your own and be a speaker on the agenda?

I'll give you my thoughts and experiences on this matter. Listen in to episode 53 of The Speaker Lab to hear my advice.

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

With the advent of the Internet there are third party sites cropping up for everything, including booking speaking gigs.

Should you use these to book a gig for yourself? That is the question someone asked on Facebook and I'm sharing my thoughts with you here.

Check out my answers today on episode 52 of The Speaker Lab.

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, I have the privilege of talking with one of my very own Booked and Paid to Speak students, Melanie Deziel.

Melanie is currently beginning her speaking business, and offers a unique perspective as she starts her journey. She's as adventurous in beginning a new speaking career as she is in other aspects of her work - she is preparing to go to New Zealand for a job! She shares about that too on today.

On this edition Melanie also shares how speaking fits into her current position as a content strategist, what her first speaking experience was and how it sparked her interest in making a career move into more speaking opportunities.

In addition she offers her guidance on how to tweak small aspects for each client, and why she enjoys speaking even though she's introverted. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How Melanie got her first speaking job.
How much time should you spend researching your content?
What can you do to make each presentation individual to the clients?
How to transition into paid speaking jobs.
What types of conferences should you focus on?
How can you use acronyms and simple imagery to your advantage?
The importance of being able to gauge the crowd before your talk.
How to balance a full-time career and speaking on the side.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Melanie Deziel's website
Melanie Deziel on LinkedIn
Melanie Deziel on Twitter
Melanie Deziel on Instagram
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Have you wanted to speak at a school but didn't know how to reach the right person on staff? If you said yes you are not alone.

Mettie asked this question on Facebook and I wanted to share my answer and my thoughts with you on this episode because it's an important topic for all speakers.

Listen in to hear my insights on how to find the right person to contact at any school on episode 50 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

A common topic discussed among speakers is whether or not to speak for free in the early days of your career.

On episode 49 of The Speaker Lab I'll give you my thoughts as I answer the question of whether to speak for free, and when (if ever) it's appropriate to do so.

I'll be diving deep on this, listen in and join me on today's edition of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Something you may not know is how much overlap there is between how to get sponsorships, and how to land speaking gigs. The art of finding, connecting and working with the right people is critical to success in both arenas.

And a man who has succeeded in both of those areas, landing sponsorships and speaking gigs, is our guest for today's show. Mr. Jason Zook joins us to talk about the early days of his speaking career, why he's put that part of his career on hold right now and everything you could possibly want or need to know about securing sponsorships for your business.

On episode 48 of The Speaker Lab, we distill the immense wisdom Jason has gained in 8 years and pass as much of it as we can on to you during today's show. From sponsorships to speaking to finding oddball size shoes, it's all here so sit back and enjoy.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How big are his shoes and where does he have to order them?
When did he first venture into speaking?
Why you don't have to get paid to speak, and you can still make money.
How he made $35k from one email introduction - and what that means for your business.
Why does following up work so well?
How to surprise and delight every client you work with.
Three great hacks to finding the right person in a company you want to work with.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Jason Zook's personal website
Jason's website on sponsorships
Email Jason
Jason Zook on Twitter
How to Get Sponsors For Your Event, Conference, Blog, etc., Jason's blog post
YouTube video on How to Find Email Addresses Using Google
Jason on episode 51 of How Did You Get Into That?
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

There are many speaking groups out there but one of the most popular is Toastmasters.

On episode 47 of The Speaker Lab I weigh in on whether you should join your local Toastmasters, and whether it's relevant to you and the success of your speaking career. Intrigued?

Good! Lend your ears a few minutes to hear this edition of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to another edition of The Speaker Lab! This is number 46 for those of you counting at home.

Today our topic is how and where to find a speaking agent. This is a question I have heard many people ask over the years, and it's a relevant one for anyone with a speaking interest or career.

To find out the answer check out this episode of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Have you ever gotten on stage and told a joke, only for it to fall flat? Or maybe you've avoided cracking a joke from stage because you're worried you'll hear the proverbial crickets chirping in the audience!

Here to talk about how to integrate comedy into your speaking gigs is Ron Tite, a hilarious and accomplished businessman. Ron certainly keeps himself busy: he works in several different areas while still speaking regularly about marketing and other aspects of business.

On episode 45 of The Speaker Lab Ron shares how he became a speaker, and how that skill has afforded him the unique opportunity to drive business revenue. In addition Ron also shares his guidance on speaking bureaus, how he began his comedy career, and how to position yourself as an engaging speaker. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What most appealed to Ron about speaking?
How a speaking bureau can help advance your speaking career.
Ron shares what it's really like in the world of comedy.
Why it's important to create relevant and engaging content for your audience.
How to balance being funny and being effective.
How can you incorporate comedy in your speaking if you're not a comedian?
What to do when your jokes fall flat.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Ron Tite's website
The Tite Group website
Monkey Toast
Ron Tite on Facebook
Ron Tite on Twitter
Episode 24 of The Speaker Lab with Shawn Hanks
Join us for the webinar!
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Ready for more speakers? Join our free speaker workshop
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Thank you for joining us on episode 44 of The Speaker Lab, so glad you're here!

Avid listener Hector asked the question that is the focus of this show: he wants to know what a speaker one sheet is and if he needs one.

To hear the answer to Hector's question sit right there and hit the play button on episode 44 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Join our free speaker workshop * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to episode 43 of The Speaker Lab! We are on a roll with our 30 shows in 30 days, and today we keep on rollin'.

The topic for today comes from a listener, Kevin, who wants to know when you should create your first product. How long into your career should you be before creating and selling your own products?

That is the question of the day! So listen in to hear the answer on episode 43 of The Speaker Lab.

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

You know how important email lists are, but do you have a marketing funnel set up to grow that list? And if you have a funnel set up how do you know if it's the right one and it's doing what it is meant to do?

Whatever state your email list and marketing funnels are in our guest for today's show will help you tremendously.

Scott Oldford is stopping by to share what he has learned in his 12 years of online marketing. We talk about all things related to marketing funnels and email lists. Specifically Scott and I deep dive into the three types of leads and how to speak to each of them with different marketing funnels, and how to leverage your audience and serve more people.

There's all of that and so much more on this 42nd edition of The Speaker Lab! Sit back, listen in and prepare to expand your marketing funnels knowledge.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why it's important for your bottom line to build an audience.
What are the three types of marketing and how do they work together?
Why do you want to "own the relationship" with your audience?
What are the three mindsets your audience has and how can you respond to each?
Why being relevant allows you to not sell to your target group.
What is the #1 reason entrepreneurs don't have a marketing funnel?
How to adopt and adapt according to where your audience is in their journey.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Scott Oldford's website * Scott Oldford on Twitter * Join us for the webinar! * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Top Speakers Tips * Got questions? Send them in here * Email me! * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome back for another edition of The Speaker Lab!

Today is episode 41, and it's courtesy of a listener like you. Pamela wants to know any recommendations for narrowing down her target market.

This is a valuable lesson you'll want to listen in for, check it out on episode 41 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab, thanks for joining in!

Episode 40 is about your demo video. It's brought to you courtesy of Ronald, he wrote in to ask if he needs to include any video from non-church speaking engagements when creating a demo to land corporate gigs.

This is an intriguing question you should know the answer to, and it's on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to the latest edition of The Speaker Lab!

On today's show listener Linda writes in to ask how to sell her book after speaking. Are back of the room sales her only option or are there other ways to sell from stage?

Listen in to hear the answer to on episode 39 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab, thank you for listening in!

Today's show is based on a question from a listener like you. Kevin is wondering how to set up his speaking business, and what legal entity is best to use (such as an LLC, etc).

This is another great question that any speaker needs to know about, listen in to episode 37 of The Speaker Lab for the answer.

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

On episode 37 of The Speaker Lab we're continuing to answer your questions, one by one!

Patty writes in because he wants to know if you should charge non-profits and churches, and if so how much should you charge?

Tune in for the answer on episode 37 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab, thanks for being here!

Episode 36 is about a question Becky sent in: Becky is a regular listener who is already getting paid to speak, but she doesn't have a web site or blog. She wrote in to ask how to set up her first web site and where to get started.

This is a great question every speaker needs to know the answer to, listen in to hear my thoughts on episode 36 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Whether you've been speaking for decades or just weeks you've noticed some speakers are more at ease on stage than others. Today the renowned speaker and performer Matthew Kimberley is here to share how you can feel confident and at ease on stage no matter how much experience you have.

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Matthew and I talk about how to avoid nerves while speaking, and how to best prepare for any type of speaking engagement.

We also dive into his sales career as well as his acting experience, and how both led him to become such an accomplished speaker despite living on a tiny island in the Mediterranean! Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How can you use an accent to your advantage?
Can confidence be taught in speaking?
How to always avoid being unprepared.
How to manage the transition from speaking for free to speaking for a fee.
The importance of avoiding an "informercial" talk.
Matthew's tips for being an excellent salesperson.
Why is it important to have a money-back guarantee?
How can you use urgency effectively?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Matthew Kimberley's website
Matthew Kimberley's Principles of Persuasion, his gift to you
Matthew Kimberley on Twitter
Matthew Kimberley on Facebook
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab, thanks for joining in!

Episode 34 is about a topic one listener, Jeff, recently asked about. He wants to know how to balance comedy and content. How much comedy vs content do people look for from their keynote speaker?

An interesting question that you can hear the answer to on episode 34 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab, thanks for being here!

On this episode listener Maia calls in with a question about how to pay taxes on the fees you charge as a speaker. She asks if you pay taxes on the entire amount you receive, or can you subtract travel expenses too?

Although I'm not a tax specialist I've got her answer, and you can hear it on episode 33 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab, thanks for tuning in!

On today's show listener Caelan called in with a question about speaker certifications. She wants to know which certifications are needed, and which are not.

Ready to hear my recommendations? Then check out episode 32 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab, thanks for listening in!

On today's show you'll hear a voicemail question from Jed. He wants to know how to transition from speaking to the faith-based market to the secular market.

Ready to hear the answer? Then check out episode 31 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab. If you're just tuning in you've caught a special segment of the show: 30 episodes in 30 days.

We are on day two of those 30 days! Here's how it works: every day a new episode will go up for 30 days and in that show I'll be answering one question from a listener. These will short, sweet and concise shows that will help you with one specific area of speaking.

On today's show we hear from Chris who wants to know how to properly gain referrals from the audiences you're speaking to. Ready to find out the answer? Then listen in to episode 30 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome to today's edition of The Speaker Lab. This episode is the start of something very exciting: 30 shows in 30 days!

Here's how it works: every day a new episode will go up for 30 days and in that show I'll be answering one question from a listener. These will short, sweet and concise shows that will help you with one specific area of speaking.

Now that you know how it works let's get to today's show. This question comes from Jerry who wants to know if and when to use a pen name as a speaker. To hear the answer tune in to episode 29 of The Speaker Lab!

EPISODE RESOURCES * Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live! * The Top Speakers' Tips PDF * The Speaker Lab Facebook group * Got a question you want me to answer? Record it here! * Email me * Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Have you ever wondered why you need an email list and how to start, grow and monetize one?

You are in luck! Today I’m talking with Bryan Harris of Video Fruit. He’s here to explain all the details of an email list from A to Z.

On this episode Bryan explains his repeated attempts to start a business, and his repeated failures. He also explains why growing an email list was the key to his eventual success, and why following in the footsteps of key influencers like Nathan Barry and Seth Godin finally gave him traction.

There’s all of that and so much more on today episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What is an email list and why is important?
What book opened his eyes to the need for an email list?
What is offline vs. online advertising?
Can you create an email list for any topic?
Why should you choose email over Facebook or Twitter or other social media?
Why having people know, like and trust you is so crucial to your success.
How can you get people to opt-in to your list?
Bryan shares how he generated 10k subscribers and $25k in sales in 10 months!
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Bryan Harris' website
Bryan Harris on Twitter
Authority by Nathan Barry
Reserve your spot for The Speaker Lab Live webinar!
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here!
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

What’s the link between copywriting and public speaking? On today's episode of The Speaker Lab my good friend Ray Edwards joins us to answer that question.

Ray is one of the most successful copywriters in the industry and he shares how having solid copy helped him create a thriving speaking career. His early career days were in radio: as a DJ and in the corporate side.

However he had the foresight to see the possibilities of the Internet and left to pursue online marketing, promotions and copywriting. Later his success in the online world would lead him into public speaking, a pursuit we talk more about on this episode.

Today, Ray offers his advice on how to use copywriting in the most effective way for your speaking business, how to test out your ideas, and how to integrate persuasion into your career. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

The three different types of speakers, according to Ray.
What is price anchoring and how can you use it?
The seven keys to more powerful copywriting.
What is the "so what" test?
How to approach selling as a shepherd, not a wolf.
What is P.A.S.T.O.R and how can you use it to help you?
The importance of representing the client well.
How to get a great testimonial from a employer.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Ray Edwards' web site
Ray's media kit
Ray's gift to you!
Ray Edwards on Twitter
Ray Edwards on Facebook
Ray Edwards on Instagram
Ray Edwards on LinkedIn
Reserve your spot for The Speaker Lab Live webinar!
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here!
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

On this episode of The Speaker Lab it's another great Q&A show! Today I'm answering one question, and only one because it's such a great question! It comes from our friend Bryan in South Africa. He wants to know about a very important aspect of professional speaking: website creation and management.

My advice to Bryan has several parts including how speaking can fit into your existing business, how my websites have progressed as my speaking career has grown and finally what content should be most prominent on your website to achieve the maximum result.

Whether you have an existing speaking career or you want to get started as a speaker you'll learn plenty from today's show. Sit back, listen in and enjoy episode 26 of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why is it important to have a website as a speaker?
Where should you put your speaking information on your website?
How can you entice people to view your site?
What is the "fold" and how can you use it?
What is the difference between the home page and the speaking page?
How to have a sharp one-page website.
The importance of having an About page.
What should be included on your contact page, and what shouldn’t?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live!
The Top Speakers' Tips PDF
My personal web site
Episode 3 of The Speaker Lab
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, I'm sitting down with speaker, entrepreneur, and all around good guy Arel Moodie. In this episode we discuss many important aspects of his career, as well as how created his current business.

Arel offers his guidance on SO much today! He shares how to know your content and your audience so you can speak knowledgeably and confidently. Plus he explains how to select an appropriate topic to speak on, while maintaining a clear vision for your speaking career.

And we wrap up with the strategies he uses to succeed financially in the speaking world in the quickest and most effective way possible. This is a show chockfull of great advice - listen in to hear it all on episode 25 of The Speaker Lab!

HE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why are time zones important for speakers to consider?
Which audience should you choose to speak to?
How you can gain experience before speaking.
Arel's "what do you need" strategy and how you can use it.
How can you get paid for speak quickly?
How to get paid to speak while still giving back - and why it's important.
How can you get jobs while avoiding cold calling?
What can you do to diversify your business?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Arel Moodie's web site
Arel Moodie's podcast
Arel Moodie on Facebook
Arel Moodie on Twitter
Arel Moodie on Instagram
Arel Moodie on Linkedin
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

On episode 24 of The Speaker Lab I'm sitting down with Shawn Hanks, my friend and neighbor who runs Premiere Speakers Bureau.

Not sure what a speakers bureau can do for you or why you should join you one? That's why he's here: he will explain exactly what a speakers bureau does and how being a member of one can help your speaking career.

Shawn also shares his insights on how a speaker can become represented in his bureau, what is required of one of his bureau's speakers and much more. Listen in for all of the details on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What are specific ways a speakers bureau can enhance your speaking career?
What is the difference between a celebrity speaker and a content speaker?
The importance of having universal and valuable content.
How much does a membership in a speakers bureau cost?
The difference between being exclusive and non-exclusive with a bureau.
What does Shawn looks for in a speaker?
The right way to put together a demo video.
What types of opportunities are in the market for speakers?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Premiere Speakers Bureau
International Association of Speakers Bureaus
Premiere Speakers Bureau on Twitter
Premiere Speakers Bureau on Facebook
Shawn Hanks on Twitter
Reserve your spot for The Speaker Lab Live webinar!
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here!
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

There's one crucial aspect to having a thriving speaking career that is often overlooked, do you know what it is? It's the topic for today's episode: how to network.

Networking with other speakers is so important because it can propel your career forward while helping you personally as well. Professionally you'll find other speakers often give referrals and today I explain why.

On a personal level many speakers experience loneliness, and networking can help alleviate those feelings. By talking with other people in the speaking business we as speakers can find the support and community we all need to be healthy and successful.

I also share my suggestions on how to approach and interact with speakers in a comfortable and natural way. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What are specific benefits networking can have on your career?
How can other speakers support you?
Why would another speaker want to give you a referral?
When is it appropriate to expect and charge fees from other speakers?
The importance of networking with speakers in your niche.
Where should you go to meet other speakers?
How to appropriately approach speakers in any situation.
What to expect from the upcoming Speaker Lab Live event!
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Reserve your spot for The Speaker Lab Live
Slack
The Top Speakers' Tips PDF
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Whether or not you have considered writing a book it is a powerful tool I highly recommend all speakers have in their toolbox. But how do you know if your idea is the right one, if it will land with your target audience and will help you grow the speaking business you're working on?

Our guest has those answers! Mr. Rob Kosberg of Best Seller Publishing offers done-for-you services for coaches, entrepreneurs, consultants and speakers. As a best-selling author himself he knows firsthand the importance of publishing, promoting and ultimately profiting from your book.

On episode 22 of The Speaker Lab he shares what he's learned from becoming a published best-selling author in his own right, how he leveraged his first book and how that success led to the creation of Best Selling Books, a company that has helped countless experts become authors. You'll hear all of that and more on today's show!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why is a book so effective at landing speaking gigs?
The extra bit of credibility a book gives you - and why it's important.
Why did his first book become a best-seller?
How he leverages his book as a lead generation tool to gain more clients.
Why big names like Seth Godin and Tim Ferriss self-publish today.
When does it make sense to give your book away for free?
Why your dream of getting a traditional publisher may be a nightmare in reality.
The two things you need to sell your books without a traditional publisher.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Rob Kosberg's web site
Life After Debt, by Rob Kosberg
Free self-publishing workshop
Best Seller Publishing on Twitter
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

Life After Debt: Practical Solutions To Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, And Radically Transform Your Finances Forever!

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, we've got another great Q&A show. This is the show where I answer your most burning questions about speaking!

And we've got a variety of topics to discuss: everything from how to follow up (without being annoying or obnoxious!) and what you need to be asking clients. We'll also get into how long to wait before sending a client more than one email and the tools I use to help me run every aspect of my speaking business.

Plus you’ll hear all about Speaker Lab Live: something new I’ve got for you on May 21st. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How to avoid being annoying to clients.
How can you be short and sweet in your communication with clients?
The importance of asking clients the right questions and how to do it.
Why it's important to note the times you're emailing clients.
How much time is appropriate to send a reminder email?
When is it okay to call clients?
What is the "ball in your court" email and when should you use it?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Join our free webinar
Reserve your spot for Speaker Lab Live!
The Top Speakers' Tips PDF
Followup
Basecamp
High Rise
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

If you already have a business can speaking help you expand your audience? If so, how? Today we're joined by a man with the answers to those questions and more: Mr. Chris Brogan.

Chris is an author, speaker and all-around great guy who is here to share how speaking has helped his business flourish. He also shares how his introverted nature has positively impacted his speaking, and how to remain the same person on stage as you are in real life.

And finally he offers his guidance on how to overcome the inner critic within yourself and how to prepare effectively for a speaking job. Listen in for all of that and more on this episode of The Speaker Lab! T

HE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why did Chris turn down a TED talk?
Can you be introverted and also be a speaker?
The importance of quieting your inner critic - and how to do so.
How did Chris gain the world's attention at the right time?
How to use a speaker bureau to increase your speaking jobs.
How should you negotiate your prices for speaking gigs?
Which speakers inspired and helped Chris the most?
Chris' guidance for creating and preparing your speeches.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Chris Brogan's web site
The Freaks Shall Inherit The Earth, by Chris Brogan
The Impact Equation, by Chris Brogan
Chris Brogan on Twitter
Dr. Nick Morgan's books
Michael Port's web site
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here!
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators

The Impact Equation: Are You Making Things Happen or Just Making Noise?

One of the most intimidating aspects of speaking is humor. If you're like other speakers you may find it daunting to incorporate jokes into your talk.

The biggest risk with jokes or humorous stories is the lack of guarantees the audience will enjoy it. However, when used appropriately humor can magnify a talk and convey your message perfectly!

Today, I'll be showing you how to utilize humor the best way for you and your speaking style. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why is your audience a reflection of you as the speaker?
What is self-depreciating humor and how can you use it correctly?
The importance of using pictures and videos to enhance humor.
How can you "have your radar up" for humorous material?
What are the most effective strategies for incorporating humor?
How to avoid using "you had to be there" stories, and why they don't work.
How to move on gracefully from a failed joke.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Register for our free webinar
The Top Speakers' Tips PDF
Comedian, Jerry Seinfeld's movie
The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Comedian [DVD]

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, I'm sitting down with accomplished author and speaker Dan Miller to talk about his personal business model and his other endeavors, and of course his speaking career.

Dan offers his sage-like advice on how to decide which audience will respond your message the best, and also how he made the transition from speaking as an "extra" in his business to speaking professionally.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How you can find your core message.
How can you decide where to go to speak?
Dan's journey to becoming a professional speaker.
Can speaking for free help you?
How can you use resources to your advantage?
Which should come first- the products or the speaking?
The importance of having stories in your speaking.
Dan's "it can't be worse than this" stories!
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Dan Miller's website
Dan Miller on Twitter
Dan Miller on How Did You Get Into That?
Dan's gift to you!
Art of Speaking - our free webinar
Join The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

One thing all great speakers do, whatever their topic or their audience, is practice. They practice, practice and practice more. They rehearse their speech from start to finish many times, they never just wing it on stage. What often makes a great speaker so great is their commitment to practice.

And that's why I'm spending this entire show to talk about practice and rehearsal. I'll be covering how much to practice, how to properly rehearse and what sort of process to use when as you are practicing for your next speaking engagement.

Listen in for those topics and much more on episode 17 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why doing this one thing can help calm your nerves.
What athletes can teach us about the necessity of practice.
Should you manuscript your entire talk?
Why you shouldn't memorize your speech.
Why recording yourself is an effective tactic to create a great speech.
How many times should you go through your talk?
Should you stop if you make a mistake while rehearsing?
How to choose the people you practice in front of.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

The Top Speakers' Tips PDF
Art of Speaking - our free webinar
Join The Speaker Lab Facebook group
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

If there’s one thing every speaker faces before a speaking gig it is the possibility of nerves, and how to deal with those nerves. Ask any seasoned veteran of the public speaking world and they’ll tell you they have received all sorts of advice, some of it good and some of it not as good.

Because there’s so much misinformation out there about how to deal with nerves I’m devoting today’s episode to that very topic.

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, we’ll be covering that and much more!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What is the most common misconception about speakers getting nervous?
How can the same talk be different each time?
What you can do to focus your fear.
Does nervousness ever go away?
How practicing your content can calm your nerves.
Why it's important to put yourself in real situations.
How to relax and enjoy yourself!
Why does the audience imitate you?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Register for our free webinar
The Top Speakers' Tips PDF
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

When you're thinking of what subject to speak on remember that topic will change over time. In the course of your career your topic will even change a few times, it will evolve as you evolve as a professional speaker.

A great reminder of this is Chris Ducker, our guest on this episode. If you don't know him Chris is a best-selling author, multi-successful entrepreneur and in-demand speaker who has given presentations and keynotes around the globe.

Chris started speaking almost by accident (a story he shares today), and over the years he has evolved his speaking gigs to reflect his entrepreneurial journey. Today he shares why he's pivoted along the way, and how he's done it. You'll hear all of that and much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Does Chris still get nervous before his gigs?
The one trick he uses before going on stage to be calm and collected.
How did Hong Kong cinema lead to Chris' first speaking gig?
When did his speaking career truly take off?
Who was in the audience during his first speaking gig for the online world?
How he has narrowed down his speaking topic over the years.
What does he look for when hiring a speaker for his event?
Chris shares his "couldn't be worse than this" moment!
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Chris Ducker's website
Tropical Think Tank, Chris' event
Chris Ducker on Twitter
Top Speakers Tips
Got questions? Send them in here!
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Once you've decided you want to speak and you have an idea of what you want to speak about, how do you actually create your talk?

And what makes a talk good versus another talk? I'm answering all of those questions on this show. I'll walk you through the process I use to create a great talk from idea to completion. I'll also explain why each step in the process is important and why it can help you when creating your next (or your first!) speech.

We cover all of that and much more on episode 14 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

There are two key questions your audience is asking: what are they?
Why having a single idea makes your preparation easier and your talk better.
What are the types of structures you can use to organize your content?
When to create an outline and why it's useful.
Why I recommend never "winging it" with your talk.
When and why you should manuscript your entire speech.
What is the rhythm I follow in my speeches, and how can you follow it?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

The Top Speakers' Tips PDF
Episode 13 of The Speaker Lab, with the top speakers of today
Episode 7 of The Speaker Lab, with Michael Port
Episode 4 of The Speaker Lab
Got questions? Send them in here
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, I'm breaking down the top speaking tips from some of the most influential speakers in the business. You'll hear tactics and tools from such greats as Michael Port, Matthew Kimberley, Dorie Clark and John Lee Dumas to name a few.

There's so much valuable content in this show I created a special PDF of all the tips so you have a visual aid to remember all of them!

After listening to the episode be sure to download the PDF from the Resources section below. But first sit back and enjoy episode 13 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why should you begin with the end in mind?
How to keep your speeches focused on your audience.
How can you utilize modules in your speaking?
How can listening to your talk help you rehearse?
The insider strategies and tips for being confident as a speaker.
What you can do to make your stories stick.
How can you effectively interact with your audience?
What you need to know before and during an event about time management.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

The Top Speakers' Tips PDF
Got questions? Send them in here
Take part in the contest
Email me
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

For many of us the first thing we think of when giving a speech is giving a keynote. But there are plenty of other speaking formats that are in demand and are lucrative ways to create a successful speaking career.

Brian Walter is a shining example of this. He is someone who is highly in-demand for his non-traditional approach to speaking, and he's here to talk about it.

Today he shares the origins and progression of his speaking career, how his Extreme Meetings business began and how you can learn from his experiences. It’s all here on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How being his fraternity's secretary at UCLA led to his speaking career.
What are platform skills?
What is the "I" disease?
How to use humor in a speech, and reduce the risks associated with it.
His three year journey to find his expertise, and why it's important to you.
Why did he get involved with the National Speakers Association?
What are the differences between the NSA and speaking bureaus?
What are the two reasons most people join the NSA?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Extreme Meetings, Brian Walter's company
The National Speakers Association website
A free issue of the NSA's magazine
Brian Walter on Twitter
Got questions? Send them in here!
Take part in the contest
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Whether you're starting out as a speaker or want to gain more traction or simply grow to the next level of your speaking career you are in the right place!

The Speaker Lab is a show dedicated to helping your speaking career become whatever you want it to be. And today's edition is one of my favorite types of shows to bring you: the Q&A.

Listen in to hear my recommendations on fully tapping into the Internet and social media to land more speaking gigs on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

What's a not-so-effective way to get a speaking engagement?
The three foundational questions: what are they and why are they important to your career?
Your audience vs. the decision-maker: are they the same? What to do if they are not.
What's one of the ways I recommend using social media to land speaking gigs?
What information is imperative to have in your social media profiles?
What are the advantages of doing paid advertising online?
What is PPC and how do you use it to advance your speaking career?
How to choose which form of paid advertising to invest in.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

How Did You Get Into That? podcast
Got questions? Send them in here
Take part in the contest
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating and review!

Welcome to another edition of The Speaker Lab. Today I'm talking with Hugh Culver; he is a dear friend from Canada who is an accomplished speaker and a speaking coach. He knows the world of speaking and he's here to give us the goods!

On this episode we talk about how to make your name known in the speaking world, how he became a speaker and how you can niche down to make your business bigger - plus so much more.

It’s all here on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

The importance of being communicative with fellow speakers.
How to stop chasing gigs and why doing so will help you become successful.
What do you need to do to become a well-known and reputable speaker?
The four things you need to become a great speaker.
What is recognizable language and how can you use it?
How to help people understand what it is you do.
What to look forward to in our upcoming webinar!
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

BOSS website
Hugh Culver's website
Hugh Culver on Twitter
Webinar registration
Got questions? Send them in here!
Take part in the contest
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, I'm sitting down with my friend Mike Pacchione. Mike works for Duarte, a company that gives presentations about how to create meaningful and moving presentations like the creation of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth.

On today's episode Mike shares his journey to his current position with Duarte, how to know whether your talking ideas are good or not and the most effective ways of structuring your presentation.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How to find the best speaking points for your talk.
The "Excel" method of outlining your presentation.
What do you need to change for your different audiences?
The structure that all the best presenters use in their talks, and why they do.
How can you use your stories and humor most effectively?
How to use slides to support your presentation.
What "little things" can help you sell your talk.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Duarte's website
Mike Pacchione on Twitter
Nancy Duarte's Ted Talk
Comedian, by Jerry Seinfeld
Got questions? Send them in here!
Take part in the contest
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Comedian [DVD]

On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, the focus is on choice: making choices in terms of the content and main ideas of your talks, speeches and presentations. In essence we’re looking at how to decide exactly what it is you want to speak about.

I offer several bits of advice on the decisions you will have to make about your topics, including the five ways that will help you decide what you want to talk about during your speaking career.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How your experiences can help shape your topics.
What components of your life can make you an interesting speaker?
How you may actually be an expert in your interests.
The importance of why you want to speak and how it affects your topic.
What are niche and unique topics and which ones work best for you?
How to get a sense of what works and what doesn't in speaking.
What research should you do to prepare yourself for a speaking career?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

The Passing Zone website
Got questions? Send them in here
Take part in the contest
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating and review!

Welcome back to The Speaker Lab. On today's show I'm sitting down with my friend Michael Port for a special dual interview show. On this special episode, not only do I interview Michael, but he interviews me as well!

Today on episode seven, our talk runs the gamut. From Friends trivia to transitioning from one career to a speaking career to the three questions every beginning speakers needs to ask him/herself, we dive into it all. It's well worth a listen so check it out on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How do you find the balance between improvising and preparing?
How can you build an identity and persona in your speaking career?
Narrowing down your target audience: Michael shares how he did it and you can too.
Michael's techniques and tips for a flawless performance.
What adjustments can be made during a talk?
The surprising connections between acting and speaking.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Steal The Show, Michael Port's podcast
Michael Port's website
Michael Port on Twitter
Heroic Public Speaking
Book Yourself Solid
HDYGIT 73: How to Book Yourself Solid with Michael Port
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Take part in the contest
Email me!
Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review!

Welcome back to The Speaker Lab! On today's show I'm here with another special Q&A episode, this time with a focus on one great question: speaking contracts.

Today on The Speaker Lab our focus is on contracts in the speaking world, and all the details that go along with them. Everything from the actual details of speaking contracts to contract etiquette as well as rules to follow when communicating with potential employers.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW * Once a job is booked, what kind of contract is exchanged? * How do you leave a reliable paper trail? * What is a "speaking agreement" and is it different than a contract? * What should be included in your contract and how much should you charge? * The different types of clauses to include in your contract. * How do you handle deposits and travel costs? * What to do in case of a cancellation or emergency. * And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Got questions? Send them in here!
Take part in the contest
Email me!

On this episode of The Speaker Lab, world-renowned speaker Clay Hebert joins the show to talk about starting your speaking career.

Clay specializes in speaking to corporations, associations and conferences for entrepreneurs. He began his career speaking for free at conferences, and eventually made his way into speaking at bigger engagements and paid bookings.

Today on The Speaker Lab, Clay talks about who does and who doesn't pay for speakers, how having a relationship with a fellow speaker jump-started his career, and how to get your best talk across every time. Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

Why you need to do some unpaid speaking jobs.
How relationships can change the course of your career.
Why mistakes are nothing to be afraid of.
When can customizing your talk actually hurt you?
What themes or talking topics are people willing to pay for?
How can you determine which audiences are right for your talk?
The speaker who helped Clay's career, and what it means to you.
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Clay Hebert's website
Clay Hebert on Twitter
Clay's crowdfunding website
Persuadable, by Al Pittampalli
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Take part in the contest
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On today's episode of The Speaker Lab, we are answering your burning questions. That's right, today's episode is another Q&A session with me, and it is all about you! Remember, your questions can be featured on future episodes of The Speaker Lab, so make sure to submit your questions at the link below.

Today on The Speaker Lab, Grant answers viewer's questions about very different and exciting topics. Today's question topics range from organizational skills to speaking preparation to actual speaking subjects.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How can you organize your thoughts into a talk?
What is a "brain dump", and how can it help you be organized?
The power of just one line or phrase, and how you can find yours.
How can you create your "skeleton outline"?
The importance of the "so what" and the "now what".
How can you understand and define your audience?
Which audiences are broad, and which are specific?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Got questions? Send them in here!
Take part in the contest
Email me!

If you are considering speaking as a career, you have probably asked yourself this question: why do you want to speak? If you've been pondering this question and wondering how your speaking goals can motivate you, then this episode is tailored for you!

Today on this episode of The Speaker Lab, I discuss the importance of having a direction in your speaking career and offer guidance on how to find and stay motivated, and how to begin your speaking career.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

The 9 big reasons to start public speaking.
Why do you need to gain credibility and grow an audience?
How speaking can help you sell your product.
How and where can you travel as a result of your speaking career?
The importance of networking in speaking.
How to shape your career around your primary speaking goal/
Which reasons are going to propel your speaking into a long-lasting career?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Got questions? Send them in here!
Take part in the contest
Email me!

Welcome to episode 2 of The Speaker Lab. On today’s show I will be answering all of your burning questions about how to become a speaker and build your speaking career; in other words, it's all about you! We'll cover everything from getting a demo video to contacting potential speaking engagements.

In addition, I’ll be giving you the details about our ongoing contest plus what you can expect from The Speaker Lab.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on this episode of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How can you submit a question for future Q&As?
Do you need a demo video?
What to do (and not do) on your demo videos.
How do you get hired to speak at a college?
The importance of knowing who to contact for which speaking job.
How you can contact the people who could hire you.
When should you start reaching out to possible jobs?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Got questions? Send them in here!
Take part in the contest
Email me!

Welcome to The Speaker Lab, a brand new podcast series brought to you by me, Grant Baldwin - the man behind How Did You Get Into That! In our very first episode, I break down what The Speaker Lab is all about, and share valuable information on when, where and how you can listen to this series.

I also share my story of how I became a paid speaker, the journey that led to the creation of How Did You Get Into That, and now, The Speaker Lab.

Listen in to hear all of that and so much more on the first ever episode of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

How often to expect new episodes of The Speaker Lab.
Who will be coming on the show?
How can you participate in the Listener Q&A?
My journey to becoming a speaker, and how it will help you.
How this podcast can help you grow your speaking business.
How can you join The Speaker Lab contest?
What is “Get Started as a Speaker”?
And much, much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Got questions? Send them in here!
Take part in the contest
Email me!