The Speaker Lab Podcast

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 RESOURCESEpisode 6Episode 85Episode 171Episode 188HubSpot CRM web sitePipedrive web siteBooked and Paid To Speak programGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 sitePipedrive web siteBooked and Paid To Speak programGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 sitePipedrive web siteBooked and Paid To Speak programGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 CRMBooked and Paid To Speak programGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 siteBooked and Paid To Speak programGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee 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 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 RESOURCESLi Hayes' web siteLi Hayes on LinkedInEpisode 267 with Jesse ColeGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESLiz Bohannon's web siteSseko Design's web siteBeginner's Pluck, by Liz BohannonLiz Bohannon on TwitterLiz Bohannon on InstagramGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESKindra Hall's web siteStories That Stick, by Kindra HallKindra Hall on InstagramKindra Hall on TwitterGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!EPISODE RESOURCESGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 outsetWhere 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 businessWhy not all full-time jobs are created equalWhy your plan should take into consideration the type of boss you haveThe change levers you can pull to set yourself up for successLive Q&A at the end with Grant and ErickWe 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/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESKate Garnes' web siteKate Garnes on TwitterEmail Kate GarnesDaniel Lantis' web siteDaniel Lantis on TwitterJake Thompson's web siteJake Thompson on TwitterEmail JakeEpisode 300 GiveawayGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESMichael Bungay Stanier's web siteBox of Crayons web site The Coaching Habit, by Michael Bungay StanierMichael Bungay Stanier's other booksMichael Bungay Stanier on TwitterGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESJohn Ruhlin's web siteGiftology by John RuhlinJohn Ruhlin on TwitterHow to Create a Gifting Plan For Your Business (for free)Email John RuhlinGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESNisha Mehta's web siteNisha Mehta on TwitterGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!EPISODE RESOURCESGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 siteMichelle Poler's TEDx TalkHello Fears, by Michelle PolerMichelle Poler on InstagramMichelle Poler on TwitterCreative Mornings web siteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESJon Acuff's web siteJon Acuff on YouTubeJon Acuff on TwitterJon Acuff on InstagramJon Acuff's books Teleprompter appGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESJay Baer's web siteDress Jay Baer web siteJay Baer on Twitter Standing Ovation podcast Topics Meeting Planners Want For 2020 What Meeting Planners Want Top 9 Ways Meeting Planners Find SpeakersGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 stuckWhy you can’t afford to sit back and wait for the phone to ringHow Erick falls back on principles he learned in the militaryWhat speakers can do to prepare for times of crisisHow to handle stressful times without getting stressed outThe value of creating a system to help you take the next right stepIdentifying the secret sauce behind a sustainable speaking businessThe 5 stages of your speaking gig pipelineWhere to never discuss your pricingSetting up event planners for success and recruiting them to your teamHow to replicate the success of professional speakersAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESMaster Your Speaking PipelineGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!RESOURCESChris Winfield's web siteChris Winfield on TwitterChris Winfield on InstagramGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESHugh Culver's web siteBlogWorks web siteHugh Culver on TwitterAtomic Habits, by James ClearGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterLoom's web siteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 videosWhat three things matter most when someone is considering hiring you?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterHubSpot CRMFollowup.ccThe Successful Speaker, by Grant BaldwinGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifyRead show transcripts hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 industryDealing with ambiguity and anxietyLong-term ramifications of social distancingHow some speakers are still getting booked and paid to speakReaching the point of turning down new opportunitiesWhen to say no if a gig is outside your brand/industryThinking about the balance between virtual and live events in the futureHow do you stay positive and keep moving forward?Why proven systems don’t break even if the variables changeWhat speakers can do to work with live events to postpone without losing incomeThe value of relationships and why you can’t ignore themNow is the time coaching really mattersAre speakers still booking events that are happening in the future? (Spoiler Alert: YES!)Pros and cons of virtual events and how to book themWhy speakers are in the problem-solving businessHow to adapt live event keynote to virtual offers that are still on messageBeing prepared to pivot a lotStarting somewhere and being willing to try new thingsThe dangers of a scarcity mindsetNever knowing who’s in the audienceHow many “sleeps” are you gone for live events vs virtual gigs?Going from 40 potential gigs in his pipeline to 81 during the pandemicIndustry insights direct from event plannersUsing this time to position yourself for when the wave of live events comes backAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 cameraSurviving as a speaker in the midst of a crisisWhy speakers can’t afford to be averageEverything you do as a performer must be transformationalHow the expected quality for speakers will increaseWhat speakers should be working on right nowHow speakers can maximize the gift of time during quarantineWhy using live events as rehearsals is a mistakeWhat deep work looks like for speakersMapping out an effective rehearsal processReinventing your speech in ways you never imaginedAsking specific questions when it comes to feedbackHow to scale your choices from good to greatUsing a mystery box visual to raise the stakes for your audienceThe risk of failing to deliver on the promise your performance makesWhy Michael retired from keynotingHow to wisely leverage the trust you earn from an audience to enrich their experienceWhat Pixar considers a “perfect” filmCrafting a transformational experience for your audienceAre virtual events merely a temporary fix or a lasting trend?The challenges events face in replicating the impact of in-person trade shows onlineAdvice for speakers to keep their head in the right spaceMaking sure you continue to support your network of colleagues and clientsThe #1 most important factor in booking more paid speaking gigsCreating a productive work environmentIncrementally improving your speech 5 minutes at a timeAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESHeroic Public SpeakingSteal the Show, by Michael PortGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 videoTaking one day at a time on the rollercoasterLive events that convert to digital and ask for virtual keynotesBinge-watching the Imagineers documentary on Disney+Creating a virtual studio at home5 things that clients are asking virtual speakers forUsing a moderator to enhance the virtual experience for the client and their audienceCreate a virtual landing page on your website that showcases the value you deliver to the marketHow clients and audiences have reacted to live virtual eventsProviding best practices to the client ahead of time to ensure the best possible experienceWhat to do when someone brings their phone into the bathroom during your live streamConducting a separate soundcheck or run-through before a virtual event to test techObtaining testimonials from your virtual clientsThe difference between offering value and selfish promotionHow to approach pricing for virtual eventsDiversifying what you offer to meet the unique needs of different clientsWill virtual offers continue being available after quarantine is lifted?And moreEPISODE RESOURCESClint on InstagramClint’s websiteClint’s virtual demo reel on YouTubeGood to Great, by Jim CollinsGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 SHOWWhat 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 RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifyRead show transcripts hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 internationallyBuilding large online communities among certified physiciansMaintaining social distancing to flatten the curveInsights on the pandemic from behind the scenesMaking tough choices to opt-out of live events before “shelter-in-place” beganPartnering with events to make virtual options work and still deliver valueThe responsibility of speakers to prioritize the safety of othersWhen 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 liftedHoping to start seeing things reopen in the coming weeksThe liability of hosting live events post-pandemicSearching for a sense of normalcyThe key difference between SARS and COVID-19Uncertainty about the unknown when it comes to new diseasesRealistic timeline for a vaccine or treatmentGOOD NEWS!!And moreEPISODE RESOURCESNisha’s websiteNisha on TwitterNisha on InstagramGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 industryExperimenting with style and facial hair while social distancingWhy “speaking” isn’t really your true professionUnderstanding the gig is the payoff for building your platform and being an expertDealing with feeling like you’ve lost part of your identityGrieving 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 keynotesDistributing a sub-standard virtual product will hurt your live speaking down the road by degrading your valueAccepting that the “new normal” is largely unknownThe pending lawsuits as a result of the virus spreading at large eventsTreating the speaking gig as one component of your business and how you deliver valueDo what it takes to help you feel productiveBeing 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 audienceAvoiding guilt for not doing some thingsA virtual answer isn’t the same as an in-person answerWhy you can’t shift the same equity you have on stage to a virtual gig at firstHow webinars are a transfer of skills and what makes them different than a keynoteThe drastic difference between our current circumstances and any emergency we’ve experienced in the pastIs 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 knowHow to avoid long-term risk by making short-term budget decisions that you sustainLearning business lessons now that will carry you through the crisis and beyondIgnoring hindsight regretGetting creative with discovering new revenue sources and sponsored opportunitiesHow to approach outreach without appearing tone-deafMaking sure you check on your contacts, colleagues, and clients to see how they’re doingReaching out to recent clients to offer a “thank you” video to their teamLosing your prideTreat your email list as your most important asset and continue to build it beyond this crisisDon’t feed the noiseControlling who you followHealthy outlets for coping with stress and staying connectedUsing the mute button on social media to create boundariesTips on growing a man bunAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESScott on TwitterScott on InstagramScott's booksThe UnPodcastGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterEpisode 116 of The Speaker LabEpisode 255 of The Speaker LabGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 speakingEnjoying becoming a first-time dadHelping speakers deliver the best talk of their livesHow to prepare for your next live gig while social distancingGetting feedback on your talk using a recordingA simple survey to send to friends and colleagues to obtain actionable feedbackThe power of asking strategic questions that actually help you build a better talkWhy most TED talks don’t even make the websiteHow speakers can set themselves apart from the crowdThe unanticipated break from speaking gives you the chance to be objective in assessing your talkSitting down to create a list of what you think makes a great talk and applying that criteria to your craftAsking yourself a tough question: does this talk seem to go on for too long?What characteristics can make or break a speaker’s presentationWhy watching yourself with the audio off or listening to yourself without the video can reveal unknown weaknessesThe underestimated value of self-awarenessIs a speech ever really finished?The dangers of defaulting to quarantine or crisis-oriented content in your talkAvoid making coronavirus jokes because everyone else will be doing itWhy virtual keynotes and digital presentation must have a higher quality than live talksPacing tips for virtual eventsErring on the side of more slidesMaking your virtual keynote interactiveJust because there are more virtual events doesn’t mean there will be less live eventsAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESMike on TwitterMike's websiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 LoanPPP - Payroll Protection Program During the live stream, Grant and Josh discuss:Unemployment being extended to business owners and freelancersTwo loan/grant programs for small businesses to take advantage ofWhich 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 EIDLWould 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 persistentDo 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 helpWhat is the PPP? Who is eligible?Discretionary power of banks in deciding who gets access to PPPHow the PPP math breaks down on calculating what you’re eligible forTips on selecting a financial institution to apply throughWhat 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 dateWhat to do if you started your speaking business on Jan 1, 2020Will 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 itFor 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 applicationDo you have to payback the stimulus?Will the bank look at your credit score?Are you taxed on unemployment?Taking a tip from Frozen IIAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESThe Prestige JournalCoronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources from the SBAVideo discussing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) walkthroughSmall Business Association (SBA) resources for EIDL and PPPGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 eventsWhere do new event scheduling start coming fromHow does the market react and build on the other side of this crisisUsing new technology and trying new thingsTaking advantage of the opportunity to serve past clientsFinding joy in the gift of time to refocus priorities and spend time with familyLeaning into new revenue streams and discovering new ways to distribute valueNavigating schedule conflicts for Fall events with postponed Spring eventsCreating custom programming for events now instead of reschedulingHelping clients address the needs and fears of their customersShowing up in the moment and modeling generosityMaintaining the integrity of your speaking business long-termWhat speakers have in common with 5-star Michelin chefsBuilding a speaking business so that you’re not living month-to-monthHow speakers are actually running two different businesses simultaneouslyDiscovering gifts and opportunity amidst the crisisWhat you have permission to do now that you didn’t beforeInventing a new business model the creates recurring incomeThe Cupcake analogyRedefining what success looks like now and thinking about your business in a different wayWhy you need “resume points” on the other side of this crisisAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESPhil's websitePhil on InstagramGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterThe Speaker Lab Elite coaching callGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifyRead show transcripts hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterThe Speaker Lab Elite coaching callGot questions? Send them in hereEmail me!Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review Read show transcripts hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 eventsExpediting projects to fill the gap created by live eventsAmplifying communication frequency while decreasing quantitySuper long, rambling emails can have a negative impact on your brandThe difference between seizing an opportunity to serve and being opportunisticSending out short sound bits of value to your audience is powerfulAsk your email list what they need to identify themesCreate 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 futureThe business crisis trendWhat can you do to keep the lights on1-Step Back Technique to discover new opportunitiesAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESMike’s booksMike on TwitterMike on InstagramGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 TexasWhy worry won’t do you a bit of goodPrioritizing daily communication with your audienceMarketing with empathy and not appearing tone-deafCreating leverage in your business to create a “stage” in different waysTeach a masterclass on your area of expertiseProvide mentoring to a few clients to coach through a specific processCreate the infrastructure for a membership program (>1000 email list subscribers)Do not stop your marketingUsing the tools you have to deliver value to your audienceAsking the question: How can I serve your people from a distance?Don’t wait for fancy tools to create value for your audienceVirtual keynoting and reimagined virtual conference for 50,000 peopleSuit up and show up every dayMake the most of the opportunities you haveIf you stop your marketing now and disappear, you’ll be forgottenStay in healthy communication with both colleagues and clientsIt’s time to build your email list and stay in connection with themWhy you can’t rely on social media and paid advertising aloneHow to go get some paid contractsLearn something new while you’re stuck at homeStay away from the fridge and stay in your speaker clothesPractice your material and test new stuff on Facebook LiveTake 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 expectationsDon’t be ashamed to get help. This crisis is not your fault.Small businesses are what keep the country going.And moreEPISODE RESOURCESCarrie on TwitterCarrie on InstagramCarrie’s blogGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 eventsFinding value in what you’re already doing and converting it to an offerRepurposing the challenge of working from home to create new valueDiscovering new opportunities to diversify your speaking platformAdd value while recognizing your clients pay you for the solutions you bringPrioritizing service doesn’t have to sacrifice revenueStrategies for stopping the bleeding in your businessThrow out the rule book in the short-termHow to price virtual speaking gigs versus live eventsAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESJon Gordon's web siteStay Positive, by Jon GordonJon Gordon's other booksJon Gordon on TwitterJon Gordon on InstagramGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySubscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or reviewSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 yearAn insider view of how events approach the decision to cancel or postponeThe likelihood of rescheduling and postponing events that are further out than 1-2 monthsAdapting to fast-changing circumstances in the midst of unprecedented timesPlacing a high value on safetyAdjusting accordingly to accommodate travel bandsDetermining which events are able to be converted to virtual experiencesJust because your physical gathering is canceled or postponed doesn’t mean you can’t deliver value in the digital spaceOrganizations being pushed to create a more interactive experience whether it’s in-person or virtualHow 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 optionsFinding opportunity amidst the stormSpeakers who serve in times of crisis will stand out when normalcy returnsExploring alternative options to speaking on stage when events get canceled or movedFocus on creating value here in the now and pausing on selling future bookingsPrioritizing relationships is the most strategic things speakers can doPartner with event planners now to help them amidst the chaosHow current social distancing will swing back and create a visceral need for in-person eventsThe aftermath of the current crisis will lead to new virtual opportunities that expand speaker revenue streamsAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESThe Successful Speaker, by Grant BaldwinGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 timesIntentionally focusing on positive attitudeLeveraging technology to reach our audiences and deliver valueWhy now is the time to hustleMarket trends when it comes to events canceling vs postponingSpeakers are communicators who solve problemsHow to suggest virtual options to existing clientsPull in experts in your network to deliver additional valueThe problem you were hired to solve still existsExploring new ways to solve the same problemSpeakers don’t have to speak on stage to deliver valueSimple tips to improve the quality of your virtual presenceScalable tools for video streaming and conferencingDon’t get distracted by shiny, new tools. Pick one that works for you and move forward.The importance of backup technologySocial distancing doesn’t cancel our need for social connectionRolling up our sleeves to work harder and smarterAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESTerry Brock on TwitterTerry Brock’s BlogGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 timesFinding comfort in shared experiencesAdapting in the midst of unforeseen circumstancesNavigating the process of postponing/rescheduling 400+ eventsThe challenge of responding with grace versus reacting in fearOperating from a place of fear in the short-term creates long-term lossesFocusing on relationships and maintaining bridgesAdjusting presentation to fit virtual deliveryFollowing wise financial practices to prepare for times of crisisDiversify your business with other offers besides speaking on stageBe cautious before you pivot your entire platformReaching out to clients to see where their pain points are and how you can serve their audience with content in the interimAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESPremiere Speakers BureauGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 downsAdjusting to unexpected free timePlenty of events that are rescheduling and postponing instead of cancelingHow long will it take to get back to normalLooking back to history for a sense of hopeTaking steps to prepare your finances for difficult timesMaking a list of what you can controlNot wasting your time worrying about whatever is outside your controlTaking advantage of the downtime to catch up on projects you avoidedSpending time with loved ones and using technology to stay connectedHow to ethically market your speaking business in times of crisisThe hidden benefits of working with a speaking agencyHow 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 thingsAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESKyle on TwitterKyle on InstagramGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 recessionRelocating to the United States and starting speaking business over from scratchHow uncertainty creates a unique challengeKeeping your head in the right spaceA service vs a sales mindsetDefaulting to positivity and generosityThe difference between making money during a crisis and making money from a crisis (shout out to Sean McCabe)Unique challenges faced by different industriesManaging a long lead time before your next live speaking gigThe domino effect of events getting postponedFinancial practices that speakers should emulateThe reality of what events are actually getting canceled vs rescheduledHow speakers can look at their available speaking dates as inventory“Be kind or be quiet."Avoided short-sighted decisionsDon’t sell something you’re not qualified to teachPlaying the long-game with intentional attentionThe 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 moreEPISODE RESOURCESNeen James on TwitterAttention Pays, by Neen JamesThe Thought Leaders Practice, by Matt ChurchPreet Banerjee finance videosGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 RESOURCESDavid Newman's web siteDo It! Speaking by David NewmanCompanion tools and downloads for Do It! SpeakingDavid Newman on TwitterThe Successful Speaker, by Grant BaldwinGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifyRead show transcripts hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 performersIdentifying audience categories and how to serve themAssuming a position of generosity as a strategic investmentPutting relationships firstAccepting the new normal of virtual eventsThe opportunity to redefine webinar experiences and improve the qualityHow do you have conversations with event planners to explore virtual optionsYour audience still has the same needs now that they had before a crisisHow to help clients deliver value to their audiences through virtualRole-playing a client call with someone interested in learning about virtual event optionsProduction value is under-estimated for virtual presentersThe indispensable value of being so good they can’t ignore youHow to stand out from the crowdHidden innovations to uncover in the midst of trialsFostering audience engagement through interactive technologyThe only 2 things you can controlAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESVinhGiang.com/virtualSo Good They Can’t Ignore You, by Cal NewportGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 businessStarting a podcast to supplement your speaking and increase your audienceHow to use virtual options to replace in-person meetingsReinventing digital meeting experience with the distracted attendee in mindThe challenge event planners face in moving or redesigning large-scale eventsTake a beat and remember the groundwork you’ve put in that will last beyond a crisisDon’t sacrifice long-term wins for short-term gainsGetting creative in responding to canceled or postponed eventsThe importance of being transparent (and why it’s different from over-sharing)Alternative options besides being on stage that speakers can do wellHow do you think about pricing for virtual speaking gigs?EPISODE RESOURCESDigital FuturistiSocialFanzGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 mindsetIntentionally limiting your intake of the news and social mediaBalancing negative and positive influencesTaking the opportunity to learn something newImportance of diversifying your booking strategiesAsking bureaus to pay your compensation in advanceHigh demand for meeting space and venues shifting to Fall 2020New opportunities in the marketplaceFocusing on what you can control vs what you can'tAvoiding a scarcity mindset and look for opportunitiesThe difference between speakers who weather the storm vs those who bail outWhat it means to be a #FocusedHustlerProactively check on your clients and ask how you can serveUse extra time to build on the basics of your speaking business (that you might be avoiding otherwise)Explore remote/virtual event optionsEPISODE RESOURCES: The Wealthy Speaker 2.0, by Jane Atkinson The Epic Keynote, by Jane AtkinsonGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.