The Speaker Lab Podcast

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 RESOURCESHouston Kraft's web siteCharacter Strong web siteHouston Kraft on TwitterHouston Kraft 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.

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 RESOURCESChris Field's web siteMercy Project web siteChris Field on TwitterChris Field on InstagramChris Field on FacebookGet 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.

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 RESOURCESJessica Kriegel's web site Unfairly Labeled, by Jessica KriegelJessica Kriegel 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.

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!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 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 RESOURCESJ. Israel Greene's web siteJ. Israel Greene on TwitterGlassdoor 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.

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 RESOURCESRain Bennett's web siteSix Second Stories web siteRain Bennett on TwitterRain Bennett 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.

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 RESOURCESDr. Saundra Dalton-Smith's web siteDr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on TwitterDr. Saundra Dalton-Smith 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.

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 RESOURCESIlana Golan's web siteIlana Golan on TwitterIlana Golan on FacebookIlana Golan on LinkedInGet 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 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 RESOURCESRocky Garza's web siteRocky Garza on InstagramRocky Garza on TwitterRocky Garza on FacebookRocky Garza on LinkedInGet 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.

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 RESOURCESChris Ruden's web siteChris Ruden on InstagramChris Ruden on TwitterChris Ruden on FacebookGet 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 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 RESOURCESJonathan Milligan's web siteYour Message Matters by Jonathan MilliganJonathan Milligan on YouTubeJonathan Milligan 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 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 siteRick Clemons on Twitter Episode 40Episode 56Episode 203Episode 208Episode 241Get 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 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 RESOURCESPremiere Speakers Bureau web siteBrian Lord on TwitterBooked 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 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.