Professional Speaking: Known. Booked. Paid.

How to Use Social Proof to Boost Your Speaking Career (Without Faking It)

If you've ever felt invisible as a speaker, like you're great on stage but not getting the referrals, rebookings, or conversions you deserve, this episode is for you.

We're diving into Cialdini’s principle of social proof and how it applies specifically to public and professional speakers. You’ll learn how to use testimonials, case studies, audience reactions, and endorsements to build real trust and credibility—without hype or manipulation.

I also share a strange little story about the time I almost got off the wrong bus… even though I knew it wasn’t my stop. Why? Because everyone else did. It’s a perfect real-world example of how powerful social proof is, and how it influences our behaviour, even when we know better.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What social proof is and why it matters for speakers
• How to use testimonials and case studies inside your talks to seed future sales
• Why social proof is one of the most effective tools when selling from the stage
• The right (and ethical) way to ask for testimonials and case study permissions
• How to turn LinkedIn referrals and recommendations into your speaking growth engine
• What fake social proof looks like—and how it damages your credibility

Whether you're selling books, coaching, consulting, or just building your speaking brand, social proof can make or break your next opportunity. Let’s make sure it works for you—not against you.

🔔 Subscribe to the show and never miss an episode in this series on Cialdini’s principles of influence, tailored for ethical, high-impact speakers.

📩 Want tools, scripts, and persuasion resources in your inbox? Join the list at www.presentinfluence.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Social Proof

00:32 Understanding Social Proof

00:49 A Personal Anecdote on Social Proof

02:00 Leveraging Testimonials and Case Studies

04:20 The Power of LinkedIn for Social Proof

05:11 Best Practices for Gathering Testimonials

06:03 The Importance of Third-Party Introductions

07:29 Incorporating Social Proof in Presentations

09:44 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

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As speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs, we spend countless hours refining our message and perfecting our delivery—but how often do we invest in the vehicle that delivers it: our health?

In this powerful episode of Present Influence, host John Ball sits down with health and fitness coach Esther Avant to explore the overlooked connection between physical wellness and professional presence. If you've ever struggled with energy, confidence, or consistency, this conversation will show you why your fitness habits may be the missing piece in your performance strategy.

Esther shares nearly two decades of expertise helping busy professionals build sustainable health routines—even when travel, stage work, or jam-packed schedules get in the way.

🎯 Topics covered include:

• Why speakers and coaches must prioritise health (and how it affects first impressions)
• The 3 “Big Rocks” of health: the simplest, most effective habits for better results
• How to reduce friction and decision fatigue through pre-planning
• The mindset shift that makes self-care non-negotiable
• Real talk about sleep, recovery, consistency, and how to build a lifestyle that lasts
• The surprising mental benefits of fitness—including confidence, clarity, and resilience

John also shares his journey of improving his health, the mistakes he made, and the surprising performance benefits he's experienced since getting consistent with exercise, nutrition, and rest.

Whether you're an emerging speaker or a seasoned pro, this episode will challenge you to think differently about your habits—and empower you to upgrade not just your health, but your entire presence and performance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Energy and Health

00:24 Meet Esther Avant: Building Real Energy and Confidence

01:33 The Busy Professional's Health Dilemma

02:34 Creating a Sustainable Healthy Lifestyle

05:07 The Power of Consistency and Self-Belief

12:13 Exercise and Nutrition: The Big Rocks

14:25 Rest and Recovery: Essential for Success

22:38 Planning Ahead: Overcoming Decision Fatigue

24:54 Overcoming Midweek Slumps

25:17 Prepping for Success

26:25 Queued Actions for Smooth Sailing

27:03 Connecting Present and Future Self

28:56 The Importance of Specific Goals

33:14 Behaviour Goals vs. Outcome Goals

33:58 Intermittent Fasting Insights

36:22 Personalising Your Diet

41:21 Tracking Progress Effectively

43:21 Motivation Through Self-Reflection

44:52 Conclusion and Resources

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mentioned in this episode:

New PI mid-roll

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

Mastering Authority: Leveraging Credibility as a Speaker

Summary

In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball explores the principle of authority and how it can impact a speaker's credibility. John delves into Dr. Robert Cialdini's concept of authority and shares personal anecdotes and experiments that highlight its power. He provides actionable insights on how speakers can project authority through appearance, associations, and demonstrated expertise, while also discussing the dark side of authority and its unethical uses. The episode includes tips on building authentic authority and a call to embrace vulnerability for increased relatability. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the content and explore resources to improve their speaking strengths.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Authority

00:45 Understanding Cialdini's Principle of Authority

02:06 The White Coat Experiment

03:32 Personal Anecdote: The Billionaires Club

05:16 Healthy Scepticism and Authority

06:49 Projecting Authority as a Speaker

10:14 The Dark Side of Authority

12:56 Building Ethical Authority

14:15 Conclusion and Next Steps

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mentioned in this episode:

New PI mid-roll

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

Unlock the power of effective communication in meetings and presentations with expert facilitator and author Therese Miclot.

In this episode of Professional Speaking, host John Ball and Therese delve into the vital role of facilitation, likening it to a leavening agent that transforms interactions.

Gain insights into cultivating the right mindset, mastering active listening, and storytelling to drive engagement. Learn strategies for managing disruptions, fostering psychological safety, and forming effective group agreements. Therese also shares her experiences and tips for enhancing your facilitation technique.

Explore Therese's website at The Facilitation Advantage for more leadership resources and join our YouTube community for extra content. Enhance your speaking skills with our Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz at presentinfluence.com. Connect with us via email or LinkedIn and don't forget to leave a 5-star review if you enjoyed this episode.

Mentioned in this episode: Transform your speaking engagements with our exclusive September Case Study group 'Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint'. Learn more at presentinfluence.com/kbpb.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Effective Facilitation

01:18 - Welcoming Therese Miclot

01:49 - Defining Facilitation

04:14 - Common Facilitation Challenges

06:43 - The Importance of Mindset

11:28 - Creating Psychological Safety

18:15 - The Power of Storytelling

23:00 - Adding Color to Your Stories

24:27 - The Importance of Preparation in Storytelling

26:19 - Handling Disruptors in Facilitation

31:38 - Creating Effective Group Agreements

34:02 - Dealing with Resistant Participants

36:19 - The Power of Restating and Peer Feedback

39:30 - Memorable Facilitation Experiences

41:06 - The Facilitation Advantage Book

43:48 - Upcoming Episodes and Series

Keywords: facilitation skills, leadership, meetings, presentations, active listening, storytelling, psychological safety, group agreements, communication strategies

#FacilitationSkills #Leadership #EffectiveMeetings #Storytelling #Communication

Check out Therese's website for more information about leadership facilitation: https://www.thefacilitationadvantage.com/

Join us on YouTube for clips and additional content. Link below.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Effective Facilitation

01:18 Welcoming Therese Miclot

01:49 Defining Facilitation

04:14 Common Facilitation Challenges

06:43 The Importance of Mindset

11:28 Creating Psychological Safety

18:15 The Power of Storytelling

23:00 Adding Color to Your Stories

24:27 The Importance of Preparation in Storytelling

26:19 Handling Disruptors in Facilitation

31:38 Creating Effective Group Agreements

34:02 Dealing with Resistant Participants

36:19 The Power of Restating and Peer Feedback

39:30 Memorable Facilitation Experiences

41:06 The Facilitation Advantage Book

43:48 Upcoming Episodes and Series

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

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Mastering Scarcity: Unlocking Cialdini's Principles for Speakers

This episode dives into the psychology behind the principle of scarcity from Cialdini's persuasion techniques and its impact on audience behavior. The speaker highlights how scarcity can create urgency and increase value perception, sharing personal anecdotes and practical tips for speakers, coaches, and consultants to use this principle ethically. Emphasizing integrity, the episode provides strategies to encourage audience action without compromising trust. Subscribe to follow the series and learn about the next principle, authority.

00:00 Introduction to Persuasion for Speakers

00:11 Overview of Cialdini's Principles

00:45 Deep Dive into Scarcity

04:01 Applying Scarcity Ethically

05:39 Conclusion and Next Steps

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mentioned in this episode:

New PI mid-roll

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

Mastering Influence: Dr. Cialdini's Seven Principles for Speakers (part 1)

Summary

This episode introduces Dr. Robert Cialdini's seven key principles of influence and persuasion, which are crucial for anyone looking to enhance their persuasive abilities, especially as public speakers. The principles covered include scarcity, authority, social proof, liking, reciprocity, consistency, and the added principle of unity. The episode specifically focuses on the principle of scarcity, its application, and how to use it effectively and ethically in public speaking scenarios. The host discusses practical examples and warns against the misuse of these principles, emphasising the importance of integrity in maintaining audience trust.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Influence and Persuasion

01:30 Overview of Dr. Cialdini's Seven Principles

06:14 Deep Dive into Scarcity

09:03 Effective Use of Scarcity in Speaking

09:44 Maintaining Integrity with Scarcity

12:03 Practical Tips for Speakers

14:39 Conclusion and Next Steps

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker and where to focus for growth.

For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Unlocking Confidence Through Vocal Power with Voice Coach Jimmy Cannon

Summary

In this insightful episode of the Present Influence Podcast, John Ball interviews speaking coach and voice expert Jimmy Cannon. The discussion centres around how improving your voice and vocal style can significantly boost your confidence, enhancing your effectiveness as a professional communicator. Jimmy shares his journey from being a jazz singer to becoming a vocal coach specialising in helping people overcome anxiety and vocal blocks. The conversation delves into the importance of breath control, the physiological and psychological aspects of vocal performance, and practical tips for achieving vocal variety and presence. In addition, the episode touches on techniques to project confidence and authenticity through voice, making it an essential listen for anyone looking to improve their public speaking and presentation skills.

#VocalConfidence #PublicSpeaking #VoiceTraining #JimmyCannon #PodcastInterview

Find out more about Jimmy at https://www.jimmycannon.com/ and take his Voice Mastery Quiz

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Voice Confidence

00:31 Meet Voice Coach Jimmy Cannon

02:10 The Importance of Voice in Professional Settings

02:54 Understanding Vocal Challenges

09:27 The Role of Values in Building Confidence

20:25 Breathing Techniques for Better Voice Control

29:38 Mastering Patrick Stewart's Voice

30:14 Voice Resonance and Placement

31:19 Old School Voice Training

33:24 Understanding Vocal Presence

34:02 Exploring Vocal Circles

36:32 Voice and Social Perception

40:41 Voice Exercises for Range and Volume

44:23 The Importance of Vocal Variety

47:38 Jimmy Cannon's Singing Journey

50:05 Conclusion and Future Episodes

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

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The Hidden Cost of Professionalism: Embracing Authenticity as a Professional Speaker

Summary

In this episode of Present Influence, John Ball explores how some concepts of professionalism can hinder the effectiveness of professional speakers. He delves into the importance of authenticity and individuality, explaining how holding back personal stories and characteristics can limit one's impact. Drawing on recent experiences, including a storytelling event and interviews with guests like Judy Carter and Danny Brassell, John shares a personal revelation about embracing his identity and the importance of being unapologetic for who you are. He encourages listeners to step away from commonly accepted professional archetypes and engage more deeply and authentically with their audiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Pitfalls of Professionalism

00:56 Breaking the Mould: Embracing Individuality in Corporate Settings

02:48 Personal Revelations: The Power of Vulnerability

08:07 Owning Your Story: The Importance of Authenticity

18:17 Conclusion: Embrace Your Full Self

Connect with John:

• Find out more about the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint
• Subscribe to the Serious About Speaking newsletter on LinkedIn
• Find me on Insta
• Find me on TikTok
• Find me on Threads

Discover the bottlenecks in your speaking business with the Applause Vs Invoice Quiz

For speaking/podcast enquiries or to connect with me directly, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel

If you know a speaker who would enjoy this show, let them know. Thanks for listening.

Mentioned in this episode:

New PI mid-roll

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

Unlock the Power of Storytelling with Danny Brassell and discover how to engage, connect, and inspire through narrative. In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball welcomes storytelling expert and professional speaker Danny Brassell. Danny shares his insights on storytelling as a vital tool for audience engagement and boosting sales. He delves into his journey from journalism to teaching and eventually becoming a celebrated speaker and coach. Learn how to craft compelling stories, incorporate personal experiences for a deeper connection, and understand the role of persistence and motivation in storytelling.

Danny offers practical advice on developing engaging presentations, creating a powerful call to action, and building rapport with diverse groups. Tune in for actionable strategies to enhance your storytelling and communication skills.

Get Danny's free storytelling guide here: http://freeSTORYguide.com

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to the Episode

01:23 - Meet Danny Brassell: A Journey of Pivots

02:04 - Building a Speaking Career

03:33 - Coaching and Measuring Success

04:43 - The Power of Storytelling

09:57 - Motivation and Persistence

18:09 - Crafting Effective Presentations

20:12 - Using Reminders for Personal Growth

21:13 - The Importance of Clarity in Presentations

21:58 - Connecting with Your Audience

22:17 - The RAP Framework: Relatability, Authority, Purpose

23:33 - Crafting a Memorable Presentation

26:38 - The Power of Positive Storytelling

28:49 - The Art of Storytelling

29:05 - Practical Tips for Storytelling

34:19 - Avoiding Overused Stories

35:22 - Creating Relatable Stories

37:48 - Free Storytelling Blueprint

38:39 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Keywords: storytelling, audience engagement, communication skills, Danny Brassell, speaker coaching, presentation development, narrative techniques, sales strategy, personal connection, speaker strengths.

#Storytelling #AudienceEngagement #CommunicationSkills #DannyBrassell #PublicSpeaking

Get Danny's free storytelling guide here: http://freeSTORYguide.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

01:23 Meet Danny Brassell: A Journey of Pivots

02:04 Building a Speaking Career

03:33 Coaching and Measuring Success

04:43 The Power of Storytelling

09:57 Motivation and Persistence

18:09 Crafting Effective Presentations

20:12 Using Reminders for Personal Growth

21:13 The Importance of Clarity in Presentations

21:58 Connecting with Your Audience

22:17 The RAP Framework: Relatability, Authority, Purpose

23:33 Crafting a Memorable Presentation

26:38 The Power of Positive Storytelling

28:49 The Art of Storytelling

29:05 Practical Tips for Storytelling

34:19 Avoiding Overused Stories

35:22 Creating Relatable Stories

37:48 Free Storytelling Blueprint

38:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker Strengths Finder and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mentioned in this episode:

New PI mid-roll

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

John's storytelling contest entry: "No happy endings"

Summary

This episode offers a unique twist as host John Ball shares a personal and vulnerable story he delivered in a storytelling competition.

John discusses the challenges of storytelling, including balancing humour with emotion and ensuring the story's core message shines through.

The episode concludes with John's triumph in the storytelling competition and an invitation for listeners to engage with future episodes and offer feedback.

You can watch all the stories from that evening here: https://youtu.be/LXVlgEbR0B0?si=CNY8bmxUEa6jCtB9 and please Subscribe to the En Route Storytelling channel whilst you're there

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Content

00:30 Storytelling Competition Announcement

02:05 Personal Story: Coming Out Journey

11:50 Reflecting on Storytelling Techniques

17:30 The Story Behind the Story

21:15 Feeling Rejected and Scared

22:02 Deciding the Story's Purpose

23:36 Journey to Acceptance and Happiness

25:52 Coming Out to My Parents

27:16 Facing Homophobia and Family Support

29:02 Meeting Someone Special

33:48 Confronting the Villain

37:34 Reflecting on the Storytelling Process

39:46 Conclusion and Future Plans

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker Strengths Finder and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn

Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint is back

A new cohort of the Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint will start in January for speakers ready to treat speaking like a business and who just need to know the right things to do, plus the support and accountability to do them and push through the tough bits. Spots are limited to 15 speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want 2027 to be the year you become known, booked & paid what you're worth, go to presentinfluence.com/kbpb to see if it's the right fit for you.

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