In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni reveal exactly what makes an outstanding speaker showreel — and what mistakes stop speakers from getting booked.

Maria, drawing on her years running one of Europe's leading speaker bureaus, explains why a showreel is your movie trailer — and how to hook bookers in the first 30 seconds. She shares her recipe for a perfect reel, complete with examples of her three favourite videos from top professional speakers. James adds insider tips from producing his own showreels, including scripting, storyboarding, and using AI for engagement testing.

Together, they cover how to create a showreel when you have little or no footage, how often to update your video, what length performs best, and how to balance style, substance, and storytelling.

If you're a professional speaker or aspiring keynoter who wants to stand out in a crowded market, this episode will show you how to create a showreel that truly sells.

Key Takeaways

• Think "movie trailer," not "documentary" – Hook the viewer emotionally and visually in the first 30 seconds.

• Speak fast, show yourself early – Bookers want to see and hear you immediately, not a montage of others talking about you.

• Sell the outcomes – Lead with the value and results your keynote delivers.

• No talking-head testimonials – Keep the focus on you, your ideas, and the audience reaction.

• Show what you want to sell – If you want big stages, include big-stage shots; if workshops, show intimacy and interaction.

• No footage? Fake it smartly – Film a staged talk, record to camera, or hire a local venue and bring friends as your audience.

• Keep it short – Two to five minutes is ideal; if it's longer, it must be exceptional.

• Refresh every three years – Styles, tech, and your personal brand evolve quickly.

• Differentiate through tone – Match your video style to your target market — C-suite vs. consumer audiences.

• Always test and iterate – Storyboards, feedback loops, and even AI tools help refine your reel before launch.

Memorable Quotes

• "A showreel is your movie trailer — make me excited to see the full movie." – Maria Franzoni

• "Focus on the outcomes first — what the client gets, not what you say." – Maria Franzoni

• "Your showreel sells the sizzle, not the steak." – James Taylor

• "You don't need a huge audience — you need great energy and clear messaging." – Maria Franzoni

• "Style your reel for the buyer: TikTok for agencies, Economist-style for the C-suite." – James Taylor

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00 – 03:30 Catch-up and last-minute client bookings

• 03:36 Today's topic — Speaker Showreels

• 04:10 Maria's philosophy: why a reel is like a movie trailer

• 05:25 Do you need audience shots? When and why they matter

• 06:56 What to do if you don't yet have speaking footage

• 08:08 Creative solutions for new speakers — DIY and staged filming

• 10:38 Examples of speakers who built strong first reels

• 11:14 Showreel vs full speech vs "How I Work" video

• 13:01 Using bureau studios and "how I work" clips

• 13:40 Maria's top 3 showreels (Andrew Davis, James Kerr, Kay Korsh)

• 15:01 – 17:11 Breakdown of each and what makes them effective

• 18:09 – 18:35 DIY filming, 4K phones & editing on a budget

• 20:23 How long should your showreel be?

• 22:26 Why decision-makers rely on reels — and how fast they judge

• 23:12 How often to update and refresh your footage

• 24:43 The power of location-specific photos and clips

• 25:43 – 27:25 Invitation to submit your showreel for feedback

• 27:25 – 28:12 Maria's downloadable Showreel Checklist and wrap-up

Resources & Links

• 🎬 Maria Franzoni's Showreel Checklist: mariafranzoni.me/resources

• 📧 Submit your showreel for feedback: [email protected]