The Speaker Lab Podcast

How to pivot to speaking virtually may not have been something you thought of before the pandemic, but our guest today explains why he and a lot of other speakers are embracing it now.

Jon Acuff is an entrepreneur and author. He is also one of the best speakers I've seen live: he takes this craft seriously and it shows. In our conversation on The Speaker Lab today, Jon explains the pivots he's made during the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual speaking and utilizing YouTube to grow his client base. We also explore the long-term implications of virtual speaking going forward.

This is a fun, informative, and engaging talk with Jon Acuff so join us on episode 294 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

• What can be done virtually that can't be done from the stage?
• How do you adjust your pricing for virtual speaking gigs?
• What are value adds to consider in your virtual offerings?
• How can YouTube contribute to growing your client base?
• Has he tweaked his content to reflect current events?
• If you use humor when speaking live can you continue doing so virtually?
• Should you read comments while you're speaking virtually?
• Why it's okay to be an amateur when starting out as a virtual speaker.
• And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Jon Acuff's web site
• Jon Acuff on YouTube
• Jon Acuff on Twitter
• Jon Acuff on Instagram
• Jon Acuff's books
• Teleprompter app
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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Knowing what meeting planners want from a speaker can be the difference between booking some gigs and being a full-time speaker. Our guest today has the inside scoop on this very topic and he's telling us the answers on episode 293 of The Speaker Lab!

Jay Baer is an exceptionally successful speaker who has been in the industry for a long time and has accrued a wealth of knowledge along the way. Today on The Speaker Lab, we talk about Jay's recent research study that surveyed 150 event planners. We dig into what topics planners are looking for, what they want and hows event planners find speakers.

Join us to hear the details on all of those topics and more episode 293 of The Speaker Lab with Jay Baer.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

• Why micro-categories may be your ticket to success.
• Who speaks on more topics: mediocre speakers or great speakers?
• How much customization should you do for your speaking gigs?
• Substance versus showmanship: what balance do you need to strike?
• How can you build momentum when you are just starting out?
• Why bringing something unique to the stage gives you an innate advantage.
• What are the ways to test your material?
• How does Jay think the coronavirus will affect speaking topics going forward?
• And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Jay Baer's web site
• Dress Jay Baer web site
• Jay Baer on Twitter
• Standing Ovation podcast
• Topics Meeting Planners Want For 2020
• What Meeting Planners Want
• Top 9 Ways Meeting Planners Find Speakers
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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Grant Baldwin and Erick Rheam hosted a Facebook Live to talk about one of the biggest challenges professional speakers face: getting consistent speaking gig leads and what to do with them.

During the live stream, Grant and Erick discuss:

• Where many speakers get stuck
• Why you can’t afford to sit back and wait for the phone to ring
• How Erick falls back on principles he learned in the military
• What speakers can do to prepare for times of crisis
• How to handle stressful times without getting stressed out
• The value of creating a system to help you take the next right step
• Identifying the secret sauce behind a sustainable speaking business
• The 5 stages of your speaking gig pipeline
• Where to never discuss your pricing
• Setting up event planners for success and recruiting them to your team
• How to replicate the success of professional speakers
• And more

EPISODE RESOURCES

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

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

How public relations helps speakers may not be something you've considered before, but after today's episode you will know how PR can make a difference in your speaking career.

Chris Winfield joins us to talk about this topic. He teaches PR (public relations) and the art of relationships and connections. We dig into those three areas right out of the gate, and also talk about my skepticism of the value of public relations!

We answer questions like how important is it to build long-term relationships? What are the challenges and potential obstacles if you are an introvert versus an extrovert? Chris also tells us about PR firms, why most are horrible, and a simple exercise you can do right now to move the needle.

This is a fun and informative show so join us for episode 292 of The Speaker Lab with Chris Winfield.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

• Does everyone have Impostor Syndrome?
• What is the law of reciprocity and how does it work?
• Ten minutes in person can replace how much time online?
• Who are the people who make the greatest connections?
• Do you have something to bring to the table, even if you are starting out?
• Are certain forms of media more impactful than others?
• What does it mean to "borrow credibility"?
• How do you know which platforms are ideal for you?
• And so much more!

RESOURCES

• Chris Winfield's web site
• Chris Winfield on Twitter
• Chris Winfield on Instagram
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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

You may see the value of writing, but do you know why writing matters for speakers?

Our guest does and he's here to tell us on the 291st edition of The Speaker Lab! Hugh Culver is a repeat guest who is a successful speaker in his own right, and also works with other speakers and thought leaders on content, blogging, and writing.

Today we'll talk about the process of writing for speakers, how it can actually help you become a better speaker, and a simple framework to help you approach writing new content. We'll even give you insights on how we produce this podcast!

There's a lot to get to so join us and listen in to this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:  

• What happens when you hit on a topic that resonates with your ideal market?
• How can Google analytics help you narrow down your topics?
• What are the five components of your template for writing content?
• How do you follow a framework without boring your audience?
• What's the downside of not using a template or a framework?
• When and when not to edit your content during the writing process.
• What is a common trait among the highest paid speakers?
• How do you know what to outsource and what to do yourself?
• And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Hugh Culver's web site
• BlogWorks web site
• Hugh Culver on Twitter
• Atomic Habits, by James Clear
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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

Today's edition of The Speaker Lab is the final segment of our eight-part series on how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!

If you missed the first seven episodes check them out here: part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, part five here, part six and part seven.

A lot has happened in Bryan's life since our first show and we talk about it today, including some very vulnerable and personal sharing from Bryan himself.

This is a compelling episode you won't want to miss so, please join us for the conclusion of how to find your first paid speaking gig on episode 290 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

• What has helped Bryan process a personal tragedy?
• How you can offer help to someone who is going through a crisis.
• Who do people like working with as a general rule?
• How do you know if you are doing work to get results?
• Why you need to be aware of onstage hours vs offstage hours.
• Is pivoting always a hard thing to do?
• What is Bryan's advice for speakers who are where he was initially?
• Why coaching matters in any profession.
• And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Bryan Allain's web site
• Bryan Allain on Twitter
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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

Welcome to part seven of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain.

Missed the first six episodes? You can listen here to part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, part five here and part six.

Today, you'll hear a two-part conversation: in the first part, we talk right before Bryan talks to a potential client he got a positive response from and in the second part, we recorded an update on how the call went and what his next steps are from there. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro we've got insights and lessons you can learn in this series.

Join us on episode 289 of The Speaker Lab to hear it part seven of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:  

• Why is the goal to get someone on the phone?
• What questions do you ask when you're talking to a warm lead?
• How do you approach gigs with no pay?
• Should you build travel into the fees you quote?
• How to ensure you are exchanging value for value.
• What should you say if you reach someone's voicemail?
• What are potential wins you can look for in a reduced-fee speaking gig?
• How to ask for referrals from new clients.
• And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Bryan Allain's web site
• Bryan Allain on Twitter
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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

Welcome to part six of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!

If you missed the first five episodes with Bryan you can listen to here to part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, and part five here.

On these in-depth talks, we are diving into what it takes to become a speaker: step by step what he needs to do, what he needs to think through on his journey to becoming a speaker. You'll also hear some real-life examples of his inquiries and how he should phrase his follow-ups.

This is a journey we all can learn from so join us to hear every step on episode 288 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:  

• Can you create a demo reel without a lot of bells and whistles?
• What is a "noble obstacle"?
• Why you don't always have to hit a "home run".
• How do you keep your name top of mind with potential clients?
• What should you say if someone isn't looking for a speaker right now?
• When do you stop following up?
• What is Loom and how do you use it in emails to potential clients?
• When should you not ask for an introduction?
• And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Bryan Allain's web site
• Bryan Allain on Twitter
• Loom's web site
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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

Welcome to part five of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!

If you missed the first three episodes with Bryan you can listen to here to part one, part two here, part three here and part four here.

On this fifth episode, you'll hear about Bryan's progress as well as the work he still has to do. You'll also hear about a slight delay he had and what that sidetrack was all about and how he can get back on track.

Get ready to listen in to all of those experiences and more with Bryan Allain on this episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

• How do you approach events that are coming up in the next 3-6 weeks?
• When is it too early to get on an event planner's radar?
• How to evaluate whether or not to speak for free.
• What's the best system to implement your follow-ups?
• Why even making "wrong" decisions is ultimately helpful on your journey.
• Do you need a business card?
• What movie trailers can teach us about demo videos
• What three things matter most when someone is considering hiring you?
• And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Bryan Allain's web site
• Bryan Allain on Twitter
• HubSpot CRM
• Followup.cc
• The Successful Speaker, by Grant Baldwin
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify
• Read show transcripts here

See 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 industry
• Dealing with ambiguity and anxiety
• Long-term ramifications of social distancing
• How some speakers are still getting booked and paid to speak
• Reaching the point of turning down new opportunities
• When to say no if a gig is outside your brand/industry
• Thinking about the balance between virtual and live events in the future
• How do you stay positive and keep moving forward?
• Why proven systems don’t break even if the variables change
• What speakers can do to work with live events to postpone without losing income
• The value of relationships and why you can’t ignore them
• Now is the time coaching really matters
• Are speakers still booking events that are happening in the future? (Spoiler Alert: YES!)
• Pros and cons of virtual events and how to book them
• Why speakers are in the problem-solving business
• How to adapt live event keynote to virtual offers that are still on message
• Being prepared to pivot a lot
• Starting somewhere and being willing to try new things
• The dangers of a scarcity mindset
• Never knowing who’s in the audience
• How many “sleeps” are you gone for live events vs virtual gigs?
• Going from 40 potential gigs in his pipeline to 81 during the pandemic
• Industry insights direct from event planners
• Using this time to position yourself for when the wave of live events comes back
• And more

EPISODE RESOURCES

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

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