10 Things They Don’t Tell You About Speaking

Introduction Some people think being a speaker is super glamorous. Some think it’s super intimidating. Well, it’s a little bit of both. Like many nontraditional professional fields, speaking is rife with misconceptions (we cover a few of those here). When you’re researching how to start a speaking business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the […]
How to Build an Audience as a Speaker

Introduction Every speaker needs an audience. For your message to have impact, people have to hear it. Preferably, lots of people! But when you’re just getting off the ground, it isn’t obvious how to build an audience as a speaker. How do you know who will want to hear your message? What if nobody comes […]
How to Negotiate Your Speaker Fee

Introduction For many of us, public speaking is an incredibly important skill to hone, both professionally and personally. But all too often speakers don’t recognize the importance of putting boundaries around this skill. That’s why, when it comes to speaking engagements, it’s important to establish guidelines that protect your time, your energy, and your financial […]
How a TEDx Talk can boost your speaking career

Introduction Is giving a TED Talk or a TEDx Talk on your bucket list? If so, it could truly be an amazing stepping stone to building your brand as a speaker and growing your speaking audience. However, there are big differences between a TED Talk and a TEDx Talk. Therefore, it is crucial for you […]
How to Create Impactful Stories as a Speaker

Introduction Have you tried telling stories when you speak? The answer is probably yes, as all the greatest speakers use stories to their advantage. But do you know how to create real impact with those stories? How to tell them so that they come alive, leave your audience thinking, and contribute to the personal brand […]
How to Create Effective Speaking PowerPoint Presentations

Introduction On your path to becoming a speaker, you overcome a lot of hurdles. You find your niche, you market yourself, you land a few local gigs, and then your first big keynote. You’ve finally “made it” in your industry and you’ll be speaking to thousands at a conference. During your last check-in with the […]
What ChatGPT and AI can do for speakers

Introduction If you follow the tech world to any great extent, you’ve probably heard or read about ChatGPT and other AI (artificial intelligence) tools. But what are they exactly, and how are they used? Furthermore, what sort of benefits and challenges to ChatGPT and other AI tools present to speakers? In this article, we’ll attempt […]
Top 10 movies about public speaking

Introduction Presenting in public can be a daunting experience for many. Whether it’s a class presentation, or a keynote speech or even a wedding toast, the mere thought of having to address an audience can be nerve-wracking. Presentation skills are often best practiced in front of others, but what if you are not even ready […]
How to Use Social Media to Market Your Speaking Business

Introduction Social media is a part of everyday life and a powerful business tool. But how can you use social media to market your speaking business? The Speaker Lab podcast hosted acclaimed speaker, author and expert Jon Acuff on episode 167 to address just that. Jon is an experienced public speaker and best-selling author. He […]
9 Steps to Becoming a Keynote Speaker

Introduction If you’re looking to get booked and paid to speak, you may have heard that keynote speakers are among the best-paid and most in-demand professional public speakers. But what are the steps to becoming a keynote speaker? What is a keynote speaker? The keynote speaker is the leading figure at large conferences or events. […]