Episode #518

7 Strategies You Need to Book More Paid Speaking Gigs

With Dan Irvin

“I think often we confuse strategy with activity, and we can get stuck in this kind of flywheel of just like, well, I feel busy, I look busy. I did a lot of things today, but what did I actually accomplish?”

If you really want to build a successful speaking business, you have to follow the right processes — and be consistent in doing the little things well. Everyone wants to book more paid speaking gigs, but what are the simple, practical things that most speakers miss?

Dan Irvin knows a thing or two about building processes to scale your speaking business — in just a few years, he’s gone from a full time corporate job to 60 paid gigs in 2023. This week, he’s sitting down with Grant to share 7 strategies you can use right now in your speaking business to get more gigs.

No matter where you are as a speaker or how many gigs you’ve booked, you’ll get something out of this episode to help you move to the next level.

“Find what can you do each and every day consistently, even if it’s just one tiny little step that you can do every day versus these massive kind of leaps that I think people oftentimes want to create.”

Looking for the highlights?

  • 02:29 How to build long term relationships in the speaking industry
  • 08:35 Why having a strategy is more important than being busy
  • 10:39 How to overcome the challenges of building a speaking business
  • 11:38 Why consistent lead generation and follow up is the key to success
  • 23:33 How to level up your communication with event organizers
  • 27:39 Why your audience (and clients) are craving more from you
  • 32:26 The power of referrals in building a speaking business
  • 36:05 Why you should give yourself grace in the process


6 Proven Steps 2 (Phone Wallpaper) — The Speaker Lab

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About Dan Irvin

Dan Irvin is an experienced leader in sales, operations, and building peak performance teams.  For over a decade, Dan Irvin has brought proven excellence, experience, and commitment to leadership roles within nationally positioned organizations.

Dan earned a Masters degree in Adult Education & Training and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He resides in a north suburb of Dallas, TX with his wife, Catie, and three children.

Most importantly, Dan is a husband, dad, self-care enthusiast, passionate about leadership, devoted friend, and college football fan.

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