Episode #549

How to Find Your Niche and Your Voice

With Jason Raitz

“Client communication just doesn’t cut it anymore. In 2025 we have so many generations working together, we want to rush right to the product, but we have to learn how to use these people first communication skills.”

Jason Raitz is proof that success as a speaker isn’t about overnight wins or waiting for an opportunity to knock—it’s about grit, clarity, and a relentless focus on serving others. Starting from a childhood love of the stage (and a knack for bribing friends with cookies), Jason spent years speaking in churches and schools before finally stepping into the corporate world, but this pivot didn’t come easy.

For years, Jason juggled ministry with speaking gigs, sometimes feeling invisible and fighting off imposter syndrome—especially when the dream career didn’t materialize quickly. The breakthrough came when he stopped trying to speak to everyone and niched down, listening deeply to the needs of his new audience: financial professionals. That decision, plus hours of research and talking with industry leaders, turned Speak with People from an idea into a respected business.

Jason’s message is simple but necessary: real impact happens when you communicate with people, not at them. His journey is a masterclass in perseverance—reminding us it’s not about being the loudest voice in the room, but being the one willing to listen, adapt, and keep going even when it’s tough.

You’ll learn:

  • Running a business with a nonprofit mindset
  • Niching down and focusing on a specific market
  • Differentiating companies from personal brands
  • Difficulties in breaking into the church speaking circuit
  • How financial necessity is a driving factor in career decisions
  • The challenges of adapting messages and delivery
  • The importance of being a health communicator
  • Adapting content creation and sales approaches
  • And much, much more!

“I want to teach people how to be a healthy communicator, to be able to speak from a place of health on the inside. Because if your inner world is chaos, what comes out of your mouth is not going to be great.”

Want to know exactly how to find and book more paid speaking gigs?

Download our 18-page guide to the 6 proven steps you can use to book more paid speaking gigs in 2024!

About Jason Raitz

Jason Raitz is on a mission to help professionals and leaders speak with people, not at them. As President of Speak with People, he equips leaders with communication skills that build trust, foster loyalty, and drive growth. Since 1996, Jason has spoken at over 600 events, reaching more than 200,000 people. He also hosts the Speak with People Podcast, inspiring professionals to refine their communication and deepen relationships. A preferred speaker with Athene, Jason has worked with organizations like Truist Wealth, PNC, and Regions Bank. Learn more at Speak with People or on his YouTube channel.

Episode Resources

Share This Episode 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email
Reddit

Explore Recent Episodes

#552: The Four Reasons Speakers Get Booked with Clint Pulver
“The goal is to become reassuringly expensive to some extent because what you’re able to charge as a speaker is directly correlated to the insurance policy that you can provide for that event.” One of...
#551: Building a Speaking Career That Works for You with Brittany Hodak
“What does it feel like to be a customer of your business? How are you treating your customers? How are you making them want to not just come back, but tell their friends?” Brittany Hodak’s story reminds...
#550: Turning Adversity Into Impact with Tiran Jackson
“One thing that will make you better suited towards being able to deal with that is if you have a resilient mindset to know that whatever you’re going through, what is the lesson I’m going to get out of...