Episode #561

Live Coaching with Erick Rheam: Turning Conference Connections Into Booked Gigs

With Bridget Quigg and Shannon GaNun

“The act of you and I exchanging contact information raises the standard that there is going to be a follow up…You want to make that connection and set the expectation right then and there.”

Ever left a conference buzzing, only to watch that excitement fizzle when it comes to follow-up? This live coaching session from The Speaker Lab pulls back the curtain on how pros turn event momentum into real speaking business.

Facilitator Erick Rheam teams up with speakers Bridget Quigg and Shannon GaNun for a candid conversation about what works and what doesn’t in post-event follow-up. Bridget shares her frustration when promising leads go silent, and Erick offers simple, practical advice: always exchange contact info in person, set clear expectations for next steps, and don’t rely on LinkedIn or mass attendee lists. Real business starts with real, personal connections.

Shannon’s question on breaking into corporate gigs leads to another golden nugget: you don’t need a hard pitch. Just mention that you’re available for future engagements. Those off-the-cuff invitations can turn warm applause into future bookings.

Above all, this episode is a reminder that success as a speaker lies in small tweaks, human conversations, and showing up consistently. Don’t overcomplicate it, be approachable, follow up promptly, and seize opportunities. Listen in and learn how to make every gig and every follow-up count.

You’ll learn:

  • Using a consistent methodology various length talks
  • Authentic, conversational human interactions on stage
  • Overcoming fear of forgetting points during live presentations
  • Leaning into your professional background and network for focus areas
  • Effective follow-up strategies after events
  • Turning custom items into repeatable assets
  • On-stage call-to-action practices
  • The SPARK framework (Statistic, Picture, Anecdote, Real-life story)
  • The importance of practicing
  • And much, much more!

“I believe everybody was created for a unique purpose. And until we learn how to communicate clearly, concisely and confidently, we’ll never be able to fulfill that purpose.”

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 Bridget Quigg and Shannon GaNun

About Bridget:

Bridget works with groups of all sizes – from Microsoft developer conferences to online events for tweens – to help everyone feel more confident in their creativity, and the creative abilities of others. In her “You’re a Genius” series of workshops, she uses the principles of improvisational theater to increase trust in your own creative abilities, trust between members of teams, improve collaboration and communication, and help everyone have way more fun together. It’s not performance, it’s play with a purpose. Here’s her theory: You’re a creative genius. You are. You wouldn’t be able to make it through a day without your infinite, ever-ready, unique-to-you creativity. It’s inspired. It’s ready to assist you in every moment. Meeting, sales calls, talks with your best friend – they all hold surprises and you have a massive capacity to handle this unknown, more than you know.

 

About Shannon:

Effective communication is crucial in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional, clear, persuasive communication can make all the difference. Shannon empowers business professionals to master the one skill that changes everything: clear, confident communication. With 30+ years of experience leading communication and leadership initiatives—from directing communications for exclusive private clubs to guiding corporate teams—Shannon knows what it takes to cut through the noise, align people around a vision, and move them to action. Today, she delivers keynote speeches, workshops, and training sessions that equip leaders and teams to communicate with impact, build trust, and get results. Her frameworks are practical, her stories are relatable, and her sessions always come with real-world tools you can put to work immediately.

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