WHY TSL?
I first came across Grant on a podcast I was listening to. When I heard him talk a little light bulb went off about how speaking could be a career. Being a high school principal in London for quite some time, this was an interesting concept, I actually didn’t realize it was a thing. At the same time I was asked to do a talk for a company who found me because of my career experience in education. I went on to do that talk 8-10 more times and thought… this is a product!
That’s when I read Grant’s book which helped me understand there is an actual roadmap to building this business. Then I signed up for the Booked and Paid To Speak Elite program so that I could get in front of audiences beyond my contact list.
Today, I speak to corporate senior leaders, HR directors who have decisions to make particularly about recruiting, retaining, and motivating.
WHAT WERE SOME A-HAs and TAKEAWAYS?
From the start The Speaker Lab does an excellent job having the student hone in on the problem they solve. This was a big A-ha for me. You learn how to fine tune what you talk about based on what your audience is struggling with the most. Bit by bit you break down your key points in your talk to ensure you are leading your audience to the solution they desire. It’s brilliant!
One of the strengths of the program is that on the one hand you see the same or similar advice being complemented in different forms. Whether it’s through the podcasts, through what you read, or through the videos in the modules… there is a consistency in messaging which I value.
Additionally, there are times where you are shown how other coaches like Erick, went from A to Z. Although the journey may have been slightly different the steps are consistent. It proves that this journey is not linear and if you implement the framework that Grant has laid out it works!
Another takeaway is I find myself re-visitng the modules as I address different aspects of my growing speaking business. As I am implementing certain aspects I have this resource to go back and double check myself which has been extremely valuable.
WHAT IS YOUR NEW NORMAL AS A SPEAKER?
My new normal is sewing a lot of seeds. This is a relationship building business and so I created a system, that I don’t necessarily recommend for everyone but it works for me, where I reach out to leads get business out of those and then some more business. Then I hit a new set of leads and work my way through those. Once I have made the connections I use the recommended process that the program teaches.
Working my pipeline is definitely my new normal. Speaking more and getting paid to speak is my new normal. Understanding I will get some ‘no’s but I have kept at it in order to be a success as a professional speaker is my new normal.
WHO WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO THE SPEAKER LAB?
I think one of the lessons of the explosion or continuing explosion of social media is that there’s plenty of people with a message to share, but also people really value a synchronous conversation these days. So there’s plenty of people with interesting thoughts and interesting things to say.
What people may not be aware of is there can actually be a side hustle or career that they aren’t aware of. I think if you’ve got an interest in ever being the person at the front who takes the mic, then check it out because you will have your handheld by the coaches. You will have a peer community to engage with and feel supported by. And you will be given a crystal clear roadmap of how you get from A to Z.