Why The Speaker Lab?
I’ve been a professional in the diving industry for 30 years. As a recreational sport, there is a risk management side and a fun side. To blend that just right requires a unique set of skills.
I came to realize the skills I was teaching with organizations in the industry were basically workplace culture strategies. Which got me thinking… Hmm. I wonder how much value this message could have outside of the university and my diving industry?
So, I started listening to the speaker lab podcast with Grant Baldwin and got the Successful Speaker book. I listened to the podcast for years. I kept hearing Grant speak about his Booked and Paid To Speak Elite program and it really started to resonate with me. I realized that it didn’t matter how many podcasts I was listening to or how much I would read the book, there is still a process to becoming a professional speaker. And for me and my schedule, to become a professional speaker needed to be efficient and effective. That’s where the Elite program came in. I saved the money and went all in February 2021.
What were some of your A-HA’s and takeaways?
I have been speaking for years. I teach at a University and I speak in the diving industry, so I felt pretty good about my speaking skills. However, the craft of speaking – it’s something that I was not expecting would be so solid in this program. The presentations that Grant does within the course, the coaches who bring their unique experiences and tips and techniques, and then the actual students as well are fantastic. There were so many tips and techniques and strategies to better your presentation skills and your actual message. I found that really cool and totally unexpected.
The marketing piece was a big a-ha for me. If you’ve got a message that can offer value to others and help others in some way, shape, or form that’s a wonderful thing. But it doesn’t matter how good your message is if you don’t know how to share it and get it in front of the right people. Things like the website and demo reel, which can be so intimidating, yet in the Booked and Paid To Speak Elite program this is done for you.
The other takeaway was learning how we as speakers connect with the event planners or conference managers and truly understand what they are looking for in their speakers. I was able to reach out to cold leads confidently knowing who I was and what I spoke on effectively and efficiently. I knew what the next question was going to be out of their mouth. I was prepared for it. I didn’t get blindsided by anything. I was able to articulate and close the deal with confidence. This whole piece of understanding the process from their end is absolutely invaluable.
Speaking of leads, I thought the skillset of finding and working your pipeline was remarkable. They walk you through the entire process from start to finish. For me to take my first 25 prospective leads, which was a homework assignment, and land 5 paid speaking gigs right off the bat… and I mean, well-paying speaking gigs, was simply AWESOME!
Today, my new normal as a professional speaker is…
My new normal today is that I confidently add “I am a professional speaker” to what I do. I have The Speaker Lab to thank for that. The coaches really pushed me and encouraged me to craft my message. Owning the fact that I AM a professional speaker has opened a ton of doors for me.
Who would you recommend for The Speaker Lab Booked and Paid To Speak Elite program?
I think anybody that has a message that they want to share with others. Anyone who wants to expand that meaning of their own life or expand that value of their life so that they can make an impact on others…I can’t think of a better way than speaking.
I just can’t encourage people enough about taking that leap. It literally wouldn’t have happened unless I did the Booked and Paid To Speak Elite program. Literally wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t be here now.