Clint Pulver, a professional speaker, drummer, and storyteller, shares his insights on what sets speakers apart in a competitive industry. He emphasizes the importance of creating memorable, interactive experiences rather than standard keynotes. Clint encourages speakers to embrace their unique traits and integrate elements like drumming and storytelling into their presentations. He discusses the balance of content and entertainment, likening effective speaking to a Broadway performance, ultimately inspiring others to craft their own path in the speaking world.
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insights INSIGHT
Create Unique Speaker Experiences
Creating an experience beyond a keynote helps speakers become a category of one.
This approach makes them unassailable and uniquely valuable to event planners.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Reps Ensure Professionalism
Practice extensively to avoid your performance feeling gimmicky or cheesy.
Develop an insurance policy for your act so event planners trust it will work every time.
question_answer ANECDOTE
First Drumming Speech Experience
Clint's first speaking gig with drums was a $500 workshop for high school students.
He used music leadership principles to engage the audience, sparking his passion for combining drumming and speaking.
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Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield
In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors. The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.
I love it here
I love it here
Tony Watts
“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 the best parts about being a speaker is that you get to decide what your speaking career looks like. Your story is unique—and only you can deliver the kind of value your audience needs. This week, Clint Pulver joins the show to remind us that success on stage is about more than a great keynote. Clint’s become an in-demand speaker by leaning into what makes him truly different—combining research, storytelling, and full-on showmanship to create real experiences for his audiences.
From hauling drum kits in a rental car as a young speaker to now orchestrating jaw-dropping interactive moments, Clint proves that your wild ideas are often your most valuable assets. He encourages speakers to go beyond the standard and design memorable experiences—think Broadway-level performance, not just another lecture. The big lesson? Embrace everything that makes you, you.
Whether it’s drumming, magic, humor, or a signature story, don’t be afraid to bring it to the stage. There’s no single path to a successful speaking career, so create one that fits your strengths and passions. Ready to take the next step? Let Clint’s story encourage you to get creative and build a speaking business on your terms. Your best work—and your audience—are waiting!
You’ll learn:
Moving beyond standard keynote speeches
Creating interactive experiences versus keynote speeches
Establishing a brand around memorable experiences
The four reasons speakers get booked: celebrity, expertise, entertainment, and inspiration
Ensuring showmanship doesn’t overshadow content
Balancing entertainment (40%) with content (60%)
How marketing and positioning affect audience expectations
And much, much more!
“It’s about great storytelling, but it’s about creating that ultimate wow factor at the end where people walk out of there going I have no idea how that happened.”
The Speaker Lab Podcast 