How to use social media to get more bookings. Ryan Foland speaks with Ted Rubin, a leading social marketing strategist. Ted is the most followed CMO on Twitter according to Social Media Marketing magazine; one of the most interesting CMOs on Twitter according to Say Media, as well as being listed in Forbes Top 50 Social Media Power Influencers. He talks about marketing and resiliency. Ryan and Ted talk about a variety of topics in this no-nonsense talk about how to excel as a professional speaker, and how to market yourself and get more bookings. Listen to this podcast to find out: - When and how to raise your speaking fees - How to quickly adapt your content to suit the needs of your ever-changing audience - How to use MC-ing to segue into being booked for more high-level events - What effect your mindset can have on your speaking career - Two expert tips on how to use social media at a conference to get more bookings.

Using podcasts to build your business. Ryan Foland speaks with Lou Diamond, a speaker and author who teaches on how to communicate and build connections. Lou is a dynamic and fascinating speaker who hosts the podcast series “Thrive Loud” In this fast-paced, zesty, and enthralling episode of the World of Speakers, Ryan and Lou talk about how to make an impact both on stage and on-air as a podcast host or guest, and how this can help you spread your message and gain more bookings. Listen to this episode to find out: - Why it is essential to let your charisma shine on stage if you want to make an impact on your audience What makes a great podcast guest, and how to use this to get more bookings - The difference between “takeaways” and “calls to action,” and how to use them in your talks - What a leads funnel is, and how it can help you make more connections with the right people - What are the options when it comes to creating your own podcast series, and some tips on getting started.

TEDx and the search for simplicity. Ryan Foland speaks with Laura Sievert, organizer of the TEDxQuincy conference, and director of the Quincy Arts Council. After watching over 500 pitches, she has learned a thing or two about pitching talks — both good and bad. Ryan and Laura share tips on how to be a great storyteller and speaker. They also focus on what event organizers are looking for when booking a speaker, and how to engage them and their audience. Listen to this podcast to find out: - How to make connections with people, either individually or audience-wide - How having a well-defined and engaging elevator pitch can help you get on more stages - The benefits of having short but information-dense talks for modern audiences - Some top tips for creating visual presentations that help, rather than hinder, your talk - Why you need to show your expertise to organizers if you want to get hired.

-Storytelling and mindset. Ryan Foland speaks with Darren LaCroix, a Toastmasters World Champion, and expert professional speaking coach. Darren has taught hundreds of speakers how to hone their craft and build their businesses through storytelling and practice. Ryan and Darren talk about what it takes to make it as a speaker, and how practice and feedback are the two key elements to become a better speaker. From how to get paid more, to truly connecting with your audience, it all comes down to getting on as many stages as you can and then finding out from your audience what resonated. Listen to this podcast to find out: - Why practicing, meaning getting on stage, is one of the most important things you can do if you want to get into the big leagues. - How your mindset and intentions can make a difference on your audience and career. - What makes some speakers soar to success, and other stay at the bottom. - How to tell a great story in 17 seconds. - The best speaking advice Darren has received in the 25 years he’s been a keynote speaker.

Zooming out to a global mindset. Ryan Foland speaks with Fredrik Haren, a global speaker who has given over 2000 talks in 67 countries, on 6 continents. This talk will leave you dizzy with possibilities and inspired to move up and out of your local speaking circuit. Ryan and Fredrik talk about what you can do as a speaker to take your talk global by changing one important thing: your mindset. Once you stop thinking about where you come from and start seeing your message as essential to the global audience, the way you speak to audiences and event organizers will start changing. Listen to this podcast to find out: - What it takes to be a global speaker - How to have it all: meaning a bursting career alongside a quality family life. - How changing your mindset can have a massive impact on your speaking career - How to speak to international audiences - What free resources are available to you to help you along the way

Your message is your platform. Ryan Foland speaks with Salo… Kenyon Salo (aka. The James Bond of speaking). Kenyon is a high-voltage speaker who takes audience engagement to the next level. His years of experience as one of the Denver Broncos Thunderstorm Skydiving Team gives him a unique perspective on living life to the fullest. Ryan and Kenyon talk about how speakers can set themselves apart from the crowd by looking for opportunities to do things differently and channel their inner confidence to deeply engage their audiences. Listen to this podcast to find out: - Why you need to find out what your key message (or platform) is, and how to change it based on which audience you are speaking to. - How to engage and create content specifically for modern audiences (TOP TIP: Stop using bullet points on your slides.) - Why audience engagement is the number one thing that will set you apart from all the other up-and-coming speakers. - Why you need to start taking action: stop being obsessed with how you are going to do something and jump in - How to effectively use technology on stage.

Using Twitter to make more connections and get hired. Ryan Foland speaks with Samantha Kelly, otherwise known as the Tweeting Goddess. Samantha is a Twitter expert, with over 46k engaged followers, and is founder of the global Women’s Inspire Network. She is a master of social media engagement. Ryan and Samantha talk extensively about how to use Twitter to make connections. As well as being a speaker, Samantha runs two international conferences each year, and in this interview she shares her ideas on what she looks for from her speakers and why social media matters when it comes to hiring the right speakers. Listen to this podcast to find out: - How to start building a social media following by actively joining thriving online communities. - How to get event organizers to notice you (spoiler: it is not by sending in an application). - What the top social media experts, like Brian Fanzo, Ted Rubin, and Mari Smith, do different when it comes to speaking at events. - The effect that using video (either live video or creating short clips) can have on your credibility. - How to help yourself while helping others.

Marketing with meatballs, marinara, and psychographics. Ryan Foland speaks with marketing specialist Susan Izzo. Sue became an expert in marketing from bootstrapping her own sports agency. Today she shares her unique perspective on how to market yourself both to audiences and event organizers. Ryan and Sue explore many aspects of professional speaking, including how to make meaningful connections with your audience and potential clients by figuring out what would appeal to them, then customizing your content or pitch from the get-go. Listen to this podcast to find out: - Why you need to not only understand the demographics but also the whole psychographics of the wants, needs, desires, and frustrations of your clients and audiences. - How to make a perspective change re. audiences, which will help you both relax and offer better talks by releasing the need for perfection. - Why you need to be consistent in your marketing by always using the same voice. - How to silence (or at least soften) your inner critic, and how this can affect your stage presence and speaking business. - How to cultivate relationships with event organizers, which will help you get referrals and be hired again in the future.

The philosophy of speaking and living authentically. Ryan Foland speaks with Michael Levy, a philosopher and poet. We have had experts from all walks of life with all sorts of expertise come on the show, but this philosopher will rattle your worldview and hopefully give you some new perspective on what it means to not only be an authentic speaker, but how to live an authentic life. Normally, when we are writing about the interviews, we like to give you a healthy list of the reasons you should listen to the podcast and a synopsis of what you will learn. But we don’t think that format will work for this interview. We will say that it is an impactful message that has had a positive impact on the team members that have listened to it, and we hope you will tune in and give it a listen.

Finding your essential message. Ryan Foland speaks with Greg McKeown, a thought leader on the concept of essentialism. Essentialism is the idea that there is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so speakers can make the highest possible contribution towards topics that really matter to event organizers and audiences alike. Ryan and Greg discuss why essentialism matters, and how getting too caught up in too many topics can lead to failure. They outline the four steps to finding a topic that is essential, how to create a successful career, and how to avoid some of the major obstacles that can come across your path. Listen to this podcast to find out: - What essentialism is and why it is important - Why a lot of businesses fail because they have a flawed strategy, and a different approach that can help your business be a success. - How finding a topic the audience and organizers want can transform your business - How to decide which topics you need to “throw out” immediately - What are some of the road blocks many speakers face in selling their talk, and how to build a better system that avoids them.