Speakernomics

NFL legend and professional speaker Karl Mecklenburg joins Speakernomics to share how he captivates audiences and drives business success from the stage. Discover practical speaking, storytelling, and marketing tips directly from one of the most versatile voices in the industry. How to keep an audience engaged with dynamic storytelling, humor, and unpredictability Structuring your keynote like a flowing river, mixing serious and light moments to avoid predictability Leveraging referrals and client feedback to strengthen your marketing as a speaker Applying the "all pro" mentality—preparation, decisive performance, honest evaluation, and adaptation—to speaking Building a consistent sales approach and the value of ongoing connection with clients and audiences Tune in for real-world advice to energize your speaking business and leave a lasting impression on every audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really mean to be a professional speaker, and how do ethics shape our industry? This episode of Speakernomics gets real about professionalism, integrity, and the standards that set true pros apart. The core values every NSA speaker should know—and actually live by Where to draw the line between self-promotion and stretching the truth How meeting planners judge speaker professionalism behind the scenes Actionable tips from experienced pros on staying authentic and easy to work with Why integrity, adaptability, and collaboration matter now more than ever in the age of AI With special guests: Dr. Mary Kelly, CSP, CPAE, Mike Brian, Bill Cates, CSP, CPAE, Alan Berg, CSP, Laurie Guest, CSP, CPAE, Simon T. Bailey, CSP, CPAE, and Amanda Gore, CSP, CPAE. Tune in to get practical advice on elevating your speaking business and reputation for the long haul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebuilding your speaking business can feel overwhelming, especially when the leads go quiet. In this episode of Speakernomics, Julie Holmes shares practical strategies for jumpstarting your lead generation and making your speaking business thrive. How Julie Holmes rebuilt her speaking business from scratch after setbacks The essential mindset shift for treating your speaking business like a real business Concrete outbound lead generation strategies that go beyond waiting for inbound inquiries Tracking, systems, and the importance of measuring what matters for lead outreach Advice on choosing and actually using CRM and tech tools to support consistent lead generation Watch now to learn how to speak, get paid, and repeat! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to grow your speaking business in the virtual world? In this episode of Speakernomics, Alaina G. Levine breaks down how webinars can deliver recurring revenue and lasting client relationships—even after the pandemic. The difference between virtual presentations and webinars, and why framing matters How Alaina pivoted to create a recurring revenue stream with webinars Strategies for packaging, pricing, and fee integrity in virtual offerings Developing a "curriculum" of topics versus booking one-off gigs Building stronger client partnerships and funneling webinars into in-person opportunities Don’t miss these actionable tips to turn virtual stages into business wins! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock next-level social media strategies for speakers with insights from top experts and booking agents. Discover the practical steps that make your social presence work for your speaking business. How to choose the right social platform and boost consistency without spreading yourself too thin Why social proof and testimonials matter more than self-promotion Content strategies: balancing value, authenticity, and connection with your audience The importance of tailoring posts to decision-makers, bookers, and meeting professionals Actionable tips to maximize social media for bookings, brand-building, and business growth Watch now to learn what truly works (and what to avoid) for speakers on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Speakernomics, host Kenneth Kinney (Shark) chats with Hall of Fame speaker Laurie Guest, CSP, CPAE about elevating your speaking business through exceptional customer service and keynote mastery. Get ready for actionable tips and insider stories that will help you stand out with clients and audiences alike. Here's what you'll learn: How Laurie Guest applies customer service excellence lessons from her corporate background to her speaking business Why speed and responsiveness with clients and meeting planners matters for landing and keeping business The value of bold moves, like asking for the encore and turning satisfied clients into long-term followers A behind-the-scenes look at Laurie’s upcoming “Keynote DNA Hall of Fame Edition” session and its six essential keynote elements Why building relationships off-stage at events like Influence is just as important as what happens on stage Don't miss these strategies to speak, get paid, and repeat! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover what it takes to market yourself as a successful international speaker in the final part of the Speakernomics global speaking series. Join Kenneth Kinney and a panel of expert speakers as they reveal real-world strategies for adapting your message across borders and cultures. How top speakers tailor their marketing (or not) for different countries and cultures The importance of showcasing international experience through your website, language, and social proof Why cultural nuances, communication styles, and relationship-building matter more than ever abroad Ways to prove your credibility and de-risk your value to foreign event planners Practical tips for customizing your content and personal brand to land gigs worldwide Tune in for actionable advice to help you thrive as a truly global speaker! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you are an emerging or experienced speaker, let Simon’s journey inspire you to align your inner spark with external success and to leverage your expertise for meaningful, memorable impact. In this episode of Speakernomics, host Kenneth Kinney (Shark) sits down with renowned CSP and CPAE Hall of Fame keynote speaker Simon T. Bailey to explore what it truly means to amplify your brilliance as a professional speaker. Simon, widely recognized as the world’s leading expert on brilliance, shares personal milestones, strategies for sustainable influence, and the pivotal role research has played in redefining his brand and value proposition in the speaking industry. In this session, Simon will: Illustrate how to differentiate yourself by embracing originality and authenticity rather than mimicking industry icons, ensuring your message resonates beyond the applause. Analyze the impact of integrating proprietary research into your business, elevating conversations with decision-makers, commanding higher fees, and building long-term influence within client organizations. Reflect on common career challenges—such as chasing stages and seeking validation from speaker bureaus—and encourage speakers to focus on service, humility, and the true meaning behind every keynote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Speakernomics, host Kenneth Kinney ("Shark") brings together an international panel of expert speakers—including Sylvie di Giusto, Elias Kanaris, Lovelda Vincenzi, David Lim, Joni Petty, Reiner Pettic, Antoni Lacinai, and Jesus Tobias—to explore what it really takes to succeed as a professional speaker on the global stage. This third part of a four-part international series dives deep into how to effectively target specific countries and adapt to diverse cultural audiences.In this session, speakers will: Demonstrate how to research and analyze new international markets, covering everything from cultural norms and economic priorities to competitive landscape and logistical realities. Illustrate how to build and leverage relationships within local networks and how word-of-mouth and initial engagements can accelerate credibility and access in new regions. Explain how to adapt and modify your content, style, and delivery—adjusting for language, humor, idioms, and cultural expectations—to foster meaningful connections and maximize audience engagement across borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging episode of Speakernomics, host Kenneth Kinney (Shark) welcomes accomplished author and speaker Amanda Gore to delve into the art of creating joyful experiences in the speaking industry.In this session, Amanda will: Demonstrate how to cultivate a joyful experience with your audience, emphasizing that fun and spontaneity are crucial tools for engaging and transforming your audience. Discuss balancing edutainment by integrating profound content with humor and interaction, ensuring that even serious topics are delivered in an engaging and memorable manner. Outline techniques for preparing and rehearsing that stress the importance of internalizing content rather than memorizing a set speech, allowing for genuine interaction and adaptability in response to audience dynamics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices