Shane Sams, a seasoned professional speaker, shares his wild journey through the unpredictable world of public speaking. He recounts hilarious moments, like surprise pets joining him on stage and napping audience members, illustrating the need for quick thinking and humor. Shane also opens up about battling burnout while on the road, emphasizing the importance of personal boundaries. This lively conversation is packed with insights on maintaining composure and the camaraderie among speakers navigating chaos.

Ryan Vet, author of 'Speak Goodr,' shares his inspiring journey into public speaking, starting from high school to a fulfilling career. He highlights the importance of understanding your unique message and embracing your personal style as a speaker. Ryan emphasizes that paid speaking isn't just about keynotes but often involves training and workshops. With funny anecdotes and practical advice, he encourages aspiring speakers to analyze their performances and adapt to audience dynamics while overcoming challenges with humor.

In this engaging discussion, Erick Rheam, an expert in coaching speakers to secure paid gigs, shares his insights on jumpstarting a speaking career in just 90 days. He emphasizes the importance of showing up consistently and offers a practical roadmap involving four pivotal pillars for success. Topics include effective self-assessment, the significance of compelling abstracts, and the value of using CRM systems for organization and consistency. Rheam provides actionable steps that cater to both novice and seasoned speakers aiming for rapid growth.

“You can’t need to be liked if you’re in a leadership position, and I’d say the same if you’re in a speaking position, cause you will say things that people don’t agree with, and that’s okay.”As a speaker, very few things matter more than establishing your credibility and expertise. This week, communication expert Jenni Field joins us to talk about how to build your credibility and become a leader that people will follow. Jenni is a firm believer in the importance of establishing your expertise and building your credibility, and she's here with some practical tips on how to make that happen. Jenni found a void in the industry she knows best and figured out how to fill it. During this episode, she'll detail the expertise, research, and likability needed to make you genuinely needed for gigs. Jenni talks about how audiences can sense you care or not and how to work with your viewers so that your effort can be seen on stage.Jenni has been through hard moments of her own, like in the end of 2022 when her business was failing, and she no longer loved what she was doing. She will share some lessons she learned from the heavy moments, including how she pulled herself out of that rut and pushed herself into a better space mentally and financially. Jenni took the time to know herself and what works for her, and she'll talk about how you can do that for yourself as well.You’ll learn:How to channel your passion effectivelyThe most important steps to build your speaking careerWhat likability means for youWhy finding your purpose is keyHow to grow by trying new thingsAnd so much more!“People won’t ask you to speak unless you’ve got something to say.”Episode Resources:Jenni's WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“When you have an idea, you should capture that idea and put it somewhere, because you’re basically training your brain that ideas are important and I value them.”Finding your own brand of creativity and being unique can feel like a struggle in the beginning stages of your career. This week, Kyle Scheele joins us to share some tips on that topic drawn from his own journey of using his crazy ideas to stand out. Kyle started his career early in life when he landed a t-shirt line through Urban Outfitters across the USA and Canada. Over the course of his speaking career, Kyle has gone viral on TikTok multiple times, spoken to both youth audiences and corporate events, and over time switched paths from primarily speaking in the education space to working with larger corporate events. He believes his approachability, understandable advice, and genuine entertainment have taken him to the next level, and he's here to tell you how to develop those things for yourself.However, at every stage of his career (like most speakers), Kyle has had his doubts about the risks he took. During this episode, Kyle talks about how he overcame those fears by knowing and believing that he had talking points that worked. Trial and error can be difficult to embrace, but it's a key part of learning how to grow as a world-renowned speaker. This is a great episode with a lot of practical lessons for speakers — both new and veteran alike. You’ll learn:How to find where your story intersects with the marketWhy you need to question assumptionsThe importance of honest feedbackWhy you should lean on the content in your speech that worksHow to act on your ideasAnd much, much more!“To be human is to be creative.”Episode Resources:Kyle's WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, shares his journey of embracing uniqueness in branding and marketing. He delves into how the team’s playful approach has revolutionized baseball, making it a fan-centric experience. Discover the significance of empathy and trial-and-error in building a brand. Jesse emphasizes the importance of genuine entertainment and how small risks can lead to immense growth. His vibrant personality shines through as he inspires others to find their own authentic voice in a crowded space.

“One of the easiest ways to demonstrate your value in the sales conversation is to not try to sell yourself, it’s to show them you understand the puzzle they’re trying to solve. If you can show somebody that you understand their puzzle, they'll trust you with a solution."One of the most challenging things that all speakers face — at all stages of their speaking career — is overcoming fear of rejection. If you're a new speaker, you might be surprised that even veteran speakers still struggle with things like confidence and beating imposter syndrome. Constantly having to pitch yourself and establish your value is never easy, no matter how many times you do it. So, how do you overcome all of that and feel confident in who you are, the value you bring, and the fee you charge? This week's guest has some great advice on that. Phil M. Jones is a world-class speaker (and friend of the podcast) who teaches people how to know Exactly What To Say in all areas of life. This week, Phil is breaking down how to build your confidence and master tough conversations without feeling personally rejected or passed over. Phil also talks about why you need to vet potential gigs just as much as they vet you as a potential speaker — after all, speaking is a two-sided business. From start to finish, this episode is a masterclass in learning how to embrace uncertainty and maintain your confidence as you navigate hard conversations and negotiations. No matter where you are in your speaking journey, you're going to want to hear this. You’ll learn:Why you should thoughtfully pick your gigsThe difference between arrogance and convictionHow to overcome self doubtHow to cater your talks to each businessWhat 4 things event planners find the most valuableWhy it's a good thing to lose gigsAnd much, much more!“You have to work like your life depends on the money, and play like you don’t need it.”Episode Resources:Phil's WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“I might not be world class ever, ever, but I’m definitely gonna be way better than I was on my own, and without the reps.”Josh Shipp has had a brilliant career providing knowledge to thousands of people. Today, he joins us to talk about the hard work of making it as a speaker, how to find your strengths, and what you should know at the start of your journey.Josh has frequently worked in the education space with parents, teachers, and students. In fact, he even founded a company dedicated to this training called Youth Speaker University. Josh is here to talk about how to break into this space and why what you do matters on and off stage.Josh also has some great insights to share about drawing inspiration, the great thing about individualism, and learning from your failures. Thoughtfully targeting your niche and your goals is something you have to learn, and Josh is here to walk you through it.You’ll learn:The common denominator of successful speakersWhy endurance & self reflection mattersHow there are negatives and positives with innovationWhat you can learn from criticismHow to identify your main topic to speak aboutAnd so much more!“You can learn a ton from those 3 out of 4 that don’t book you.”Episode Resources: Topyouthspeakers.comJosh's LinkedinGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“That type of belief is what carries you through when everybody else is dropping like flies. When you know for a fact this is what you’re made for, then there’s nothing else you can do.” The journey to professional speaking is not always a simple one, and our guest this week knows this all too well. Ken Hartley spent over 20 years serving as a worship pastor (and also worked as a magician!) on the way to becoming a full-time professional speaker. This week, Ken is here to break down how he found his new career in speaking and made the leap of faith that led to this point. With a background in ministry, music, and magic, Ken was no stranger to the stage. However, making the switch to speaking wasn't an easy one. He found himself struggling with the commitment both financially and personally to take the leap, but was encouraged and supported by many family members. In fact, his mom gave him the money to get the training, and 19 months later, he got a gig paying the same amount as the kind gift he was given.It can be difficult to overcome self-doubt, and fear, but Ken will discuss how he worked through those moments, and learned to trust himself and his talent. Plus, his participation in The Speaker Lab as a student shaped the way he works in the business for the better. Each opportunity or gig has led him to new spin offs, and he is the perfect person to learn why showing up for yourself and committing can help you grow for the better.You’ll learn:The secret to taking risksWhere to find the right resources for youHow to overcome imposter syndromeWhy you should consider The Speaker Lab for trainingHow to build momentum in your businessAnd so much more!“The only way to get good on stage is to be on stage.”Episode Resources:Ken's WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nathan Barry, creator of Kit, a platform empowering creators, talks about leveraging content to grow your speaking business. He emphasizes the power of building an email list, which can lead to more gigs and higher fees. Automation and segmentation are key for engaging your audience effectively. Nathan also shares practical tips on tailoring content, creating impressive demo videos, and the unique benefits of email communication over social media. Dive into how aligning your interests with content creation can amplify your visibility and bookings!