The Speaker Lab Podcast

Brittany Richmond-Roberts, a teen mental health speaker, shares her transformative journey from counseling to captivating youth audiences. She emphasizes the power of personal storytelling and the growing acceptance of mental health topics in schools. Brittany reveals how she leverages social media to connect with decision-makers and build relationships. Plus, she discusses using AI, like ChatGPT, to streamline her speaking business. Ultimately, she inspires listeners to value the journey of building a speaking career, focusing on authenticity and growth.

Brandon Edmonson, Sales Director for Premier Speakers Bureau, shares his wealth of knowledge on booking speaking gigs. He emphasizes the need for speed in responding to inquiries to secure opportunities. Brandon talks about asking strategic questions to unlock client needs and expectations. He highlights the importance of building strong relationships with event planners and adding value in interactions. Additionally, he covers the nuances of setting consistent speaker fees and managing travel expenses effectively, all crucial for career growth in public speaking.

In this engaging discussion, Arel Moodie, a talented speaker known for his strategies in finding paid gigs, shares invaluable insights on growing a speaking business. He emphasizes the importance of 'spinoff business' and building a solid reputation. Arel discusses the significance of networking, nurturing relationships, and leveraging tools like Talkadot to enhance audience engagement and feedback. Plus, he shares personal challenges and practical tactics to create lasting opportunities. Perfect for anyone looking to elevate their speaking career!

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.