
The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking
If you want to have a laugh whilst learning how to increase your confidence and public speaking skills, for personal or business growth, then you have come to the right place. Discover tips, tricks and strategies on how to speak and pitch using humour and performance. Find out how to better connect with people’s pain points in a way that they will want to talk about and share, and get the low down on powering up your mind set. Sarah Archer, is a stand-up comedian, playwright, speaker and business woman. She is also author of ‘Cracking Speech Mate! – How to use humour to make you an amazing speaker’, and ‘Straight to the Top – How to create and deliver a killer elevator pitch’. Communicating with authenticity and power, influencing through copy, spoken word and body language, managing negative thoughts and anxiety, building authority and trust, story-telling and comedy secrets...oh and we’ll also cover focus and time management ‘cause Sarah has a mind like a butterfly! Join her for fun and aha moments.
Latest episodes

Apr 15, 2024 • 13min
[Quick Tip] Why Most Speakers will Never Get Paid to Speak - 288
This quick talk tip will help you avoid the pitfalls that stop most speakers from realising their dream to become a professional, paid speaker. If you have that dream, then listen up. In this show I’m covering: The brutal truth about speaking A story that illustrates two of the biggest obstacles to authors and experts becoming paid speakers Three things you need to do to overcome those obstacles. Why authors and experts struggle to make their talk marketable. Something new and exciting coming up soon Enjoy! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker Resources: Message Monetisation Workshop FREE RESOURCE - The 5 Levels of Pain FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage Take the Snackable Story Challenge https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Apr 5, 2024 • 50min
A Powerful Way to Raise Your Speaking Profile with Elliot Kay - 287
How can you get the edge as a professional speaker? What can you do to make yourself more marketable? Well today on the show, my guest Elliot Kay, will be sharing valuable insights on how to achieve just that through The Speaker Awards. Elliot is co-founder of the speaker awards, a speaking coach, and a professional speaker. About three years ago, he saw a huge gap for speakers, and had a big idea to fill it. That’s when The Speaker Awards were born, and over those three years they have gone from strength to strength. Eliot has gathered the great and the good from the speaking industry and you are going to be getting insights and behind the scenes info that will help you raise your profile, whether you enter the awards or not. We’re going to be talking about the awards, the judges, the categories and the criteria, and tips for applying and winning and having more impact with your speaking in general. So strap in and listen, as this episode will give you so much value to move your speaking career forward. What you’ll discover: Why Elliot created the Speaker Awards. Who should enter the speaker awards. Why you should consider entering. How to decide what category of the awards you should enter. What happens if you qualify for more than one category? How the judges were selected for the awards. Why there are three judges per category. The definition of ‘stage presence’ from two speaking coaches. How to go about making yourself ‘marketable’ even if you are in a highly competitive niche. The speaker ‘assets’ you need to get booked. How important the speaker reel production value is in helping you get paid. Elliot’s tips for speakers who want to enter the speaker awards. The three most important areas to focus on to develop your speaking to an award winning standard. What the speaker summit is and why you should attend. All things Elliot: www.thespeakerawards.com https://thespeakersummit.co/ www.elliotkay.com www.speakerexpress.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-kay/ Books & Resources*: Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch How They Blew It: The CEOs and Entrepreneurs Behind Some of the World's Most Catastrophic Business by Jamie Oliver and Tony Goodwin Resources: The Hookology Workshop - Making Sure Your Talk is Captivating From the Start Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme. Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 2min
Making National Security Meaningful with David Van Bennekum - 286
When I met David Van Bennekum on Linked In and he told me he’d written a self-help book on National Security, I thought ‘That’s a bit unusual, followed by blimey he’s got some guts … that’s a challenging topic’. My curiosity was well and truly piqued though, so I had a look at his LinkedIn profile and saw that he was a former United States Marine Corps Infantry and Logistics Officer. He was a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and he’d retired from active service as a Lieutenant Colonel. Then I saw that besides that, he had a law degree and also a Masters in National Security Law from Georgetown University. He obviously had the knowledge, but as I messaged him back to find out more, I’m not going to lie … based on previous conversations with some ‘experts’, I was fully expecting him to bore the pants off me! But … the opposite happened. When he started sharing about it, he didn’t waffle on about facts and stats, no … he made me laugh and even better, gave me a light bulb moment about something truly important. And that’s when I knew I had to get him on the show, because being able to make something complex, technical and difficult, engaging and relatable to an audience, is a key skill for writers and speakers. If you want to get a different perspective on how to make your subject more entertaining, then sit back and listen ‘cause you’ll love this show. What you’ll discover: Why David decided to write the first self-help book on National Security How he decided on the big idea of the book Why people are sceptical about it and how he addresses that. Why the six degrees of Kevin Bacon game is relevant to National Security David’s definition of National Security and why he thinks it applies universally. What he means by ‘true community’ How he approached making the topic entertaining and relatable, and why this was so critical. Some examples of his approach in action. Where speaking fits into the picture. All things David: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/searching-for-true-community https://www.linkedin.com/in/dvanbennekum/ X: @dvanbennekum Books & Resources*: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Resources: The Hookology Workshop - Making Sure Your Talk is Captivating From the Start Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme. Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Mar 21, 2024 • 22min
License to Thrill… Your Audience - 285
The other day I had a talk planning call with a potential client, and he said: “I just want to get consistent results. Sometimes I start my talk and I can feel the energy shift, and I know I’ve engaged them. But other times, I just can’t get their attention, and I want to understand how to do this consistently every time I speak.” The truth is that grabbing your audience’s attention in the right way, (or ‘hooking’’ them in, as I call it), is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for a successful talk. The first 180 seconds of your talk is perhaps the most crucial, and that’s because in those two to three minutes you are communicating a lot to your audience without even realising it. In this show, I’m going to show you how to make the most of that time, and to avoid the bear traps I so often see speakers falling into at the start of their talk. Enjoy! What you’ll learn: The messages you are communicating to your audience before you even start speaking. The big mistakes a lot of speakers make with the start of their talk. Why you should go for quantity over quality when you are looking for great ideas. The questions you should ask yourself before you ‘settle’ for a talk title, open and close. Why you should be provocative and what to do after. If you want to be heard stay out of the ‘herd’ The way to make your talk unique. And more!! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker Resources: FREE RESOURCE - The 5 Levels of Pain FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage Take the Snackable Story Challenge https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Episode 103 - How to Discover Your Speaking Persona Episode 268 - Increase Your Speaking Impact by Creating a Push and Pull Talk Newspaper article with the Textile Zombie can be read here Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.

Mar 7, 2024 • 18min
[Quick Tip] Why You Need to Think Like the Victim Not the Hero - 284
Quick tips to build your speaking confidence, skills, impact, business or engaging talk content. These tips originate from issues that come up for students, and questions from my audience. If you want to get your question answered DM me on Instagram or LinkedIN @Saraharcher15. This quick talk tip will help you attract people into your world and build a deeper connection with them, so that you will be able to get them engaged and into action. In this show I’m covering: Why your own journey has created obstacles to reaching your audience The steps you need to take to connect Why you can’t talk to your audience about what you think they need. The secret to shifting perspectives. Why I’m like Mr Myagi Where the most profound messages have come from. Enjoy! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker Resources: FREE RESOURCE - The 5 Levels of Pain FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage Take the Snackable Story Challenge https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. · Subscribe on Apple Podcast

Feb 22, 2024 • 58min
Making Your Brand Uniquely You with Becky Benfield-Humberstone - 283
Not too long ago I heard one of the gurus in my space say that one of the big factors in his success is that when everyone else ‘zigs’, he ‘zags’. You can see ‘zigging’ going on all around you, suddenly everyone wants to be a neurodiversity expert, or an AI expert, because that’s what’s hot, because they are chasing the trend. But what if you don’t do that? What if you go your own way, and stay true to who you are and who you want to help? That is the path that Becky Benfield-Humberstone has chosen right from the get go. A born entrepreneur, Becky left school at 16 to start her own super niched business, Utterly Horses, which became the largest model horse stockist (yes, it’s a thing) in Europe, with a product range of over 2,500 items that retailed to a customer base of over 50,000 people and corporate clients. After successfully exiting that business in 2018, Becky wanted a new challenge. That’s when she created Brand Artisan, and in that business she has been helping business owners bring their visions to life, stand out, and exponentially grow their businesses. She is joining me here to talk about all things branding, storytelling and marketing, and I know you are going to pick up some golden nuggets from her. What you’ll discover: How Becky started an international business at 16. The problem Becky solves today. The difference between brand strategy and marketing strategy. Why keynote speakers need a brand. The big branding you might be making in business. Where stories fit into the work Becky does. Why Becky bucks the trend and only works with one client at a time. Where speaking fits in. Why Becky created the Founders project and how you can get involved. All things Becky: www.thebrandartisan.co.uk www.postcardsfromafounder.com @beckybenfieldhumberstone @postcardsfromafounder Books & Resources*: The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme. Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Jan 30, 2024 • 23min
[Quick Tip] How to Show Authority Without Shoving it in People’s Faces 282
Itunes Summary (45 Words): Quick tips to build your speaking confidence, skills, impact, business or engaging talk content. These tips originate from issues that come up for students, and questions from my audience. If you want to get your question answered DM me on Instagram or LinkedIN @Saraharcher15. SHOW NOTES If people believe that you can deliver what they want and need, they will book you to speak, or buy your products or services. But in showing them that you can deliver there's a fine line between confident and cocky, and if you cross that line, it can push people away… and you don’t want that. So … how do you show authority without shoving it in people’s faces? Well that’s what I’m going to talk about today. Here’s what this show will cover: A definition of authority in this context The five ingredients for building authority authentically Why you need to convince yourself first and how to do it The next level of self-awareness that has made all the difference to me Why ‘it has to be ‘you’ - 100% of the time The real way to show you’re an expert Tips for breaking down barriers Enjoy! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker Resources: Human Design Chart Increase Your Speaking Impact by Creating a ‘Push and Pull’ Talk FREE RESOURCE - The 5 Levels of Pain FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage Take the Snackable Story Challenge https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on Apple Podcast or wherever you're listening

Jan 18, 2024 • 57min
Karmic Selling - How to Win Big and Feel Good with Stan Gwizdak - 281
Most of us have experienced sales ‘tactics’, and likely we’ve either recoiled against them and scarpered (physically or digitally), or have gone ahead with our needed purchase, even though a little bit of shine has worn off the relationship with the person that used them on us. Our experiences have made us sceptical of anyone with something to sell, and allergic to feeling ‘salesy’ ourselves. But whether we like it or not, we’re all in the business of selling something to someone, whether that’s ourselves as a speaker, our book to a reader, or our products and services to clients and customers. So … I guess that means you have to ‘suck it up’ and jump on the soft and hard sell bandwagon if you want to succeed. Well no … you don’t. That’s because there is another way that will likely yield you more reward in sales and personal satisfaction than anything you’ve come across before. And that new approach is called Karmic Selling created by my guest Stan Gwizdak. Stan Gwizdak is CEO of The Kormac Group, a results-driven management consulting firm that embodies his clean heart and commitment to serving others. As a chief executive and Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Stan has spent more than 30 years leading business transformations at General Electric, BAE Systems, Honeywell, Textron, Aurora Capital, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, and more. Stan is here today to talk about Karmic Selling and the successes and failures that helped him design his system and grow his company. Whether you’re a speaker, sales executive, entrepreneur, you’ll discover why when you do good, even more good will come your way. What you’ll discover: Why Stan believes that the traditional approach to sales needs to change. What made Stan leave a company just before he was due to take the top job. How he approached getting clients for his company without having a sales background. How he took a one man band to a business competing with the big consultancies. The problem that Karmic Selling solves for individuals and companies. The three biggest mistakes people and companies are making around this problem at the moment. The key ingredients of the Karmic Selling System and how it counters those mistakes. The first few steps you should take if you want to get started using the karmic Selling philosophy and system. How Stan is using speaking in business and to promote his book. All things Stan: www.karmicselling.com www.kormacgroup.com Books & Resources*: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme. Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Jan 5, 2024 • 1h 10min
Protecting Your Ass-ets with Heather Pearce-Campbell - 280
SUMMARY: Getting a clear understanding of how to properly protect the IP and assets you’ve created as a speaker can be a struggle. But doing nothing could leave you and your business at risk. Worry no more, that’s where my guest Heather Pearce-Campbell comes in. SHOW NOTES: Let’s face it, trying to navigate how to protect the IP you’ve created in talks, books and courses, can make you feel like Frodo trying to get the ring safely to Mordor … confused, scared and worried about people stealing your precious stuff. The truth is that the legal profession hasn’t really moved as fast as today’s entrepreneurs have needed it too… and that has left most of us using hope as a strategy when it comes to looking after our assets. But, I’ve got you … actually more to the point Heather Pearce-Campbell has got you! She is a dedicated attorney and legal coach for world-changing entrepreneurs, as well as the founder of Pearce Law PLLC. She is also the creator of The Legal Website Warrior®, an online business that provides legal education and support to information entrepreneurs (coaches, consultants, online educators, speakers & authors) around the U.S. and the world. Heather has some huge names as clients including Lewis Howes (School of Greatness), Ryder Carroll (The Bullet Journal), and Kyle Cease (NYT Bestselling author & comedian), to name but a few. On top of all of that she is also the host of the Guts, Grit & Great Business™ podcast, a speaker and a busy Mum! She’s joining me on the speaking club to give you some clarity and confidence when it comes to setting the right legal foundations for your business and planning for success. What you’ll discover: How Heather’s career might have taken a different trajectory if her Dad had paid for college. Why so many entrepreneurs feel scared and intimidated about the legal side of business. The biggest legal risks that online entrepreneurs face. Why entrepreneurs are so underserved from a legal perspective. What speakers specifically need to be mindful of to protect themselves legally. The difference between a registered trademark, IP and copyright. At what point you should be taking steps to protect what you create. A simple framework you can follow to protect yourself and your business legally.. The most important thing you need to do today to get started. All things Heather: www.legalwebsitewarrior.com www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherPearceCampbell www.facebook.com/HeatherPearceCampbell www.twitter.com/_HeatherPearce www.instagram.com/thelegalwebsitewarrior https://www.youtube.com/@HeatherPCampbell Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guts-grit-great-business/id151681505 Books: The Middle Passage By Dr James Hollis Swamp Lands of the Soul By Dr James Hollis Speaking Resources: Turn Your Book into a Profitable Talk ... in just 6 steps Workshop Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme. Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe wherever you're listening. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Dec 28, 2023 • 16min
The Person You Should be Role Modelling for Success in 2024 - 279
As we leave 2023 behind and start making our plans for 2024, I’d like to offer you some suggestions for tools and techniques which you might want to add into your planning process. These have worked to help me achieve my goals in the past and have also helped many others to build the future they desire. Some are a little ‘out there’, but I’ve tried them all out myself and I do believe they will give you more purpose, drive and clarity to supercharge this new year. Whether you want to start speaking, get more results with your speaking, or simply want to tell better stories, I hope this coming year delivers everything you want. What you’ll discover: An effective strategy for helping you reach your goals. Who you should be chasing for success. Why choosing you is better for you and your business. The antidote to comparisonitis. A new suggestion to add to your 2024 planning process. Enjoy! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) FREE RESOURCE - The 5 Levels of Pain (If you want to hear Lavanyaa talk about her experience you can do that here) Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker Other Resources: FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Take the Snackable Story Challenge https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts: Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music or Your App