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In this highly practical episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni share the essential tools they use every day to run successful, scalable speaking businesses. From payments and scheduling to CRM systems, international banking, SEO, video production, writing, and travel management, this episode delivers a full behind-the-scenes tour of a modern professional speaker's tech stack.

Maria reveals how she automates coaching bookings end-to-end using Stripe, Calendly, Zapier, Xero, and Zoom, plus the browser tools she relies on for productivity, documentation, and client management. James shares the marketing, SEO, video, writing, and travel tools that power his global keynote career including Kajabi, SEMrush, Ecamm Live, Scrivener, eSpeakers, and TripIt Pro.

If you want to save time, increase your efficiency, improve your marketing, streamline your finances, and stay sane on the road, this episode is a must-listen.

• Automate your bookings and payments to remove admin friction using Stripe, Calendly, Zapier, Xero, and Zoom.
  
  

• Choose your ecosystem wisely with an all-in-one platform like Google Workspace or a diversified stack for redundancy.
  
  

• Kajabi is a powerhouse for speakers running courses, memberships, websites, and email marketing in one place.
  
  

• Scribe creates instant SOPs by recording your screen and auto-generating training documentation.
  
  

• Wise saves thousands in international banking fees for globally travelling speakers.
  
  

• eSpeakers simplifies lead tracking, contracts, and inquiry management for professional speakers.
  
  

• TextExpander massively boosts productivity with smart text shortcuts across all devices.
  
  

• Scrivener is ideal for long-form writing including books and keynote research.
  
  

• Pipedrive offers a clean, mobile-friendly CRM with real-time proposal tracking.
  
  

• TripIt Pro is a game-changer for global travel management with live itinerary updates and travel analytics.
  
  

• SEMrush reveals keyword gaps and competitive SEO strategy for authority positioning.
  
  

• Ecamm Live enables professional virtual keynotes and multi-camera live broadcasting.
  
  

• "Stripe, Calendly, Zapier, Xero, and Zoom all talking to each other changed my life." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Why are we paying five different companies when one system can do most of it?" – James Taylor
  
  

• "Scribe builds your SOPs while you work. It's magic." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Wise saved me an absolute fortune in international bank charges." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "If you want to rank number one in your topic, you have to invest in SEO tools." – James Taylor
  
  

• "TextExpander gives you your time back in the smallest, smartest way." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "TripIt Pro is my mission control for global travel." – James Taylor
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and why tools equal ROI
  
  

• 01:27 – Maria's automated booking stack: Stripe, Calendly, Zapier, Xero, Zoom
  
  

• 03:05 – Dropbox vs Google Workspace debate
  
  

• 06:25 – Fathom AI meeting notes and cloud backups
  
  

• 08:44 – Kajabi for courses, memberships, websites, and email
  
  

• 11:35 – Scribe for instant SOP creation
  
  

• 13:12 – Tea etiquette and British cultural detour
  
  

• 14:23 – eSpeakers for speaker CRM, contracts, and inquiries
  
  

• 16:08 – Wise for international payments and currency accounts
  
  

• 18:41 – Ecamm Live for virtual keynotes and livestreaming
  
  

• 20:27 – GoFullPage for capturing entire web pages
  
  

• 21:31 – SEMrush for competitive SEO tracking
  
  

• 23:57 – TextExpander for instant productivity gains
  
  

• 26:31 – Scrivener for book writing and keynote creation
  
  

• 28:40 – Pipedrive CRM with email, LinkedIn, and pipeline tracking
  
  

• 31:18 – TripIt Pro for global travel stats and itineraries
  
  

• 34:00 – Wrap-up and future episode on physical gear
  
  

👉 Explore more episodes: https://speakersu.com
👉 Suggest a topic or ask a question: hello@speakersu.com

In this forward-looking episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni unpack the key trends shaping the global speaking industry as we head into 2026 and beyond.

Maria shares insights from her presentation at the Speaker Summit & Awards on the Future of the Speaking Industry, while James brings field reports from 25 countries — including Saudi Arabia, Dubai, the Philippines, and New Zealand — revealing what's really happening in global event markets.

Together they discuss where speaking opportunities are growing, which regions are slowing down, the rise of hybrid events, the impact of AI and generative search, and why bookers are demanding greater ROI and customisation from every speaker they hire.

Whether you're an emerging or established speaker, this episode will help you stay ahead of market shifts, adapt your marketing, and future-proof your speaking business.

• ROI is everything – Bookers expect measurable value and tangible takeaways from every speaker.
  
  

• Stack your value – Offer panels, Q&As, and workshops to increase ROI and referrals.
  
  

• Hybrid events aren't going away – Learn to master both live and virtual audiences.
  
  

• Recording is now standard – Expect to be filmed; be clear on how your footage is used.
  
  

• Customisation is essential – Tailoring your keynote builds trust and repeat bookings.
  
  

• AI tools are reshaping marketing – From James's Taylor-Made AI tool to generative SEO (GEO/AEO), speakers must adapt fast.
  
  

• Bookers are getting younger – They're digital natives searching on social media and ChatGPT.
  
  

• Video expectations are changing – Bookers want full-length clips, not just highlight reels.
  
  

• Industry recovery is uneven – It's a K-shaped comeback: top speakers thrive, many others struggle.
  
  

• Global trends – Middle East (Riyadh-focused), Southeast Asia, and Turkey are hot; Europe and the US are mixed; India is poised to boom.
  
  

• "It's not enough to show up and speak — you have to show clear ROI for the booker and the audience." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Stack your value. Go beyond the keynote — moderate, run a panel, do a workshop." – James Taylor
  
  

• "If you're saying no to being recorded, you might not get chosen." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "We're moving from SEO to GEO — from search engine optimisation to generative engine optimisation." – James Taylor
  
  

• "You don't need to be on every social platform, but you do need to be where your next generation of bookers are." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Be passionate about your topic. Audiences forgive nerves but never indifference." – James Taylor
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome, party season, and comedy talk
  
  

• 02:52 – Introducing today's theme: Speaking Industry Trends
  
  

• 03:20 – What bookers want in 2026: ROI and added value
  
  

• 06:01 – How James stacks value with workshops and panels
  
  

• 07:59 – Hybrid events: why they're here to stay
  
  

• 10:09 – The rise of recording and licensing considerations
  
  

• 12:26 – Customisation and tailoring expectations
  
  

• 14:53 – Using AI for keynote research and relevance
  
  

• 16:41 – James's new "Taylor-Made AI" keynote customisation tool
  
  

• 17:59 – From SEO to GEO: adapting to generative search
  
  

• 18:59 – Younger bookers and digital-native expectations
  
  

• 21:04 – How bureaus help new planners avoid mistakes
  
  

• 23:12 – The K-shaped recovery in the speaking market
  
  

• 25:41 – Why innovation speakers are struggling and AI speakers are thriving
  
  

• 26:52 – Showreels and video trends: longer, more authentic footage
  
  

• 28:06 – Why TED-style talks are losing impact
  
  

• 29:58 – Digital twins and AI-driven content for speakers
  
  

• 32:38 – Global hotspots: Middle East focus shifting to Riyadh
  
  

• 36:10 – Asia and India's fast-growing opportunities
  
  

• 39:20 – Europe's uneven landscape and UK fee pressures
  
  

• 42:14 – The US outlook, shifting city destinations, and Latin America's rise
  
  

• 44:28 – Wrap-up and call for listener suggestions
  
  

 Resources & Links

• 💡 Explore more episodes at SpeakersU.com
  
  

• 📧 Share your questions or topic ideas: hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni reveal exactly what makes an outstanding speaker showreel — and what mistakes stop speakers from getting booked.

Maria, drawing on her years running one of Europe's leading speaker bureaus, explains why a showreel is your movie trailer — and how to hook bookers in the first 30 seconds. She shares her recipe for a perfect reel, complete with examples of her three favourite videos from top professional speakers. James adds insider tips from producing his own showreels, including scripting, storyboarding, and using AI for engagement testing.

Together, they cover how to create a showreel when you have little or no footage, how often to update your video, what length performs best, and how to balance style, substance, and storytelling.

If you're a professional speaker or aspiring keynoter who wants to stand out in a crowded market, this episode will show you how to create a showreel that truly sells.

• Think "movie trailer," not "documentary" – Hook the viewer emotionally and visually in the first 30 seconds.
  
  

• Speak fast, show yourself early – Bookers want to see and hear you immediately, not a montage of others talking about you.
  
  

• Sell the outcomes – Lead with the value and results your keynote delivers.
  
  

• No talking-head testimonials – Keep the focus on you, your ideas, and the audience reaction.
  
  

• Show what you want to sell – If you want big stages, include big-stage shots; if workshops, show intimacy and interaction.
  
  

• No footage? Fake it smartly – Film a staged talk, record to camera, or hire a local venue and bring friends as your audience.
  
  

• Keep it short – Two to five minutes is ideal; if it's longer, it must be exceptional.
  
  

• Refresh every three years – Styles, tech, and your personal brand evolve quickly.
  
  

• Differentiate through tone – Match your video style to your target market — C-suite vs. consumer audiences.
  
  

• Always test and iterate – Storyboards, feedback loops, and even AI tools help refine your reel before launch.
  
  

• "A showreel is your movie trailer — make me excited to see the full movie." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Focus on the outcomes first — what the client gets, not what you say." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Your showreel sells the sizzle, not the steak." – James Taylor
  
  

• "You don't need a huge audience — you need great energy and clear messaging." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Style your reel for the buyer: TikTok for agencies, Economist-style for the C-suite." – James Taylor
  
  

• 00:00 – 03:30 Catch-up and last-minute client bookings
  
  

• 03:36 Today's topic — Speaker Showreels
  
  

• 04:10 Maria's philosophy: why a reel is like a movie trailer
  
  

• 05:25 Do you need audience shots? When and why they matter
  
  

• 06:56 What to do if you don't yet have speaking footage
  
  

• 08:08 Creative solutions for new speakers — DIY and staged filming
  
  

• 10:38 Examples of speakers who built strong first reels
  
  

• 11:14 Showreel vs full speech vs "How I Work" video
  
  

• 13:01 Using bureau studios and "how I work" clips
  
  

• 13:40 Maria's top 3 showreels (Andrew Davis, James Kerr, Kay Korsh)
  
  

• 15:01 – 17:11 Breakdown of each and what makes them effective
  
  

• 18:09 – 18:35 DIY filming, 4K phones & editing on a budget
  
  

• 20:23 How long should your showreel be?
  
  

• 22:26 Why decision-makers rely on reels — and how fast they judge
  
  

• 23:12 How often to update and refresh your footage
  
  

• 24:43 The power of location-specific photos and clips
  
  

• 25:43 – 27:25 Invitation to submit your showreel for feedback
  
  

• 27:25 – 28:12 Maria's downloadable Showreel Checklist and wrap-up
  
  

Resources & Links

• 🎬 Maria Franzoni's Showreel Checklist: mariafranzoni.me/resources
  
  

• 📧 Submit your showreel for feedback: hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni pull back the curtain on the world of top speaker bureaus — how they work, what they look for in speakers, and how to build mutually beneficial relationships that generate bookings.

Maria draws on decades of experience running one of Europe's most respected bureaus to explain how agents think, what differentiates a bookable speaker, and the dos and don'ts that every professional should know. James adds his perspective as a speaker represented by leading bureaus around the world, revealing how he collaborates with agents, builds trust, and stays top-of-mind.

Whether you're just starting out or already on the international circuit, this episode will help you understand the economics, etiquette, and psychology of working successfully with speaker bureaus.

• Bureaus are partners, not promoters – Their job is to serve their clients, not to manage your calendar.
  
  

• Be easy to sell – Have clear positioning, strong video, up-to-date assets, and a defined fee range.
  
  

• Stay top of mind – Regular updates, newsletters, and personal touches help agents remember you.
  
  

• Trust takes time – A bureau relationship is earned through reliability and professionalism.
  
  

• Never bypass a bureau client – Always respect existing relationships and contracts.
  
  

• Understand their economics – Bureaus work on commission; help them justify recommending you.
  
  

• Differentiate your topic – Relevance, clarity, and credibility make you stand out in their database.
  
  

• Be bureau-ready – Fast response times, accurate details, and flexibility build confidence.
  
  

• Support their success – Make them look good in front of their clients, and they'll champion you again.
  
  

• "A bureau's client is the end client — not you. Understand that, and you'll have better relationships." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Don't expect bureaus to build your business; help them sell you by giving them reasons to." – James Taylor
  
  

• "The easiest speakers to book are the ones who make agents look brilliant." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Relevance and reliability will get you booked again and again." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Treat bureaus as partners — not miracles." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and catching up on travel and client projects
  
  

• 01:52 – What exactly is a speaker bureau?
  
  

• 03:28 – How bureaus differ from speaker agents or managers
  
  

• 05:16 – What bureaus really look for when recommending a speaker
  
  

• 07:32 – The economics of bureau commissions and client service
  
  

• 09:18 – How to make yourself "easy to sell"
  
  

• 11:40 – The power of positioning and clarity in your topic
  
  

• 13:05 – Dos and don'ts when approaching a new bureau
  
  

• 15:33 – Why trust is the currency of the bureau–speaker relationship
  
  

• 17:26 – Handling multiple bureaus without conflict
  
  

• 19:47 – Updating bureaus and keeping them engaged
  
  

• 22:09 – Common mistakes speakers make when working with bureaus
  
  

• 24:34 – Case studies: speakers who get rebooked again and again
  
  

• 26:42 – How to support your bureau before, during, and after events
  
  

• 29:15 – Tech & tools of the week for bureau collaboration
  
  

• 31:20 – Final thoughts and listener questions
  
  

👉 Have a question or suggestion for James and Maria?
Email hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni tackle one of the biggest questions every professional speaker faces: how much should I charge?

Drawing on decades of experience as a bureau owner, Maria explains how to set your keynote fee, when to raise it, and why you should never discount. James shares insights from his own speaking business — including how he tests price levels, manages international vs. virtual fees, and negotiates without losing value. Together they explore the psychology, strategy, and market realities of pricing yourself in the global speaking industry.

Whether you're just starting out or ready to move into a higher fee bracket, this episode is packed with real-world advice on finding your sweet spot, building fee integrity, and communicating your value with confidence.

• Value, not time – Your fee reflects outcomes and expertise, not minutes on stage.
  
  

• Know your market – Corporate, education, and government sectors have very different budgets.
  
  

• Location matters – Fees vary across regions; the U.S. and Middle East typically pay more than the U.K.
  
  

• Profile sets price – Seniority, credibility, and positioning determine perceived value.
  
  

• Don't publish your fees – Keep flexibility to tailor pricing per client and market.
  
  

• Raise fees when there's no pushback – If you're closing 75% of inquiries, your fee is too low.
  
  

• Virtual vs. in-person – Treat virtual strategically; it can be equal or higher depending on effort and impact.
  
  

• Never discount — negotiate – Exchange value (video footage, PR, introductions) instead of lowering price.
  
  

• Fee integrity matters – Keep consistency across bureaus and direct clients to avoid confusion.
  
  

• Strategic pricing evolves – Adjust fees as your demand, reputation, and market position grow.
  
  

• "Your fee isn't for 45 minutes on stage — it's for everything that got you there." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "If 75% of people are saying yes, your fee's too low." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Never discount. Negotiate." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Make your website look like a $10,000 speaker even if you charge $5,000." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Relevance, reliability, and results — that's what earns higher fees." – James Taylor
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and catching up (dogs, weather, and winter settings)
  
  

• 02:41 – Why fee setting is like finding your temperature sweet spot
  
  

• 03:30 – What determines your starting keynote fee
  
  

• 05:08 – Industry and market differences in speaker pricing
  
  

• 06:59 – Global markets: U.S., U.K., Europe, Middle East, and Australia
  
  

• 07:49 – Profile, credibility, and client type as key price drivers
  
  

• 08:45 – Which industries pay best (and which don't)
  
  

• 10:10 – Using event clues (like hotel choice) to gauge budget
  
  

• 11:25 – Should you publish your fees online?
  
  

• 13:12 – Pricing psychology: how travel, time, and opportunity cost affect value
  
  

• 14:05 – Website positioning and showreel strategy
  
  

• 16:07 – When and how to raise your fees confidently
  
  

• 17:23 – The "75% rule" and psychological pricing mindset
  
  

• 18:31 – Fee communication and working with bureaus
  
  

• 20:23 – Virtual vs. in-person fees: strategy, value, and structure
  
  

• 23:45 – Hybrid models: longer, interactive virtual formats
  
  

• 25:49 – International pricing strategies and personal preferences
  
  

• 27:24 – The post-pandemic fee landscape
  
  

• 28:22 – Net vs. gross fees and bureau commissions
  
  

• 31:01 – Why the "D-word" (discount) is banned forever
  
  

• 31:45 – How to negotiate extra value instead of discounting
  
  

• 33:24 – Creative negotiations: travel perks, intros, and even gambling chips
  
  

• 33:57 – Final tips: researching competitors and bureau listings
  
  

• 34:35 – James' Blue Ocean strategy for finding pricing gaps
  
  

• 35:48 – Wrap-up and next episode preview
  
  

Have a question or topic suggestion for James and Maria?
Email hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni dive into one of the biggest decisions every professional speaker faces — whether or not to write a book. With reading habits changing and attention spans shrinking, is publishing still worth it?

Maria shares what she learned from writing The Bookability Formula, including how a book clarifies your thinking, protects your IP, and raises your authority. James discusses his upcoming SuperCreativity book, why he waited five years before writing it, and how books can elevate your speaking brand. Together they explore the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, how to use your book as a marketing tool, and creative ways to launch and promote it.

Whether you're a new or established speaker, you'll discover why books still matter — and how to make yours work for your business, your brand, and your audience.

• Books clarify thinking – Writing forces structure and helps you refine your core message.
  
  

• Authority comes from authorship – The word "authority" literally begins with "author."
  
  

• Timing matters – Don't write too early; live your content first.
  
  

• Books as business cards – A book opens doors and elevates positioning, even if it doesn't make big money.
  
  

• Hybrid publishing is a smart middle path – Keeps quality control without losing autonomy.
  
  

• Tie your launch to an event – Use an existing audience for maximum visibility.
  
  

• Give books freely – Strategic giveaways amplify goodwill and social proof.
  
  

• You must market it – Promotion, interviews, and podcasts are on you, not your publisher.
  
  

• AI audiobooks are here – Tools like Eleven Labs can narrate your book in multiple languages.
  
  

• "Writing a book unravels your thinking — it turns spaghetti into structure." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "A book is the summation of years of ideas, handed to you for £20. That's incredible value." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Authority comes from author. A book changes how clients perceive you." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "You don't need a book to be a successful speaker — but it can unlock a higher level of opportunity." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Attach your book launch to an event that already has your perfect audience." – Chris Gardner (via Maria Franzoni)
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome & why reading is declining
  
  

• 01:16 – Why Maria wrote The Bookability Formula
  
  

• 02:15 – Books as clarity tools and IP protection
  
  

• 04:01 – James on the value of books for idea transfer and legacy
  
  

• 05:47 – Speaking first, writing later – when to start your book
  
  

• 07:09 – Avoid writing too early; live your material first
  
  

• 08:23 – How writing affects your speaking income short-term
  
  

• 09:38 – Books as brochures and positioning tools
  
  

• 10:59 – How bureaus view speakers with books
  
  

• 13:44 – Branding your book and keynote under one concept
  
  

• 15:01 – Why bureaus love books but don't profit from them
  
  

• 16:54 – Micro-books and multi-series publishing
  
  

• 17:46 – Traditional vs hybrid vs self-publishing
  
  

• 18:12 – Finding a publisher who respects your voice
  
  

• 19:36 – Owning foreign rights and global expansion
  
  

• 21:27 – The marketing reality: sales depend on you
  
  

• 22:08 – David Allen's 25-year book promotion discipline
  
  

• 23:08 – Maria's tip: attach your book launch to an event
  
  

• 25:02 – Free books as social-media gold
  
  

• 25:50 – James' tool: Eleven Labs for AI audiobooks and voiceovers
  
  

• 26:58 – Closing thoughts and listener questions
  
  

👉 Have a question or topic suggestion for James and Maria?
Email hello@speakersu.com

In this candid episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni tackle one of the most dangerous traps for professional speakers — ego. While confidence is essential to step on stage, unchecked ego can sabotage client relationships, damage reputations, and even end careers.

Maria shares shocking true stories of "speakers behaving badly," from diva demands and drunken disasters to midnight tantrums over hotel rooms. James reveals how cultural differences, gender perceptions, and even microphone preferences can blur the line between professionalism and arrogance. Together they explore how to stay grounded, easy to work with, and respected — even when success and attention start to inflate your self-image.

If you've ever wondered where confidence ends and ego begins, this episode offers hard-won lessons, cautionary tales, and practical ways to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

• Confidence ≠ arrogance – A healthy ego gets you on stage; an inflated one gets you blacklisted.
  
  

• Be easy to work with – Kindness to AV teams, organisers, and staff is remembered (and shared).
  
  

• Do your own briefing calls – Never outsource relationships that build trust with clients.
  
  

• Ego destroys reputations fast – Word travels quickly among bureaus and event planners.
  
  

• Cultural context matters – What reads as confidence in the US may look like arrogance in the UK.
  
  

• Boundaries vs. bad behaviour – Riders and technical requests are professionalism, not ego.
  
  

• Stay grounded – Family check-ins, gratitude, and humility keep you level when success rises.
  
  

• "Speakers need ego to get on stage — but when it tips into arrogance, it can destroy your career." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Our job is to be champions for our craft, not divas of the greenroom." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Do your own briefing calls — if Neil Armstrong could, so can you." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Confidence is caring about the craft; ego is caring only about yourself." – James Taylor
  
  

• "You can't control how others treat you, but you can control how you treat everyone around you." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and playful banter about podcast "coolness"
  
  

• 01:20 – Why ego deserves its own chapter in The Bookability Formula
  
  

• 03:07 – When ego makes speakers inflexible on stage timings
  
  

• 04:18 – The ripple effect of bad behaviour on AV and event teams
  
  

• 06:29 – How negative energy travels fast between events and bureaus
  
  

• 07:15 – "Speakers behaving badly" – examples from Maria's agency days
  
  

• 09:07 – Do your own briefing calls (and why Neil Armstrong did his)
  
  

• 10:45 – Cultural and gender differences in how ego is perceived
  
  

• 12:13 – When high standards aren't arrogance but professionalism
  
  

• 13:20 – Midnight hotel tantrums and balcony meltdowns
  
  

• 14:08 – Respect the client's exhaustion – empathy over entitlement
  
  

• 16:42 – Drunken speeches and recycled stories: reputations ruined
  
  

• 18:04 – Tracking your material to avoid repetition and mistakes
  
  

• 19:44 – Cultural nuances: big intros that work in the US flop in Europe
  
  

• 20:24 – Crossing ethical lines: relationships and reputation at events
  
  

• 21:56 – Zig Ziglar's "five calls a day" rule to stay grounded
  
  

• 23:20 – Tips & tools of the week: elected-office speaking practice and portable AI recorders
  
  

• 27:25 – Future of AI speaker assistants — "Digital Maria Franzoni?"
  
  

• 27:52 – Wrap-up, humour, and listener invitation
  
  

Have a question or story for James and Maria?
Email: hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni dig into one of the least glamorous but most important parts of every speaking business — speaker contracts. Whether you're new to professional speaking or a seasoned pro, understanding how to protect your intellectual property, ensure timely payment, and manage client expectations can make or break your business.

Maria explains why every speaker should have their own agreement rather than signing the client's, outlines the three most essential contract clauses, and shares tips learned from decades of managing high-profile speakers. James discusses real-world examples, from green riders and recording rights to payment terms and handling last-minute "scope creep."

Packed with practical templates, cautionary tales, and negotiation tactics, this episode will help you get paid on time, protect your content, and build lasting professional relationships with clients and bureaus.

• Have your own contract – Don't rely on the client's; be in control of your terms.
  
  

• Three must-have clauses – Payment terms, cancellation terms, and recording/IP rights.
  
  

• Scope creep is real – If the client adds panels, dinners, or extra work, renegotiate.
  
  

• Never travel without payment – Aim for full balance 30 days before the event.
  
  

• Use "firm offer" forms – Simplify admin and confirm all details before committing.
  
  

• Protect your recordings – Approve edits, restrict public use, and get a copy of all footage.
  
  

• Green riders matter – Add sustainability or ethical clauses that reflect your values.
  
  

• Be clear on travel and security – Define who pays, how you travel, and what safety steps apply.
  
  

• Weird rider stories – From "no journalists allowed" to 10 a.m. wine, the industry has seen it all.
  
  

• "Speakers should have their own contract — not the client's." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "The date is the contract. If it changes, renegotiate." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Don't step on stage until 100 percent of your fee has been paid." – James Taylor
  
  

• "You can't control when a client pays, but you can control when you travel." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Add the day of the week next to the date — it saves endless confusion." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Keep your contracts simple enough to understand, but strong enough to protect you." – James Taylor
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome & catching up on dogs, lunches, and life balance
  
  

• 01:47 – Why contracts matter (and the legal disclaimer)
  
  

• 03:22 – What hasn't changed in speaker contracts for 25 years
  
  

• 05:14 – The three essential clauses every speaker needs
  
  

• 06:52 – Payment schedules and why balance should be due 30 days before
  
  

• 08:09 – Firm offer forms vs. booking forms and confirmation letters
  
  

• 11:07 – Common negotiation points and dealing with slow-paying clients
  
  

• 12:35 – Accepting credit cards – yes, but add the surcharge
  
  

• 14:27 – Late-payment clauses and procurement headaches
  
  

• 15:58 – Scope creep: when clients add panels, dinners, or sponsor meetings
  
  

• 17:22 – Recording and IP rights: how to protect your material
  
  

• 20:21 – What to allow (and not allow) for public or internal use
  
  

• 23:19 – Editorial approval and licensing fees for wider distribution
  
  

• 25:50 – Using a bureau's contract to simplify client onboarding
  
  

• 27:03 – Travel clauses and buyout options
  
  

• 29:34 – The rise of the Green Rider and sustainable speaker travel
  
  

• 32:17 – Security clauses – from former heads of state to practical travel safety
  
  

• 36:08 – Craziest contract clauses: no journalists, no competitors, no flashes
  
  

• 39:15 – Funny (and alarming) rider requests from celebrity speakers
  
  

• 42:12 – Templates, tips, and the "add the day of the week" trick
  
  

• 43:56 – Digital signatures: Hello Sign, Echo Sign, and Google Docs e-signing
  
  

• 45:00 – Wrap-up and listener invitation for contract questions
  
  

Resources & Links

• Free Speaker Contract Template: speakersu.com/contracts (example placeholder)
  
  

• Email questions or ideas: hello@speakersu.com
  
  

• Follow James Taylor & Maria Franzoni on LinkedIn for daily speaking tips
  
  

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni explore one of the most important challenges for professional speakers: how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Maria explains why relevance to a paying market is the first element of her Bookability Formula and how speakers can identify what audiences will need today—and in five years' time. James shares how he blends perennial topics like creativity with fast-moving ones like AI, and why staying a few steps ahead of clients keeps him in demand.

From industry reports and boardroom insights to experimenting with new keynote content and testing topics with the market before creating them, this conversation is packed with strategies to help speakers stay visible, booked, and valued in an ever-evolving industry.

• Relevance drives bookings – It's the #1 factor in Maria's Bookability Formula.
  
  

• Think five years ahead – Use strategy insights to prepare for how industries and audiences will evolve.
  
  

• Blend perennial and trendy topics – Pair evergreen skills (creativity, leadership, resilience) with emerging trends (AI, tech, demographics).
  
  

• Listen more, talk less – Relevance often comes from asking the right questions in discovery calls.
  
  

• Experiment before you build – Test keynote ideas, topics, or programs in the market before investing time and money.
  
  

• Differentiate by audience – Tailor your pitch for C-suite, event professionals, and bureaus, as each values relevance differently.
  
  

• Stay close to your industry – Associations like MPI and global markets (US, Europe, Asia) often signal future trends.
  
  

• "The most important element of being bookable is relevance to a paying market." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Don't wait for five-year plans—ask what the world will look like in five years and move your speaking to match." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Sell it before you create it. The market decides what's relevant, not you." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Relevance isn't just your topic—it's how you present it to different stakeholders." – James Taylor
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and updates: group sessions and risky live AI music demos
  
  

• 04:24 – Why staying relevant matters: Maria's Bookability Formula
  
  

• 05:18 – James on blending perennial topics with fast-changing ones
  
  

• 06:45 – Strategy lessons from Eric Schmidt: think five years ahead
  
  

• 07:34 – Maria on LinkedIn Learning and WEF reports as future-skills guides
  
  

• 09:10 – How James tracks trends using board minutes, Gartner reports, Reddit
  
  

• 11:11 – Tech examples: AR glasses, live facial recognition, event tech
  
  

• 14:54 – Staying close to the meetings & events industry for insights
  
  

• 16:22 – Meeting professionals shaping the future of conferences
  
  

• 18:48 – Being too early: when audiences aren't ready for your message
  
  

• 20:01 – Test the market first: lessons from publishing and Dragon's Den
  
  

• 23:15 – Differentiating yourself in competitive pitches
  
  

• 25:00 – Evergreen vs. niche topics and industry-specific competition
  
  

• 27:20 – Relevance shifts depending on whether you're pitching C-suite, planners, or bureaus
  
  

• 28:07 – Discovery calls: listening, mirroring language, and building relevance
  
  

• 29:18 – Why listening is the most underrated skill for speakers
  
  

• 30:17 – Maria's tip: ask clients "How did you find me?" and "Why me?" before and after gigs
  
  

• 32:43 – James' tool: Opus Pro for creating viral short-form video clips
  
  

• 34:16 – Closing thoughts and listener questions
  
  

👉 Have a question for James and Maria? Email: hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni tackle one of the most common dilemmas for speakers: should you ever speak for free? From the early days of building your career to strategic opportunities later on, there are times when waiving your fee can make sense—and times when it's a clear no.

James and Maria share their own experiences, including James' infamous "Ham Salad Tour" of free Rotary talks, Maria's love of prospecting, and why speaking for peers rarely pays. They also explore when unpaid gigs can serve as marketing, help you perfect your craft, or provide valuable assets like video footage, networking access, or bulk book sales.

If you've ever been asked to "speak for exposure," this episode will give you the tools to decide whether to say yes, no, or "yes, but on my terms."

• Get your reps in – Early in your career, free gigs help you practice, refine material, and build confidence.
  
  

• Peers don't pay – Speaking to your own industry or colleagues rarely results in paid bookings.
  
  

• Make it part of your marketing – Free gigs targeting your ideal audience can lead to paid work.
  
  

• Negotiate value beyond fees – Ask for video footage, attendee lists, association memberships, or bulk book sales.
  
  

• Positioning matters – Your website, testimonials, and branding can either attract paid gigs or signal you'll work for free.
  
  

• Give back strategically – Schools, associations, and podcasts can be the right places to serve without charging.
  
  

• Always set boundaries – Say "I normally charge X, but I'm waiving my fee" to reinforce your value.
  
  

• "Peers don't pay. If you're speaking to your own industry, don't expect a fee." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Don't fall in love with the stage—fall in love with the audience that can book you." – James Taylor
  
  

• "If you're converting every inquiry, your fees are too low." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Speaking for free can be smart—but only if you're clear why you're doing it." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and Maria's targeted outreach experiment
  
  

• 01:56 – Introducing today's topic: speaking for free
  
  

• 04:01 – Maria's "I will speak for biscuits" mug and first perspectives
  
  

• 04:56 – Why free gigs are valuable for beginners (reps & stage time)
  
  

• 06:18 – James' first paid music gig vs. 40 free Rotary talks
  
  

• 07:41 – Speaking for free as part of your marketing budget
  
  

• 09:47 – The "Ham Salad Tour" and the moment free gigs led to paid bookings
  
  

• 09:57 – Why podcasts, peer events, and associations are worth doing unpaid
  
  

• 11:05 – Giving back: Speakers for Schools and pro bono speaking
  
  

• 13:01 – Schools as a paid speaking market (School Speakers example)
  
  

• 15:01 – How your positioning and testimonials attract (or repel) free requests
  
  

• 16:45 – Negotiating non-fee value: video, access, booths, memberships
  
  

• 18:20 – The myth of "sharing the stage with…"
  
  

• 20:22 – Free gigs as leverage for podcasting, YouTube, and influencer deals
  
  

• 23:41 – Digital twins, AI, and future revenue opportunities
  
  

• 24:28 – Tools & tips: Otter.ai for transcriptions and positioning your website
  
  

• 28:06 – Wrap-up and invitation for listener questions
  
  

👉 Have a question for James and Maria? Email: hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni unpack the power of building a portfolio speaking career. Too many speakers rely solely on keynotes, but the most resilient and profitable speaking businesses diversify their income streams. From workshops and retainers to books, advisory roles, online courses, and even AI-powered products, a portfolio approach helps you weather the feast-or-famine cycle of the industry.

James shares how he applies Ray Dalio's "All Weather Portfolio" strategy to his speaking business, while Maria explains how to identify client problems and design solutions that add value beyond the keynote. Together, they highlight real-world examples of speakers generating millions through recurring services, and why thinking like an "expert with a product suite" is more powerful than being "just a speaker."

Whether you're an established speaker or just starting out, this episode will give you practical ideas to expand your offering, increase client loyalty, and future-proof your career.

• Think beyond the keynote – Workshops, masterclasses, MCing, advisory roles, and retainers all create additional value.
  
  

• Adopt an "All Weather" model – Spread your business across different products and services to survive seasonal slumps.
  
  

• Fall in love with client problems – The best portfolio ideas come from understanding what your clients need most.
  
  

• Leverage recurring revenue – Subscriptions, memberships, or video libraries can generate predictable income.
  
  

• Books as business tools – Sell bulk copies, personalise editions for clients, and use books to deepen relationships.
  
  

• AI and digital products – From AI assistants to online training, technology creates new ways to scale expertise.
  
  

• Be a triple threat – Like Judy Garland, combine speaking, training, and MCing to become indispensable to clients.
  
  

• "Speaking is something you do, but it's not who you are." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Don't fall in love with your product—fall in love with your customer's problems." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Cash speeches are great, but continuity products build resilience." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Adding services isn't being salesy—it's serving your clients better." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and catching up: jet lag, oxygen bottles, and Denver events
  
  

• 04:26 – Defining a portfolio speaking career
  
  

• 06:00 – James on applying Ray Dalio's "All Weather Portfolio" to speaking
  
  

• 08:55 – How COVID forced speakers to diversify their offerings
  
  

• 10:46 – Positioning yourself as an expert, not just a speaker
  
  

• 13:29 – Examples of portfolio streams: video, retainers, advisory, coaching
  
  

• 15:42 – Lessons from "sell-from-stage" speakers and AI products
  
  

• 17:12 – Case study: a safety speaker generating $2m+ in recurring revenue
  
  

• 20:18 – Boardroom advisory and facilitation as high-value services
  
  

• 22:46 – Why being a "triple threat" makes you indispensable
  
  

• 24:57 – From keynotes to 16 workshops: extending client relationships
  
  

• 27:01 – First steps: talk to clients and identify their real problems
  
  

• 27:37 – Maria's book tips: booking forms, odd-number deliveries, and CEO forewords
  
  

• 30:49 – James' travel tool recommendation: Tripit Pro for managing logistics
  
  

• 33:30 – Closing thoughts and listener questions
  
  

👉 Have a question for James and Maria? Email: hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni dive deep into one of the most important – yet often overlooked – aspects of running a successful speaking business: knowing your numbers. Whether it's tracking inquiries, bookings, conversion rates, bureau performance, or your cash flow, the numbers tell the real story of your business.

James shares how he hit his annual keynote target months early, why raising fees can be as important as raising bookings, and how he uses a simple paperclip system to track outreach. Maria draws on her decades of experience as a speaker bureau owner and management consultant to explain why speakers must think like business owners, track KPIs, and understand patterns in their market.

If you want to grow a profitable speaking business without burning out, this conversation is packed with practical strategies, tough truths, and a few laughs along the way.

• Define success with numbers – Not just dreams and destinations, but the bookings, fees, and revenue that will sustain your lifestyle and business.
  
  

• Work backwards from your goals – Break down your annual keynote target into leads, inquiries, discovery calls, and outreach.
  
  

• Track inquiries and conversions – Your most important KPIs as a speaker are how many inquiries you generate and how many you convert.
  
  

• Bureau vs. direct leads – Learn why direct inquiries often convert better and how to measure bureau performance individually.
  
  

• Cash is king – Never outsource awareness of your cash flow. Monitor money in and out weekly.
  
  

• Rolling averages & seasonality – Smooth out monthly fluctuations and use data to plan vacations, book writing, and marketing pushes.
  
  

• Detach from outcomes – Reward yourself for following the process (outreach, calls, tracking) rather than obsessing over every "yes" or "no."
  
  

• "If you're converting 75% of your discovery calls, your fee is probably too low." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Success isn't just about the stages you dream of – it's about the numbers that make that dream sustainable." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Cash flow is king. Don't wait for your accountant – stay on top of money in and money out every week." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "It can be lonely as a speaker. But if you know your numbers, you know your business is on track even when the phone is quiet." – James Taylor
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome back: James & Maria reunite on the mic
  
  

• 04:45 – Why "knowing your numbers" is the key to success
  
  

• 06:50 – Defining success in terms of bookings, fees, and revenue
  
  

• 09:15 – James on hitting his annual keynote goal months early
  
  

• 11:50 – The most important KPIs for speakers to track
  
  

• 14:45 – The case for tracking bureau vs. direct inquiries
  
  

• 19:30 – Learning from lost inquiries and re-approaching clients
  
  

• 21:15 – Maria's management consulting background & KPIs
  
  

• 24:00 – Campaigns and levers: adjusting when the funnel breaks
  
  

• 27:50 – The 80/20 rule for clients and industry analysis
  
  

• 30:20 – James' paperclip system for tracking outbound calls
  
  

• 32:00 – Why inquiries matter most (and why you must detach from outcomes)
  
  

• 36:30 – Tip of the week: never mention another speaker in a discovery call
  
  

• 38:40 – Tip of the week: use rolling averages for projections
  
  

• 41:30 – Wrap-up, listener Q&A, and how to send in your questions
  
  

👉 Have a question for James and Maria? Email: hello@speakersu.com 

How to create a 7 figure Speaking Business - #147

Ford Saeks has redefined a formula for business success. His efforts have helped companies generate a total of over a billion dollars in sales worldwide from startups to Fortune five hundred six is widely recognized as a business growth innovator with over 20 years of experience ranging from retail to wholesale, authored several books awarded three US patents and received numerous industry awards. tenacity and innovation are what fuel this revenue-generating powerhouse from grassroots to Google Ford provides its clients with fresh perspectives and doable tactics to resolve marketing operations and growth challenges. As President and CEO of prime concepts group Incorporated, Ford specializes in helping businesses attract loyally and repeat customers, monetize social media, and ignite creativity. We're happy to have him here with us today. So please give a warm welcome to Ford Saeks

Questions:

• What are the most important key factors of a 7-figure speaking business?
• How did you get started in this business and why?
• How do you stand out in such a competitive industry?
• What are the landmines to avoid that will kill a speaking career? With so many options, what are the top 3 secrets of success in this business?

Questions:

• Who have you spoken to?
• What was the biggest size audience you spoke to
• What was the scariest moment when speaking to a big audience. (hint falling from the stage and breaking my foot)

Today she will share advice about working with big audiences and on big stages. How to keep the energy up, how to keep everyone engaged and how to use the stage. Everything you need to know about the big stage.

How to Make Your Livestream And Video Look More Professional – #140

Adrian Salisbury helps entrepreneurs and business owners around the world stand out (by looking more professional) on video. With a focus on Livestreaming, Adrian runs the official Ecamm Live training which has seen more than 1500 attend his highly popular boot camps in the past 2 years

Questions:

• What Is Ecamm Live?
• What makes it different from other Live Streaming tools?
• How hard is it to use?
• Why should people be live streaming?
• What can someone expect from your Ecamm Live Academy?

Entertaining and unreservedly direct, our guest isn't just a motivational speaker – he is a company turnaround specialist driving everyone from CEOs to schoolchildren to ignite excitement and action in their life.
For more than 20 years, he has been on his quest to make you the best by sharing his techniques and tools to break through the boundaries we put up around us. His always animated and interactive presentations have inspired thousands of FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 delegates, school children, charities, and prison inmates, in groups of five to 5000 and all over the world, into taking positive strides in their work and personal life.
No longer living the dress rehearsal of their life, his words whip up listeners into action; energized and passionate.

Questions:

• How long have you been speaking?
• What is your speaking biz model?
• How did you become speaker of the year from Vistage Ace Footdown and YPO?
• Why do you specialize in CEO groups?
• How many books have you written?
• Why books can be a massive income producer
• Why speakers are more concerned with testimonials than re-bookings
• How to get rebooked even before the first event

Our guest this week started in the speaking industry in 2012 and began as an agent handling the speaking for a range of motivational speakers from the world of sport, adventure, and military. In 2014, he relocated to Hong Kong to start the Chartwell Asia office. The majority of clients there were financial services firms sourcing experts to speak at their regional conferences. During his time in Asia, he got a lot of experience in "co-broking" with US-Based Agencies. In 2016 he returned to London and took over as Managing Director of Chartwell at that time. His role now mainly consists of handling "exclusive speakers" and managing the corporate speaking engagements for a range of high-profile economists, politicians, technology entrepreneurs & academics.

Questions:

• Tell us about Chartwell and what makes them USPs
• How did you get into the Speaking Industry? What's your background? 
• What's going on in the market?

• What type of speaker would work with you / Chartwell? 
• What advice would you give to a speaker looking to get booked by an agency like Chartwell?

Jessica Killingley: How Writing A Book Can Help Your Speaking Career – #136

Jessica Killingley is a Literary Agent, Publishing Consultant & Life Coach. An accidental serial entrepreneur, she runs a business that supports founders, consultants, and coaches who want to write & self-publish books that grow their business and their profile. Her podcast, The AUTHORity Show, gives aspiring non-fiction authors the inside track into what it really takes to get a book out there that turns readers into clients. After working for over 20 years in the publishing industry, she also co-founded The BKS Agency – a literary management Agency based in London – with two friends. They currently represent around 75 authors globally, across a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres. Their authors are Sunday Times bestsellers, Olympic athletes, gifted storytellers, international speakers, entrepreneurs, journalists, consultants, and experts in their field. Jessica's interests lie in business, personal development & smart thinking projects and she is looking for authors who have strong brands in their fields to be the thought leaders of tomorrow. 

Questions:

• Writing a book is hard work – why should someone bother? 
• How can having a book support your speaking career? 
• What is the best way of getting my book published? (See also Do I need an agent? How do you get a book deal?) 
• How do I make a book work hard for me once it's out?

Our guest is the author of the global best-seller, "How to be a Productivity Ninja". He is the founder of Think Productive, one of the world's leading providers of personal productivity training and consultancy. His podcast "Beyond Busy" explores the issues of productivity, work/life balance, and how people define happiness in their lives. Previous roles include Chief Executive of Student Volunteering England, Head of Volunteering at the University of Birmingham, and an advisor to the UK Government on youth volunteering policy.

Welcome Graham Allcott

Questions:
•What stops people from being productive?
•What are the ways to ensure a good work-life balance?
•How do you switch off?
•How do you ensure that a keynote delivery always feels tailored for the specific audience?

I'm James Taylor, and you're listening to the speakers you podcast, a show for aspiring and professional speakers. This episode is with my co-host, Maria Franzoni. Enjoy the episode. Today, I'm outnumbered. I'm the only one. I'm the only stranieri here. I'm the only non-Italian on this call on this event, so 100 million new businesses start every year, and 99% of them actually fail within three years. So really our businesses, we're kind of a little bit unusual here. So how do we create these sustainable businesses, businesses, businesses that could survive and thrive in the toughest market conditions? That is what our guests will help us discover today. Simone Gen Z is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur and author who has helped people to launch more than 500 profitable businesses before he reached the age of 30. He writes for Forbes Entrepreneur Magazine and regularly features on TV and radio, please welcome to speaking business TV Simone Vincenzi

What differentiates high performers from good performers? What helps one person to achieve in 3 months what others do in 12? These are the questions that have inspired our guest for the last 20 years and have led to his #IAM10 methodology for high performance. The world is changing faster than ever. There is more competition than ever before. The global economy, AI, automation all mean that you and your people need to work with conviction, embrace change, maximise productivity and add more value to every situation. Good enough is not good enough anymore. You need to be the best. You need to be a 10.  We are delighted to have Gavin Ingham as our guest this week.

Questions:

• How did you get into speaking? 
• What do you think makes a bookable speaker? And how has this changed over the last couple of years? 
• Why do only such a small percentage of speakers succeed? 
• What is it that speakers do/ don't do that would make the difference? 
• Where do most of your business come from? 

• What three things would you recommend to a speaker wanting more business?

For the last decade, our guest has worked with Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, MD's & Investors in order to help them stand out when they are delivering talks and speeches, pitching or looking to win business through delivering speaking. His unique and effective structures, impactful delivery training, and teaching "language that lands" has helped to hone their messaging, perfect their stories, and thus enable them to win more business. He has spoken globally at conferences, events, in front of teams, leaders, and managers on how to pitch and win new business. As well as speaking he has worked with some of the leading companies and corporations and entrepreneurs on customer service, how to get into the media and how to successfully pitch on top-rated television programs such as "Dragons Den" and "MasterChef the Professionals".  Welcome Elliot Kay

Questions:

• What does it mean to be more giraffe?
• How can someone apply this to their speaking?
• Tell us about the 8 principles – could you share a couple.
• Biz model
• Why is it important to stand out as a speaker?
• How do you help people be more giraffe?

We have a phenomenal guest today we have a very, very, very special guest today, her name is Maria Franzoni. You may have heard of her because the day we're talking about speaker bureaus, and when it comes to this topic of speaker bureaus working with Speaker bureaus, there are no finer experts to bring in than Maria. So as a speaker, at some point, you're going to consider working with Speaker bureaus just to help you grow your fees, and your business. Speaker bureaus can not only get you higher fees, but they can also get you booked by the right type of clients and take all that horrible admin stuff off of your shoulders. When the relationship works, your business is going to fly to the stars. Sounds great. How do we make it happen? Today's guest has spent 23 years amazing working in running international speaker bureaus. She'll be sharing some insights into what it takes to get listed and work with bureaus. Yes, Maria Franzoni is in the hot seat this week.

Geoff Burch is a leading authority on sales, leadership, customers, and change and has been voted Business Communicator of the Year by the Speechwriters' Guild.

He is a regular contributor and presenter on TV and Radio and was the star of BBC television's hit business show 'All over the Shop'. Currently, Geoff is regularly seen as a business correspondent and presenter for BBC televisions Inside Out program.

Due to his love of riding huge motorbikes, the Sunday Times referred to him as the Hells Angel of Management and where once he might have been thought of as a disruptive influence he has now been rehabilitated as an agent for change.

Geoff is the author of many highly successful business books with six currently in print and has some powerful business messages to bring, but most of all he would like you to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Welcome Geoff Burch

Questions:
• How did you get started in the speaking game?
• How do you prepare for each job?
• How do you set your fee level?
• How do you find most of your work?

Our guest this week is Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, better known to her colleagues as 'MH' or 'Dr. P' (which is a lot easier for me to pronounce!). Dr. P holds both a PhD and an MBA from the University of British Columbia and teaches leadership resilience in the UBC School of Business. Dr. P is a leadership resilience and workplace mental health expert. She is an award-winning work psychologist who has led workplace mental health strategy in senior leadership roles at various organizations including Sun Life Financial. She's a past Director on the boards of the Canadian Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology and an active member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Pelletier!"

Questions:
• Given your combined background in business and psychology and expertise in Resilience, how is resilience particularly important for Speakers now in their business?
• Even if many Speakers are the main, often the only person in their business, how should they think about Workplace Mental Health?
• What would be the top strategies for Speakers to implement to increase and protect their resilience and mental health?
• Many have used the past year to review our values and goals – how can this positively influence how Speakers take their next steps in their business?

Our guest this week is Roger Fisk. He is a global communications expert widely credited with key behind-the-scenes roles in Barack Obama's two presidential campaigns. He served in both Administrations leading trade and diplomatic missions all over the world and more recently has been putting those experiences to work for Fortune 100 companies, causes, brands, and NGOs through his firm New Day Strategy. Roger provides analysis and commentary to Fox News, the BBC, Times of India, China Daily, SKY News, Bloomberg, and others.

Questions:
• The Obama brand seems bigger than ever, any CEO/Speaker would love to know how do you sustain and continue to building popularity after 15 years?

• You speak about the importance of culture in communicating your message, how did the Obama campaigns use culture in order to create the change that they wanted?

• How do you get your people and your advocates singing from the same hymn sheet? (message discipline and control v leadership)

• Do you continue to work with the Obama's (Michelle story)

• They called Judy Garland the triple threat because she could dance, sing and act. Obama was a triple threat- amazing on stage, on tv, and on social media. Any advice you can give speakers on how to translate their message across these v different media.

• What's happening in terms of events and conferences in the US currently?

https://speakersu.com/how-to-engage-millions-of-people-129

Today we have on the show a LinkedIn profile expert who has helped companies big and small to demystify the platform and take them from being anonymous to being highly engaged. Regularly ranked by LinkedIn search in the top 5 profilers in the world he is also a speaker, workshop facilitator, and author. He spreads the LinkedIn word near and far, I would like to introduce you to Tony K Silver.

Questions:

• When did you first get involved with LinkedIn
• When did you set up your business
• What is currently going on with Linked In
• What are your top tips
• I heard on the FB whistleblower expose on 60 minutes about although there might be 5000 pieces of content you 'could' see, you only get to see 100 pieces based on engagement. Your world gets smaller and smaller. I wonder if LI algo heading the same route as FB?

https://speakersu.com/demystifying-linkedin-for-speakers-128

Our guest this week is Ethan Beute. Ethan is Chief Evangelist at BombBomb, a platform to build better business relationships with video messaging. He is also the host of The Customer Experience Podcast, and co-author of Rehumanize Your Business and Human-Centered Communication.

Questions:
· What is "digital pollution" and how does it affect today's business professionals?
· Why is the goal of getting attention not enough?
· What does it mean to be "human-centered" in our daily, digital communication?
· What is the role of a video message in the day-to-day?

https://speakersu.com/build-strong-business-relationship-with-video-messaging-127

Rachel Maunder helps people tell their story in a way they've not told it before, working with them on finding and crafting their stories for greater engagement, greater impact, and ultimately more business.

As speaking became a more and more significant part of her business model and challenged her to share more of her story, Rachel found herself held back by a belief that she didn't have a story to share. This set her on a path to see the value in her own stories and to find a way to bring ordinary everyday stories to her speaking.

An experienced coach and trainer, she has developed her unique and simple StoryCRAFT process to help others do the same.

She is an active member of the London branch of the PSA (Professional Speaking Association). In 2022 she will become Regional President.

Questions:

• your own speaking career started in the courtroom. What relevance does that have for what you're doing now?
• Why would an experienced speaker need help to tell their story?
• What are the three stories business owners, business leaders and speakers should be telling
• The value of telling the bigger stories of achievement, adversity, etc is obvious, but is there really a value in sharing everyday stories?

https://speakersu.com/using-stories-to…ore-business-126/ ‎

Neil Mullarkey is a unique communication expert. With Mike Myers, he co-founded the Comedy Store Players, and still performs every Sunday with them in London. Neil was in a couple of Austin Powers movies. Nowadays he travels the world teaching improv and more to leaders and groups, as well as presentation skills His book, 'Seven Steps to Improve your People Skills' was published in 2017. And, yes, Mullarkey is his real name.

Questions:
• What is improv?
• How can it help us in life and business?
• Why are some people scared of the idea of improv?
• What's your favorite part of teaching the applications of improv?
https://speakersu.com/improv-your-speaking-business-125

Our guest this week is Steve Lowell who has been on the live stage since the age of 6; that's over 53 years ago. For 30 years he has been training and mentoring professional speakers around the world to craft and deliver their unique message in a way that positions them as the unmistakable authority in their field. He's the president of the Global Speakers Federation, past national president of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, and a two-time, number one, international best-selling author.  

Questions:

1. How would you describe your expertise? 
2. What are some of your philosophies that guide you through your speaking career? 
3. What characteristics do you think a professional speaker should possess? 
4. What advice would you offer aspiring speakers to help them grow their business? 

https://speakersu.com/how-to-craft-and-deliver-your-message-124

Our guest this week is a musician. He's also a record producer, an artist in sound, and fanatical about the performing talent he sees in others, often choosing to promote and guide those performers in their careers. From being signed to a string of record companies in the seventies, to signing other acts to his label in the eighties, he then went on to launch his professional symphony orchestra in the nineties. But… not content to stand still for long, come the noughties, he turned his attention to professional speaking, and now supports the careers of a select number of aspiring musicians and speakers. QJ welcome to Speaking Business TV.

Questions:

• How did you get into sound and sound recording in the first place, and how old were you when you started?
• You have a lot of experience with speech-based recording and broadcasting, working with professional voice-overs and actors. How is this different from, say, recording music, and how did you get into this particular arena?
• What are the factors of sound quality that speakers need to pay attention to, whenever they're presenting online like we are now? And what difference will it make when they "get it right"?

Audio Advice For Keynote Speakers

https://speakersu.com/audio-advice-for-keynote-speakers-123

Frank Furness is an international specialist in sales, technology, social media, and goal setting and how they work in tandem to produce great results for organizations.

Frank is the Past President of the Professional Speakers Association of Europe and past Chair of the International PEG for the National Speakers Association of USA.

Many of the world's most successful speakers started out by attending his 'Speakers Bootcamp' which he runs on 5 continents.

Questions:
• How did you establish yourself in the International Market?
• What does your speaking business consist of what are the services and products you offer?
• How has the business changed since Covid?
• You are the specialist at marketing yourself, what are some of your tactics and strategies?
• Where are some of your favorite places you have presented and why?

https://speakersu.com/how-to-market-yourself-as-a-professional-speakers-122

Greg Schwem is a Chicago, Illinois-based comedian, keynote speaker, and emcee who has spent the past 25 years making the corporate world laugh at itself. When not traveling the world providing laughs, Greg writes a bi-weekly, nationally syndicated humor column for the Chicago Tribune syndicate and is the creator and host of the streaming TV show, "A Comedian Crashes Your Pad. He is the author of two books, "Text Me If You're Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons from a Low Tech Dad" and "The Road to Success Goes Through the Salad Bar."

• How easy was it to move from performing stand-up in comedy clubs to speaking for corporate audiences?

• Why do you feel there are so few humor speakers who market themselves exclusively for corporate events?

• How did the pandemic affect your business as a humor speaker?

• Tell us about A Comedian Crashes Your Pad

http://www.speakersu.com/how-to-use-humor-in-public-speaking-121

This week we are turning the tables on James Taylor and Maria Franzoni will be placing the spotlight on him and his speaking business.  As many of you know, James started his career managing high-profile rock stars and then transformed into a keynote speaker and internationally recognized leader in business creativity and innovation.  For more than 20 years, he has been advising CEOs, entrepreneurs, educators, governments, and leaders on how to build innovative organizations, unlock creative potential, and increase productivity.

James will shares insights into his speaking business, how he got started, where his bookings come from, how he went international, how he works with speaker bureaus, and much much more.

https://speakersu.com/behind-the-scenes-of-a-successful-speaking-business-120

How To Create Effective PowerPoint Presentation For Speakers

Today I'm joined by Ash Pemberton, founder of Overnight Design, a professional PowerPoint designer whose clients include Johnson, Johnson, PepsiCo, Unilever, Pfizer, and Heineken. Together, Ash and his team have produced over a million PowerPoint slides for their clients. Today, we're going to be talking about how to create really amazing PowerPoint presentations, and why you should perhaps be considering Thailand as a place to live and work. Thanks for listening.

Questions:

• Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Please can you explain your service because it's pretty niche?
• How did you get started in this business?
• What kind of work do you produce for your clients (pitch decks, presentations, explainer videos)?
• What are the common mistakes you see people make when designing their Powerpoint presentations?
• Are easy rules of thumb when it comes to using visuals in presentations? (10-20-30 – Kawasaki)
• Apart from Powerpoint, many speakers use Keynote, Prezi, or even Canva. Do you have a preference?
• My team is in the Philippines but what's it like building a team in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

https://speakersu.com/effective-powerpoint-presentation-for-speakers-118

Our guest this week is a LinkedIn Learning instructor as well as the author of two books and an award-winning international speaker on Communication, Inclusive Leadership, and Empathy at Work. She's passionate about helping organizations create an atmosphere of belonging for their people and for those individuals, in turn, to be given the skills and opportunity to communicate with power and clarity. Please welcome Shola Kaye.

Questions:

• What do you speak about - did you have to pivot or make changes during the pandemic?
• Who are your typical clients?
• How did you deal with impostor syndrome and get started with your marketing when you began speaking?
• Which marketing strategy has been most useful to you, helping you grow your business, expanding to new markets despite the pandemic?

https://speakersu.com/linkedin-strategies-to-get-speaking-engagements-117

I'm James Taylor, and you're listening to the SpeakersU Podcast, a show for aspiring and professional speakers. This episode is with my co-host, Maria Franzoni. Enjoy the episode, we're joined by a wonderful, wonderful speaker today. And the first time I've had a chance to meet Maria. I know you've worked with her for a while Kay Korsch. And k has been helping people refine this style for nearly two decades, and has worked with some amazing personalities along the way, including actors like James Elizabeth DeBakey Riz Ahmed, and I'm a huge fan of Ben Whishaw, f1 racing driver, Jenson Button, and musician Will Young. She founded Mind Over Fashion 18 months ago, and our main priority is to tune into a client's needs and to gently elevate their existing style to make them feel comfortable and presentable. According to their brand and lifestyle. Her approach is candid and compassionate as we're about to find out. So, Kay, welcome to the show.

https://speakersu.com/what-to-wear-on-stage-when-speaking-116

Joshua Seth is a celebrity voice actor(and world touring magician)turned entertaining keynote speaker. Joshua is known to millions as the voice of over 100 animated TV shows and movies and can be heard in everything from Akira to Sponge Bob Square Pants.

As a headline entertainer, Joshua toured the world for over a decade with his highly successful show "Psychological Illusions". He performed live on stage in over 40 countries, had 5 TV specials inSouth Korea and Japan, and presented in front of 20,000 people at the Mandalay Bay Arena in Las Vegas.

He's also the author of three books, including the bestselling peak performance book "Finding Focus In A Changing World".

But he's best known as the star of Digimon, voicing the main character "Tai" for the past 20 years, in the hit tv series as well as all 8 movies, helping it become one of the top 100 highest-grossing media franchises in the world.

These days Joshua shows leaders how to speak with influence and communicate with confidence so they can make a bigger impact on the world.

Joshua Seth: Speak With Influence And Communicate With Confidence – #115

https://speakersu.com/speak-with-influence-and-communicate-with-confidence-115

I'm James Taylor and you're listening to the SpeakersU Podcast a show for aspiring and professional speakers. This episode is with my co-host, Maria Franzoni. Enjoy the episode. 

https://speakersu.com/how-to-rock-the-virtual-world-114

I'm James Taylor and you're listening to the SpeakersU Podcast, a show for aspiring and professional speakers. 

My guest today is Bronwyn Hesketh of Speakers Inc, a Professional Speakers Bureau, based in South Africa. Speakers Inc has branches in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban and was started 21 years ago by Bronwyn. 

In today's episode, we talk about top South African keynote speakers, how the bureau industry has changed because of virtual, and her new WeSpeak project. Enjoy the episode.

https://speakersu.com/top-south-african-keynote-speakers

I'm James Taylor, and you're listening to the SpeakersU podcast, a show for aspiring and professional speakers. This episode is with my co-host, Maria Franzoni. Enjoy the episode. Our guest this week is a pioneer in human-based training and has spoken at over two and a half 1000 mainstage events from Texas to Tasmania. He is also the author of four books and markets his own line of stress Buster products worldwide. He is a speaker who teaches people to be more resilient and resourceful and coaches businesses on how to enhance productivity and employee enthusiasm through the use of humor. Please welcome to This Week in events. Mr. Tim Gard. -Top Humorous Keynote Speakers

https://speakersu.com/top-humorous-keynote-speakers-111/

I'm James Taylor and you're listening to the SpeakersU Podcast, a show for aspiring and professional speakers. This episode is with my co-host Maria Franzoni. Enjoy the episode.

I'm James Taylor, keynote speaker, and speaker business coach and this is the SpeakersU Podcast. If you enjoy listening to conversations that will help you launch and grow your speaking business faster than your thought possible, then you've come to the right place. Each week we discuss marketing strategies, sales techniques, as well as ideas to increase the profitability of your speaking business and develop your craft. You'll find show notes for today's episode as well as free speaker business training at speakersu.com.

https://speakersu.com/advanced-selling-for-speaking-business-110

This episode is with my co-host, Maria Franzoni. Enjoy the episode. This week we're going to be talking about goals big bold goals goal setting, a topic I'm actually really passionate about. And our guest today is Casper Craven, who is a leading authority and achieving big, bold goals through high-performance teamwork, a serial entrepreneur, he has built and sold a tech business for seven figures, some worked as a CFO, and at KPMG. He has twice sailed around the world, the first time as a team leader on a trophy-winning racing yacht in the BT global challenge. And the second time as captain and Team Leader of his family team, with his wife, and three young children, all aged under 10 years of age. So he's going to share with us how we can be more audacious and bold and achieve big, bold goals for 2021 and beyond. And it's my great pleasure for us to have him with us today.

https://speakersu.com/big-bold-goals-for-speakers-109/

Our guest is one of today's foremost practitioners of performance-enhancing psychology and is an expert in high-performing teams. He's ranked among the most influential figures in business in British sport, as well as a powerful figure in the business community where he has worked with business leaders and companies to fulfill their potential by delivering change and performance programs. in sport, he has worked with five Ryder Cup captains, Premier League footballers Formula One racing drivers, and the ashes-winning England cricket team. I'm delighted to welcome you onto this week in events, Jamil Qureshi. -Creating And Sustaining Momentum In Your Speaking Business

https://speakersu.com/creating-and-sustaining-momentum-in-your-speaking-business-108

My guest today is SpeakersU member Shola Kaye, a keynote speaker on communication, leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion, and workplace empathy. She's the author of two books and an award-winning speaker. Shola has a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, completed scientific research in the field of Neuroscience at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, and spent a number of years working in the United States in financial services. She has also performed on four continents as a professional entertainer, which is why she values creating programs that are both engaging and effective. Shola's writing has appeared in industry publications such as Management Today and HR Zone and she has been featured in Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, and on the BBC. Her clients include Deloitte, American Express, and The United Nations and in our discussion, we talk about Shola's transition from corporate executive to a singer to top keynote speaker on diversity and inclusion. Enjoy the episode.

https://speakersu.com/top-keynote-speaker-on-diversity-and-inclusion-107