Professional Speaking is for expert speakers who want authority and demand, not just applause and compromise.
If you are good on stage but not consistently in demand, this show is for you.
If you have a mission and a message to share, or a problem you help people solve, but your calendar is way too open, and your fees are more capped than climbing, this show is for you.
Each week, we explore strategic speaking through four lenses:
Craft: The mechanics of presence, storytelling and human connection.
Business: Positioning, pricing, referrals and talks that create commercial momentum.
Ethics: Intellectual honesty and the conscience behind influence.
The Future: Media shifts, AI and what the next decade demands of serious speakers.
This is not about exposure.
It is about building a reputation that travels ahead of you.
Stop speaking to rooms. Start shaping markets.
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How The Speaking Industry Really Works (Maria Franzoni's Bookability Reality Check)
Episode 256
Friday, February 13, 2026 • Duration 01:00:20
Maria Franzoni is a former speaker bureau owner and author of The Bookability Formula. She shares a blunt, practical view of what makes a speaker bookable in the UK and European markets, and why “being good” is not the same as “getting hired”. This show is unmissable if you're serious about speaking.
What we cover
Why “follow your passion” is often terrible business advice
The UK/Europe market reality vs the US speaking market
Why relevance to a paying market comes before polishing a keynote
What really builds credibility (and what screams “fake”)
The networking mistake almost everyone makes
Why speakers overrun and how it hurts the event (and other speakers)
The real reason top-paid speakers get booked
What makes organisers and bureaus reject someone instantly
Demo videos: why bad video is worse than no video
Whether your full keynote should be public or private
Plagiarism in the speaking industry and why it happens
Podcast guesting as visibility and as training for concise communication
Key takeaways
Relevance is the filter. If the market doesn’t care, your passion won’t save you.
Proof beats claims. Testimonials, outcomes and case studies do the heavy lifting.
Bookability is business. Relationships, follow-up and sales habits matter more than most speakers want to admit.
Assets signal quality. A weak demo video can quietly kill deals before you’re even considered.
Great speakers are often not the highest paid. The most bookable speakers usually run the best business.
Guest
Maria Franzoni
LinkedIn: Maria Franzoni
Website: mariafranzoni.me
Book: The Bookability Formula (Great read)
Links and resources mentioned
Speaker bureau newsletters and topic forecasts (example: Chartwell)
The Dip (Seth Godin), referenced by John in the wider show context
Judy Carter (comedy writing advice mentioned), The New Comedy Bible, and see previous guest appearance.
Chapters
00:00 The bookability...
Why Most Speakers Stay Stuck (And How the Successful Ones Break Through)
Episode 255
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • Duration 20:02
Episode Summary
Why do so many capable speakers never gain momentum or consistent bookings?
In this short solo episode, John Ball breaks down the single biggest block that stops speakers from becoming successful professionals. It is not talent, confidence, or credibility. It is the habit of overthinking and under-acting.
Drawing on years of coaching speakers and working inside the speaking industry, John explains how planning becomes a comfort zone, why “being ready” is often procrastination in disguise, and how real progress only starts when action meets reality. If you want to treat speaking like a business rather than a hobby, this episode will give you a sharp reset.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
02:09 The Main Obstacle for Speakers
03:05 The Importance of Taking Action
06:30 Navigating Challenges and Imperfections
11:30 Building a Speaking Business
17:54 Conclusion and Call to Action
Visit https://strategic-speaker.scoreapp.com to take the 2-minute Strategic Speaking Business Audit and find out what's blocking you from getting more bookings, re-bookings, referrals and bigger fees. There's a special surprise gift for everyone who completes the quiz.
Want to get coached for free on the show? Fill in the form https://forms.gle/mo4xYkEiCjqtz9yP6, and if we think your challenge could help others, we'll invite you on.
You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel:
Why You’re Not Getting Booked as a Speaker Even in a High-Demand Hot Topic (Real Coaching Session)
Episode 254
Friday, February 6, 2026 • Duration 42:45
A hot market does not guarantee hot bookings. In this coaching session, John works with tech and emerging-tech speaker Cortney Harding to diagnose the real reasons her calendar is not matching her credibility. They unpack why prestige signals and “busy content” do not automatically create demand, how to position around an expensive problem, and why simplifying outreach beats “post and pray” when you want reliable bookings.
You will also hear a strong warning for speakers who chase whatever topic is trending. It looks strategic until you realise you are rebuilding your positioning every six months and still not becoming the obvious choice.
What you will learn
Why high-demand topics can still leave you with a cold inbox
The difference between credibility signals and buyer demand
How to turn a framework into a clear “we need this” message
Why your prospecting should start with a simple response-getting question
What to prioritise if you feel permanently stuck in launch mode
Why social media is often a nice-to-have, not the main lever for bookings
How to reframe sales as relationships so it stops feeling grim
Who this is for
Professional speakers who want more paid bookings, clearer positioning, and a simpler plan that does not rely on going viral.
Chapters
00:00 Hot market, cold inbox
00:52 Why chasing hot topics is a terrible long-term strategy
01:35 What this coaching session will help you fix
01:57 Cortney’s goal: speaking as real revenue, not “biz dev”
03:05 Fee goals and gig targets
04:05 The “last mile” problem: credibility without a flywheel
05:00 The crowded hot-topic trap and the pivot to differentiation
07:00 The key diagnostic: what expensive problem do you solve?
Links and resources
Virtual Presenting for Professional Speakers (What Most Get Wrong) with Jelmer Smits
Episode 253
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 • Duration 52:44
Mastering Virtual Presentations: Tips and Techniques
SUMMARY:
Virtual presentations are not going away. Job interviews, client meetings, and hybrid work all mean your first impression is increasingly happening through a webcam. In this episode, Jelmer Smits argues most organisations are still presenting like it’s 2020, stuck in survival mode with poor setups, flat delivery, and zero audience care. The result is not professionalism. It is the awkward middle ground where competence and warmth both collapse.
We unpack a simple charisma lens, competence plus warmth, and why virtual delivery often drains both. Jelmer explains why “Zoom fatigue” is frequently a boredom problem, not a platform problem, and how speakers can create energy and engagement without becoming an over-caffeinated game show host. The key is variation and audience comfort: helping people feel safe, heard, and understood, especially when they are joining from home and juggling distractions.
You will hear practical fixes that go beyond “be more engaging.” Jelmer shares how micro breaks reset attention, why you should ask more questions (including chat prompts, polls, and rhetorical questions), and how to baseline participation early so the session becomes interactive by default. We also talk about slide mistakes, including the difference between presentation slides and handout slides, and why “less slides, more face” usually wins online.
We get into the details most speakers ignore, camera angle, lighting, sound, and background choices, including why messy real backgrounds and glitchy fake ones both damage trust. Jelmer also makes the case for practising with feedback rather than alone, plus the underrated skill that saves you when tech fails: improv. Not “be funny” improv, but the ability to shift attention, buy time, and keep the session moving when something breaks.
Finally, Jelmer shares what he is building next, including a potential world championship for online presenting and a practice-based learning platform designed to give speakers real rehearsal time, not passive “course consumption.”
Links mentioned: Jelmer’s work at completepresenter.com, his and his offer of a virtual presenting for listeners and . If you can't open the links, just message me (details below)
Conflict Avoidance: How Avoiding Tension Undermines Your Authority - With Leadership & Culture Expert Julie Holunga
Episode 252
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 • Duration 43:54
Most leaders avoid conflict. Not because they are weak, but because they want to be liked, respected and seen as reasonable.
In this episode of The Professional Speaking Show, John Ball and leadership expert Julie Holunga unpack how conflict aversion quietly erodes authority, credibility and influence — especially for leaders and professional speakers who rely on trust and presence to lead.
Julie introduces the idea of “lazy leadership” and explains why avoiding hard conversations feels easier in the moment, but costs leaders status, clarity and effectiveness over time. The conversation explores how language, tone and timing shape authority, and how leaders can address tension without becoming aggressive, performative or fake.
This episode is for leaders and professional speakers who want to lead with clarity, credibility and confidence — not just keep the peace.
Find out more about Julie's work at JulieHolunga.com or connect with her on LinkedIn
CHAPTERS
00:00 Lazy Leadership: A New Perspective
02:24 Empowering Women in Conflict Resolution
05:28 The Importance of Language and Tone
08:02 Navigating Male-Dominated Environments
10:48 Constructive Conflict: A Path Forward
13:43 The Spectrum of Conflict Engagement
16:19 Authenticity in Communication
19:07 The Three C's of Conflict Competence
21:54 Building Trust Through Effective Communication
24:48 Practical Applications in Everyday Life
42:11 Closing Thoughts
Key Takeaways
How to Win on LinkedIn Without Selling Your Soul (Speakers + Coaches) with LinkedIn expert Michelle J Raymond
Episode 251
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • Duration 54:45
Stand Out on LinkedIn: Strategies for Speakers and Coaches
SUMMARY
In this episode of the Professional Speaking Show, host John Ball engages with LinkedIn expert Michelle J Raymond to discuss the evolving landscape of LinkedIn and how speakers and coaches can navigate its complexities. They explore the challenges posed by AI-generated content, engagement pods, and the pressure to conform to viral trends, emphasising the importance of authenticity and genuine engagement. Michelle shares her insights on how to stand out in a crowded space by building real relationships and creating meaningful content that resonates with audiences. The conversation also touches on the necessity of maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile and the strategic use of various content formats to enhance visibility and engagement.
LinkedIn is becoming noisier and harder to trust, but authenticity can help you stand out.
Building real relationships is more valuable than chasing viral trends.
Your LinkedIn profile should be treated like your homepage; keep it updated and engaging.
Engagement pods may provide short-term visibility but can undermine long-term credibility.
Consistency in posting and genuine interaction are key to leveraging LinkedIn effectively.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to LinkedIn Expertise
How to Become Known (Without Being a Marketing Clone) – Mark Schaefer on Personal Brand, Speaking & Authority
Episode 250
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 • Duration 46:14
Secrets of Personal Branding
SUMMARY
In this episode of Present Influence, John is joined by branding expert and bestselling author Mark Schaefer to explore what it truly means to become known in a noisy, copy-and-paste marketing world.
They explore why most personal brands fail, how guru-led thinking is killing originality, and why authority is built through relevance, consistency, and usefulness rather than visibility or hype.
Mark shares practical insights from his books Known and Audacious, including how speakers and experts can clarify what they want to be known for, choose the right content strategy, and avoid the trap of chasing platforms instead of building trust.
This conversation is essential listening for speakers, coaches, and consultants who want to build real credibility, stand out without selling out, and turn visibility into lasting influence.
Welcome To Professional Speaking (formerly Present Influence)
Thursday, January 8, 2026 • Duration 01:18
Welcome to Professional Speaking, the podcast for keynote speakers, subject matter experts, and coaches who are ready to stop being "well-kept secrets" and start building a scalable, high-impact career.
Most speaking advice is either too "soft" (focusing only on stage presence) or too "sleazy" (focusing on aggressive, outdated sales tactics). We believe there is a third way: The Path of Professional Influence.
Each week, we dive deep into the three pillars of a sustainable speaking career:
Master the Stage: Advanced communication, storytelling, and delivery techniques that ensure you leave a lasting legacy.
Book More Gigs: Strategic marketing, high-ticket sales frameworks, and the business systems required to fill your calendar without losing your soul.
Grow Your Impact with Integrity: How to increase your reach and revenue while staying true to your values and ethical standards.
Whether you are looking to pivot from breakout sessions to the mainstage, increase your keynote fees, or build a business that scales beyond your time on the lectern, this show provides the tactical roadmap to get you there.
Stop "giving talks" and start building a brand that commands attention.
Visit presentinfluence.com/quiz to take the Speaker Radiance Quiz and discover your Charisma Quotient.
Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.
You Don’t Hate Sales – You Hate Bad Sales: How Speakers and Coaches Sell High-Ticket Offers Without the Sleaze (Katie Nelson)
Episode 249
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 • Duration 46:18
SUMMARY
Many speakers, coaches, and consultants say they hate sales. In reality, what they hate is manipulative, impersonal, high-pressure selling that feels out of alignment with who they are.
In this episode of Present Influence, sales expert Katie Nelson dismantles the myth that selling high-ticket offers has to feel sleazy. We explore why sales is fundamentally human, not transactional, and why relationship, curiosity, and courage matter far more than funnels, scripts, or AI shortcuts.
We cover how speakers and coaches can sell premium services ethically, why relying solely on referrals is risky, how fear and rejection really work in sales, and why the founder must stay involved in selling longer than they think. Katie also challenges the overuse of “sales mindset” rhetoric and explains why action, not affirmation, is what actually builds confidence and cash flow.
If you sell your expertise, your voice, or your presence and want a sales process that feels honest, effective, and sustainable, this episode will change how you think about selling.
Sales is not a personality flaw; it's a human process.
Embracing sales leads to quicker business success.
Referrals should be seen as gifts, not strategies.
Sales is about people before it's about systems.
Mindset is important, but action is crucial in sales.
The Professional Speaking Shift: The Process My Clients Use To Get Unstuck & Grow
Episode 248
Friday, January 2, 2026 • Duration 07:15
SUMMARY
In this conversation, John Ball discusses the importance of treating speaking as a business rather than just a performance. He emphasises that many speakers struggle not due to a lack of skill but because they fail to position themselves effectively in the market. The discussion highlights the need for speakers to shift from hoping for opportunities to actively creating strategies that lead to sustainable careers. By focusing on serving specific audiences and building trust, speakers can enhance their impact and success in the industry.
You can connect with me using the links below.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Business of Speaking
02:05 Shifting Mindsets for Success
04:05 Building Trust Over Attention
06:39 Close
Visit presentinfluence.com/quiz to take the Speaker Radiance Quiz and discover your Charisma Quotient.
Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Strategic Speaking Business Audit
Take this quick quiz to find out where and why your speaking business is leaking opportunities.
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Mentioned in this episode:
The Strategic Speaking Business Audit
Take this quick quiz to find out where and why your speaking business is leaking opportunities.
07:30 Tech last, problem first: Cortney’s framework
09:05 Why this matters: wasted spend, weak ROI, failed projects
10:05 Sharpening the one-sentence positioning
12:55 Why the “how” matters less than the “what” at first
13:20 Content output vs conversion, and the danger of mimicry
14:10 Permanently in launch mode and “throwing Italy at the wall”
16:00 What is actually driving bookings right now?
16:25 Strategic pitching and why it is not converting
17:05 Simplifying outreach to one question that gets responses
