The Speaker Lab Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

"If you've got a working keynote that has structure that you've been honing for a while, you probably have the bones of a book." - Liz Morrow 

"If you are someone who is highly entrepreneurial and you feel like you really value having a lot of creative control over the end product and you don't mind doing the hard, you know, kind of manual work of putting all of those systems in place and really championing your book yourself, then self publishing could be a great choice for you." - Ariel Curry 

This week, Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry joined Grant to talk about the process of book writing for speakers. If you've ever thought about writing a book, this is the episode for you! Liz and Ariel have been at it as writers and editors for years, so they bring first-hand knowledge to the conversation about the process of writing and selling a book.

In this episode, Grant, Liz, and Ariel cover: 

• 05:31 What’s involved in building a platform to sell a book? 
• 08:34 Pros and cons of self-publishing vs traditional publishing.
• 12:53 How do you find angles to sell a lot of books? 
• 14:19 Why are speakers positioned uniquely to write great books? 
• 18:59 How does the book mapping process make a difference when it’s time to write? 
• 20:42 What is the structure you recommend to writing a nonfiction book? 
• 24:30 How do you use the book map to align your content as you write? 
• 29:31 Are there ways to use AI to make the book-writing process easier? 
• 32:41 Why should someone write a book? 
• 35:14 Final advice for people still on the fence about writing a book. 

"And these are people who have multimillion dollar businesses. They have 4 million Instagram followers. They've got multiple six figures of email subscribers. I mean, these are people who think would have all the justification in the world that they have something worth sharing, and they still worry, am I good enough?" - Liz Morrow 

"The quality of the idea matters because people want something that is surprising. People want something that is new, and it's really hard to define." - Ariel Curry

Episode Resources:

• Buy Liz and Ariel's Book - Hungry Authors
• Follow Hungry Authors on Facebook
• Follow Hungry Authors on Instagram
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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“I'm really passionate about solving the same problem that they're passionate about solving. I have a unique ability that I'm willing to share."

How do you write your own story and become the speaker you've dreamed about being? 

This week, Brittany Richmond and Jake White are answering that question and talking about when to scale your business, how to find your niche, and so much more.

“If you want to accelerate faster, then you need quality time with the people that buy what you offer. I need to partner with the perfect match, learn their language, how they're funded, what problems they have, whenever they book us, what are the hurdles they have to go through? And however it can make it so easy for them to bring us in, that's part of my learning curve."

During this episode, you'll hear about: 

• 00:00 Jake’s background and the road to speaking
• 06:00 Jake’s story of founding Vive18 
• 08:54 How Jake met his co-founder
• 12:53 What it means to create your own story
• 14:08 The power in living your message 
• 18:05 Why you have to invest in your own career 
• 20:32 How to find your people in your industry 
• 24:34 Tips to accelerate your business and learning from the get-go 
• 28:16 How to create value for your customers 
• 32:55 What it looks like to support your decision-makers 

“If you build the community, then your people are going to continue using you because you are the hub and where to go."

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Jake on LinkedIn
• Check out Vive18's Website
• Follow Vive18 on Instagram
• Subscribe to Vive18 on Youtube
• Connect with Vive18 on Facebook
• Follow Vive18 on TikTok
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Reframing my approach to public speaking was a game-changer once I recognized I was my own worst critic.”

This week, Maryalice sat down with TSL coach Katherine Johnson to chat about all things authenticity on stage. If you think you’re being authentic on stage, this may be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed! 

When it comes to presenting ourselves to an audience, we tend to think about the logistics, what we’re wearing, what we’re saying, etc., but we can forget about the intention and the science behind building trust and credibility with our audience. 

"If you think you have to prove you are, you're making it all about yourself, and that cuts connection. Like, if I could just say that you can feel that in your body, you have to find some ways to shift to connection."

In this episode, Maryalice and Katherine get into: 

• 03:50 Why actually connecting with the audience matters more than the words you say 
• 08:49 Why aiming for connection will change the success you experience 
• 12:19 How to set yourself up for success on the stage.
• 15:34 What are a few ways we can improve connection and authenticity on stage?
• 16:39 How does nervousness get in the way of our message?
• 20:06 The impact of energy in our pre-stage routine. 
• 25:43 How to overcome fear of criticism during talks.
• 27:07 What it looks like to get comfortable with the fear and anxiety you might feel.
• 33:14 How do you remove armor and promote connection?

“Connection matters more than anything because you can actually say something. You could be a mediocre speaker. You could be an up-and-coming speaker. You can be pretty green. But if you know how to focus on connection with your audience, you're gonna do something special. You can continue to get better in terms of your content and some of your stagecraft, but if you know how to create that connection and be authentic from the stage, that does something powerful.”

Episode Resources:

• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.

For Episode 414, our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, and our Elite Concierge, Katie Campbell, are taking a deep dive into the key assets every successful speaker should have!

Aside from the more obvious fundamentals, there are marketable assets essential to creating your presence and setting you apart. Together they’re highlighting the value of a strategic online presence and the part it plays in telling your story, sharing your brand, and highlighting your voice. They’ll also unpack the power of coaching and the courage it takes to step up and step out when things like imposter syndrome creep in.

Katie highlights some of the common mistakes made in website and demo reel development and how to create the right content for your audience and event planners. Maryalice and Katie are covering so many speaking business game-changers during this episode. They’re simple but make all the difference and will meet you in any season of building your business.

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

• Why you need clarity and a solid abstract
• How to create a website that connects your audience with their pain points
• Why your website is never done
• Why you need a mobile friendly website
• The importance of a demo reel and first impressions
• Why you can and should lean on The Speaker Lab
• How to manage the opinions of others
• And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing in the excitement of our student’s success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

Deepika Sandhu has an incredible story to share about listening to your intuition and chasing after your dreams. Deepika’s “ah-hah” moment came after publishing her first book and realizing how badly she wanted to do an in-person book tour — in the middle of a global pandemic!

Her deep desire to keep connecting with her audience and witness the “ah-hah” moments of others became the driver for a new season in her career. During this episode, Deepika shares more about her book and her personal journey of finding what she wanted to change about her life in a way to be her most authentic self. Not only is Deepika living it, but she’s also now helping others translate their own work into the work they actually want to be doing. Deepika is walking the talk and she’s giving the ins and outs of how The Speaker Lab came alongside her dream to take the stage!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

• What does it mean to find your authenticity?
• How do your life experiences help you eventually “go for it?”
• What does it look like to jump the hurdle of hesitation?
• How coaching at TSL helped build Deepika’s success
• Why she said “yes” to investing in herself
• How she benefitted from the magic of the stagecraft cohort
• Why you have to honor the calling that rises from within
• And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since finishing a program with The Speaker Lab in 2017, Jake Thompson has had the "pedal to the metal” when it comes to building his brand and speaking career. His momentum and commitment to seizing growth opportunities have allowed him to triple his income and bring incredible value to his audience. Referrals, consulting opportunities, and a passion for the problem he solves brought him to some incredible stages that left him rubbing shoulders with individuals who have transformed the trajectory of his career.

During Episode 412, Jake shares about a new role serving as a fractional executive and how it has challenged him to level up and take the right risks. Jake’s unique journey allows him to bring a ton of insight to our conversation, reminding you to invest in yourself, embrace the “grind” and do it all while still being focused. Jake’s story is incredibly unique and a reminder that opportunity is out there, but you have to have the right mindset to make it work for you!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

• What it means to be all-in when building your business
• How to find the right opportunities that develop your vision
• The value of referrals and recommendations
• How to consider career game-changers
• Why you must invest in yourself
• Why you have to find your niche and dig even deeper
• How to hone a genuine passion for the problem you solve
• And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you've been in the speaking business for long, you know that it's not easy! Building a successful and sustainable speaking business is a grind. It takes a lot of sweat equity, patience, and intentionality to make it in this industry, but if you put in the work, there are some incredible opportunities for growth in every season.

This week, Erick Rheam is back to share practical advice on how to navigate the grind of building your business. Erick introduces the idea of a "power hour," shares how to navigate the good and bad days, and reminds us that even though every day will not be our best, consistency matters!

As someone who has built a highly successful speaking business, Erick navigates the ins and outs of the speaking industry every day. No matter where you are in your speaking journey, you'll benefit from Erick's experience and passion for equipping others to find their success on the stage. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:

• Why it’s possible to have a “grind” that is enjoyable and totally worth it
• How to fall in love with the process
• What are you willing to suffer for?
• Why buy-in matters from your spouse or partner
• How to apply what you’re learning
• Determining the actions that will further your business
• Why consistency impacts clarity
• And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re living in a world that continues to change post-pandemic — and speakers have to continue adjusting to stay relevant! There are more opportunities now than ever for speakers, but you have to be intentional and have a clear plan to build a sustainable speaking business.

This week, David Avrin joins us to share some great advice and a little tough love that will help you build your speaking business and not just get gigs.

David has a background in marketing and decades of experience in the speaking industry, and he's here to help you understand what it takes right now to get booked and paid to speak. David unpacks ways to beat imposter syndrome, what it looks like to inspire your audience, and why systems and processes matter more than giving a perfect performance.

David will bring you back to your "why" and show you how to turn your passion into sustainable success. If you're booking speaking gigs but haven't taken the leap to build a business — or haven't made it a priority — this episode is for you! You'll get fresh inspiration on how to seize opportunities, fill your calendar, and keep a long-game mentality.

Here's what you'll learn from this episode:

• How to navigate and overcome imposter syndrome
• The difference between booking gigs and building a business
• How to recognize opportunity and capitalize on it
• The importance of building your calendar and pipeline
• Why you must pitch strategically
• How to work smarter and not harder to transform your business
• How to embrace the “thrill of the hunt”
• And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing in the excitement of our student's success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.

For Episode 409 we’re sitting down with Jason Dietrich. Jason recently went through The Speaker Lab program and is eager to share his experience and journey to the stage! Believe it or not, Jason's love of speaking stemmed from an experience he had as a senior in college. From there he felt he’d found his calling, and the rest is history!

When Jason was ready to invest in himself and grow his speaking business, he jumped in headfirst at The Speaker Lab and worked to find his niche and further define his message. He boldly resigned from his teaching position and decided to dive deep into speaking full-time.

Jason has great tips and tricks that have worked for him as he is on this journey. Together, Maryalice and Jason talk about the importance of silence, finding your focus, and how to navigate the nerves! Jason’s transparency is refreshing – especially for newer speakers who also find themselves in the trenches of building their business.

Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:

• How he found his passion and purpose
• Jason’s SKY acronym
• How to silence your mind and find your focus
• How to prioritize and avoid the clutter
• How to use meditation
• And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you seen the ongoing buzz about Web3, NFTs, virtual reality, and cryptocurrency? What exactly are these things, and what do they mean for your speaking business?

This week, we're taking a deep dive into these concepts with Terry Brock. Together we’ll address your questions and concerns and discuss what all of this means for the future when it comes to entrepreneurial success and how to leverage these options for growth.

While these topics might seem unfamiliar, there’s a lot to consider so we can grasp the ramifications for our businesses, audience, and the community we’re building. Amidst all these cutting-edge options, Terry reminds us that one thing will always remain vital to speaking success — a commitment to the problem that we’re solving as speakers for our audience.

The foundation and fundamentals for speakers will never change, but the method of delivery and experience for our audience might! It may seem overwhelming, or even confusing to comprehend — and that's okay! Terry offers a simple introduction to these topics and gives you action steps you can take if you choose to explore how these concepts might become part of your speaking business. If you’re curious and ready to learn more, this is the episode for you!

Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:

• What is Web 3.0, NFTs, and cryptocurrency?
• How are these opportunities already being leveraged for greater success across different industries?
• What are the opportunities with these concepts for speakers?
• Is this all just a “fad” or will it stick around?
• What is a blockchain? Or a never-ending ticket?
• How and where can you learn more about implementing any one of these opportunities as an entrepreneur?
• And much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.