One of the best pieces of advice I've ever been given is, "If you can't find a stage, build your own."

GROWING YOUR AUDIENCE FROM STAGE

To grow your audience, you need to get in front of people who don't know you yet. Then, you need to share your story and how you are different.

Finally, you need to invite them into your world.

When I use the term "stage", I don't only mean a physical riser in front of a live crowd during an event holding a microphone. To me, a stage is any time you can speak in front of two or more people.

Stages could be live events. A stage could also be a podcast interview, a radio or TV interview, a virtual summit, speaking to a mastermind group, doing a Facebook Live, participating in a roundtable discussion, or presenting during an online event such as somebody's workshop just to name a few.

So, which should you choose and how do you find opportunities? That's what I want to help you solve today.

Let's begin with choosing the right stage. There are a few questions to ask yourself in order to find the right opportunity.

THE RIGHT AUDIENCE

The biggest factor in choosing a stage is the quality of the audience.

Most people are concerned with the size of the audience.

I've made more money speaking to a small mastermind group than I have speaking to nearly 100 people at a conference. The difference is the quality of the client prospects in the room. Those members of the mastermind were all my ideal clients.

Ensure you get in front of the right audience.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY?

Next, select the right environment. What speaking activities do you enjoy?

Some people prefer being interviewed on a podcast talking to people you can't see. Others prefer the reaction of a room full of a hundred people.

Do what you enjoy.

INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY

Your stage consideration should also be based on your investment.

Some stages require a fee to speak. It's easy to dismiss paying to speak. But if it is the right room, paying could be well worth it.

The bigger investment is your time. Will you need to travel to the engagment?

Travel can eat up days for a one-hour talk. Not all talks are created equal. Ensure it is worth your time.

CAN YOU PITCH?

What are you allowed to offer from stage?

Some opportunities like TEDx won't let you make any call to action, not even a free download. Others allow you to sell from stage.

Know the rules and how that frames your opportunity.

ARE YOU PROMOTED?

Will the host promote you as a speaker at the event?

Sometimes the promotion of you at the event is more valuable than actually speaking at the event.

WILL YOU MAKE CONNECTIONS?

Who else will be in the room? Sometimes the connections you make at the event lead to other speaking opportunities.

When big connections are possible, the new opportunities could be worth more than the current speaking gig. Consider it an investment in the future.

CAN YOU USE THE CONTENT/RECORDING?

Will the host give you access to the recording to use as you wish?

Maybe you can use it as a podcast episode.

FINDING STAGES

To find a stage, make connections with others. When you see announcements arrive in your inbox, reach out to the host to see if you might be part of their next event.

Ask for opportunities. Email the host and ask, "What does it take to be on your stage?"

If you can't find a stage on your own, let an expert help you. There are many experts around that will help you land a stage.

Steve Eriksen has an amazing platform that will help you land a stage.

STEVE ERIKSEN

When Steve Eriksen hosted a summit for his own coaching business, he couldn't find a good system to help him run his event. So he took his technical background in the events space, combined it with his real-world experience as an event host, and created EventRaptor, a system that makes virtual event management easy - including virtual summits! Steve is the Founder of EventRaptor. His goal is to make Virtual Event Management easy!

If you don't have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.

Thursday, February 12, 2026 – Young ‘Champions’ inspire positive change