

The Speaker Lab Podcast
The Speaker Lab
Want to learn how to get booked and paid to speak — consistently? The Speaker Lab podcast features business tactics, speaking tips, and insider strategies from TSL CEO Dan Irvin, The Speaker Lab coaches, and some of the world's most successful speakers.You'll learn how to find speaking gigs, build relationships in your industry, negotiate higher speaker fees, and grow your speaking business. Every week, this podcast will give you key insights and practical advice from speakers who have been there and done that and can help you take the next step in your speaking journey. Whether you’re just getting started as a paid speaker or you’re a veteran speaker looking to build and grow your business, The Speaker Lab Podcast is here for you!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 23, 2020 • 35min
How to Embrace Your Fears with Michelle Poler
How to embrace your fears is the subject that helped our guest today jumpstart a whole new career as an international speaker and author.Michelle Poler is here on The Speaker Lab to talk about how she embraced her fears through 100 fears in 100 days challenge, how that challenge culminated in a TEDx talk and how some of those fears even became things she now loves to do.We explore those topics plus specific steps she took along the way and how you can do the same. Join us to hear the scoop on episode 295 of The Speaker Lab.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Which speaker was instrumental in both of our speaking careers?What should you do if your fears are holding you back?Why you don't need to believe all the speaking advice out there.What is more important than the number of views of your video?How she utilized her network to get the ball rolling on speaking gigs.Why having your spouse on board is incredibly helpful to grow your business.What actions did she take that led to referrals from Brene Brown?What can you do to set yourself for success when approaching speaking bureaus?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCES:Michelle Poler's web siteMichelle Poler's TEDx TalkHello Fears, by Michelle PolerMichelle Poler on InstagramMichelle Poler on TwitterCreative Mornings web siteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 16, 2020 • 39min
How to Pivot to Speaking Virtually With Jon Acuff
How to pivot to speaking virtually may not have been something you thought of before the pandemic, but our guest today explains why he and a lot of other speakers are embracing it now.Jon Acuff is an entrepreneur and author. He is also one of the best speakers I've seen live: he takes this craft seriously and it shows. In our conversation on The Speaker Lab today, Jon explains the pivots he's made during the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual speaking and utilizing YouTube to grow his client base. We also explore the long-term implications of virtual speaking going forward.This is a fun, informative, and engaging talk with Jon Acuff so join us on episode 294 of The Speaker Lab.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:What can be done virtually that can't be done from the stage?How do you adjust your pricing for virtual speaking gigs?What are value adds to consider in your virtual offerings?How can YouTube contribute to growing your client base?Has he tweaked his content to reflect current events?If you use humor when speaking live can you continue doing so virtually?Should you read comments while you're speaking virtually?Why it's okay to be an amateur when starting out as a virtual speaker.And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESJon Acuff's web siteJon Acuff on YouTubeJon Acuff on TwitterJon Acuff on InstagramJon Acuff's books Teleprompter appGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 9, 2020 • 37min
What Meeting Planners Want With Jay Baer
Knowing what meeting planners want from a speaker can be the difference between booking some gigs and being a full-time speaker. Our guest today has the inside scoop on this very topic and he's telling us the answers on episode 293 of The Speaker Lab!Jay Baer is an exceptionally successful speaker who has been in the industry for a long time and has accrued a wealth of knowledge along the way. Today on The Speaker Lab, we talk about Jay's recent research study that surveyed 150 event planners. We dig into what topics planners are looking for, what they want and hows event planners find speakers.Join us to hear the details on all of those topics and more episode 293 of The Speaker Lab with Jay Baer.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Why micro-categories may be your ticket to success.Who speaks on more topics: mediocre speakers or great speakers?How much customization should you do for your speaking gigs?Substance versus showmanship: what balance do you need to strike?How can you build momentum when you are just starting out?Why bringing something unique to the stage gives you an innate advantage.What are the ways to test your material?How does Jay think the coronavirus will affect speaking topics going forward?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESJay Baer's web siteDress Jay Baer web siteJay Baer on Twitter Standing Ovation podcast Topics Meeting Planners Want For 2020 What Meeting Planners Want Top 9 Ways Meeting Planners Find SpeakersGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 8, 2020 • 21min
Why a Speaking Pipeline Matters With Erick Rheam
Grant Baldwin and Erick Rheam hosted a Facebook Live to talk about one of the biggest challenges professional speakers face: getting consistent speaking gig leads and what to do with them.During the live stream, Grant and Erick discuss:Where many speakers get stuckWhy you can’t afford to sit back and wait for the phone to ringHow Erick falls back on principles he learned in the militaryWhat speakers can do to prepare for times of crisisHow to handle stressful times without getting stressed outThe value of creating a system to help you take the next right stepIdentifying the secret sauce behind a sustainable speaking businessThe 5 stages of your speaking gig pipelineWhere to never discuss your pricingSetting up event planners for success and recruiting them to your teamHow to replicate the success of professional speakersAnd moreEPISODE RESOURCESMaster Your Speaking PipelineGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 2, 2020 • 39min
How Public Relations Helps Speakers With Chris Winfield
How public relations helps speakers may not be something you've considered before, but after today's episode you will know how PR can make a difference in your speaking career.Chris Winfield joins us to talk about this topic. He teaches PR (public relations) and the art of relationships and connections. We dig into those three areas right out of the gate, and also talk about my skepticism of the value of public relations!We answer questions like how important is it to build long-term relationships? What are the challenges and potential obstacles if you are an introvert versus an extrovert? Chris also tells us about PR firms, why most are horrible, and a simple exercise you can do right now to move the needle.This is a fun and informative show so join us for episode 292 of The Speaker Lab with Chris Winfield.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Does everyone have Impostor Syndrome?What is the law of reciprocity and how does it work?Ten minutes in person can replace how much time online?Who are the people who make the greatest connections?Do you have something to bring to the table, even if you are starting out?Are certain forms of media more impactful than others?What does it mean to "borrow credibility"?How do you know which platforms are ideal for you?And so much more!RESOURCESChris Winfield's web siteChris Winfield on TwitterChris Winfield on InstagramGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 26, 2020 • 31min
Why Writing Matters for Speakers With Hugh Culver
You may see the value of writing, but do you know why writing matters for speakers?Our guest does and he's here to tell us on the 291st edition of The Speaker Lab! Hugh Culver is a repeat guest who is a successful speaker in his own right, and also works with other speakers and thought leaders on content, blogging, and writing.Today we'll talk about the process of writing for speakers, how it can actually help you become a better speaker, and a simple framework to help you approach writing new content. We'll even give you insights on how we produce this podcast!There's a lot to get to so join us and listen in to this episode of The Speaker Lab.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: What happens when you hit on a topic that resonates with your ideal market?How can Google analytics help you narrow down your topics?What are the five components of your template for writing content?How do you follow a framework without boring your audience?What's the downside of not using a template or a framework?When and when not to edit your content during the writing process.What is a common trait among the highest paid speakers?How do you know what to outsource and what to do yourself?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESHugh Culver's web siteBlogWorks web siteHugh Culver on TwitterAtomic Habits, by James ClearGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 19, 2020 • 44min
How to Find Your First Paid Speaking Gig with Bryan Allain (VIII)
Today's edition of The Speaker Lab is the final segment of our eight-part series on how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!If you missed the first seven episodes check them out here: part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, part five here, part six and part seven.A lot has happened in Bryan's life since our first show and we talk about it today, including some very vulnerable and personal sharing from Bryan himself.This is a compelling episode you won't want to miss so, please join us for the conclusion of how to find your first paid speaking gig on episode 290 of The Speaker Lab.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:What has helped Bryan process a personal tragedy?How you can offer help to someone who is going through a crisis.Who do people like working with as a general rule?How do you know if you are doing work to get results?Why you need to be aware of onstage hours vs offstage hours.Is pivoting always a hard thing to do?What is Bryan's advice for speakers who are where he was initially?Why coaching matters in any profession.And much more!EPISODE RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 12, 2020 • 37min
How to Find Your First Paid Speaking Gig with Bryan Allain (VII)
Welcome to part seven of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain.Missed the first six episodes? You can listen here to part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, part five here and part six.Today, you'll hear a two-part conversation: in the first part, we talk right before Bryan talks to a potential client he got a positive response from and in the second part, we recorded an update on how the call went and what his next steps are from there. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro we've got insights and lessons you can learn in this series.Join us on episode 289 of The Speaker Lab to hear it part seven of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: Why is the goal to get someone on the phone?What questions do you ask when you're talking to a warm lead?How do you approach gigs with no pay?Should you build travel into the fees you quote?How to ensure you are exchanging value for value.What should you say if you reach someone's voicemail?What are potential wins you can look for in a reduced-fee speaking gig?How to ask for referrals from new clients.And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 5, 2020 • 47min
How to Find Your First Paid Speaking Gig with Bryan Allain (VI)
Welcome to part six of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!If you missed the first five episodes with Bryan you can listen to here to part one, part two here, part three here, part four here, and part five here.On these in-depth talks, we are diving into what it takes to become a speaker: step by step what he needs to do, what he needs to think through on his journey to becoming a speaker. You'll also hear some real-life examples of his inquiries and how he should phrase his follow-ups.This is a journey we all can learn from so join us to hear every step on episode 288 of The Speaker Lab. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: Can you create a demo reel without a lot of bells and whistles?What is a "noble obstacle"?Why you don't always have to hit a "home run".How do you keep your name top of mind with potential clients?What should you say if someone isn't looking for a speaker right now?When do you stop following up?What is Loom and how do you use it in emails to potential clients?When should you not ask for an introduction?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterLoom's web siteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 28, 2020 • 47min
How to Find Your First Paid Speaking Gig with Bryan Allain (V)
Welcome to part five of how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain!If you missed the first three episodes with Bryan you can listen to here to part one, part two here, part three here and part four here.On this fifth episode, you'll hear about Bryan's progress as well as the work he still has to do. You'll also hear about a slight delay he had and what that sidetrack was all about and how he can get back on track.Get ready to listen in to all of those experiences and more with Bryan Allain on this episode of The Speaker Lab.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:How do you approach events that are coming up in the next 3-6 weeks?When is it too early to get on an event planner's radar?How to evaluate whether or not to speak for free.What's the best system to implement your follow-ups?Why even making "wrong" decisions is ultimately helpful on your journey.Do you need a business card?What movie trailers can teach us about demo videosWhat three things matter most when someone is considering hiring you?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESBryan Allain's web siteBryan Allain on TwitterHubSpot CRMFollowup.ccThe Successful Speaker, by Grant BaldwinGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifyRead show transcripts hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


