

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

Dec 17, 2019 • 38min
How Writing and Speaking Go Together with Ryan Holiday
How writing and speaking go together may seem obvious, but there are important distinctions and here to explain what they are is Ryan Holiday.Ryan is a best-selling author of several books as well as an in-demand international speaker.On episode 268, he tells us more about how writing and speaking go together in his business, as well as his process for writing and developing a talk and how he gets into the zone before speaking to big audiences. You can hear us dig into those topics and more on this episode of The Speaker Lab. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: How does he test new material?What similarities does he find among his diverse audiences?What does he try to do with each of his books?Does he set specific speaking intentions when he writes his books?When can it be difficult to get reps as a speaker?Can geography impact your speaking opportunities?How does he define stillness?Why is it better to speak earlier in the conference series?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESRyan Holiday's web siteDaily Stoic web siteStillness Is The Key, by Ryan HolidayRyan Holiday's other booksRyan Holiday on TwitterThe 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.

Dec 10, 2019 • 33min
How to Use Creativity to Stand Out with Jesse Cole
Jesse Cole has a unique story that highlights how to use creativity to stand out, and you are going to hear it on this edition of The Speaker Lab!I won't give away too many details because I don't want to spoil it for you, but we will be hearing his modern-day Field of Dreams story as well as how his entrepreneurial journey ties into his speaking business.We also talk about how to zig when the world is zagging, why he wears a custom yellow tuxedo and much more on episode 267 of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: What does PFT stand for and how does it apply to being a speaker?Why does he write a thank you letter every single day?Has he always had the same marketing approach with his baseball team?Can you develop a stronger level of creativity in your life?How to use your audience's friction points in a positive way.What is the alter ego effect and how does it apply to speaking?How can you use what is normal to actually be different?When you give fun and have fun, then what happens?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESJesse Cole's web siteSavannah Bananas web siteFind Your Yellow Tux, by Jesse ColeJesse Cole on TwitterThe 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.

Dec 3, 2019 • 32min
Speaking Fees and Speaking Bureaus with Josh Linkner
How do you know what to ask for your speaking fees and when to raise them? And should you work with speaking bureaus?Josh Linkner is the man to ask and he's here with the answers on today's The Speaker Lab. Today with Josh, we discuss how to know if your fees are too high or just right, and how to know when to raise them.He also shares how to set yourself up to be ready to work with bureaus and how to know if they are a good fit for your business.Get ready for all of that and more on episode 266 of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: How did he grow his business to receiving 5-15 inbound leads per day today?What does the balance of gratitude and hunger offer?What is his strongest recommendation for speakers who want to grow their business?Should you ever lower your fees?What does it mean to be "bureau ready"?Who are bureaus interested in?When should you initiate conversations with bureaus?What percentage of leads should say yes to your fees?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESJosh Linkner's web siteThree Ring Circus web siteJosh Linkner on TwitterThe 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.

Nov 26, 2019 • 35min
Solving a Problem For The Right Audience with Terry Brock
One of the important aspects of speaking is solving a problem for the right audience.So how do you choose the right audience and find the most pressing problem they are facing? There's one man to answer these questions and he is here today: Mr. Terry Brock.Terry has been in the speaking industry for a few decades and he has a wealth of knowledge! Today he shares how to ensure you are solving a specific problem for a specific audience, and how to validate that in the marketplace. We also touch on virtual speaking: how he's done it and what that has looked like for his business.You'll hear from Mr. Terry Brock on those subjects and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: What is his connection to Thomas J. Stanley, author of The Millionaire Next Door?What it means to grow bigger ears as a speaker.How can you use social media to find what the market is looking for?How do you know which opportunities to focus on?What is a CSP and why do speakers need to be one?Do the most successful speakers do just one thing?How much of his business is virtual speaking gigs?Who is the National Speakers Association right for and how do you get the most out of it?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESTerry Brock's web siteTerry Brock on TwitterThe Millionaire Next Door, by Thomas J. StanleyThe Speaker Lab on YouTubeNational Speakers' Association web siteThe 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.

Nov 12, 2019 • 34min
5 Strategies for Storytelling From Stage with Mike Pacchione
Our guest for episode 263 of The Speaker Lab is Mike Pacchione and he's giving us his 5 strategies for storytelling from stage.Mike is a speaker and coach who works with a lot of names you'd recognize and he helps his clients tell better stories during their speaking engagements. You can find out more about his back story on his first visit to The Speaker Lab in episode 9.We will also do a brief breakdown of one of Seth Godin's stories. You can hear that breakdown and more on the 263rd edition of The Speaker Lab.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOWWhat does it mean to prime your audience for a story?How do you build credibility into your stories?When do details help and when do they hinder your story?How many characters in a story is too many?Why stories need tension and a release of that tension.What does it look like to build the right amount of tension?How do you summarize the lesson of your story properly?Can you tell a longer story at the beginning or at the end of your speech?And much, much more! EPISODE RESOURCESMike Pacchione's web siteMike Pacchione on TwitterFull clip of Seth Godin story breakdownBreakdown of Sir Ken Robinson's Ted TalkMade To Stick by Chip Heath and Dan HeathSpeech Breakdowns on YouTubeGet 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.

Nov 5, 2019 • 36min
How to Use Slides, Stories and Data with Nancy Duarte
How to use slides, stories, and data in your speeches is something every speaker should know, whether you're new to the game or have been around for a while.And there's no one better to spell it out for us than Nancy Duarte. Nancy is the author of several books including Illuminate, Resonate and her most recent book, DataStory.She is also a prolific speaker and storyteller and on today's show, she explains when to use slides, the most common slide mistakes speakers make and how to use both data and stories in the most powerful way possible. Join us and you can find out all of this and more on episode 262 of The Speaker Lab. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOWHow did she start working with Apple over 30 years ago?How the audience affects the content of your slides.What number of slides is too many?Who are the finest speech crafters in her experience: introverts or extroverts?What is the messy middle and how do you apply it to speaking?Why first-person stories are most effective.How do you determine whether or not a story should be shared?And much, much more! EPISODE RESOURCESNancy Duarte's web siteDataStory, by Nancy DuarteNancy's other books Nancy Duarte on TwitterDiagrammerPresentation Zen, by Garr ReynoldsAn Inconvenient Truth on YouTubeGet 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.

Oct 29, 2019 • 33min
The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur with John Jantsch
What does it mean to be a self-reliant entrepreneur? Our guest today is here to tell us; he has literally written the book on the subject!John Jantsch is a phenomenal speaker and author, and today we're talking about how he uses speaking for lead generation for his business and how he has created longevity and relevancy as a speaker for over 30 years.We wrap up with his latest book, The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur and we do something that we've never done before on any show. Stay tuned for that and much more on today's edition of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOWHow did he quadruple his speaking fees?The importance of being able to evolve your message.Why did he start his podcast?How do you ultimately build the strongest business eco-system?Speakers who get a lot of referrals do this one thing: what is it?Can you determine if you are referable?Why trusting yourself is key to being a speaker and an entrepreneur.What is one of the key markers to success?And much, much more! EPISODE RESOURCESJohn Jantsch's web siteDuct Tape Marketing, by John JantschReferral Engine, by John JantschSelf-Reliant Entrepreneur, by John JantschDuct Tape Marketing podcastJohn Jantsch on TwitterGet 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.

Oct 22, 2019 • 35min
Is Your Speaking Topic Financially Viable with Clay Hebert
How do you know if your speaking topic is financially viable or if your audience will actually pay to hear what you have to say? The man to answer those questions and more is your friend and mine, Clay Hebert.Clay was here way back on episode 5 of The Speaker Lab and today he is back. We have a fun conversation about several topics including how to figure out if your audience or target market can actually pay speaking fees, the best way to respond to the question of what do you do and why you need to work on your personal brand while also working on your craft.Tune in to hear the details on episode 260 of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOWWhy certain talks don't pay but can still build your brand and change your career.What three entities pay for speakers?What's one of the big untold secrets in the speaking industry?Why it's important to work on your personal brand while you're also working on your craft.Is it true that winners quit all the time?When does a talk become great?Why do speakers some times choose safe topics?Success leaves what?And much, much more! EPISODE RESOURCESClay Hebert's web siteClay Hebert on TwitterClay Hebert on Episode 5 of TSLThe Dip, by Seth GodinGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on Spotify See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 15, 2019 • 43min
How to Stay Relevant with Scott Stratten
Scott Stratten is a phenomenal professional speaker who has been in the business well over a decade, and today he tells us what he's learned about how to stay relevant as a speaker.We also talk about Imposter Syndrome why even the most accomplished speakers are not immune, and his latest book, The Jackass Whisperer.This is a fun conversation full of Scott's trademark honest wisdom so join us for episode 259 of The Speaker Lab. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: Do you have to be the expert on something before you speak on it?Why it's not keynote or bust in the speaking world.What it means to follow your grain.Why did he have to focus on non-Canadian markets at a certain point?What is his advice for people who think they'll "make it" once they sign with a bureau?Why is he pivoting with his next book?What is his biggest issue with the speaking world?How and when does he say no?And so much more! EPISODE RESOURCESScott Stratten's web siteThe UnpodcastThe Jackass Whisperer, by Scott StrattenScott's other booksScott Stratten on TwitterMy breakdown of Scott's talkGet 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.

Oct 8, 2019 • 36min
5 Parts to a Successful Event with Chris Mefford
How can you create a really great event? One person who knows is Chris Mefford.Chris knows the 5 parts to a successful event and he's going to tell us what they are on today's episode of The Speaker Lab. As the former VP of Development with Dave Ramsey and a business coach and consultant today, Chris has a massive amount of experience when it comes to putting on events of all sizes.Today he tells us how to think about, plan and program events. He has a lot of tricks of the trade and you'll hear them all when you listen to episode 258 of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW: These are the two things you must-have for a successful event: what are they?Where do you start when planning your event?Why it's ok to think small!How do you calculate the costs involved?Can you launch too early?Should you have multiple tracks or just one?When do you send out your post-event survey?What are the three ways to make money from an event?And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESChris Mefford's web siteChris Mefford on TwitterGet 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.


