The Speak to Scale Podcast

“Am I ready? Am I good enough? Can I really be a speaker?” Do these questions sound familiar to you? Maybe you've been waiting to become a speaker until you reach a certain level of success or hit a milestone in your business. But you know what? You already have what you need to become a successful speaker.  All you have to do is tap into your skills that'll take you to the next level. In this episode, I talk about what those skills are and what it takes to become an amazing speaker. Click here for the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/192

Friend, life is full of a series of seasons and some of them stretch us more than others. Some seasons cause us to have to make tough calls. For me, I'm in one of those seasons right now and so I am going to make a tough call that I didn't plan to make. I will be pausing the production of The Speak to Scale Podcast for the summer. Listen to this episode to learn why.   Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/190

As a business owner, you want to help your clients have success and impact. The best way to do this is by identifying where you shine and then using your expertise to help others do the same. In this episode, Sharice Enis shares how she took her love for marketing automation and turned it into a business where she now helps her clients have the success they've always dreamed of.Review show notes and transcript at:https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/190

You may think that speaking is reserved for professional paid speakers or for those who use speaking as a sales mechanism. Friend, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to speaking. As an agency owner, you probably don't fit into the traditional speaking roles but speaking can still help you scale your business in ways that you can't even imagine. Review show notes and transcript at:https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/187

How does your role as a speaker change as you are adding members to your team? As your business grows and more people are on your team, you need to decide if these team members should be a part of your speaking strategy. Speaking is about so much more than ourselves. In this episode, I speak with Joey Vitale about how he has empowered his team to speak and the importance of showing more faces of the people in your business. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/185

Are you at a place where you're starting to shift your business model? Friend, there are going to be some growing pains as you embark upon this journey. However, you can ease those pains when you add speaking to the mix. In this episode, I share what it looks like to shift your business model, prepare for the road ahead, and overcome the obstacles quickly. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/184

We don't often talk about the financial side of speaking, but it's important to take a hard look at our numbers so that we can make better decisions for our future. Visibility without a clear strategy is a fast track to burning yourself out, friend. Being intentional about increasing sales requires making strategic decisions. In this episode, Danielle Hayden and I discuss what we need to be considering and doing every time that we are looking at taking on a speaking opportunity.  Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/183

Having a steady stream of passive income seems amazing, right? Unfortunately, the promise of passive income isn't always as passive as it seems, friend. In this episode, Trena Little will take you behind the scenes on how she has created passive income by scaling digital offers with speaking. You will hear about all the ups, downs, and everything in between. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/182

Do you have a digital product that either you offer for sale or for free? Friend, speaking engagements can help you scale your business when you are in front of the right audience. In this episode, you will hear success stories from business owners who have used speaking engagements to promote their digital products, along with helpful information for anyone who wants their digital product business to grow. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/181

Values may sound like a buzzword or simply a box you need to check in your business, but the reality is that our values can help guide our business and stand out. When you're able to communicate your values, you can better connect with your audience. In this episode, Ashlee Sang joins us to share how to determine your values, communicate them effectively, and work them into your speaking strategy. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/180

Are you feeling intimidated by speaking on a giant stage in front of hundreds or thousands of people? Friend, it may be time to redefine what a speaking opportunity is! Stages come in many forms, and some of them might surprise you. In this episode, I will be showing you how you can show up for your audience on unconventional stages and have just as much impact as if you were on a giant stage. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/179

Finances can be intimidating and exciting—whichever emotion you feel when you look at them, we believe there is always room to improve. In today's episode, I've brought on one of my Speaking Strategy Academy students, Amy Scott, to showcase her expertise on this topic and share a little about what she's taken away inside the Academy. Listen in as Amy shares a little about her business, how she believes in shifting your money mindset, and three steps to adjusting your approach to finances. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/178

Raise your hand if your speaking strategy and plans live in their own silo, separated from the rest of your business. If that's the case, we're going to fix it, because it shouldn't be that way. In this episode, I'm sharing how you can fit speaking into your existing marketing plan. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/177

Getting into speaking can feel overwhelming, so I want to show you step by step, what you should be focusing on to really create your beginning speaker roadmap. Listen in as I share three steps you can take to ease into speaking. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/176

The incoming speaking requests are landing in your inbox, but you want to be sure that you are responding to these the right way that fits benefits everyone involved. In this episode, I'll be showing you exactly what to do when an organizer approaches you to speak at their event! Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/175

It's easy to get lost in the noise and overwhelmed by all of the thoughts of so-called “gurus” these days, so it's important to know how to find your own way. In this episode, Magan Ward, a student of mine in Speaking Strategy Academy, joins us to share how she was able to ignore all of the noise and carved her own path, specifically when it comes to growing her email newsletter. Listen in as we discuss what's popular in the email marketing space, the unique strategy Magan took to grow her email list, and how she adapted our resources in Speaking Strategy Academy for her business. Review show notes and transcript at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/174

I imagine that you've got a pretty good handle on your goals and plans for 2022. You've likely realized that speaking is essential to helping you reach new audiences, get new clients, and hit those big goals you've set for yourself. But when should you start focusing on speaking in order to hit those goals? In today's episode, we're talking through your 2022 speaker timeline, what you need to know, where most people miss the mark, and how to get ahead of the curve! Tune in as I share three important phases to your speaker timeline over the next year! Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/173

As I look back over the last year, I can think of so many important lessons that I learned or was reminded of when it comes to speaking. Even after nearly a decade of speaking behind me, I'm still in awe of how some lessons continue to surprise me. In today's episode, I'm sharing ten very important lessons that I learned in 2021 that I think you should consider as we head into the new year! Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/172

You've nailed down your signature talk, right? What about when it comes time to plan your blog posts or write what to post on social media, do you get a little overwhelmed? There's a lot to choose from. In today's episode, I'm joined by my own team member, Latasha Doyle and we're breaking down how to leverage your content strategy for public speaking. Review the show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/171

As we approach the end of the year, here is your reminder that you should be pitching and planning for 2022 speaking opportunities now! Many podcast hosts, event organizers, and more are already planning out their Q1 content, so you'll want to make sure you're preparing for those opportunities before the end of the year!   In today's episode, I'm sharing four important steps to take this month in order to see success as a speaker in Q1 of next year! Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/170

Are you ready to take your knowledge to the stage, but need a little guidance on your topics, presentation, or even audience? On today's episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes for a live coaching session to dive specifically into these questions! Irene Tyndale joins me to share about her speaking goals to grow her business! Listen in as we define her speaking topic, create dynamic conversions based on her audience, and outline her presentation. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/169

I'm sure that you have an amazing presentation ready to go, but what happens when an opportunity comes across your desk, and they're looking for that same talk in a much shorter timeframe? In today's episode, I'm going to show you how to take your signature presentation and cut it down into a bite size talk without sacrificing impact. Join me for my guided step-by-step process! Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/168

Do you feel incredibly confident in the work that you do, but then question how can you translate that to a presentation that connects and converts? On today's episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes for a live coaching session to dive specifically into this issue. Elizabeth Broderick was so kind enough to open up and be vulnerable in her business and dreams of speaking. Listen in as we define her speaking topics, determine her speaking tier, and focus on the impact she'll have on her audience. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/167

As the end of the year is approaching, it's time to start thinking about your business strategy for the next year and figuring out how speaking will fit into that plan. In today's episode, I'm showing you how to blend your speaking strategy with your business strategy—because they should work together, not separate. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/166

Are you creating educational content for your business? Whether it's educational posts online courses dive deep programs. As a subject matter expert, sometimes we are just a little too close to our work to create educational content that creates real change for our audience. In today's episode, I have brought in instructional designer Vanessa Alzate to show us exactly how to create high value educational content, that creates real change. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/165

Have you ever sat down to craft your presentation, but you have no idea how to get started? In today's episode, I'm going to show you exactly how I write presentations for myself, for my clients and how we teach our students to do it themselves. Listen in as I walk you through writing for your audience, repurposing talks, and the steps you should be taking to craft and prep for your presentation. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/164

Are you building a team or an agency with your business? There's a major difference! With building an agency, you're able to step out of the client work, be a CEO, and open doors for other opportunities! In this episode, Tasha Booth of The Launch Guild joins us to share how she's scaled her business with an agency model, allowing her to speak on 50 podcasts per year (and still growing her business to hit their first million dollar year). Listen in as she shares some of the fundamentals of scaling. to an agency, highlights how you can become the CEO, and grow as a leader! For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/163

You've added speaking to your business for a reason, but what do you do when you're not seeing the results you want? Today's episode breaks down the different speaking tiers, how to measure the ROI of those tiers, and how to troubleshoot your ROI (Return on Investment) when it's not meeting your goals. Review show notes and transcript at https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/162

Are you as obsessed with the Enneagram as I am? Guess what—your enneagram type directly effects how you approach speaking opportunities. Today, enneagram expert Sarajane Case of Enneagram and Coffee joins me to unpack the different enneagram stances and how each enneagram type handles committing to opportunities. Listen is as we chat about our own experience with understanding our enneagrams and it's relation to our work. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/161

Would you believe me if I told you that some of my biggest contracts began with "no's" to my pitches? Spoiler alert: it's true. Not every single opportunity is going to say yes, and you may never hear back from most of them. Today I'm sharing how I follow up on my own pitches when I don't hear back. Listen in as I highlight my best practices in following up, how to continue to nurture that relationship, and how you can take action today! For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/159

Wouldn't it be great if every time you stepped on a stage, a podcast or a summit, that you could create a new stream of leads, and not just cold air lukewarm leads, but raving fans? Desola Davis joins us for this important conversation on how to guide people through a customer journey that leads them to becoming a raving fan. Listen in as we highlight how you can start this journey from the stage, while taking advantage of other opportunities at speaking events. Head into your next speaking gig with a strategic customer journey and gain some raving fans today. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/159

In-person speaking events are back, and I truly didn't realize how much I missed it. I just returned home from my first in-person event in nearly a year and a half, so I'm giving you all the details of how it went. Listen in as I debrief you on the behind-the-scenes of speaking in-person, what I noticed changed with in-person events, and how you should be adjusting your talks to be more impactful with those changes. Review the show notes at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/158

We get so excited about the work that we do, that we miss the mark on communicating our value to our audience. Sometimes we're just too close to our content to communicate it effectively.   In today's episode, Simon Trevarthen joins us to talk about how you can take your message, and make it bite-sized without losing the impact. Listen in as he highlights how to build your talk, think about your presentation in threes, and communicate your message in three minutes or less.   Review the show notes at: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/157

Pitching yourself as a speaker doesn't always provide immediate results. If we're being honest, you're likely looking at a 6-12 month lead time on paid opportunities. In today's episode I'm breaking down a few rules you should consider when you start to pitch yourself as a speaker, along with a few disclaimers about the industry that no one's probably told you! For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/156

If you're ready to explore more speaking opportunities, but you're just not sure how to fit it into your already busy schedule, this episode is for you. Time management coach and content batching extraordinaire, Amanda Warfield joins us to explain the benefits of batching content and creating consistency in your time and marketing efforts.   Listen in as she describes how to determine if an opportunity is the right fit, explain the benefits of batching, then shares her own personal approach to batching a month's worth of content! For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/155

As technology has changed over the years, so have our attention spans—shortening down to roughly 8 seconds for the average person. As speakers, that means we have to continuously keep our audience engaged and intrigued. So what does this mean for your presentations? In today's episode, we're discussing when slides are appropriate, how to use them to serve your audience, and how they can compliment your talk. Listen in as we explore how the four primary learning modalities can impact your presentation, along with the benefits of knowing your talk with and without slides. For full show notes and episode links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/154

Does business ownership or public speaking ever feel like a competitive sport to you? I know It sure has for me. And that's why today we're having a dive deep conversation about how to navigate jealousy, and public speaking, so that you can show up as your best self, even when you don't feel like your best self. Natalie Franke joins us to share about the importance of overcoming jealousy by building a powerful community where you belong. Let's shift any jealous tendencies into the mindset of, "If it can happen for her, it can happen for me." For full show notes and episode links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/153

Building a successful business can take years, then add in sharing your story on stage—that's scary. We can hide behind the beauty of our brands and the success of our clients, but when we have to step in front of our peers and put ourselves out there, the fears start to sink in. If we prepare for and approach speaking opportunities with intention and craft our stories well, we can set aside those fears and succeed on stage without misrepresenting who we are and what we do. Let's craft your statement so that you're telling the right story.   For full show notes and episode links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/152

As a speaker and educator, you may be looking to add digital offerings to scale your brand—could a membership model the right fit for you? Last year, Megan Martin made a major pivot in her educational offerings and created Digital Lab All Access, a membership offering for her students. Listen in as she joins us to share a behind the scenes look at her membership, how it was created, how involved she is day-today, and if it's the right fit for you! For full show notes and episode links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/151

What would happen right now if you were to get the call that a company or conference needed a speaker and they were making the decisions today? Would you have signature topics prepared to share with them? Would you have a plan for how you'd deliver your talk? What about having a defined goal for how speaking will serve your business? In today's episode, I'm sharing the importance of signature speaking topics, defining what type of speaker you are, and how to select the right speaking topics for your business.

As a service provider, you're limited by time, which obviously caps the income you can generate as a service provider. In this episode of Speak to Scale, we're always exploring opportunities to scale your impact and your income—so we've brought on Christina Scalera, owner of The Contract Shop®, to share all about building a digital product shop! If you had a digital product shop to accompany your business, what kind of impact could it make? Listen in as we discuss how quickly you can launch and scale your product shop, generate an income, and serve your customers! Plus, Christina is even sharing how she offers discounted pre-sales while she developing her products so she's getting paid to create each item! For full show notes and episode links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/149

As virtual summits have become more and more popular, a new conversation has popped up: Should summit speakers get paid for their presentations? This may seem like a simple yes or no question, but everyone has a different answer.   If you've been a host, participant, or speaker at a virtual summit, you've probably heard some talk about this issue. In this episode, we're going to see if we can figure out an answer together. We'll take a look from several different perspectives to decide if, and when, summit speakers should get paid.    For full show notes and episode links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/148

"Now what?" This is a question about summits that I get all the time inside our Speaking Strategy Academy. You get invited to present at a virtual summit or event, and you spend all that time crafting a presentation, preparing for the event, and generally pouring your best ideas into it. But then what?   Today's guest realized that we as speakers are missing a huge opportunity when it comes to what we do after those virtual summit presentations.   For full show notes and episode links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/147

Do you dream of being the keynote speaker at a huge conference? Maybe you just want to get consistently booked at more events. Either way, chances are you've searched high and low for tips or hacks on how to become an in-demand (and paid!) speaker.   The good news is: I have the answer for you. The potentially bad news: it's not the “magic button” answer you might be looking for. However, it is a proven strategy that can fast-track your way to success. In this episode, I'm breaking down what you can do to reach your speaking goals and grow your platform consistently for long-term success.    Full show notes and links: www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/146

Want to start speaking at more conferences, on more podcasts, or at more events...but don't know how you can comfortably step away from your everyday work as a business owner? I've been there, and I completely understand being torn between the two. The thing is, you don't have to take on new and exciting speaking roles at the expense of the quality of your work and the value you provide for your clients. You can continue to serve your people, while also reaching a brand new audience from the stage. I have a very special guest with me on today's episode to talk about doing just that. Full Shownotes and Links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/145

Whether you're doing a virtual speaking event or an in-person one, you should take certain steps to prepare, like understanding your audience, understanding the host's goals, and keeping logistics like format in mind. That's just part of being a good speaker.   However, when you're doing an in-person event, you have to take preparation to the next level.    There are details for in-person events you've probably never had to consider for virtual. In this episode we're breaking down how to make a seamless shift from virtual speaking to in-person events.   Full Shownotes, Links and Resources: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/144

Have you ever spoken at or attended a hybrid event yet? If you haven't, I'm willing to bet you will soon. After 2020, the way we deliver our message from the stage and receive it as an audience member has changed — and will continue to do so. If we really want to do our best to show up and serve our audience, we've really got to understand what goes into a virtual or hybrid event experience.   If you're not sure what a hybrid event is, it means an event that's a blend of in-person and virtual. There may be a smaller crowd at the in-person event, or just the speakers are together in a production studio. The rest of the audience is watching through streaming services or via tools like Zoom.   On today's episode, I have brought in a very special guest to pull back the curtain and show us exactly what it's like to speak at or host a hybrid event, and why you shouldn't be intimidated by them.   Full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/143

So many people say, "I do better with informal, casual, off-the-cuff style speaking." This kind of speaking can feel better for many of us because off-the-cuff speaking removes the pressure for us to be perfectly polished. However, this approach can also give us a false sense of security, making us think that we actually work better this way. Plus, let's be honest: It can also make us feel safer when we step on stage. If we don't put a lot of time into preparing, it doesn't feel like a 'loss' if it doesn't go well. If we DO put in the time to prep and our talk doesn't turn out great, we feel like WE are not good enough. In this episode, let's dig into prepped vs. off-the-cuff speaking styles, and why a little preparation might just change the game. Full Shownotes and Links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/142

When a speaking request lands in my inbox, I get so excited. I'm honored I was even considered to be a part of the event and I'm already envisioning how I'm going to show up and serve that audience to the best of my ability. How do you feel when a speaking request hits your inbox but it's not a good fit? Are you nervous? Are you anxious? Are you worried about how you're going to turn this down without burning bridges for the future? On this week's episode of The Speak to Scale Podcast we're having a tough conversation about how to say no to speaking opportunities that don't align with your business. Because if an opportunity doesn't align with your business or your values, trust me, you're going to want to say no. I've brought Aleia Walker (who we've had on the show before) back to the show this week to have a tough conversation about what saying no should like and how we can do a better job as speakers when we're turning down speaking opportunities. For full show notes and episode links: HTTP://www.thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/141