The Speaker Lab With Grant Baldwin // Public Speaking / Motivational Speaking / Entrepreneurship

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 y

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

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 st

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 o

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 ma

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 whe

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

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

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 cli

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

Grant Baldwin and Erick Rheam hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how speakers are still getting booked and paid to speak even in the midst of the pandemic.During the live stream, Grant and Erick discuss:The state of the speaking industryDealing with ambiguity and anxietyLong-term ramifications of social distancingHow some speakers are still getting booked and paid to speakReaching the point of turning down new opportunitiesWhen to say no if a gig is outside your brand/industryThinking about the balance between virtual and live events in the futureHow do you stay positive and keep moving forward?Why proven systems don’t break even if the variables changeWhat speakers can do to work with live events to postpone without losing incomeThe value of relationships and why you can’t ignore themNow is the time coaching really mattersAre speakers still booking events that are happening in the future? (Spoiler Alert: YES!)Pros and cons of virtual events and how to book themWhy speakers are in the problem-solving busine

Grant Baldwin and Michael Port hosted a Facebook Live to talk about what speakers can do to take advantage of the extra time during quarantine to improve their value as a performer.During the live stream, Grant and Mike discuss:This is the time to be working on your talk“Either it will pass or I will pass."Best practices for wearing glasses on cameraSurviving as a speaker in the midst of a crisisWhy speakers can’t afford to be averageEverything you do as a performer must be transformationalHow the expected quality for speakers will increaseWhat speakers should be working on right nowHow speakers can maximize the gift of time during quarantineWhy using live events as rehearsals is a mistakeWhat deep work looks like for speakersMapping out an effective rehearsal processReinventing your speech in ways you never imaginedAsking specific questions when it comes to feedbackHow to scale your choices from good to greatUsing a mystery box visual to raise the stakes for your audienceThe risk of failing to deliver on the

Grant Baldwin and Clint Pulver hosted a live stream to talk about how speakers can change and adapt to a new “normal”.During the interview, Grant and Clint discuss:Developing a virtual demo videoTaking one day at a time on the rollercoasterLive events that convert to digital and ask for virtual keynotesBinge-watching the Imagineers documentary on Disney+Creating a virtual studio at home5 things that clients are asking virtual speakers forUsing a moderator to enhance the virtual experience for the client and their audienceCreate a virtual landing page on your website that showcases the value you deliver to the marketHow clients and audiences have reacted to live virtual eventsProviding best practices to the client ahead of time to ensure the best possible experienceWhat to do when someone brings their phone into the bathroom during your live streamConducting a separate soundcheck or run-through before a virtual event to test techObtaining testimonials from your virtual clientsThe difference between offering va

Welcome to how to find your first paid speaking gig with Bryan Allain - part four.If you missed the first three episodes with Bryan you can listen to here to part one, part two here and part three here.In this show, Bryan is establishing himself as the expert through his web site and his demo video. You'll also hear how to deal with the impostor syndrome, something he talks about today. We even discuss whether or not he should quit!To hear all of this as it unfolds join us for episode 286 with Bryan Allain.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOWWhat determines how quickly you will see results?As a speaker, is there value in becoming a connector and curator?What should you do if you don't have any video clips for a demo video?How to stop the comparison game.Does Impostor Syndrome ever go away?What are specific questions to ask to find potential leads?Why you should attend some events even if you aren't speaking.This one simple trick can help you find even more potential gigs.And so much more!EPISODE RESOURCESBryan Alla

Grant Baldwin and Nisha Mehta hosted a Facebook Live to talk about a physician's perspective on the speaking industry during turbulent times.During the live stream, Grant and Nisha discuss:Balancing a professional career as a radiologist while speaking internationallyBuilding large online communities among certified physiciansMaintaining social distancing to flatten the curveInsights on the pandemic from behind the scenesMaking tough choices to opt-out of live events before “shelter-in-place” beganPartnering with events to make virtual options work and still deliver valueThe responsibility of speakers to prioritize the safety of othersWhen can we expect live events to happen again?How big will live events be allowed to be?Preparing for a secondary surge after social distancing restrictions are liftedHoping to start seeing things reopen in the coming weeksThe liability of hosting live events post-pandemicSearching for a sense of normalcyThe key difference between SARS and COVID-19Uncertainty about the unknown

Grant Baldwin and Scott Stratten hosted a Facebook Live to talk about the future of the speaking industry after a pandemic.During the live stream, Grant and Scott discuss:The long-term impacts the coronavirus will have on the speaking industryExperimenting with style and facial hair while social distancingWhy “speaking” isn’t really your true professionUnderstanding the gig is the payoff for building your platform and being an expertDealing with feeling like you’ve lost part of your identityGrieving the loss of things that used to annoy you (like the too early soundcheck)Predicting the recovery timeline for massive events and the impact on keynotesDistributing a sub-standard virtual product will hurt your live speaking down the road by degrading your valueAccepting that the “new normal” is largely unknownThe pending lawsuits as a result of the virus spreading at large eventsTreating the speaking gig as one component of your business and how you deliver valueDo what it takes to help you feel productiveBeing ok

Welcome! This is part three of our how to find your first paid speaking gig series with Bryan Allain.If you missed part one and part two you can listen to here to part one and part two here. In those episodes you heard Bryan's background: he has done some speaking but is struggling with where to start.This week on The Speaker Lab, you'll find out who Bryan has chosen to speak to, what problem he's going to solve for them and the pros and cons to his decision. We will wrap up with a chat about what to do next and how to move forward.This series has been fun, insightful and intense. Join us to hear part three on this episode of The Speaker Lab! THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:  How can you deal with the negative voices in your head?Will you ever feel completely confident in your choice?How do you know if you have enough credibility to speak on a topic?Why your choices don't have to be permanent.Is there a perfect time to get started or to make a change?Should you use visuals to differentiate yourself i

Grant Baldwin and Mike Pacchione hosted a Facebook Live to talk about how to work on your speech and hone your craft during the quarantine.During the live stream, Grant and Mike discuss:Tips and tricks for virtual speakingEnjoying becoming a first-time dadHelping speakers deliver the best talk of their livesHow to prepare for your next live gig while social distancingGetting feedback on your talk using a recordingA simple survey to send to friends and colleagues to obtain actionable feedbackThe power of asking strategic questions that actually help you build a better talkWhy most TED talks don’t even make the websiteHow speakers can set themselves apart from the crowdThe unanticipated break from speaking gives you the chance to be objective in assessing your talkSitting down to create a list of what you think makes a great talk and applying that criteria to your craftAsking yourself a tough question: does this talk seem to go on for too long?What characteristics can make or break a speaker’s presentationWhy w

Grant Baldwin and Josh Bauerle hosted a Q&A on Facebook Live to talk about how speakers can benefit from the stimulus and address your questions about the stimulus check, unemployment, EIDL, and PPP.DISCLAIMER: We are not finance or tax experts. Please contact your financial planner or local financial institution for professional advice.EIDL - Economic Injury Disaster LoanPPP - Payroll Protection Program During the live stream, Grant and Josh discuss:Unemployment being extended to business owners and freelancersTwo loan/grant programs for small businesses to take advantage ofWhich program is best for speakers to pay attention to?Are earning thresholds for the stimulus based on Billings or on adjusted gross income?How much unemployment can you claim?What is the timeline for unemployment payouts?How to apply for the EIDLWould speakers apply for unemployment? Or the grant? Or both?Can you apply for EIDL if you have a W-2 in addition to speaking gigs?What happens if you get denied?Being patient and persistent

Grant Baldwin and Phil Jones hosted a Facebook Live to talk about the true confessions of a professional speaker dealing with the impact of COVID-19.During the live stream, Grant and Phil discuss:Rescheduling or canceling 27 eventsWhere do new event scheduling start coming fromHow does the market react and build on the other side of this crisisUsing new technology and trying new thingsTaking advantage of the opportunity to serve past clientsFinding joy in the gift of time to refocus priorities and spend time with familyLeaning into new revenue streams and discovering new ways to distribute valueNavigating schedule conflicts for Fall events with postponed Spring eventsCreating custom programming for events now instead of reschedulingHelping clients address the needs and fears of their customersShowing up in the moment and modeling generosityMaintaining the integrity of your speaking business long-termWhat speakers have in common with 5-star Michelin chefsBuilding a speaking business so that you’re not living m