Expert Speaking Made Simple

How To Make Your Speech Relevant To Corporate Audiences With Mt Everest Legend Cathy O'Dowd Today we speak with Cathy O'Dowd who has tackled the slopes of the world's highest mountain four times, and reached its summit twice, becoming the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest from both sides. She has been a corporate speaker for over twenty years and we are delighted to have her on the podcast today!  Listen today to discover: How to make the shift from adventurer to corporate speaker How to make your speech more relevant to corporate audiences How Cathy has been able to maintain longevity in the speaking industry How to stay in touch with speaker agencies without being annoying! How to use social media to promote your speaking Freebie: How To Generate Amazing Relationships With Speaking Agents  Want to know more about Debra? debrasearle.com yourspeakingcareer.com  Want to know more about Cathy? cathyodowd.com cathy@cathyodowd.com    

How do you know when you're ready to make the leap into public speaking full-time? Today we chat with Sangbreeta Moitra about her journey into the world of speaking. Chosen by VIVA Magazine as one of the most inspiring women in The Netherlands, Sangbreeta is an international keynote speaker on customer connection, corporate storytelling and powerful communication. She won several Dutch and European public speaking awards and the coveted TEDx jury award in 2017 for her award-winning speech 'Transform Your Presence'.   Listen today to discover:   How Sangbreeta knew it was the right time to go full time The route Sangbreeta took to become a full time speaker How to take calculated risks with your talks How to stand up for what you are worth How Sangbreeta won a TedX open mic pitch    Want to know more about Sangbreeta? sangbreetamoitra.com info@sangbreetamoitra.com com/in/sangbreeta/ Watch Sangbreeta's TEDx speech here.      Want to know more about Debra?   debr

Today we chat to professional adventurer Alex Staniforth about his amazing adventures and how he made the transition from a free speaker to getting paid. In July 2017 he became the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK county tops in 72 days by foot, bike and kayak. He has been on four expeditions to the Himalayas including two attempts to climb Mount Everest and combines all this with a successful career as a speaker.   Listen today to discover:   How Alex manages to fund his adventures through his speaking career How to find your authentic voice How Alex overcame his challenges How he made the transition from a free speaker to corporate speaker   Want to know more about Debra?   debrasearle.com yourspeakingcareer.com   Want to know more about Alex?   http://www.alexstaniforth.co.uk Instagram: @alexstaniforth_ Twitter: @alex_staniforth LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstaniforth

Are you a speaker trying to break into the corporate market? Or maybe you are already speaking to corporate audiences and want to take your speech to the next level. Well, today we talk to communication expert Ronnie Stronge and he offers his top 10 lessons for those speaking to corporate audiences. After decades in the business, he certainly knows what he is talking about!   Listen today to discover: How to be clear on the purpose of your speech How to tailor your speech to the corporate audience How to move and engage your audience How to make your audience FEEL something   Resources Maybe just add a line 'You can get your own checklist of Ronnie's 10 lessons here: www.yourspeakingcareer.com/021download Want to know more about Debra? www.debrasearle.com www.yourspeakingcareer.com

You may have heard other speakers talking about tailoring their speeches to suit different companies but what does this mean and how do you go about doing that? Maybe you only have one story to tell and are unsure how to go about changing it for different audiences? Well, in this episode, Debra explains exactly how she tailors her speech to suit the client and gives some solid reasons as to why you should too! Listen today to discover: Why you should always tailor your speech to suit the client How to research a client before you speak What to ask the client on the briefing call How to edit your speaker notes How to make last minute improvements to your speech on the day  

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the last 30 years, the chances are you will have come across TED talks and TED events. They regularly feature mind-blowing, but not necessarily established speakers and welcome people from all backgrounds, cultures and disciplines. They believe 'passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world'. For any speaker a TEDx Talk is an AMAZING piece of free marketing which could take your speaking career to the next level. We've lost count of the number of times that Debra has been approached by someone saying 'I saw your TED online and would like to book you.' So how do you become a TED speaker? Well, in this episode, Debra and Hayley talk to TEDx Curator Simone Roche about how to do just that. What you'll learn - How to become a TEDx speaker - The difference between TED and TEDx events - How curators like Simone go about finding speakers - How NOT to be a TEDx speaker! - How much TEDx speakers get paid  

Have you ever wondered if you actually NEED a speaker website? Or maybe you already have a website and you are wondering if it needs an update or redesign? In this episode, Debra Searle explains the reasons why having a website is essential and walks you through the process involved. What you'll learn - What to do before you start planning your website - Defining the goal of your website - All about Google analytics, SEO and pixels - What works and what will definitely NOT work with your website!

If you're trying to make it in the speaking industry then this is the podcast for you! In this episode we talk to speaking agency owner, Frances Keane, who gives some frankly AMAZING advice to new speakers including: - How speaking agencies find new speakers. - What makes a new speaker stand out. - What speaking agencies look for in a speaker and how to go the extra mile. - The process when a company calls an agency to arrange a speaker.

He's booked Kylie Minogue and done a deal with Michael Jackson, yet he's adamant that big names don't always guarantee bang for your buck - Mike Ford is the Director of Touch Associates and Debra was thrilled to work with him earlier this year.   We're not just saying this - Debra's spoken at 1000 events and witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly of the speaking circuit.  She was blown away by the quality of service that Mike & his team provided and seized the opportunity to ask Mike about how he works with speakers, and what they can do to have impact on their audiences and build long term, lucrative relationships with clients and events companies. Check out Debra's Facebook Live from the event in Portugal here: https://www.facebook.com/DebraSearleMBE/videos/1383131805064199/  Listen today to discover: The difference between a £1k speaker and a £30k speaker; Mike's Learn, Feel, Do Formula that could turn your speech from an interesting story into an impactful, people-changing sessi

015: How To be A Better Speaker (An Interview With Deborah Ogden)   You've written the speech, been booked for the venue BUT how do you make the most impact when you get up on stage? This week Debra chats to Debra Ogden, Positive Impact Coach on how to make the most of your speaking opportunities.   Listen today to discover:   - How to make an impact when you speak - How to make an awesome first impression - How to 'own' the stage - How to deal with nerves before you go on stage - How to connect with the audience    Do you have any idea for a future podcast episode? Drop our Digital Director Stef a line – stef@yourspeakingcareer.com  

'I want to get booked to speak!' we hear you cry. We know that it's the biggest challenge facing many of our students here at Your Speaking Career. You have an inspirational story or knowledge to share, you know you deliver great value to your clients - you just need to connect with event organisers. This week Debra chats to Georgina Kelly, Managing Director of Summit Events. Georgina and her team have been running meetings for 24 years and sourcing multiple speakers for each one - so she knows a thing or two about how to find the right speaker for her audience. Listen today to discover: How and where Georgina finds speakers; The different ways of finding industry specialists vs. inspirational and motivational speakers; What marketing materials a speaker MUST have in place to capture her attention; Why it is important to be available in the bar (but not drinking it dry!); How being controversial can be a selling point and why safe isn't memorable; A unique perspective from an events company that organises it

Ever wondered what it's like to be a full time speaker? What's it like being on the road 24/7? Well in this episode we follow full-time speaker Debra Searle MBE as she shares the AMAZING tips and tricks that she has used and implemented over the last 16 years.   What you'll learn   How to get yourself back into the zone after being on holiday Why a memory music playlist could transform your attitude and your performance, and how to make one How to communicate with the organizer of the event Practical ways of looking after yourself on the road How to safeguard your voice (Everyone needs an Eric!) How to use LinkedIn to your advantage   Resources   Download your FREE Memory Songs Worksheet Sign up to be a beta student for our 'Art of Public Speaking' course HERE More information about Debra can be found at www.debrasearle.com     

Like many of you, Peter Ryan has a fascinating story to tell! In this episode Motivational Speaker Debra Searle and Business Speaker Hayley Barnard take questions from Paralympian Peter Ryan as he seeks to build his speaking career in the run up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.   What you'll learn  How to move from free to high fee speaking engagements  How a bio and website can help put you on the speaking map How to deal with the awkward question of fees How to know what to say yes to and how to say no!  How to tailor your story for different audiences   Resources More information about Debra can be found at www.debrasearle.com.  More information about Hayley can be found at www.hayleybarnard.com.  Free online Masterclass where Hayley and Debra share their 'Your Speaking Career 5 Step System' -  www.yourspeakingcareer.com

When you're on stage, it's almost impossible to identify your own habits, whether it be using filler words like 'basically', holding the microphone too close to your mouth, or fiddling with your tie or hair. We've put together this episode to help you identify and conquer those little distracting habits so that your audience are captivated from the minute you step on to the stage.   Grab your 'What NOT To Do' Checklist here: www.yourspeakingcareer.com/011download   What You'll Learn: How to catch your public speaking bad habits How to create an AMAZING first impression - before you're even on stage How to ensure that you are not isolating an international audience How to add light and shade to your speeches How to MAXIMISE your impact so that you get booked and paid to speak again and again.   Resources What Not To Do Checklist: www.yourspeakingcareer.com/011download Sign up to be a Beta student on our Art of Public Speaking course: http://yourspeakingcareer.com/the-art-of-speaking/ More abo

Do you have a real passion for motivating young people or perhaps your subject matter is more suited to a younger audience? If so, how do you begin to build a career in speaking to schools and young people? Is it even sustainable to work as a full time speaker in schools? In this episode, Motivational Speaker Debra Searle speaks to Tom Warrender from Medical Mavericks who has built up his business to become one of the most successful  school speakers in the UK.

#009: How To Discover EXACTLY What Your Client Is Looking For You've done your marketing, you've spoken to the client and you are BOOKED to speak.  What next?  How do you find out what the client wants?  What questions should you ask them and how? In this episode Motivational Speaker Debra and Business Speaker Hayley discuss how to customise your speech so that it's exactly what your client is looking for. With well over 1,000 corporate speaking gigs behind them, Debra and Hayley delve into the details of pre-event questionnaires and briefing calls, explaining the common pitfalls and how to avoid them to ensure that you deliver a high quality, perfectly honed message to your audience.    What you'll learn How to write a pre-event questionnaire What questions to ask How to open the briefing call and, more importantly, how to end it! How to drill down to find out EXACTLY what the client wants Key questions to ask your client   Resources FREE video t

How can you turn your adventure experiences into a speaking career? Maybe you have some experience in business and now want to learn how to break into the speaking industry but are not sure where to start? In this episode Motivational Speaker Debra Searle talks to former Royal Marine and Special Forces Officer turned entrepreneur, Neil Laughton about his amazing adventure experiences and how he has turned these into a long term speaking career.   What you'll learn How Neil returned from climbing Everest and started speaking professionally. How he has managed to sustain his speaking career over many years. Knowing what to charge as a professional speaker. How to work with businesses to tailor your message. Penny Farthing Polo is an actual thing! Resources More information about Debra can be found at debrasearle.com. More information about Neil can be found at www.laughton.co Twitter is @NeilLaughton Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neillaughton1/ Facebook:&n

Have you ever wondered how to market yourself as a speaker? How do you put your brand stamp on everything you do from website to social media? How do even start to think about brand values…as a speaker? In this episode Motivational Speaker Debra Searle talks to Diversity Expert and twin sister Hayley Barnard about establishing your brand values as a speaker. They talk about why and how to set your own brand values and then make sure they permeate everything that represents you online and in person. If you are just starting out as a speaker or you have been speaking for years, this will answer all your questions about why some speakers are successful and others are sending out mixed signals. For your FREE roadmap visit: http://yourspeakingcareer.com/007download What you'll learn What are brand values and why do I need them as a speaker? How do I market myself more effectively as a speaker? What are the 8 areas that I must look at in order to further my speaking career? How mixed messages can stop you from bei

#006: How to organise your own Speaking Tour with C4 MUTINY star Conrad Humphries.   Have you ever wondered how to organise your own Speaking Tour? How do you go about approaching venues? What fees should you charge and what do they want from you as a speaker?   In this episode Motivational Speaker Debra Searle talks to sailing legend Conrad Humphries who is currently starring in Channel 4's Mutiny series in the UK. Fresh from the Pacific Ocean, Conrad offers an insight into organising a Speaking Tour as a result of this amazing adventure and publicity. If you are a speaker and you are thinking of organising your own Speaking Tour then this is a fantastic place to start.   For Conrad's resources go to: www.yourspeakingcareer.com/006      

Have you ever wondered why some websites appear above others on Google?  Have you spent a ton of money developing your new speaker website but it's not got you any new speaker bookings? Are you thinking about starting a website but have no idea where to start? In this episode Motivational Speaker Debra Searle talks to Digital Marketing Whizz Emily Ross, Founder of Inkvine, a boutique PR, Marketing and Comms Agency in Ireland.  Emily shares some of her top tips for how beginners can understand the 'Dark Art' of SEO and sheds some light on the free tools that are available online to help speakers to build their profile and get those speeches booked.  This is a brilliant place to start if you've got NO IDEA about websites and a great refresher for those of you who do have a website but feel it could be working better to build you a more profitable speaking career.  To get Emily's list of Free Tools, go to www.yourspeakingcareer.com/005