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The Speaker Lab

Grant Baldwin from The Speaker Lab podcast will be sharing speaking business tactics, tips, and strategies from his own experience, case studies, and interviewing the experts. Whether you're just getting started trying to get your first booking or you're a veteran speaker looking to build and grow your business, this is for you. Grant has built a multiple six-figure per year business as a speaker having presented to over 500,000 people in over 450 paid speaking gigs. We'll talk about speaker marketing, working with speaker bureaus and agents, building your platform, negotiating fees, social media marketing, networking, storytelling, humor, operating the business and so much more!
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Now displaying: August, 2016
Aug 30, 2016

What if you could learn from 40 super successful speakers and you could learn from them all in one place? That's what you'll get in my latest course, The Speaker Lab Summit.

To give you a taste of what is in store for you in the summit, I'm bringing two of those 40 speakers to you today: Pat Flynn and Tim Sanders.

Pat Flynn is an author, international keynote speaker, blogger, entrepreneur and founder of Smart Passive Income. Tim Sanders primarily makes his living as professional speaker and is also a noted author and equally good guy like Pat!

Today they both explore what it takes to make it as a professional speaker, why it fits into their business models. Pat explains what his preparation process is, while Tim explains the three reasons anyone gets paid to speak. They both have immense wisdom they share on this episode, as well as in The Speaker Lab Summit! Hear them first on episode 93 of The Speaker Lab.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Aug 25, 2016

 Different speakers dress differently. I'm sure you've seen speakers come on stage in everything from jeans to a suit. So what should you wear?

On episode 92 of The Speaker Lab, I share my thoughts on what attire is appropriate and when. While I don't claim to be a fashionista, I do know how important what you wear is when speaking to an audience!

I'll be digging into that specific topic on this special solo edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

  • When should you wear business casual attire?
  • Can you dress like Scott Stratten if you aren't Scott Stratten?
  • Why you should ask about the audience's dress code before the event.
  • Why I don't like speaking in a suit.
  • Are there certain things to avoid wearing if you are going to be on video?
  • What Tommy Boy can teach you about dressing for your speaking engagement.
  • Why to pack a back up shirt/outfit.
  • What are the three things to check right before you go on stage?
  • And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Aug 23, 2016

Have you ever held a question and answer session (a Q&A) after one of your speaking gigs? Do you know what made it successful, or why it wasn't?

A Q&A session can be fun, scary and even a little dangerous!! But it can also make a huge difference in how your audience sees you, so it's crucial it is done right. On episode 91 of The Speaker Lab, I explain what it takes to make a successful question and answer session each and every time you speak.

Listen in to find out all the details on today's solo episode of The Speaker Lab! 

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

  • What type of speaking setting is most typical for audience Q&A?
  • Is the size of the audience a factor in whether or not you should do a Q&A?
  • How much time should you allow for a question and answer session?
  • Why you should always repeat the question for your audience.
  • What should you do if you hear the same questions every time you speak?
  • When should you NOT do a Q&A session?
  • What if no one asks questions at multiple Q&As of yours?
  • What to do if someone in the audience is confrontational.
  • And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

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Aug 18, 2016

In previous episodes we've talked about the important role a book can have in furthering your career as a speaker. It's a great marketing tool to open more doors and get your foot into and through those doors!

Our guest for today's show, Chadwick Cannon, is here to share his publishing experiences working with speakers and helping them spread their messages far and wide.

On episode 90 of The Speaker Lab, he explains his history in the publishing world, as well as the upside and drawbacks to working with a publishing house.

We also get into what he does with his digital agency today, and the best way to amplify your speaking brand with your book. There's all of that and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

  • Why you have a built-in distribution channel, and may not even know it!
  • What are the pros and cons of self-publishing?
  • What does APE stand for and why should you know?
  • How to be taken seriously as a self-published author.
  • What's the value in a publishing relationship?
  • What percentage of proposals are actually picked up by a publishing house?
  • Should you ever give your book away for free?
  • How and why to peak people's interest in your book during your speech.
  • And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Aug 16, 2016

One of the most crucial aspects of a great speaking gig is the audio visual team. If you want to be taken seriously as a speaker and make a great impression every time you're on stage the first step is to work with the A/V team. The people in charge of the lighting and sound for the event literally control how you look and how you sound!

On episode 89 of The Speaker Lab, Jeff Douglass of Cybis joins us to talk about the best ways to utilize the A/V team as a speaker. He shares what to do and what not to do with the audio visual crew when setting up for your talk.

And Jeff knows the ins and outs of the production world! His company Cybis does everything from cameras to lights to sound to music to stage management. He brings that wealth of knowledge to this edition of The Speaker Lab, listen in to hear it all!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

  • Why you should rehearse with the AV team, every single time.
  • How much time should you allot for your walk through before your speech?
  • What's the worst experience Jeff's team has had with a speaker?
  • Should you use the AV staff's equipment or trust your own?
  • How to stand out as a professional, and avoid being seen as an amateur.
  • What should you provide the AV crew with in advance of your speech?
  • What are his recommendations for a microphone?
  • What's the worst thing you can do as a speaker?
  • And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Aug 11, 2016

If you've ever spent hours cleaning out your garage or attic or any other space in your home, you will be intrigued by today's guest's story.

About eight years ago Joshua Becker decided to clean and organize his garage. He spent hours doing it, while his young son played on a swing set in their yard by himself.

When Joshua's neighbor mentioned minimalism to him, a light bulb went off. He realized not only was all his "stuff" not making him happier, it was keeping him from the things in his life that gave him purpose, fulfillment and happiness (ie his family).

On episode 88 of The Speaker Lab, Joshua shares how that experience began the odyssey that is today his business, Becoming Minimalist. We talk about his decision to start writing about his minimalist experience, and how he knew people were resonating with his message enough to build a business around it. There's all of that and more on this edition of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

  • What were the 3 indicators that told him to share this message?
  • How did he know he was the right person to help others with minimalism?
  • What book prompted him to include speaking in his offerings?
  • Why are speakers who write better speakers, and writers who speak better writers?
  • How did he narrow down his target audience?
  • Why doesn't he charge to speak?
  • How does he balance making a difference in the world with his financial obligations?
  • What's the best thing we can do to help people?
  • And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Aug 9, 2016

Now that I've been working as a speaker there are things I wish I had known at the beginning of my career that I know today. On episode 87 of The Speaker Lab, I'm sharing the top 10 items on that list!

Whether you're brand new to speaking or have your career in hand, there is something you can learn.

Listen in to hear topics like why you shouldn't bother with a speaking bureau or agent, what your best marketing piece is and the importance of investing in yourself and your business. That's all here plus more on today's solo episode of The Speaker Lab!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

  • How to keep a long-term perspective, and why you should.
  • How long does it take most speakers to build a full-time speaking career?
  • Who do people do business with?
  • Why you should be just as good offstage as you are on stage.
  • Should you focus on one talk or many talks?
  • Why finding a speaker to model yourself after is a good strategy.
  • Should your marketing efforts ever stop?
  • Who you are is more important than what?
  • And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

Aug 4, 2016

How do you know when it's the right time to hire someone? Whether you think you need help now or you simply have an eye to the future, today's episode is all about hiring a staff to grow your speaking career.

On episode 86 of The Speaker Lab, I'll be sharing my personal staffing journey: who I hired, when I hired them and how I paid them.

I'll also answer the most pressing hiring questions we all have as speakers: do we need to hire someone? How do we know if we can trust them? How should they get paid? Can we afford the expense of staff?

Listen in for the answers to those questions, and much more on today's solo episode of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

  • How do you know if you even need to hire someone?
  • What is the most valuable resource and commodity we all have?
  • The 3 list exercise to help you figure out what to hire for when you're ready.
  • Cash is king in a new what?
  • Why selling has to be your top priority, and can never be outsourced.
  • Where to find the right person to hire, and how to know they are a fit.
  • Why doing a 30 day or 60 day trial run with a new hire is important.
  • Why not to hire someone full-time right away.
  • And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

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Aug 2, 2016

Have you ever heard those crazy stories about musicians who would include ridiculous requests in their riders, like Van Halen and their brown M&M clause? Ever wonder exactly what a rider is, and if you need one?

While you don't need to go the Van Halen brown M&M route, a speaking rider is still a good idea. On today's solo episode I explain what a rider is, why you should have one, and why sometimes those ridiculous requests have a good reason behind them!

You'll hear about all of that and much more on the 85th edition of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

  • The important reason Van Halen didn't want brown M&Ms backstage.
  • What I include in my rider, and what you should you include in yours.
  • Can you request a specific seating style at your speaking gig?
  • Should you include your rider as part of the contract, or separate?
  • How to walk the fine line between making requests and being demanding.
  • What is the point of having a rider?
  • Do most clients read and remember riders?
  • And so much more!

EPISODE RESOURCES

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