Speaker Life Magazine issue 1

Speaker Life Magazine issue 1

BY SPEAKER COACH JANE ATKINSON

T hank you for subscribing to Speaker Life Magazine. We created this magazine for speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who wanted to build a sustainable speaking business. We understand the challenges that both seasoned speakers and new emerging speakers face. We hope to shorten the learning curve and create a community to help you take your speaking business to the

next level. So many speakers and coaches get out of the business after three years due to financial frustration. Speaking is like any other business; you need a business plan. Speaker Life magazine will share tips, strategies, and proven practices to get you on more stages. Being a professional speaker and corporate event planner gives me an interesting

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Speaker Life Magazine

We love hearing from our community! If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us! Carpe Diem!

perspective. I understand how to stand out and get in front of the line when competing for a stage. I also know firsthand the pressure on an event planner and how crucial it is to book the right speaker to connect with an audience. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as self-made; every successful businessperson or speaker has been coached or mentored along the way. We will be sharing information from some of the most successful people in the

industry. This magazine will also provide resources and ideas, and best practice strategies that we have attained over the years. The speaking and self-help industry is one of the most exciting businesses. It has continued to have explosive growth for the last ten years. If you have a story or a message you want to share with the world, this magazine is for you.

Lea Woodford, Editor

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Speaker Life Magazine

Lea Woodford

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Speaker Life Magazine

Lea Woodford is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of the SmartFem Media Group, full-service digital marketing, and advertising company. SmartFem was created as a result of her many years as a publicist, columnist, and as Radio & TV Personality. Lea has extensive experience as a media personality and developed her own segments for ABC, NBC, CBS as well as Fox Networks. One of her favorite projects was “Looking for Love with Lea,” a popular Thursday night radio call in show for singles. Lea has also chaired, organized and Emcee’d for a number of organizations including non-profits such as Camp Soaring Eagle, American Heart Association, Make A Wish, Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Foundation, and St. Judes Hospital. Lea became an international

speaker in 2007. She has been on multi-city tours and has shared the stage with some of the world’s most respected speakers. When it comes to speaking, Lea is a breath of fresh air, focusing on relationships, innovation, and change to drive business. Her inspirational stories and humor will engage audiences to start thinking bigger. Lea speaks from experience as she shares her stories on making her online magazine into a full-service digital marketing and advertising company. She encourages her audience to think bigger and bolder about their own business. Lea motivates her audience, in the same manner, she motivates her team, “find your voice.” Lea shares her ups and downs as well as her successes and failures – to give your audience a fresh perspective on marketing, leadership, innovation, and customer service.

Online marketing, and social media expert, Lea shares the latest trends to help companies move to the next level in the ever-changing digital space. Lea is an expert and a top speaker. She walks her talk. She will impart valuable information in a fun and entertaining way and will leave your audience wanting more. Achievements • Named "Dynamic Woman of the Year," by Phoenix Business Journal • Amazon Prime TV Talk Show Host • Founded SmartFem Media Group • Created and Hosts the SmartFem Success Summit • Corporate Event Planner • International Speaker

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3 Strategies for Building Your Speaking Business.

Is now the time to raise your fees?

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The Difference Between a Speaker and an Emcee

Why Storytelling is Essential for Your Business

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How to Land a TEDxTalk That Drives Business

The POWER of SPEAKING

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3 Strategies for Building Your Speaking Business.

By Lea Woodford

Remember, people buy from people they know, like, and trust.

I n 2007, I set a goal of becoming a professional speaker. I have been doing it ever since and have learned a few things along the way. It wasn’t easy, as I was terrified of public speaking. Even now, I still get the jitters. I have had the honor of becoming an international speaker and doing four ninety-minute keynotes in Australia for the largest real estate training firm. It was a life- changing experience, and it made a significant impact on my speaking

I can’t promise you that you will land every gig, but I can help you jump-start your speaking career and avoid some of the mistakes new speakers make. 1. Social Proof is a Must You can’t declare yourself an industry expert without proof. What proof would you present on your topic or niche? How can you demonstrate that what you have to say is relevant and will connect

career and brand. Professional speaking is a fabulous way to elevate your brand and showcase your expertise. Getting in front of your target demographic and being positioned as a leader can catapult your business and brand. I learned a long time ago that public speaking can move the dial. That's why I created my conference six years ago. It allowed me to connect and partner with some of the best professional speakers in the world.

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Video Content If you are not an established

speaker, this will take some doing. Speak at places such as the Rotary Club and Kiwanis and record some videos. This experience will also allow you to see your strengths and weaknesses. Once you have three or four video clips, you can create a speaker sizzle reel with some of your best sound bites. Event planners will not book new speakers for big conferences without having seen them speaking either live or in front of multiple audiences. The video allows planners to see your style, expertise, and ability to connect with an audience. 2. Create Realistic Goals and Make a Plan Starting with small and realistic speaking goals will keep you motivated and help you hone your craft. You aren’t going to land a $10,000.00 speaking fee right out of the gate. You might not even get a speaking fee. I hear so many self-proclaimed speakers say that they won’t speak for free. In my experience, you leave a lot of money on the table by doing so. Most of those speakers are out of business within three years because they are broke. Many large events don’t pay speakers because they know that the large numbers will attract speakers who are looking to showcase their expertise in front of a large crowd.

Content creation is still the most efficient way to build your authority and brand.

be with YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as they have so much engagement. Create a Speakers Landing Page As an event planner, I look for speakers that have a captivating landing page that is simple and easy to navigate. Create a website that includes your previous talks, a speaker video reel, speaking topics, and contact information.

with a specific audience? While testimonials and awards are nice, they simply aren’t enough in today’s competitive world. Leverage your Online Presence Content creation is still the most efficient way to build your authority and brand. While it is difficult to be seen on your website these days, posting a blog to social media such as LinkedIn can get you noticed far more than just a website anyway. The best SEO for your content will

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Speaking at industry association events is a great way to garner experience and get yourself a paid gig. Some of these industries are healthcare, legal, automotive, and aviation, to name a few. Once you figure out the value you bring, you can tailor your speech to that industry. That's what attendees come to hear. 3. Speak for free I constantly hear speakers say all the time that they won’t speak for free. In my opinion, that is a big mistake, as I have made more money speaking for free and positioning myself as an expert in front of a potential client. Gary Vaynerchuck spoke for years before landing his first paid gig. The speakers who say they won’t speak for free are usually broke. When you first start, you will always speak for free to get your confidence level up and storytelling skills down. Speaking for free allows you to position yourself as an authority and expert. It also allows your audience to get a feel for you. Remember, people buy from people they know, like, and trust. The world of speaking has changed over the last few years due to COVID-19 and technology. It has also presented more stage opportunities. To seize those opportunities, start practicing in your local areas at Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, or any other organization that brings in speakers.

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Is now the time to raise your fees?

By Jane Atkinson

A s a coach in the speaking business, my job is to help professional speakers earn higher fees and build their businesses. Often, I provide my clients with the confidence to stand tall in their fees. (Spoiler alert, being crystal clear on your value and offerings is the key to confidence. Clarity = confidence). If you are a consultant, or coach, or any professional service provider, fees are important to you as well, and this article may spur some ideas that can help you feel comfortable charging the bigger bucks. Are you game? With Covid almost in the rearview mirror (fingers crossed, I realize there is still a ways to go) and pent-up demand for speakers and in-person events, the future looks bright for people who speak for a living. That alone isn’t a reason to raise your fees. In fact, I’d keep a close eye on the economy in the next 12 months. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t long overdue for a fee increase. And if that’s the case, I’d recommend that you take stock of these four elements to see if you are ready to increase your pricing. CALENDAR. The biggest reason to raise your fees is supply and demand. Your calendar is as full as you want it to be. If this is the case, and you aren’t getting a lot of pushback on your fees, now may be exactly the right time to raise your fees. Being uber-busy is fine in the short term, but keeping up a super hectic pace may not be sustainable. Don’t

I recently published my 4th industry book and decided to raise my private coaching fees despite being in the middle of Covid. Why? Like the Loreal commercial says, “because I’m worth it,” and because I didn’t want “fear” of Covid or anything else to drive my decision. Thinking about raising my fees forced me to remind myself of the value I brought to the table. While still in decision mode, I made a list of all of the speakers I had helped add zeros to their income, and the list was long! Raising my fees shifted my mindset immediately, and I ended up earning more in the last 30 days than I did in 90 days prior.

let that Covid Hustle go on forever. Choosing a goal for the year in your # of engagements that keeps you in a balanced lifestyle is the way to go. If you are in a professional service, like coaching, the same rules apply. When you are maxed out on your calendar, it’s time to up your fee. NEW ACHIEVEMENT. When you publish a new book or gain a new credential, consider it a great time to put your fees up. One of my clients, Annie Meehan, just got her CSP (certified speaking professional), so a fee review is in the works for her.

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what you want in proposals, rather than letting fear drive the bus. How often does a contract end and you have given way more than you charged? The leader of The Wealthy Speaker School’s emerging speakers program, Jen McDonough, was a part of my inspiration to raise my fee. She rolled through Covid with confidence and never once seemed concerned about money. A few years back, Jen’s family had paid off over $200K in medical expenses, and that gave her perspective. I watched while she invested in technology to go virtual. And when she said she was raising her fees while we were still in the pandemic, I thought, “right on, you go!” And I got inspired. Jen, made her decision from a place of abundance and clarity around her value. Raising your fees can be scary and may bring worry and anxiety with it... if you let it. Work on your mindset first - get super clear on the value that you offer. I have to tell you when I wrote out that client list, something clicked in my brain that has made me feel unstoppable. And I hope you’ll assess whether it’s time

If you are launching a new book or have added a designation to your title, and you’ve been thinking about raising your fees, now might be the right time. SHARING THE STAGE. You’ve walked off the stage, and the next speaker is waiting. The audience loved you, and they love this speaker equally. But here’s the rub, that speaker charges twice your fee. What???? When you find yourself consistently sharing the stage with higher-priced speakers, it might be time to raise your rates. Having studied mindset for the past two years, I can tell you with confidence that the only difference between you and that other speaker is how you think about the value you bring to the table. PERCEPTION IS KILLING YOU What’s that old expression about perception being a reality? Let’s say a client is booking a speaker for a fall event. They have a budget of $15,000, but you don’t know their budget. You quote your fee, which is $7,500. Their shortlist contains several other speakers who quote $15K or higher. What are they thinking? “Hmmm, I wonder if this speaker is any good”? That’s when perception might get in the way of your success. Pricing yourself too low can be detrimental to your business, and you may not compete well for higher-budget events. For those of you in the consulting space, I hope you will stand tall in your worth and charge exactly

Jane Atkinson is a bestselling author, coach and the Founder of The Wealthy Speaker School. Her system for success has been helping speakers catapult their businesses (and their income) for over 3 decades. Jane’s bestselling book, The Wealthy Speaker 2.0 has become a rite of passage for anyone entering the speaking industry, while her latest book Scaling Your Speaking Business helps the more established speaker leverage their time, energy and money for bigger results. If you need help making big decisions in your business, check out www. speakerlauncher.com or drop Jane a line jane@ speakerlauncher.com - be sure to ask about her Focus 40 session, a terrific way to get coached at a special one time only price.

for you to raise your fees. If you go for it, do it with confidence and boldness!

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Why Storytelling is Essential for Your Business

W e live in a time of unprecedented people anywhere. It has created tools that have virtually no limit to how many people we can reach. The problem is that it has empowered everyone. There’s so much noise and competition for attention that you need something special to stand out. It’s not enough to have the right knowledge or to be an expert in your field. There’s virtually limitless information and opportunity. Technology has enabled us to connect with and serve knowledge available now. No matter what you’re looking for there’s information out there that will prove or validate what you’re seeking in exactly the way you want it.

business concepts or ideas in a story can dramatically change how we process and interpret that same information. The beauty of having a clear story for your business is that it empowers you to talk about what you do in a clear and thought- provoking way. This not only impacts how people receive your message but also how you show up in your work and how deliver your message. With clarity on your story, you can draw on the deep and unique aspects of who you are, the unique value you provide, and the impact you want to make in the world. This creates something bigger than yourself and changes how you show up every day.

Humans are not rational creatures. Strong emotions, not information, are what drive our decisions. When presented with “factual” information alone, only a small part of our brain responds. This increased noise and flood of information have left your audience frustrated and craving something authentic: a human connection. A true connection with someone they can trust and that they feel understands them. That’s what is truly rare and valuable these days, and nothing creates a true human connection and trust better or faster than effective storytelling. With a story, you can share what is brilliant and unique about you and build that connection with those you can help. Wrapping

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explanation of how you can help, you get The Traffic Jam. All of your ideas and solutions are trying to come out of your mouth like a bunch of big strong football players all trying to squeeze through a small door at the same. The certainty of how you can help them starts to crumble as you try and weigh everything and figure out exactly what they want or need to hear first. You’ll start talking and keep talking, trying to create the same excitement in your listener that you’re feeling by explaining everything you can do for them. Maybe you’ll see behind the polite facade on their faces that they’re bored or confused, and feel rushed to speak and explain more to recover. Until the point where they make their escape by saying they need to use the bathroom. The traffic jam is also sabotaging you when you’re speaking from the stage, on your sales calls, or developing strategic partnerships. This happens all the time, to leaders just like you who are too smart for their own good. 1. As problem solvers, we tend to

a lot of insubstantial and technical details about what we do. This is an experience I call “The Traffic Jam” Imagine you’re at an event filled with your perfect clients. One of these potential customers comes up to you, greets you, and asks you what you do. Right away the wheels start to turn in your mind about how you can help them. Already you’re strategizing how you will help them or imagining solving their problems. Already you’re creating a checklist of all the things you’ll do to help them get to their goal. You want to show your expertise and the deep knowledge you have. This is an exciting feeling, you’re a problem solver, and But as all that thought and emotion starts to leave your brain and head to your mouth to become what you hope to be a clear and concise

The Traffic Jam - Why It’s Hard to Tell Our Own Story Many startups, entrepreneurs, and executives struggle with defining their stories. It’s difficult to communicate the value and meaning of what you do in a clear and concise way. When talking about our business or our vision, we tend to spout out

over-focus on everything we will do to solve their problems, instead of describing the results we can create for them.

2. We feel a sense of urgency

to help them understand us, instead of speaking to them in a way that makes them feel understood.

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telling a story, teaching, or speaking is to make it a little shorter than you think it should be. It’s often best to get some outside and objective help in cutting it down. What’s possible with better storytelling? What if being clear on your unique value and confident in your ability to share your vision helped you approach your work with a greater sense of purpose, excitement and ease. What if you showed up in a way that both inspired and enrolled your audience and your team members in this vision? What if you had a story-driven presentation that was so reliable that you could plan out a few key events to speak at over 2022 and know that it would be all you needed to hit your income goals for the year at a fraction of the time you thought it would take? What if you had a set of stories prepared so that every time you hopped on a sales call, you would be able to overcome your ideal clients’ biggest objections before they even arose?

3. We have so many good things to say, and we want to say them all instead of focusing on the one key gem of value you’ve got to share that will really engage the listener. The Solution? Strategic Storytelling So how do we get from being in a mental traffic jam to having a story that creates clarity, trust and confidence in ourselves and in our ideal customers? Here’s three simple steps to create better stories: 1. Focus on your customer - It’s important to understand that even when you’re telling your story, you’re telling it for the listener. You must tailor the details of your story to fit the customer’s experience and needs. 2. Follow proven frameworks - Storytelling has been around for thousands of years, good stories follow simple and proven frameworks that have consistently gotten results. Understanding and following these frameworks makes creating and telling stories much easier and more effective. 3. Make it shorter - A good rule of thumb when

Kyle Gray

is a world-class presentation coach, story

strategist and author who helps coaches,

startups and executives use storytelling to better communicate their unique value, and improve sales with their audience. He combines timeless storytelling with cutting edge marketing to ensure you’ve got the right story to tell while presenting, on a sales call or in conversation, both online and offline.

That’s the power of storytelling.

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The Difference Between a Speaker and an Emcee By Cathy Droz

H ave you ever been asked to Emcee an event, be a keynote or guest speaker? I’m happy to do any one of those if asked but being the Emcee is my favorite. I’ll tell you why after I share the differences. Keynote Speaker • Their main purpose is to echo and drive home the meeting’s main idea or theme

an organization, the same industry, or a related industry, as opposed to a professional speaker or independent expert

• Keynote Speaker and their speech is often selected to raise interest in an event • Keynote Speaker is usually well known for his or her expertise in a field, or who has wide name recognition due to other accomplishments Plenary Speaker • A Plenary Speaker is a speaker who is often from within

on a subject who is brought in to be a marquee keynote speaker. • A plenary speaker usually

doesn’t make public speaking their primary job and often do not have the presentation skills of a fine-tuned Keynote or Guest Speaker.

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parts of the event, location, program changes, lunch etc. • Brings energy and personality to the event, always keeping with the theme • Make the guests and speakers feel welcome and included I’ve been a Keynote for LifeLock, a Plenary Speaker for the automotive industry and a guest speaker for the police department but nothing compares to being an Emcee. I started my Emcee journey as a shy kid who couldn’t sell a box of Girl Scout cookies for fear of forgetting what a Thin Mint was, and wanting to throw up when asked to read in front of the class or try out for the school play … I’ve come a long way

Cathy Droz is the CEO of Hercertified. com and Co-founder of The Women 360, Flip Chicks AZ and Heels Horsepower and HERoes. Droz is an author, sales trainer, consultant, speaker, and automotive journalist. She has worked in New York City for Perrier water, Avon International and has exercised her improv abilities on two TV game shows. She never planned to be a speaker or emcee but realized her New York accent and sense of humor often placed her on stages to talk about cars, cops, and jocks. She is considered a female empowerment entrepreneur and enjoys working with small businesses, GenZ and nonprofits. As an automotive journalist she has test driven over 650 manufacturers vehicles, produced her own radio show, an emcee for professional wrestling and speaks on all topics from Sparkplugs to Spanx. For more about Cathy go to www. hercertified.com

since my childhood days. There are men and women

who are professional, well-paid speakers and that’s all they do. Not all speakers can Emcee, and most Emcee’s are not professional speakers. I like to have fun with the audience while staying professional and my New York accent doesn’t hurt. My favorite Emcee job was for the SmartFem Summit in 2021… I dressed as a flight attendant as the theme was “Soaring to New Heights.” Whatever type of speaker you are or want to be… there are professionals who can coach you and get you on stages. You see, the difference between a speaker and an Emcee is up to you.

Guest Speaker • There can be several guest speakers positioned for

technology or even their book as it relates to the client’s theme Emcee • Performs the role of the Master of Ceremonies and acts as host of the staged event • Kicks off the event, introduces the program theme and key players • Advises audience the tactical

breakout sessions and to fit in between the keynote and the plenary speakers

• Guest Speakers speak on

specific topics relevant to the audience • Industry Leaders are great choices for guest speakers who wish to share their research,

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The POWER of SPEAKING

W hat keeps most great speakers and making a difference in the world is they never learn to master the “The Power of Speaking.” They never master the power of the human touch. Most speakers believe that they are the star of the show when they are not. I have met many speakers that think this way. When in reality, the audience is the star of the show and it is all about them. speakers from becoming

A professional speaker must understand and comprehend the power of the human touch. You must open your heart and soul to it. When you open your heart while speaking something magical happens. You realize the words you are speaking and the presentation you are delivering has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with your audience. You may have only fifty people in front of you or you may be speaking to a sold-out crowd

of a thousand individuals, both size audiences should be able to feel your energy and passion. They should be able to feel you heart. When the event organizer hires you, they are trusting you with their job. The event planner is saying they believe in your abilities to help and serve their event and audience. They are confident you have their best interest in mind. I remember hearing a story of an event planner who almost got fired because

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You would not go to China speaking Spanish, would you? Would you dare go to Russia speaking Japanese? No, you would not, but that is exactly what many speakers do when they speak from stage. They speak their language instead of the attendees. Meeting Your Audience This is the part of the speaking engagement that I really enjoy. I make it a point to always get there earlier than my booked time to speak and spend some quality time with the attendees. It helps me to bond with them and get to know them on a personal level. I get a better feel for the tone and temperature in the room. I take mental notes of what the attendees

the speaker she hired did not deliver as they had promised. She mentioned how it was so embarrassing and she received some backlash from her superiors for it. As speakers, we must take our profession very serious. It is not a game. With so much technology around us every day we forget the importance of interacting and communicating with other people. We forget about the power of the human touch. Be Engaging The words we speak should impact our audience. If your attendees are leaving the conference in the same state of mind as when they first arrived, you need to improve as a speaker. You must be engaging and create some interaction between yourself and your attendees. You might be asking yourself; how do I accomplish this? You must learn to speak the language of your audience. You must be intentional with the words that you use and how you use them.

will thank you for it! I have been asked to come back and speak again because the event organizer noticed I was there early and invested some extra time with their attendees. They greatly appreciated it. Going The Extra Mile As a professional speaker, you are not just hired to speak, you are hired to make the event planner’s job easier. They have enough to worry about and any helping hand you can give them will pay off in your speaking career. You need to have a servant’s heart and give a helping hand. You need to go the extra mile to make sure the event is a true success. If you plan on making speaking a long-term career, always overdeliver. I must admit, I really love being a professional speaker. It has allowed me so much freedom in my life. It’s like that old saying, “When you love what you do, it’s not work.” Believe me, it doesn’t feel like work. One of the greatest gifts

are saying and use it to engage them later in my presentation.

The important lesson to learn from this is spending quality time with your audience upfront pays huge dividends later in your keynote presentation. Your audience

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being a speaker will give back to you is the joy of being a small part of someone’s transformation. The words you speak today are the exact words someone needed to hear at that moment. Your words have the power to change the direction of your audience’s life. Take pride in being a professional speaker and always remember you are there for them. Final Thoughts I hope you have enjoyed some of the wisdom I have shared about being a professional speaker. You never know where your next speaking gig will take you. If you would love to begin your journey, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to email me at daniel@ danielgomezspeaker.com or visit our website, www. danielgomezspeaker.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Daniel Gomez Bio

Daniel Gomez is an Award-Winning Keynote Speaker, Business Coach, Executive Coach, Corporate Trainer and Podcast of the Year Recipient. Daniel speaks and coaches at events all over the world! His passion is to elevate businesses and entrepreneurs to achieve their true potential through their training and coaching programs. Daniel has empowered his clients to build epic success in their personal and professional lives. He is the International Best-Selling Author of "You Were Born to Fly", a book written to inspire and give people the high-performance habits and confidence needed to be the leaders of their own destiny. Daniel’s high-energy and ability to unlock the untapped potential in people have made him a highly sought-out speaker and trainer for top organizations including the U.S. Air Force. He was honored with the “Best of 2019, 2020 & 2021” awards for his training and confidence coaching. He and his wife, Mari Gomez, believe in giving back and support women whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer through their 501(c)(3) nonprofit “The Mari Strong Foundation.” Daniel is a true professional and easy to work with!

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TEDxTalk That Drives Business How To Land a

The Subtle Art of Winning The Talk, Crushing Your Speech and Attracting Clients.

By Brad Szollose

By Brad

P ublishing your first book, appearing on television or in a magazine or joining the NSA are all boxes most professional speakers check off at some point in their careers. These milestones are important for our credibility. One of my milestones was giving a TEDTalk on why Millennials act the

way they do. But it wasn’t the talk itself that was the game-changer, it’s what it did for my business. Let me explain… Years ago, an entire 4-day event was within my grasp. Twelve- thousand dollars for an opening keynote speech, prepaid books, and an additional fee for a few extra days to have a closed-door session with the company’s senior executives. All I had to do was close the deal. It was the last round of

negations and I just assumed I was the chosen one (my Catholic School upbringing is echoing in my mind… “you know what happens when you assume?”). The meeting planner broke me from my self-enchantment when she casually revealed “It’s between you and 4 other speakers.” My heart dropped a notch. I wasn’t disappointed. I was tired. This had been going on for 5 months. Most

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your belt, I am here to help. So, let’s get started… First; Brad, what’s the difference between a TEDTalk and a TEDxTalk? Technically nothing in the eyes of a YouTube viewer. Once the video is uploaded, no one cares. They just enjoy your performance. Seth Godin, Bill Gates and Simon Sinek all did multiple TEDxTalks. Daniel Pink on the other hand gave an official TED Talk. Did you know the difference? Probably not. Basically, TED Talks are aimed at a global audience while TEDx talks are a regional event designed for smaller, local audiences. It is still under the TED umbrella of standards. Most of these are low profile and small. Some are large, high-profile events, i.e…@TEDxLincolnSquare or @ TEDxMadrid. Let’s get started in helping you land a spot on the red-carpet dot. Step 1: How Do I Find a TEDTalk That is Right For Me? Use a pad of lined paper and draw a line vertically down the center of the page. (using a laptop or e-pad? Use Notes or any other text editing software). On the left-hand side, list every place you have lived. Where did you go to college? Was your mom or dad in the military and you moved around a lot? Did you grow up in a small town? A big city? This list is unique to you. If you

credentials. So, what did I have that separated me from the pack? My response, “Have your board members watch my TED Talk.” Stammering a bit, Stephanie blurted out “YOU did a TED Talk?!” She was now on the edge of her seat, fully engaged. I wasn’t just another speaker. Four days later, Stephanie congratulated me on winning the contract. I learned in that moment…TED Talks close deals. Over the past 20 years I have coached over one hundred people in the subtle art of speaking on a stage. From comedians to keynote speakers, to royal family members and executives and scientists, 80 years young and a 15-year-old transgendered youth. Dozens of my students have landed a TEDxTalks and one was asked to give an all- day workshop on her talk subject while also getting her 18-minute spot for TEDxSanAntonio. How does one find a talk? How do I fill out the application? What should I speak about? How about my interview video? It turns out, most TED Speaker Coaches do NOT seem to have a system for landing the talk. Have no fear, Uncle Brad is here. I’ve been on stage since I was 9 years old and have spoken in front of audiences as large as 6,000 and interviewed on live television in front of millions. I’m not bragging, I am just letting you that you are in good hands. Whether you are new to the speaking industry or a professional with 20 years under

d Szollose

of my speaking contracts are closed within one month. The meeting planner had everything; one sheets, signed copies of my books, articles of me featured in Forbes, Advertising Age and Inc. magazines, along with my appearances on international television…and of course the ubiquitous speaker sizzle reel. What I failed to realize at the time is most speakers have these

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graduated from a college or university in that town, they should have a TED Event there once a year (I realize COVID stopped many of these events, but many are now picking back up and need speakers desperately). Now on the right side of the page, list the dream places where you’ve always wanted to speak. I always thought it would be cool to give

a TEDTalk at TEDxThunderBay in Canada. First of all, it would be an international talk, and second it sounds cool; “I gave a talk at Thunder Bay.” It sounds better if the late Don LaFontaine does the voiceover. Now go to the TED website events page: https://www.ted.com/tedx/ events

There is a map at the bottom the page. Either click on the regions where you wish to speak, or scroll through the list at the bottom of the page. When you click on a specific event, their page will pop-up showing you when and where the TEDx Regional Event is taking place, the theme, and a brief description of the event…and a button to submit your

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called rock band…” I then held up a GAF View Master in one hand and a Nintendo 64 game controller in the other… “do you think the next generation received different training in childhood and that is why we are miscommunicating? My name is Brad Szollose and my TEDTalk is entitled; the Age of Radical Disruption…and I am here to prove that video games changed the brains, expectations and communication style of the next generation. Thank you for your consideration.” A month later I was chosen for @ TEDxTarrytown in NY. The video is about you, yes, but it’s also about what the audience will take away from hearing you speak. Write down what you want to say. This is not the time to write out your entire talk. This is the time to entice them with a teaser. Like a fine sorbet before a meal, you want them to lean forward and ask for the second interview. Expect 3 interviews; first your application must catch the eye of the committee members. Then if accepted, they ask for a video teaser (this may be part of the second interview or part of your initial application. Every TEDx Event is different). Once you go through several rounds, then you wait. Do not get discouraged if you get rejected three, four or five times. I was rejected three times before I was chosen. The last application was sent to me by a friend. I had half an hour to submit it. Wrote it

One of my top students is Parul Agrawal. While growing up in India, Parul was expected to become a doctor, a scientist, or an engineer. After she earned 2 masters degrees in engineering, she bucked generations of family tradition and moved to the American Southwest, and became a holistic nutrition practitioner instead. Try as she might, she couldn’t get a talk in her resident state of Arizona. So, while working on her speech, I introduced her to a TEDx Committee person in NYC. She wound up giving a powerful TED Talk at @TEDxBayRidgeWomen. The one thing I help my students do best is the application process. Getting the application just right, writing out what your talk is truly about, and the results the audience will get from you is what separates one application from another. But it is the title of your talk that is paramount to your success. TEDx Committees receive on average 350 applications. So you better stand out. Step 2: Your TEDxVideo When I did my one-minute video, I sat in front of my drum set with the camera on a tripod set up to the left side, by the high-hat cymbals. I played a few licks and turned to the camera and stated “Back in the 70s I learned to play drums the hard way, over 10,000 hours to self- mastery. I marched in parades, in all kinds of weather…and I received a few callouses. 30 years later, my nephew learned to play drums on a video game

application. Pro Tip: Every TEDx Event lists the event’s official website and the person to contact. Hint, hint.

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change you pace and get across something you are passionate about. Talk about how and why you do what you do…and the results that help others. Sell the sizzle, not the steak. My late friend Johnny Campbell did a TEDx Talk entitled How An Enemy Can Improve Your Life. See how engaging that is? Do you want to Google that talk right now and watch it? We know you do… Give me a call. That 18 minutes on stage could change your business.

that caused me to be an over achiever. It is why I do the work I do today.” See how that is more engaging? See how I want to learn more about you? And when your clients see this, they will understand what drives you. It makes you human. It makes you approachable. It makes you real. Who would you rather hang out with; Tom Cruise or Robert Downey Jr? Most would choose Robert. Why? He’s real. He’s snarky. And he isn’t afraid to break down and show emotion. “But Brad, didn’t you say I can use my TEDTalk to drive business?” Want to drive business your way? This is a chance to tell us why you do what you do. Calm down,

up without thinking and made the deadline. The lesson? Don’t overthink this. Step 3: Stop Selling Guess what? 98% of professional speakers cannot get a TED Talk. Wanna know why? Because most of you can’t shut off your marketing speak. “I’m gonna show you my 9 steps to awesomeness.” STOP. Just stop. Selling is NOT allowed. You will be rejected immediately. But, if you started to talk about “My father treated me badly as a kid. It’s the one thing that drives me to build a life work/balance where I get to work through my traumas

Chat soon , Brad

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About Brad Szollose Serial entrepreneur, award- winning author and keynote speaker Brad Szollose, has been the speaking coach for hundreds of people over the past 20 years; from CEOs to professional comedians and corporate presenters, celebrities, royal families and entrepreneurs. In addition, Brad has been featured in Forbes, Inc., New York Magazine, Advertising Age along with national and international television, radio and podcast appearances on CBS, CGTN America, TruTV and other media outlets for his work in understanding the next generation. His programs have transformed a new generation of business leaders, helping them maximize their presentation skills to drive sales growth in The Digital Age Economy.

www.bradszollose.com

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