Speaker Branding Initiatives

A lot of people think becoming a successful, paid speaker is simply about being good on stage, having confidence or being seen as an “expert.” What they don’t always see are the behind-the-scenes parts that actually make the difference. Being a successful speaker isn’t just about what happens on stage... The speakers who get booked, paid and rebooked understand the business and the brand behind it. I'm a strategist, I always have been... I see strategy as clearly as others see problems. And it's also no secret that I'm an introvert whose happy place isn't centre stage! But I've been paid to speak all over the world and I do it because my audience is more important to me than my frustrating human wiring! If you want to build a sustainable speaking career, here are a few things I think you should know: 1. It’s a business, not just a talent or channelled expertise. Speaking is revenue-generating work. That means pricing, positioning, negotiation, contracts and pipeline management matter just as much as stage skills. 🎤 Speaker brand tip 1: Treat your speaker brand like a business asset: package it, price it and protect it. 2. You don’t get paid for what you say; you get paid for the value of the problem you solve. Audiences enjoy stories, but companies invest in speakers who land solutions in the same room as their people's goals, challenges or culture. 🎤 Speaker brand tip 2: When you're centre stage, it's never about you! Position your talk as a solution to a business problem or to an audience problem. 3. Your reputation is part of your brand and the value of your brand equity determines your rate. The higher your credibility, positioning and perceived demand, the higher the fees. Focus less on what you think you’re worth and more on finding out what the market believes you’re worth. 🎤 Speaker brand tip 3: There is a skill to shaping a keynote that takes your audience on a journey but before you even open PowerPoint or Canva, do your audience and topic research! 4. The paid speaking circuit isn’t an equal playing field. Experience, networks and brand all affect access... as does gender and background 🙄 Just like running a business won't get you premium prices, a slick talk alone won’t get you into the rooms where fees are £5k, £10k or £20k+. You need a strategy and an effective network! 🎤 Speaker brand tip 4: Brand is a medium-term to long-term exercise. So is your speaking career. Build relationships with organisers and peers before you need the booking. If you'd like to focus on building your brand to attract more speaking opportunities, I'll be running an in-person Speaker Brand Masterclass in London this October with Lara Sheldrake and the lovely folks over at Found & Flourish. Early bird tickets are now available for Found & Flourish community members and the public link will go live next week. Stay tuned for more info or drop me a DM if you'd like me to send you the link before we launch it so you can secure your spot.

The Market Isn’t Crowded – Your Message Is. Ever felt like you’re shouting into a void, even with years of experience and a stellar talk? You’re not alone. The speaking industry is packed with talented people - more than ever before. But here’s the catch: talent isn’t enough. Here’s what separates the speakers who thrive from those who struggle: ✅ They’re clear about their niche. No more “I speak about leadership and motivation.” What kind of leadership? What kind of motivation? Specificity is your superpower. You can’t be an expert in everything - so what’s your expertise? What's your big idea? ✅ They make decision-makers’ lives easier. A clear message, a memorable story, and the ability to tie your talk to their goals are non-negotiables. And let’s not overlook the basics: be easy to reach, respond quickly, and go the extra mile to exceed expectations. ✅ They build a personal brand beyond the stage. When you’re known for your expertise, opportunities come to you. Clients don’t just visit your website - they check your LinkedIn, Google your name, search for your articles and binge your YouTube videos. If you only share your expertise on stage, you’re missing out. And a fun fact: professional speakers who share and care on LinkedIn report that up to 60% of their gigs come from this platform alone. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: If you’re blending in, you’re losing out. Decision-makers no longer hire “good speakers”; they hire memorable ones. Ask yourself: What do people remember about YOU after the talk is over? What value did you bring to THEM? The game isn’t about shouting louder - it’s about delivering a message so sharp, so that it (you) can’t be ignored. What’s the biggest challenge you face as a speaker? PS: Photo by Photographer Jagdeep Rajput who captured a crane spread its wings behind an antelope in Keoladeo National Park in India (2022 Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards). Sometimes you stand out by accident, but it’s smarter to make it intentional. Don’t leave your personal brand to chance. Authenticity and standing out take work - but the results are worth it. #leadership #personaldevelopment #personalbranding

I’ve sat in the room with bureau agents as they assess speakers. Here’s what I’ve seen: They don’t just glance at your website. They scan everything, quickly. → Your sizzle reel → Your one-pager → Your social channels → Your speaker package And it really comes down to two questions: 1. Do you look 'legit'? 2. Can they instantly tell what you speak about? I’ve seen people get crossed off a list in seconds. Not because they weren’t great, but because something felt off. If I were a speaker? I’d treat every piece of my digital footprint like it was being reviewed by the person deciding whether or not to book me. Because sometimes, it is. Audit everything. Assess your assets. Stack them up against the competition. Put yourself in an event planner or bureau agent’s shoes and ask: Who would I pick? Then rebuild anything that makes you hesitate. Your brand can be the difference between getting a calendar hold vs. getting booked.

The fastest way to kill your speaking career? Stay versatile. Don’t pick a niche. I brand speakers for a living. I’ve seen unknowns take off. I’ve seen big names disappear. The ones who stay booked? They pick a lane and OWN it Like Adam Grant. He doesn’t brand himself as a “business speaker.” He owns how work works. One specific sentence. One clear idea. That’s all it takes. “I speak on resilience, culture, burnout.” Cool. So do a thousand others. I’ve already tuned out. “I help leaders rethink how they work so they stay effective without burning out.” Now we’re getting somewhere. You think you’re being flexible. You’re just forgettable. If I can’t pitch you in one sentence, no one else can either. Speakers who own their niche: - Get remembered in 10 seconds - Get intros without asking - Get booked without chasing Most think focus means fewer gigs. Yeah... it doesn’t. Focus removes friction. Niche creates stickiness. Stickiness gets you BOOKED. So what’s your sentence? Because if you’re still a blur, you’re not ready to get booked.