In today's episode, we're chatting with Chris West, Founder of Video Narrative - the leading video production and branding company for professional speakers.

Chris is with us chatting about what it means to be a world-changer and how you can position yourself as the expert in your niche.

He gives us some awesome tips and tactical tools to help us better communicate our message and outlines the importance of a strong digital presence.

This is a jam-packed episode with loads of golden nuggets. You'll want to stick around until the end.

We hope you like this one!

Show Notes:

✅ Register for the next Speaker Narrative Workshop: https://videonarrative.com/speaker-narrative-workshop/

? Thank you to our sponsor, Auxbus! Want the best podcasting solution out there? Get your free offer here: https://auxbus.com/speakerflow

? And as always, don't forget about all the mind-blowing free resources at https://speakerflow.com/resources/

Chris West helps tell the stories of world changers.

His company Video Narrative is the ELITE video branding company that specializes in identifying and unleashing the super powers of super story tellers and thought leaders across the globe.

Chris shares his journey on Thrive LOUD with Lou Diamond and how he found his own purpose on this planet -- that he is helping to change!

***

Connect to Lou Diamond: www.loudiamond.net

Subscribe to Thrive LOUD: www.thriveloud.com/podcast

As in any industry, the vast majority of businesses in the speaking industry are looking for the answer to the big question: "How do I make more money?"

Depending on who you ask, you can get a wide range of answers, but the core to all of them remains the same. Put simply, you have to differentiate yourself.

Joining us in this episode is someone who's seen this firsthand through his work in the speaking industry, Chris West.

The owner of Video Narrative, Chris has had a front-row seat over the last 10 years as the industry shifted from one of referrals to one that requires more and more sales and marketing effort each day.

In his words, event organizers aren't simply hiring speakers that are recommended to them anymore. They're doing their own research on the speakers available, and to get in front of them, "You have to be unique. You have to become known for something."

Tune in for all of the ways Chris has seen the biggest names in speaking make this happen. This isn't an episode you want to miss!

Show Notes:

✅ Learn more about Chris and Video Narrative: https://videonarrative.com/

📷 Watch the video version of this episode and subscribe for updates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYAr3nGy6lbXrhbezMxoHTSCS40liusyU

🎤 Thank you to our sponsor, Libsyn Studio (formerly Auxbus)! Want the best podcasting solution out there? Learn more here: https://www.libsynstudio.com/

🚀 And as always, don't forget about all the mind-blowing free resources at https://speakerflow.com/resources/

Chris West is the owner and founder of Video Narrative, a production company that specializes in growing speaking businesses through brand clarity, speaker demo reels, and website design.

The origin of Chris’ narrative work came in a neurobiology class, where he first learned the power of story for organizing information in the mind.  Completing this research one May afternoon, he resolved never to create another video without telling an authentic story…a commitment that led to years of research on the way we connect, learn, and grow through stories.

Today Chris works alongside thought leaders to increase their message, clarity, and impact through powerful narratives.  When not creating videos, Chris is out backpacking with his wife and two children, and serving as a mentor with the non-profit Holla.

Topics List:

- The importance of a digital presence today for brands and speakers

(how everyone is their own brand today, speakers have more power to own the digital space)

- Speaking today vs 10 years ago (online movement)

- First step a public speaker/figure should take for their personal professional brand

- The difference of video compared to other products (books, podcast, in-person training, speaking engagement)

- Video is still new - Getting comfortable investing in video assets as a company/individual

- Difference between a public speaker brand vs musician, actor, model

- Tips for someone doing their first on camera opportunity

- Favorite story or package Video Narrative has produced

- 1 Tip for young entrepreneurs and businesses

Need music for your next project?

Get your first month of SongTub PRO free at Songtub.com using promo code: BRYAN

Disclaimer

This Podcast represents the opinions of the host of the show and his guests. Tactus makes every effort to broadcast correct information but marketing is constantly changing and by accessing this Podcast, you acknowledge that the Tactus makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Tactus does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of Tactus. While Tactus welcomes any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors, Tactus assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials or links. Moreover, Tactus makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

TACTUS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

Chris West is CEO of Video Narrative, a company that specializes in helping organizations grow through an effective brand story In this episode he is sharing his vision for what association meetings can look like in the next normal we are all creating together.

This year can be a great case study experiment in creating and monetizing virtual meetings and events if organizations use the current situation as an opportunity to transform the way they've always done things -- not just for this year, but in years ahead.

Chris shares the best models for moving to virtual events this year and how those can morph into a hybrid event next year with live and virtual attendance -- and the benefits of doing that. Also, how to monetize virtual content with a subscription model for non-members that can provide revenue to help build a stronger value proposition for members.

Listen in for some innovative ideas and case studies to help your organization be successful as we move through the rest of 2020 and beyond.

Visit: MaryByers.com for links to join the conversation on our social sites.

© 2020 Mary Byers

Video Narrative’s Chris West is back with host DP Knudten for more about how understanding and communicating your brand is important, but not as much as speaking your audience’s language in order to deliver what they want, and actually need, to solve their specific challenges.

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The NONFICTION BRAND podcast is hosted by DP Knudten and a variety of special guests. While focused on the art and craft of personal branding, each episode ranges widely based on whatever happened to be on the minds of DP and his guest(s).

Each episode is sponsored by DP’s book "NONFICTION BRAND—Discover, craft and communicate the 'completely true / completely you' brand you already are.” now available on Amazon at www.bit.ly/nonfiction_brand 

You can reach DP Knudten at:

Email: dp@dpknudten.com

Website: dpknudten.com 

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, et al: @dpknudten

©2023 DP Knudten LLC - all rights reserved

Want to support DP and the NFB pod? Patreon makes it super easy here: https://www.patreon.com/nonfictionbrand

Looking to add podcast guesting to your personal brand-boosting strategy? You should be. Check out Podmatch, a FREE podcast/guest matching service at https://podmatch.com/signup/dprecommends

NONFICTION BRAND is hosted at Podbean. DP personally recommends this podcast hosting service for its quality, design, and ease of use. Check it out here: https://www.podbean.com/nonfictionbrand

What story does your brand really tell? This thought-provoking question, posed by Ford Saeks in this episode of The Business Growth Show, challenges us to consider the alignment between the brand perception we hold and what our customers and employees perceive.

Join us as Ford breaks down the transformative impact of storytelling in bridging the gap between brand identity and market perception along side Chris West, the owner and founder of Video Narrative.

In this episode, they discuss:

· How The Brain Processes Information in a Narrative

· Why Stories Create a Sense of Belonging

· That Emotion is Key to Memory Retention

· How Storytelling Enhances Brand Identity

It is vital for leaders and brands alike to harness the power of storytelling to create a lasting impact. Don't miss this captivating journey as they unravel the secrets behind crafting compelling brand narratives.

Ford Saeks has redefined the formula for business success. From start-ups to Fortune 500's, Saeks is widely recognized as a Business Growth Innovator. With over 20 years' experience (ranging from retail to wholesale), he has founded over ten companies, authored four books, been awarded three U.S. patents, and received numerous industry awards. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., a digital marketing firm, Ford specializes in helping businesses attract loyal and repeat customers, monetize social media, and ignite innovation.

Video Narrative’s Chris West joins host DP Knudten for a conversation about how the first step to creating an effective and authentic promo or sizzle reel video is to fully identify the true story of your brand, but always with an eye toward serving the needs of your perfect audience.

++++++

The NONFICTION BRAND podcast is hosted by DP Knudten and a variety of special guests. While focused on the art and craft of personal branding, each episode ranges widely based on whatever happened to be on the minds of DP and his guest(s).

Each episode is sponsored by DP’s book "NONFICTION BRAND—Discover, craft and communicate the 'completely true / completely you' brand you already are.” now available on Amazon at www.bit.ly/nonfiction_brand 

You can reach DP Knudten at:

Email: dp@dpknudten.com

Website: dpknudten.com 

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, et al: @dpknudten

©2023 DP Knudten LLC - all rights reserved

Want to support DP and the NFB pod? Patreon makes it super easy here: https://www.patreon.com/nonfictionbrand

Looking to add podcast guesting to your personal brand-boosting strategy? You should be. Check out Podmatch, a FREE podcast/guest matching service at https://podmatch.com/signup/dprecommends

NONFICTION BRAND is hosted at Podbean. DP personally recommends this podcast hosting service for its quality, design, and ease of use. Check it out here: https://www.podbean.com/nonfictionbrand

This week I'm joined by Chris West (http://videonarrative.com) as he shares his  journey of embracing discomfort to live a fulfilling life. Chris has committed to facing fears, uncomfortable situations and fully exploring life which has led to more fulfillment and a life well lived. Chris struggled with personal issues like low self-worth and a need to care for others, which led to feelings of hopelessness, but after many years of personal growth work, he found deeper joy and fulfillment by prioritizing self-care and his own self-love. Chris did this not only in his personal life, but when he recently shifted his business model in a huge way, gaining more freedom for himself and his kids while expanding their capabilities for his clients. BINGO!  He emphasizes taking responsibility for one's own well-being and choices, rather than relying on others or external factors for happiness.

Chris West is the founder of Video Narrative, a brand design firm that specializes in growing speaking businesses through brand clarity, speaker demo reels, and website design.   Before working with leading speakers around the world, Chris developed his approach for stories in his graduate work in Narrative Therapy.  

Today Chris works alongside thought-leaders to increase their message, clarity, and impact through powerful narratives.   When not telling stories, Chris is out backpacking with his three children, and attending an exhaustive amount of personal development retreats. 

Chris shares that when he learned the only time all the systems in the brain come online and integrate is through stories, it was clear to him that we should always be telling stories. His career as owner of Video Narrative is focused on storytelling, particular helping individuals tell their stories through video.

Chris West is the owner and founder of Video Narrative, a creative agency that specializes in growing speaking businesses through brand clarity, speaker demo reels, and website design.

Chris shares tips on what to do and what not to do when creating a video for your business!

Quote:  “The key is...you really have to take what you do on stage and build it into steps.”  Chris West

We’ve taken a short summer hiatus from recording The Wealthy Speaker podcast and are thrilled to be back.  For my first session back, I wanted to talk about how to increase your virtual earnings as many of you are only working virtually at this time.  I was so happy that my good friend Chris West agreed to come back and talk about how he and some of his clients are using a really simple formula to increase their virtual earnings.

Chris is the owner and founder of Video Narrative, a production company that specializes in growing speaking businesses through brand clarity, speaker demo reels, and website design. 

The origin of Chris’ narrative work came in a neurobiology class, where he first learned the power of story for organizing information in the mind.  Completing this research, he resolved never to create another video without telling an authentic story…a commitment that led to years of research on the way we connect, learn, and grow through stories.  

Highlights you won’t want to miss:

• What’s your transformation process?  2:35
• Ideas to create your change model.  7:00
• Dust off the formula that’s been sitting on the shelf.  13:30
• A great process can apply to your whole business.  20:00
• Discuss the process and outcomes.  25:00
• Getting to the decision maker.  29:00
• Come from a place of serving.  33:00
• Present their process to success.  36:45

Click to Tweet:  Are you getting all of the virtual business that you desire?  Join me to hear Chris West discuss his easy to follow formula to create your process and wow your customers!

Today Chris works alongside thought leaders to increase their message, clarity, and impact through powerful narratives.  When not creating videos, Chris is out backpacking with his wife and daughter, and serves as the volunteer director of the Bukesa Children’s Home in Uganda, Africa.

If you would like some great ideas to create your own formula that could lead to 3-4 times more virtual business, you simply can’t afford to miss this episode!

I hope you’ll download and learn.

Links:

Chris’ website: https://videonarrative.com/

Chris’ email:  chris@videonarrative.com

Brand Camp & worksheets:  waiting for link

Frank Somma: https://www.franksomma.com/

Ozan Varol: https://ozanvarol.com/

Facebook Live with Jane and Meredith Powell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io-WFwiylT0

Want to Win a FREE Focus 40 Coaching Session with Jane Atkinson?

You might be losing money because of the way you're describing your message to your clients. Are you only providing a summary of your talking points, or are you describing the problem you solve, the process you take the solve it and the outcome?

In this episode, we have Chris West who shares how you can grow your business and bring in more money by starting your day with a good routine and more effectively sharing how you bring positive change to your clients.

Key Takeaways:

1. Develop a morning routine
2. Have a Change Model for the clients you serve

Who is Chris West?

Chris helps thought leaders build world-changing speaking businesses through focused and powerful storytelling.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might be losing money because of the way you're describing your message to your clients. Are you only providing a summary of your talking points, or are you describing the problem you solve, the process you take the solve it and the outcome?

In this episode, we have Chris West who shares how you can grow your business and bring in more money by starting your day with a good routine and more effectively sharing how you bring positive change to your clients.

Key Takeaways:

1. Develop a morning routine
2. Have a Change Model for the clients you serve

Who is Chris West?

Chris helps thought leaders build world-changing speaking businesses through focused and powerful storytelling.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. Have a great Keynote
2. Form a Press Kit
3. Invest in a Demo Video
4. Get a Speaker Website

Episode 187

Welcome to the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green. This is THE show if you want to grow your MSP. This week’s show includes:

• 00:00 Persuading clients to accept MFA

• 05:23 The benefits of posting real photos on your MSP website

• 12:43 The value of public speaking to your business

Featured guest:

Thank you to Grant Baldwin, Founder and CEO at The Speaker Lab, for joining me to talk about how people can promote themselves and their businesses by making speaking appearances at conferences or business events.

As founder and CEO of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin has helped thousands of people build successful and sustainable speaking businesses. Over the last 15 years Grant has become a sought after speaker, podcaster, author, and accomplished entrepreneur.

Featured on the Inc. 5000 list, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the Huffington Post, he has committed his expertise and insight to equipping others to share their meaningful message with the masses.

With a mission to motivate other leaders and entrepreneurs, The Speaker Lab has worked with students in all 50 US states and in over 45 countries around the world.

Connect with Grant on LinkedIn:

Extra show notes:

• Listen or watch every Tuesday on your favourite podcast platform, hosted by me, Paul Green, an MSP marketing expert:
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-green-msp-marketing/
  • http://mspmarketingedge.com/about/
• Find out about my MSP Marketing Edge service:
  • https://www.mspmarketingedge.com
• You can join me in the MSP Marketing group on Facebook:
  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/mspmarketing/
• Subscribe to the MSP Marketing Action Monthly magazine:
  • http://mspmarketingedge.com/action/
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel:
  • https://www.youtube.com/mspmarketing
• Subscribe to this podcast using your favourite podcast provider:
  • https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Paul-Greens-MSP-Marketing-Podcast-Podcast/B08JK38L4V
  • https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/paul-greens-msp-marketing-podcast/id1485101351
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  • https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGF1bGdyZWVuc21zcG1hcmtldGluZy5jb20vZmVlZC9wb2RjYXN0?sa
  • https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/b03a9638-adf4-4491-93f1-569183e079d7/Paul-Greens-MSP-Marketing-Podcast
  • https://open.spotify.com/show/1Hw52ScOg5WvGaBUkaOrI7
  • https://tunein.com/radio/Paul-Greens-MSP-Marketing-Podcast-p1264893/
  • https://blubrry.com/paulgreenmspmarketing/
  • https://deezer.com/show/1512622
• Got a question from the show? Email me directly: hello@paulgreensmspmarketing.com
• Grab yourself a copy of this week’s recommended book, Finally Wealthy: Your Simple Guide To Create Massive Wealth:
  • https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finally-Wealthy-Simple-Create-Massive/dp/B09JR9GJ7S/

Transcription:

In today's episode Sylvie Di Giusto talks about How To Develop Your Personal Branding As A Public Speaker.

What we cover:

• Common mistakes in crafting your image as a public speaker
• Which kinds of public speaker videos to create
• The world's best public speaker bag?

Please SUBSCRIBE ►http://bit.ly/JTme-ytsub ♥️ Your Support Appreciated!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on YouTube, iTunes or Stitcher and write a brief review. That would really help get the word out and raise the visibility of the Creative Life show.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW

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CTA link: https://speakersu.com/the-speakers-life/

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Read full transcript at https://speakersu.com/sl066-how-to-develop-your-personal-branding-as-a-public-speaker/

Hi, it's James Taylor, founder of SpeakersU. Today's episode was first aired as part of International Speakers Summit the world's largest online event for professional speakers. And if you'd like to access the full video version, as well as in depth sessions with over 150 top speakers, then I've got a very special offer for you. Just go to InternationalSpeakersSummit.com, where you'll be able to register for a free pass for the summit. Yep, that's right 150 of the world's top speakers sharing their insights, strategies and tactics on how to launch grow and build a successful speaking business. So just go to InternationalSpeakersSummit.com but not before you listen to today's episode.

Hey, there is James Taylor and I'm very very delighted to have the wonderful Sylvie di Giusto with me today. Now people packaging is what I do so Sylvie Did you still who helps individuals and organizations to explore how people make up their minds very quickly about them, the leadership potential or their company and either open the door or slam it shut. As a professional keynote speaker, corporate trainer and image consultant Sylvie uses her multicultural background to work with leaders from around the world who place great importance on themselves and their reputation. She was recently the co chair of the National Speakers Association winter conference, which is one of the best four speakers events I've ever spoken out or attended. Austrian by birth, French and a heart Italian and a kitchen German in our work ethic and American by choice. It's my great pleasure to be joined today by Sylvie di Giusto. Welcome. Sylvie,

Sylvie di Giusto thank you very much for having me. I'm so thrilled to be with you and thank you for your kind note about winter conference. But it's you know, a conference is only as good as the speakers who are there and you have been one of them. And we were super thrilled to have you there.

James Taylor It was an amazing event. And it was it was it was lovely. Just, I mean, I always enjoy just being around our tribe of fellow speakers and learning from other speakers and just all the conversations as well as hearing them speak on stage. But I'm wondering, what must it be like to organize a conference like that of I mean, how many speakers you have, like 50 plus speakers that you had there as well? What? How was that experience?

Sylvie di Giusto Oh my god, it was one of the biggest learning curves I have ever had in my entire career. It is so fascinating. And if there is one recommendation I can just give right at the beginning of this interview. If you ever have the opportunity to see the other side of our profession, please do it. I have learned more than I have ever thought about our industry in general, about the requirements of our clients about speakers and their behaviors. about organizing an event about leadership about volunteering. There have been so many lessons involved and I wouldn't want to miss one of them.

James Taylor Now, one of the one of the things I thought was very interesting about the event you did is you really, we the whole theme was the future of speaking. And you try to you dread lots of different types of formats, different ways of presenting. You definitely got I would imagine pretty much all the speakers out of their comfort zone in terms of what they used to doing. You. I mean, the ones you had it you did like a fake kind of I think, was it five minutes, super short ones. You had people speaking in the center of a room with the audience round about them. You had a room with three stages on it, and kind of going around with like a rock festival or something as well. What was the feedback that you got from the attendees? First of all, what what did the attendees really enjoy about about the event, and actually, what was the thing that was most enjoyable for the speakers?

Sylvie di Giusto So we had kind of a theme behind The future of speaking the future of speaking was our official theme of the conference. Our inner future theme was that we always said that we watch the audience feel and think like, Oh, we didn't see that coming. So surprise them constantly with something new. And the new things were that we didn't use just an Emirates stage like in every conference at the front of the room, we put them in the middle the next day, we split them up in three the next day we split them up into because people didn't see that coming. We didn't give them the canned presentations. We asked all speakers including you to present in very specific formats that are not average anymore that are not, not can't because if there is one thing we have to learn from all the people we spoke to about the future of speaking is average is not good enough anymore. Can't is not good enough anymore. You must be prepared. To present in new formats, with new times with new methods, and the beautiful thing was pushing people like you and your colleagues into areas that were out of their comfort zone. I mean made beautiful things happen. I will always remember your presentation I will always remember a presentation we heard from a colleague about disabilities and how we handle our finances in the future. We are one out of five has a disability and we made it dark right now I'm in the moment dark and Libra, those who couldn't see what she saw, or when we had time in speaking to a robot back and forth. So those are all things that constantly pushed us out of our comfort zone and pushed the audience out of the comfort zone. And that was just some matching magic but what about the speakers the person I probably felt obviously sorriest four but the one oh my heart was going to going out to like, that's a hard gig

James Taylor was the speakers that Had to speak in the round. Because I was constantly if I was a speaker, you have to really you've got people behind you and people aside, you're wanting to ensure that you're you're connecting with an audience, but they're

Sylvie di Giusto everywhere.

James Taylor And I'm interested in what was what was the kind of response you get from the speakers, I had to do the kind of speaking in the round.

Sylvie di Giusto But first of all, one thing that is just amazing as a host is you have the option one time in your life to speak if you host a conference, to invite those people who you really trust. So we only ask people where we knew they can handle those challenges and actually, they gonna enjoy it because they are adventurous. They want to try it, they are creative, they that's gonna come back with us with a cookie cutter approach and say no, I only will present in the front and I only can do a 60 minute and not a 15 minute presentation. So if there is more beautiful thing about that it's as a host, you can invite people whom you trust and we know that Enjoy those challenges. And it is a challenge. It's a challenge that you have to map out your stage, which you also should do with a stage at the front anyway, but the mapping is just different. So everybody was kind of the first moment Oh, I didn't see that coming much. I have to present the route or after present have worn out of you were one of the brave ones who presented on water out of three stages with two speakers on the stage is already standing there and waiting for for their presentation. So honestly, the speakers we had there, I think they enjoyed the adventures. We took them on as much as we did, but it was very easy to do it because all of them repeatedly trusted.

James Taylor And it was good. I know that many of the things that you did, they're going to get taken into the the influence the NSS main conference, I was chatting to Brian, a couple of people that say, Oh, we lost how that works. We're going to see we're going to steal that one. We're going to take that one we are going to use that idea. And so let's Come back to you though. I mean, how did you get started in this? This world is peculiar world of speaking, and who was your early kind of mentors.

Sylvie di Giusto So I come from a corporate background and I actually was on the other side, I was a buyer. I hired speakers for many, many years. So for me, it was fascinating then to switch sides and go on the other side of becoming speak about myself. It honestly happened more or less accidentally, so I'm not one of those speakers who woke up with five years older that I want to become a professional speaker. I moved to the United States. I always wanted to live here. And then this we tried a career change. And then I just switched not science and became a speaker, myself. And one of the very, very beginning I struggled it. Two things happened. And I think those were major points or, you know, changing point in my career. The first one is I always Thought as somebody who is obviously his language is not first language is not English, it's gonna be very, very tough for me to be successful as a speaker, because the instruments that we play in our boys are the words that we, you know, four out on stage. So that was a little bit concerned about my accent, a little bit concerned about not being 100% per month, you know, free of mistakes. And then something very fascinating happens to me after two years, I got invited on a TV show all of a sudden to comment on the public image of some politicians here in the New York and New Jersey area. And they invited me again and again and again and again. And it was a torture for myself. It was a torture for myself to watch myself on TV. There are all those experts around me that had such an eloquent reverse that were so well spoken and it sounded so perfectly that was me, but in the middle and said something and I thought oh my god, it sounds terrible. So one day at a holiday party, they invited me to the holiday party islands to the produce and said, You know what, I actually have no idea why you invite me again and again and again. Because all those experts sound so eloquent around me. And then I have this expert. And he says, to me, that's executive reason why we invite you. Because you say things simpler. And those experts and every single person in the audience understands what you're saying. And second, you sound like an international expert. And I mean, always remember that. I mean, I'm so grateful for that confidence boost, right? That changed everything. I realized, oh my god, maybe maybe it is actually my my advantage. So since you're hosting so many summits in viewing an international summit, if there is a lot speak out there who would think that his or her language his or her accent, or the fact that English or whatever language is not the first language could hold them back. I encourage you know, even change your mindset. And actually think how that could be your your advantage, you know your advantage in front of audiences. So that's changed everything. And second, what's changed professional and business wise everything was that I got in touch with the NSA and I have everything, everything related to my speaking business. From then many, many mentors I found within NSA, some of them I'm going to turn around. Look, those are both remind us here. Many people from NSA, every conference, I go home and if it's just one sentence that sticks with me, I put it here as a reminder, and I'm just lucky to be surrounded by many great people. That's great. It was

James Taylor a you've got you've got I mean, you're very stylish. So you have these lovely stylish things. I have them as stickies post it notes on my computer in front of me, and I would say what they are But there's some kind of like things that are obvious to you. But I think what you said there about if being being a speaker, when if you're an international speaker, when English has been the language of international business, where English is not your first language, it's not your mother tongue that can be that residence. And I, I think it's really powerful to think about that because most of the people that are probably watching this just now and listening to us, English is not their first language, but they're looking they're becoming entered one become international speakers. And then my friend, Frederick Heron, who's actually one of my favorite speakers, and he's Swedish. And he speaks with a very strong Swedish accent when he speaks at first you think, oh, that's and it's really endearing and it makes him him and it's kind of your it's memorable in that way. But I remember him saying to me that you have to remember that now in business, especially if you think globally, you don't think just in America or the US or the UK. When you think globally. Most people if they're having conversations about business, most of those conversation Have between people that in even if they speak English or English isn't their main language is it in their mother tongue? It's, it's you know, we hear differently. I know there's different expressions, different phrases that you use for that when English in your first big you're talking this language and you're able to answer so what you said there by if you you think first that will that's a disadvantage having not having English as your first language but you also have two advantages you have one is you have the alien advantage. It's always much more interesting if if it's if it's the other and if my friend manifested a van You know, when the best public speakers in the world when the Toastmasters public speaking award last year, he says he says alien advantage. He gets booked most places where he's not the country that he's from. He's from India. He gets booked all over the world because He's different. He's unusual. But the second thing is what you just said there. If English isn't your first language, you have to really be much more cognizant and thinking about the clarity because you don't have as you You know, as English we can kind of play around if your English, German language and play around language, you have to be much more focused and you can move. And and there's a real clarity to that. And it just gets through all the a lot of the nonsense and a lot of the, the terminology, and it just gets straight to the truth

Sylvie di Giusto straight to the point exactly. And I will I will always remember the moment I think that the TV producer even doesn't have an idea what he did to me, but it gave me such a confidence booster, I can actually do that, I can actually do that. And it's similar to what you just said it's a linear advantage. I live in New York City. So you might think that's the perfect place for me to work. I have to tell you, that least of my clients actually come from New York City. Most of the time, I get hired somewhere outside but I'm the one that brings in the international that global kind of flair to the conference. So I encourage each of you who don't have a perfect sounding English like chains has to just step back for a moment and look at this, from this point of view, it can be applied all the time to

James Taylor now you're known as being the kind of the people packager, you're very, very skilled of being an image consultant and, and really helping, whether it's executives or other people, speakers or people in media, very quickly get their image get their message, right. So I'm wondering when you approach the world of speaking and note, now you were the product was that harder because you're kind of, I don't know how you feel, but it's but I also feel it's very difficult to give myself advice. I'm very giving advice sometimes to other people, when it's me, like taking my own advice. I struggle at it. So how did you approach your own brand and think about how you want to represent your own brand.

Sylvie di Giusto I mean, it's funny that when you look into our industry, usually we speak about topics where we had issues ourselves flat. So those who speak about health and then look into the history they had a very unhealthy life before. Right are those who speak about confidence actually have some issues with their confidence before it's the same with me. I remember myself, being always somebody who was, I call myself a second row God, I always wasn't very good in the sec in the second row, helping a seal to shine, helping my boss to shine, helping others to shine on I was only that great mouse in the background and every single promotion walked by what I just didn't stand out. And the same was for the people I when I was in HR training and development and leadership development. Somebody young, ambitious people in their organizations I've worked for, they didn't step down as potential leadership material. And so, on that journey, I was lucky enough to to create coaching programs that included image consultants that worked with our executives and that saw the transformation. And I knew I needed to it's my own issue too. So I saw that transformation. Myself and then became so obsessed by this topic that I went back to school and wanted to learn the instruments and tools. But first and foremost for myself, and if you compare me myself and I know with the person I was 20 years before you would see a very different woman there. And for speakers, the way they present themselves in the first impression they make is tremendously important, first and foremost for themselves, right. So how they feel about themselves before they walk on such a stage that has an impact on how big presented how big craft or art out there. But second, not only for the audience, it actually begins much earlier. Third, when a meeting planet explores you somewhere, for example, in a digital way on the internet, with your website with your video, somewhere where you implement something in their brain that is either positive or negative. And from that point, confirmation bias will work for you. Why?

James Taylor Because we make decisions so quickly. I mean, it's part of that thing of, it's just our evolution, the way that as human beings, we have to kind of try and reduce the calorie burn of the brain. So we look for very simple patterns, and we just can recognize and very, very simply as well, what were some of the mistakes that you see for the speakers make? I mean, you've been in this position of, of selecting speakers, whether in the corporate world or in an NSA event as well. What are some of the mistakes that you see the speakers make, when it comes to thinking about their, their their image and in terms of how the event planner the meeting planner is going to be looking at.

Sylvie di Giusto So the first mistake I would say is not taking into consideration that the first impression that you make, I would say nine out of 10 cases usually happens online. The chances that you meet a meeting planner in a room that somebody sees you and refers you from them. meeting planners perspective. But most of the time, they are going to explore you online. So you have to think about the image the picture that you draw online with all the elements that you have out there with written words with videos with pictures with every single element, and they're gonna judge you based on three elements. I call them the ABC or many people call them C and the ACI parents and you might know now immediately think about your clothing. Yes, that's part of it. But that's just one of many visual hints you sent them so when they look at your pictures on the day not only look at what you wear, they look at how you stand that's a visual information to the audience that background how many people are there what kind of conferences that what is the atmosphere? Those are all, you know, details that we can send information in, in a very simple visual way. And then they look how do you behave? How do you behave on social media? How do you behave in your video? How do you pay And you're speaking to them and what is your body language? How do you act? The second information? And then at what point of obviously, we are going to say something, right? How do you communicate? And the second mistake is, I do think that sometimes we forget that all of those three elements are important. I mean, you can have visually, a perfect website as visually appealing pictures, you can mirror the best suit you have in your wardrobe. If you don't follow up with your behavior and your communication and deliver them what they want to see. It's not been for you.

James Taylor So essentially, it has to have integrity across everything that goes to the entire thing of the customer journey has to it has to just feel, yeah, this this feels like it all fits together. You know, from what I see on the site, that the language the email communication, having that discovery, call that phone call with the client has to just all fit together.

Sylvie di Giusto And, you know, you're I mean, we are in the business of speaking when in the end, we want to attract people who give us money in exchange for what we deliver. So now I said, if you want to be a $10,000 speaker, you have to appear and behave and communicate like a $20,000. Speaker. Right? So you have to even uplevel the game. Because when they go onto your website and make the decision, is that a good fit or not, they also think in terms of their budget and their audience what they want to deliver. So you have to be one step ahead and then have the chance that that hits your feet level in your life.

James Taylor And I have to put my hand up at this point and say, every single thing that Sylvie just mentioned all those mistakes I have made every single one of those and, and thankfully, I've had people around me who have said, and whether it's, you know, so my mentor like the ROB Waldo Waldman of this world, Aaron Gargan, Frederick, har and great speakers who have said to me, there's a disconnect there between the person we know who you are and what you deliver on stage. And what I see in that first five to 10 seconds on your website or on your communication, that you need to kind of get that gap down. And so I've changed loads of things, you know, over the years, you know, doing this, because people have said, Well, I mean, that, that that's a lovely photo you've got on the top of your site, but it doesn't tell me anything about the fact that you're a speaker being upset. I want to see you up on stage speaking. I want to see you the kind of audiences features of 30 people in a room. Is it 1000 people? What is that I need to know that that language kind of fits together? And it's all these little things that I think is so hard. This is obviously the benefit of having some kind of coach or mentor or being part of a speaker Association, is you can get feedback on those things from from people that may be looking at it on the outside that can look at it maybe a little bit more dispassionately.

Sylvie di Giusto Yes, yes. So to come back to the conference, we both have attended A few months ago, when we talked to meeting planners about the future of speaking and their requirements, they always came back to the point how important video has become for them. Right? And we always hear that in theory, right? We always hear that and somehow know that but it was so obvious. It was so obvious when he talks to them that they, I mean, they even don't go on on our websites anymore when they find us first is via some video and I thought, why until I realized, well, it is technology wise, the first time that they now get all three components, the appearance, the behavior, the communication together, they said package, you know, they see the package of all three components while on our websites. There are words that sound amazing or they have some pictures, or they don't see us in this video, they just get the entire picture and immediately decide, is that a good fit or a fit or not? And then go to our website and I tell you, every single person we talked about the future Speaking there is such a focus on video. So I'm guilty there too. And I realized oh, well I have a mind game I have to produce more content.

James Taylor So to my video me as a big area. And so when those meeting plans are going on there, what are they looking for? Are they looking for the very short kind of the sizzle? reel? Just give me a quick taste in very quickly what this person is, are they looking for longer actual see the full keynote to see okay, can this person deliver on stage? What kind of vibe this person have onstage? Or are they looking for thought leadership like lots of short like vignettes like five minute things, which can give a sense of that this person really knows the area

Sylvie di Giusto I think and it's just my opinion, they're looking for all of this and you should be able to deliver all of this. And there are you know, there are a lot of theories out there for example about your speaker demo video. Some Some say it must be five minutes, it must be 10 minutes, it must be eight minutes, something it has to include this as a producer, that say there is no one size fits all for if your video is boring the first minute, it doesn't matter if it's three minutes or 10 minutes, or if it's, if it's the very beginning if you don't allow them. It doesn't really matter how long it is. And it doesn't really matter if you have a one hour keynote, there took a 10 second snippet or whatsoever, you have to, you have to realize that you need some kind of bow to deliver to them to stick with you and want to explore more,

James Taylor because I think it's hard as well, as speakers. We're used to being up on a stage a larger stage, our body language usually fits that we're usually more physical, but when you're on camera, especially if you're doing like shorter videos, you're on this kind of size. So you have to kind of get a lot more into into that that space as well. I've noticed some of the videos I enjoy most like I think Tamsin Webster does a great job of this. She's obviously pulling ideas from I were watching The Good Wife on TV just now on Netflix. There's a Great TV series American TV series and they always start with a it's like a minute or two minutes of just a scene just to get you interested and then they go to the to the intro credits and then they go into the thing itself and so I've noticed that what she does she does something similar with her she almost has got something get get me hooked in that first kind of 30 seconds. Show me that the the the theme or the overall image about that, that person that that maybe 510 minutes, and then take me into the individual story as well. So I guess you can start to pull on a lot of storytelling devices that are used in TV and film it doesn't have to just come from watching other speaker speakers videos.

Sylvie di Giusto No, no, no, no, no. And you know, there is so there are so many videos out there so many material they can pick from if you think that just a walking, talking head in front of a camera is enough nowadays. Then I want you to step back and be really truthful to yourself and say when did you enjoy that Last time to watch and listen to a walking head for more than five minutes. All right. So I think you are you are terrific example home I see how much work you invest into delivering videos that are engaging that are high quality that people actually want to watch. But the same is true with Facebook Live if you think that nowadays picking up the phone and just doing a facebook live and what made two words into your phone out the audience. And this is we don't know it's not that was exciting two years ago when we all realized oh my god, we can go live. But nowadays you must stand out and you You must feed your audience with something that is around that average.

James Taylor And I think if anyone's watching this just down they come from the training more the online training world or the online marketing world. It also works the opposite way random online training online marketers were usually very good at video and This kind of style, but we're when it comes to going on to the stage, our body language and our physicality in our speech and our energy has to become bigger has to just become bigger. And we kind of go into a slightly different thing. I think that's what we can really learn. I learned at that particular conference, people like Phil M. Jones, I saw there as well incredible example of someone who's really, really skilled on stage and being able to move being able to interact with an audience as well. So I think it's good because I, I love being able to I come from the other part of the world, I come from the part of the world of the online world and then moving into the speaking world. But then I know a lot of my friends were coming from the other direction, being credible, live on stage, and then they're trying to move into the online and it's that they can have different slightly different skill sets as well. What about in your career as a speaker? Sorry, you're gonna say there, yeah, but I had a really practical tip for

Sylvie di Giusto your audience, something that I have learned the hard way to do. So at every single presentation, I do every single participation. I have A little Canon camera and I put it in the back of the room, a little kind of nobody sees it. It is not high quality video, it is not high quality sound, but I record myself on every single flight because I go through two very painful steps. The first step is and watch myself without sound, so that I can focus on what my body did on stage and it's terrible and you have no idea. I have no idea what I'm doing there, you're gonna see things that you are you saw in the moment that you are not aware of and that you have to change because they look weird. Then I go through the second step that I put away the visuals and that listen to myself even worse, you have no idea what you're sometimes saying and do you feel that pain when you stumble along because you couldn't find the next route. And now I'm going to hit the third level, courtesy of Bilstein a really temporary fix speaker who does something that is even more painful, he says, Now take that audio and send it to somebody who wasn't in the room. To give you feedback, because you still feel the emotions the atmosphere the room, you just saw that they'll send it to somebody who wasn't in the room. And that's that's personally

James Taylor Yeah, that's some great advice there. I do the site there's in my film and is, is the most painful thing of my weekly I'd have to do is have to watch some of that footage is like,

Sylvie di Giusto Oh, I can't,

James Taylor why did I say why did I move like that? That was terrible. But it gets better because then when you go on stage next time, you know, any of those little verbal tics that you have, or physical things, you know, okay, on this tool, I just want to work on this one thing I want to improve this one thing that when I when I give this if I give my talk, and ever really improved that one that 1% on it, if I keep doing this every single week, I'm gonna get better and better and better. What about in your journey as a speaker? Can you talk about one light bulb moment one aha moment in your speaking where you went? Oh, okay. You made a really powerful decision. You came to be important discovery for yourself as to what you want to do with your speaking.

Sylvie di Giusto So I had those light bulb moments again and again and again and again, it's a constant reminder of how lucky we are and how respectful it must be for our audiences. I think there are two types of speakers out there one type of speaker for any reason they want to become speaker but they don't feel confident in speaking in front of the group, but then they get coaching or restart unveiled in Toastmasters. I don't know because I never had this problem. But I walked on stage and I just won't make my words out. Until I saw the real master somebody never forget when I was the first time in a keynote of Mark Sherbrooke. I realized, oh my god, it's an art. It's like playing an instrument. It's an art and I have to learn it. I cannot just go up there and do what I think is it's good, good, good is not good enough that when you learn from those papers and realize how much time they invest in actually practicing the art, the performance on stage, especially when you come from a trainer hub, like I already just you wanna cover 2000 to 476 topics worth of traction. And then you realize, oh my god, that's actually not enough. You're not there because you are an expert. You're there because you're an expert and an artist. So whenever I see those artists like Mark Sherman, or Conan, Mike report is another example of and I do see him, coaching others to express their words with that art that is behind. I have to realize and that light bulb comes up. It's not just sharing knowledge. It's Not just that we are experts up there, it's actually an art and to better practice and to train about,

James Taylor I think what we're also seeing, and this is because of YouTube because of video as well. If you look at any of the music schools now, but Berklee School of Music, Julia Peabody, wherever you go, if you speak to any of the teachers, now, they say the quality of technical quality of the students is much better now than it's ever been. And one of the reasons is because they all have access to YouTube to watch those great masters, those great artists and to learn from them. So when they're coming in, maybe in previous generations, they had to listen to like a vinyl record and go back and play. Or if you were a speaker, you had to try and get those old Zig Ziglar tapes or something like that. Today, we go online, we go to TED Talks, we go and see in videos. So as a result, it means that the whole standard has to go up. And it's a global you're, you're competing in a global marketplace with this as well, because everyone's watching these, and everyone's seeing these and everyone's thinking, How can I improve that? How can I take that idea? Do that that speakers just done and move in? No, I love how that that person's crafted this particular line or how they move their body or the physicality of the way they speak, and then integrating into the room. So, so everyone's the levels going up, which is good. I think it's good. It's certainly for good for the audience as well.

Sylvie di Giusto And which is the all the points that will differentiate us in the future from robots doing our job? Yeah. But the only thing that will differentiate us is to bring that art and that creativity to the table because even if you now might think this is just something that is 20 5100 years away, I encourage you, especially after hosting that conference, to change your mindset because it's closer than you think that one day. The knowledge that we have in our heads is so exchangeable by robots that they send out they can grow from it today, I want you to speak about this topic 70%, humor, 30% content or whatsoever in that language. You are and when you are a man, you have this accent so they can, they can draw from all of this. But what they will never be able to do is that piece of art that creativity that we bring to the table. And so I encourage you to think about that.

James Taylor Exactly. So now we're talking about like the atomic get into a little bit of technology start to finish up here. I'm intrigued. I'm treating what is in your speaker bag. What is in that bag that you carry with you to all your speaking engagements that you never leave home in the office without?

Sylvie di Giusto Oh my god, it's it's big. It's huge. It's chickens.

James Taylor I would love to see your picture.

Sylvie di Giusto I'm gonna show you a picture of peanuts. Want to show you

James Taylor so we're gonna we're gonna have a look at Sylvia's setup that she has.

Sylvie di Giusto Yes. And this I have to that's not the technology back. That's only the beauty back okay. You take this. Wow. Now, everything I carry with me to make sure that matters. I'd go at least my first impression is simply cryptic. What do you see? What do you want to know chance I'm intrigued

James Taylor by everything on that because most of the things I have no I can see. I can see I can see a diff slicer, which is very useful for the if you're close I can I can see that as well. What we'll do is we'll we'll take a screenshot and we're going to put that up here as well.

Sylvie di Giusto Okay, and you get the picture and you find everything from hairspray to the left wing club to the flapper to lipstick to stain removers, to bend it to stick it to shoe polish, to makeup sprays to powder, to coffee, to headache, medicine, to coconut on to means to spray for your voice, a toothbrush is everything. So this is

James Taylor only the beauty part. Now this is the beauty part. So that's just what you carry for them for the beauty section of your Your speaker kit. What about the technology part of your speaker kit? What's in there?

Sylvie di Giusto This is the first thing. It's a mic. Yeah, I never I never without my own mic. Have Nots. That's the Heartless

James Taylor Do you use a a lapel mic or an over ear? Or what's your what's your property? Toby?

Sylvie di Giusto I prefer over a year. Since this is the tech,

James Taylor well, what we'll do is we'll get we'll get a photo of that as well. And we'll actually have some, I think we actually should make this into an infographic

Unknown Speaker house.

Sylvie di Giusto The only thing that is important for me is that Sally gets the key.

James Taylor Okay, we're gonna we're gonna send Sally home set this photo afterwards, so they will now be a competition on who has the most detailed speaker. So what about what about online resources or tools or mobile apps? Are there any that you find really useful for your users? As a speaker,

Sylvie di Giusto well, there are many that I find really useful. Usually they are somehow related to traveling, right. So I'm sure that many of our speaker colleagues know tripit. And if they don't know it, they have to know tripit because it helps you organize every single single of your trips. In my case, there are many related to how because I find it very, very difficult to stay healthy and rodent, to not forget about my workout routine and sometimes even do something quickly in the hotel, which is seven, seven, an app that helps him to stay healthy, on roll into my record. And then there are actually a lot of a lot of social media apps that helped me to organize my social media, Wherever I am, and those are just usually ones that you probably also use. One of my favorites at the moment is club nollie, which helps me to make my Instagram account a little Be more creative and outstanding than the average Instagram account wonderful and we'll put we'll put links to all these here in the show notes as well. What about going to kind of say older school now? What's that book What about a book is a particular book that you found very useful for yourself it could be on the art of speak on the business speaking or it could be something more on your area the area that you speak on so there is of course my book the metro leadership trust to black that which helps you to understand what your first impression says about yourself and how you can improve your first impression for the I'm gonna plot all kind of share with you Phil Jones, Jones book, exactly what to say because I just find this book so fascinating from a lot of different perspectives as a speaker. First of all, I have been such an easy way to exactly what to say. And I also note that you don't have to have to write a 60,000 word book to have a best seller. What he did is what we just discussed in the beginning, he didn't stop that topic so narrowed so easily that it's a 40 minute read. And all fluff that we usually put in our books is just he eliminated that I've come straight to the point and gives you so much value in a tiny book. And I was besides reading it, and I was holding this book, it was such a learning lesson for me, we do not always have to bother our audiences with all the fluff in between comes to it to the point even if you're right,

James Taylor and I think one of the one of the things I'm being a bit of a geek about this kind of thing as well. One of the things I really like to getting the book and all the attendees of that the the event in the NSA event got a copy of that book as well which is amazing. But if you look at it from a brand from his branding standpoint, I find it really fascinating because you I could I could be standing five feet away. Whether I'm looking his book or his website, or is any other material he has, I know immediately it's him because he uses black background with a with a kind of orange kind of font and orange text a little bit kind of New York Times can a style as well. And so I think that's a real, a real good example of very integrated branding and how everything feels like this all fits together as well. And I've been asked you a kind of final question. Yes. I'll be less imagine. Tomorrow morning. You wake up. I'm gonna imagine you wake up in New York. But you know, no one, no one knows you. You have to restart your speaking Korea. What would you do? How would you restart?

Sylvie di Giusto I want to do it exactly the way again, I did it. I don't want to miss any of the lessons I have learned by doing things wrong or by doing things right. There is nothing I would change about the journey. And what I would always try to do again and again and again. Is to surround myself with great people. Because my journey has been so incredible beautiful because I have people like them, teaching me things. I have people like you joining me at conferences, I have people just got people. You know, when I remember to come back to that conference, at the very beginning of the planning phase, the president of NSA asked us which kind of speakers do you want to bring in and all people you know, give you advices you should bring in this one or that one or that one, and it has to be a big name and that must be some title or I must be awkward, I must be whatsoever and the only thing we said, the people wants stage there must be good people. People have a good heart. Let's just put humans and then included you that included film that includes many more and so if I were to do it again, the first thing I would do Again is to surround myself with people like you.

James Taylor Well that's very very kinda it was an absolute pleasure speaking to if anyone's watching this they've never attended a National Speakers Association event please do is a life changing experience as well. So final question for you. So let's, let's, I want you to tell everyone if people want to connect with you to learn more about your, your speaking maybe if someone's watching this just now and they think, Oh, I think Sylvie be perfect come and speak at this event. Where is the best place for them to go? And perhaps if they also want to learn more about this, this idea about their own kind of their own branding, and where should they go to find out more about you,

Sylvie di Giusto so you can go to my website, visit Sylvie digital store.com. If you hit that after three times, running it wrong, you you are on the good side. And if you want to learn more about your own first impression, there is an online course called how you impress.com where you can access a free demo of the course and then decide if that's something for you or not otherwise If you're a speaker, I encourage you to check out NSA which is NSA speaker.org and somehow become involved in that organization. And if you are me, city then make sure we know here in New York City you are coming NSA New York City that chapter but welcome you with op amps

James Taylor well Silvia is a as always an absolute pleasure speaking to you learning about your journey as a speaker all the amazing things that you're doing thanks so much for coming on this event and I look forward to hearing you speak on stage soon.

James Taylor Today's episode was sponsored by speakers you the online community for speakers and if you're serious about your speaking career then you can join us because you membership program. I'll speak as you members receive private one on one coaching with me hundreds of hours of training content access to a global community to help them launch and build a profitable business around their speaking message and expertise. So just head over to SpeakersU.com to learn more.

#speakerslife #speakersU

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Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Grant Baldwin shares his journey in which he went from being a youth pastor to a professional public speaker and shares some tips he learned along the way.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Grant talks about how he got his start with public speaking.
2. He gives advice to aspiring speakers on how to know if speaking would be right for them.
3. He highlights the importance of focusing on one specific topic to get a start in the speaking industry.
4. Grant discusses how valuable marketing materials are for speakers.
5. He talks about how to price yourself as a speaker.

About Grant: Back in 2008, Grant was a broke youth pastor who didn’t really know what he wanted to do in life. Through a few twists and turns, he decided to start a speaking business. He worked hard to build my business and get paid to speak, all while trying to figure things out on his own because there weren’t a ton of great resources out there.

Despite starting his speaking career during a financial crisis in 2008, Grant has earned over $2 million from 500+ paid engagements all over the world. He has done everything from closed-door workshops to keynotes in front of 13,000 people. In 2015, he started his podcast, The Speaker Lab, which aims to give speakers clarity, confidence and a clear path to make an impact.

Grant is married to his high school sweetheart and together they have 3 girls. He currently resides in Nashville, TN. 

Quotes from the Episode:

“You want to make sure you’re delivering onstage, but you also want to make sure to deliver offstage as well.”

“This is simple, but it’s not easy.”

“Who you are is more important than what you do.”

“Enjoy the journey.”

Guest Resources Mentioned:

https://myspeakerfee.com/
The Speaker Lab
Oura Ring
Rework  by Jason Fried and David Heinemeir Hansson
The Successful Speaker by Grant Baldwin

Connect with Grant:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Support the show

When we last met with Chris West, he had some great advice about how we should be portraying ourselves in our demo video to show that we have made the pivot to virtual to serve our clients through the pandemic.  Now here we are almost 2 years later, and the landscape of the speaking business has taken many turns.  We are thrilled to welcome Chris back to share what has changed and how we can keep our businesses thriving by showing the best of what we have to offer and showcase it in a way that will matter to the buyer.

If you would like to learn how to stay relevant and what your demo video needs to reflect the changing trends, you simply can’t afford to miss this episode!

For access to FULL SHOW NOTES including video and links, visit https://www.speakerlauncher.com/category/podcast/

What are some of your recent GAME CHANGERS that have helped you to grow? Today Mark and Darren talk about some of the decisions they have made, the actions they have taken, and the tools they have utilized to ‘change the game’ for their businesses. They also share wisdom from some of the partners upon whom they lean for guidance, speakers at Stage Time University’s 2022 GAME CHANGERS ALL IN event. These game changers may be just what you need to make you unforgettable! Go to: www.StageTimeLive.com

Snippets:

• Have a functional website that serves your needs and goals
• Put contact info on your home page
• Get a Google phone number for your business
• Create a demo video that shows you can speak in person or virtually
• Automate your processes
• You can use TikTok to increase your visibility
• Repackage and repurpose what you already have

When we last met with Chris West, he had some great advice about how we should be portraying ourselves in our demo video to show that we have made the pivot to virtual to serve our clients through the pandemic. Now here we are almost 2 years later, and the landscape of the speaking business has taken many turns. We are thrilled to welcome Chris back to share what has changed and how we can keep our businesses thriving by showing the best of what we have to offer and showcase it in a way that will matter to the buyer.

If you would like to learn how to stay relevant and what your demo video needs to reflect the changing trends, you simply can’t afford to miss this episode!

For access to FULL SHOW NOTES including video and links, visit https://www.speakerlauncher.com/category/podcast/

Above and Beyond the Speaker Demo

You are taking your viewer on a journey. 

Believe it, or not the viewers of your video want you to tell them what to do, and this includes the meeting organizer who has the power to hire you.

So, it's your job as a speaker to take their hand and take them on that journey, and it starts in your speaker demo video.

Resources: 

Click to download Wendi's Website Connection Journey Roadmap  

https://charlijane.com/above-and-beyond-the-speaker-demo/ 

Live Bold & Bloom Women’s Speaker Club - https://charlijane.com/LiveBoldandBloomWomensSpeakerClub

Charli Jane Speakers Club - https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club/

Grow Your Speaking Biz Facebook Group – www.SpeakingBizCommunity.com See you over there!

Watch and read what happy members have to say here:

https://charlijane.com/happy-members/

Enjoy the Podcast and if you have time, I would LOVE and really appreciate a review, this will really help me out :) Thank you so much!

Keep Inspiring! ~ Wendi xo 

Charli Jane Speaker Services: www.CharliJane.com

AJ gained some valuable insight after her conversation with the Owner and CMO of eSpeakers, Joe Heaps, about what it takes to make speaking your profession and how to grow your speaking business. This recap episode highlights the biggest mistakes that new speakers make and how to avoid them, how to make the perfect demo video, why it's important to understand what buyers are looking for, and everything you need to remember when setting fees for your speaking business.

Give a big warm welcome to owner, speaker, and coach at The Speaker lab, Grant Baldwin Inside The Greenroom! 

Today we are taking time to serve our listeners who are new to the speaking game. Or, as we like to call you, “the best-kept secret.”

It is crazy to say that we are wrapping up the first month of 2021. It has been a wild and unpredictable year already… Despite the ever-changing world around us, we believe that there are a few things you can still predict in this life.

One of them is your success as a speaker. 

In this episode, Grant gives some incredible insight into how you can practically upgrade your speaking career behind the scenes, establishing yourself as an expert in your niche and create a foundation that will set you up for long term success. 

Learn about the S.P.E.A.K. method, what event and meeting planners are looking for, the two questions every audience wants answered, and how you can start making money with every gig. 

P.S.

Of course, we didn’t forget about our event and Meeting Planners! Hear Grant’s best advice on working with speakers and how you can take your event to the next level! 

Jump into 2021 with the confidence you need! Listen now. 

Here’s More Of What We Cover:

• How customizing your speaking career can open doors
• The method that helps Grant’s clients start speaking professionally
• How Grant pivoted AND helped his clients pivot during the pandemic
• Why you should establish yourself as the expert
• Building a foundation that books you gigs
• How to acquire paid speaking gigs
• How to establish yourself as the expert
• The two questions every audience wants to know
• Why you should have a professional-grade website
• How you can create the Demo video that’s right for YOU
• When you should speak for free
• How to know when to scale your business
• How the industry has changed since 2020
• The most important thing you can do as a meeting planner
•  
• And much more!

LINKS:

Connect with Grant:

• Website: thespeakerlab.com
• Podcast: The Speakers lab Podcast 
• Calculator: myspeakerfee.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/grantbaldwin 
• Twitter: twitter.com/grantbaldwin
• Insta: www.instagram.com/getpaidtospeak/?hl=en 
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/grant-baldwin-641a03105/ 
• Company Name:  The Speaker Lab
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/thespeakerlab

Connect with Blair:

• blair@advanceyourreach.com 

Connect with us:

• Facebook: ​​www.facebook.com/advanceyourreach
• Website:​​ advanceyourreach.com
• Email​: ​info@insidethegreenroompodcast.com

Learn More About our Stage Agency: 

• https://elitespeakersagency.com/
• stageagency@advancyourreach.com

Influential Speakers in Grant’s life: 

• Josh Shipp

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:27 Episode starts
• 0:55 Welcome Grant
• 1:19 How Grant got started in the speaking industry
• 5:40 A look inside Grant’s speaker framework
• 13:54 Putting in the reps to nail your speech
• 15:47 So what, now what?
• 19:13 The importance of having a good website
• 25:57 Key mistake to avoid when making your sizzle reel
• 28:15 Tips on every speaking gig
• 32:32 Grants best advice for scaling 
• 36:08 The “best” speaking style
• 38:16 Get paid what your worth on virtual stages
• 44:47 The importance of building relationships as a speaker
• 47:51 We are all figuring it out right now
• 51:13 The speakers who have impacted Grant’s life the most

More About Grant:

Grant Baldwin is the author of “The Successful Speaker” and founder of TheSpeakerLab.com, a training company for public speakers. He is also the creator and host of The Speaker Lab podcast and has coached thousands of speakers. He has been regularly featured in the national media included Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur and the Huffington Post. He lives near Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and three daughters.

Above and Beyond the Speaker Demo

You are taking your viewer on a journey. 

Believe it, or not the viewers of your video want you to tell them what to do, and this includes the meeting organizer who has the power to hire you.

So, it's your job as a speaker to take their hand and take them on that journey, starting in your speaker demo video.

Listen to today’s podcast as I share tips on taking your visitor on that journey to booking you.

Resources:

1. I jotted down 57 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/

2. Join us in our free speaker Facebook community Grow Your Speaking Biz Facebook Group 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GrowYourSpeakingBiz

If you enjoyed the Podcast and have time, I would LOVE and appreciate a review. This will help me out :) 

Thank you so much!

Keep Inspiring!  ~ Wendi  

CharliJane.com

Ep. 140 – Inside The Brain Of A Bureau with Deia Starr Rank

A relationship with a speaker’s bureau can be just what a speaker needs. But what are the keys to making it a win/win? Bureau agent Deia Starr Rank invites Darren and Mark inside the brain of a bureau, delivering solid advice that goes far beyond bureau basics. She also reveals the tools you need to set yourself up for bureau success and provides specific direction on sizzle reels, program descriptions, and more. Learn how to be an unforgettable bureau favorite. Snippets:

• A bureau is like a matchmaker, fitting the best speaker with each client
• Great marketing tools make for a better bureau relationship
• A ‘Sizzle Reel’ is critical, but don’t put too much ‘sizzle’ in the reel
• Change your sizzle reel on average every 4-5 years
• Provide a current hi-resolution headshot, not one that’s 20 years old
• Respond to bureau correspondence immediately
• Stay in contact with your bureau, but don’t be annoying
• It’s always wise to have a bureau in your ‘egg basket’

"The key to a great demo video is showcasing your best work and highlighting your strengths. It should effectively demonstrate your skills, talent, and unique qualities in a concise and captivating manner."

Demo videos are mission-critical to getting booked and paid as a professional speaker. Today, Grant sat down with Shawn Hanks. Shawn is the CEO of the Premiere Speakers Bureau, and he knows a few things about speaker marketing, demo videos, and how to create a stand-out product. 

“A demo video helps to mitigate and reduce that risk for an event planner to say, no, I feel comfortable and confident hiring this speaker and putting them on stage, putting my reputation on the line as the event planner to report to my committee or board or boss or whoever it may be."

Grant and Shawn dig into:

• Why you need a strong demo video 
• How to create a GREAT demo video 
• The key idea and formula that something memorable 
• What you should be spending on your demo video 
• The perceptions that go into the setting/image of your video 
• What NOT to do in a demo video 
• The ideal length of a sizzle reel 
• What makes a sizzle reel and a demo video different 

Episode Chapters: 

• [00:02:19] Why a demo video essential for booking paid speaking gigs
• [00:04:42] How to make your video stand out by including powerful moments and crowd response
• [00:09:29] Why short, impactful videos capture audience attention best.
• [00:12:24] Why you should keep videos 8-10 minutes, highlight interesting content in first 30 seconds
• [00:17:03] How to use videos to showcase expertise, captivating stories, and positive testimonies
• [00:21:12] How impressive speaker videos have set new standards
• [00:23:08] Why your talking head footage needs to have punch
• [00:27:59] How to make sure your video progress reflects personal and professional growth
• [00:33:37] Why hard work pays off in a thriving events industry

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Shawn
• Learn more about Premire Speakers
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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🔗 My Copy Review Testimonials Sizzle Reel

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⭐ My System to Get Testimonials

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Video testimonials are a POWERFUL marketing and sales tool — but a testimonial sizzle reel may be even better!

What’s a testimonial sizzle reel video?

It’s like a movie trailer… For your products or services!

And it’s powerful.

Imagine cold-emailing a prospect, but instead of just pitching them and telling them what you can do for them…  You give your best clients and customers the opportunity to tell that story.

Or imagine all the prospects sitting on the fence, near the end of your email campaign, deciding whether or not they should buy…  Then they get an awesome video that seals the deal.

Or…

Well, there’s maybe even more powerful ways to use these, that I share in today’s episode.

Testimonial Sizzle Reel Videos — What they are and how to use them

Yours for bigger breakthroughs,

Roy Furr

PS: Check the links for a sample of what I’m talkin’ ‘bout, too!

What does it take to be cast by Cirque du Soleil? With insider tips on how to make the perfect demo reel, former casting agent, Stacy Clark details what makes an artist or athlete stand out! And as the current CEO of CircusTalk, Stacy also shares how this career marketplace for circus and performing arts gives essential tools to ignite your career.

In this episode, Wendy explains the difference between a good and a bad demo reel for actors.

Coach mentioned: Book From Tape Studios

Follow Wendy on Instagram: Instagram.com/wendyalane1

Join Talent Managers for Actors on Facebook here:

Just because you send in your demo reel doesn't mean that it's going to be seen by anybody. Even if it does, who says it will be watched all the way through? Most reels are skipped over just because there is one wrong thing on there. We don't realize that the people reviewing the reels at first may not know much about your industry, or discipline, or the talents you have. They just enter your reel into a database, and when it's time to hire specific talent, they load up hundreds of reels and forward them to those people who are going to review them. This means that it's critical to rise above the noise, make your reel stand out and be able to demonstrate that you have the talent above everyone else on that spreadsheet.

When your reel gets to the decision makers, it comes down to this: They have little information to go by and have lots of reels to review. So there are multiple reasons why your reel could be skipped over. People who are in disbelief about this have their own resistance. But for those of us who actually want to get a job, we have to know the situation and put in the work.

In this Podcast, Allan McKay goes over the anatomy of a killer reel -- from which shots should be on your reel to how long it should be, which crucial information should be included and which items are of little importance -- everything that will help you get that first job as a VFX artist.

For more show notes, visit www.allanmckay.com/256.

Denise Simon is joined by REELARC’s Guy Chachkes to discuss the importance of a good reel. A commonly forgotten tool in your auditioning kit, the difference between a good reel and a bad one could be the difference of you being called into the audition or not. Make sure you listen in to understand how to create the best demo reel to propel your career forward!

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As promised to Rachel- a whole bunch of advice on the do's and don't of creating a demo reel!  Rachel asked: 

" I have a request for a podcast episode, as an "amateur" aerialist who is trying to gig more, I feel comfortable with rates in my local area and am working on getting insurance, but I don't have a demo reel. And all of my footage of performances are kinda shitty phone videos, I am also not financially able to hire a videographer to make me some new footage. Production companies who I've spoken with have asked for demos, and I totally get it, but I'm not sure what to do.

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this pickle, so hoping you could help some cash poor newbies get hired."

What you will hear:

• (Unrelated to  demo reels) if you want to read a detailed expose of my surgical experience with photos (nothing gory, only cute) you can do that here on the Patreon!
• What needs to go on a demo reel 6:31
• A very common mistake artists make when sitting down to create a demo reel 8:00
• The point of a demo reel 8:30
• How long should it be?  9:19 (but also...how long is someone actually going to watch)
• 11:16 my recommendation for video editing on mobile that I've seen
• Great resource for open source music:  https://freemusicarchive.org/
• Do's and don'ts 13:00
• 15:40 homework for you!
• If you neglect to do this, I will hunt you down.  Don't make me come over there.  17:15
• Woo Corner is coming out next week!  Sign up here, it could totally save your life.

Don't go back to sleep.

xoRachel
Sign up here for monthly blasts and functional woo
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Support this podcast on Patreon

“If you want to get booked, you need a demo reel!” This is now common advice for speakers. But what makes a good speaker demo reel? Where do you begin? Today Mark and Darren find out from Chris West, Founder and Owner of Video Narrative, Inc. and the authority on outstanding speaker demo reels. His advice provides a roadmap of the steps necessary for you to create your unforgettable speaker demo reel!

SNIPPETS:

• Position yourself in a category of ONE

• Turn your story into a video narrative

• Your video should be like a good movie

• Meeting planners view video to create their short list

• Meeting Planners look for reasons to disqualify you

• It is your #1 sales tool

• It should clearly distinguish you as the one, or NOT the one

• It must define problems, teach tactics, give you credibility and show results

• It should be under four minutes long

• It should answer the question, “Why should we choose you?”

In this episode, Wendy gives 13 things you should never do on a demo reel.

Join the Hollywood Winners Circle at HollywoodWinnersCircle.com

Join Talent Managers for Actors on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/843656639050766

Follow Wendy on Instagram: @WendyAlane1

Follow Wendy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHollywoodTalentManagerWendyAlaneWright

Maybe you are already guesting on podcasts and want to start hitting the stage for a bigger impact but what's going to give you leg up to get chosen? A speaker reel! And how do you get one when you haven't spoken on a stage yet?

Listen to this episode with Cam Beaudoin of The Frequent Speaker to share how to create your speaker real BEFORE you start speaking, what makes a reel that grabs attention and dazzles event planners?

Here's what you'll learn…

• How speaker reels are used to secure speaking opportunities and build confidence

• The process of creating speaker reels, including selecting content, storytelling, and music

• How to use your podcast interviews to create speaker reels before you even hop on a stage

• Overcoming objections like lack of content or reluctance to watch oneself on video

• How to outsource speaker reel creation to professionals to accelerate growth in the speaking industry

Head to https://LeverageYourPodcastShow.com to read the blog

>>>Start creating consistent authority-boosting content with less overwhelm using this 4 step system. Get the Podcast Leverage System Training at https://www.leverageyourpodcast.com/free

>>Learn 3 Ways To Leverage & Repurpose Your Podcast Guest Interviews To Boost Authority, Visibility, Leads & Sales - Free Guide & Checklist https://leverageyourpodcast.com/guest