Speaking Opportunities
You are a podcast guest, sharing your expertise, but wonder how to take that next step into broader speaking opportunities. Perhaps the idea of a big stage feels intimidating, or you are unsure how to translate your interview skills into a full presentation and monetize it.
Before you take that leap, listen to my next guest, Kimberly Crowe of Speakers Playhouse, so you understand your opportunities, what you need to get started, and a framework to craft your talk. This is the 911 of speaking! Discover how to structure a compelling talk, identify the right audiences, and confidently make an offer that converts. Tune in to transform your speaking journey and amplify your impact.
What You’ll Learn…
- About the four distinct categories of speaking opportunities beyond just keynotes.
- Why podcast guesting is your ultimate practice stage for public speaking.
- How to get paid for speaking in surprising ways, including equestrian polo announcing.
- The one thing that will differentiate live speaking from recorded content for maximum impact.
- Why speaking to the wrong audience can lead to a flood of tire kickers.
- How to structure any talk for maximum engagement and a clear audience next step.
- About the speaker “one sheet” and why it shouldn’t delay your speaking journey.
Key Moments:
[00:52] The Different Speaking Opportunities
[01:48] Podcasts As Practice Stages
[03:26] Different Ways To Get Paid For Speaking
[07:50] The Value Of Live Versus Recorded Speaking
[13:11] Why Knowing Your Audience Is Key
[16:34] How To Structure A Talk For Real Connection
[20:45] The Three Must-Ask Questions Before You Speak
[25:12] Taking Your First Step
Podcasting: Your Ultimate Practice Stage
Think of podcasting as your personal rehearsal space. While many consider traditional options like Toastmasters for public speaking practice, guesting on podcasts offers a unique and highly effective alternative. In a podcast interview, you’re having a natural conversation, often with just one other person, which reduces the pressure of a large, staring audience. This low-stakes environment allows you to articulate your ideas, refine your stories, and discover how your message resonates. The more you speak about your material in these conversational settings, the more comfortable and articulate you become, preparing you for more formal speaking engagements.
Beyond the Keynote: Unpacking Diverse Speaking Opportunities
When we think of “speaking,” our minds often jump straight to the image of a high-paid keynote speaker on a massive stage. While those opportunities exist, they are far from the only way to monetize your knowledge and experience through speaking. A paid speaking gig is essentially any time you deliver knowledge to an audience and get compensated for it. This can include:
Teaching courses: Whether it’s a six-week online program or a 90-minute workshop, if you charge for the knowledge you impart, that’s a paid speaking engagement.
Virtual events: Leading webinars, online summits, or masterclasses from the comfort of your home allows you to reach a global audience and grow your business.
Specialized roles: Consider voiceover work, e-learning narration, or even niche announcing roles. These are all forms of paid speaking that leverage your voice and expertise.
The key is to broaden your definition of “stage” and recognize the many avenues available to share your insights and get paid for them, often without needing to travel or be in front of a live, in-person crowd.
Live vs. Recorded: Understanding the Unique Value of Each
It’s helpful to differentiate between live and recorded speaking opportunities, as each offers distinct advantages.
Live engagements, whether virtual or in-person, allow for real-time interaction. You can poll the audience, answer questions directly, tailor your content on the fly, and even call out individuals by name. This creates a powerful sense of connection and recognition, making the audience feel seen and heard. The immediate feedback and engagement can be incredibly validating and allow for a dynamic, responsive presentation.
Recorded content, such as podcasts, pre-recorded videos, or even TED Talks, offers immense value through search engine optimization (SEO) and artificial intelligence optimization (AEO). AI tools and search engines analyze the content of your recordings, learning about your expertise and the topics you cover. This means that when people search for information related to your field, your recorded content can surface, increasing your visibility, authority, and reach over time in a way that live events cannot.
For a well-rounded strategy, aim to incorporate both live, interactive speaking and recorded content to maximize both immediate engagement and long-term discoverability.
Preparing for the Stage: From Conversation to Crafted Talk
Transitioning from an informal podcast interview to a structured talk requires a shift in approach. While you won’t necessarily memorize every word (unless it’s a very specific format like a TEDx talk), you do need to be comfortable with your material and able to adapt it.
Before you step onto any stage, ask yourself these three crucial questions:
- What do I want my audience to have learned by the end of this talk?
- What do I want my audience to do after hearing me speak?
- How do I want my audience to feel when my talk concludes?
Once you have these answers, you can structure your talk effectively. For a 25-30 minute presentation, consider a five-part structure:
Introduction and Warm-up (20%): Tell them what you’re going to tell them, engage them, and set the stage.
Three Learning Points (60%): Dedicate roughly equal time to each of your core messages, providing value and insights.
Offer and Closing (20%): This is where many speakers make a mistake by rushing. Dedicate ample time to clearly articulate the “next natural step” for your audience. This isn’t just about selling; it’s about guiding them on how to continue their journey with you, whether it’s downloading a resource, visiting your website, or booking a call.
Remember, stories sell, and teaching tells. Weave personal anecdotes and relatable examples into your talk to create an emotional connection and make your message more memorable and compelling.
The Power of Audience Alignment and Authentic Stories
One of the biggest mistakes speakers make is not aligning their message with the audience. Before accepting any speaking engagement, thoroughly research who will be in the room (or on the virtual call). If your ideal client isn’t present, even a fantastic talk won’t yield the results you desire. Speaking to the wrong audience can lead to a flood of “tire-kickers” or people who aren’t genuinely interested in your core offerings, wasting your valuable time and energy. Focus on stages where your message will truly resonate with the attendees.
Ditch Perfectionism: Just Start Speaking!
Don’t let the pursuit of perfection hold you back. Many aspiring speakers get hung up on details like having the “perfect mic” for a podcast or a polished “one-sheet” for speaking engagements. A one-sheet is essentially a speaker’s resume, containing your bio, talk titles, headshot, and testimonials. While it can be a helpful organizational tool, it’s not a prerequisite for getting on stages.
The truth is, the more you speak, the more you’ll refine your message, understand your audience, and discover what you truly want to teach. Your initial talks might not be perfect, and that’s okay. Embrace the process of verbal processing and continuous improvement. Get out there early and often, gather feedback, and let your message evolve naturally.
Take Your Next Step
Whether you’re looking to refine your speaking skills, discover new opportunities, or simply benchmark where you are on your speaking journey, there are resources available to help. Consider joining a community designed to connect hosts and speakers, or utilize tools that analyze your current speaking readiness and suggest personalized next steps. The world is waiting to hear your voice – it’s time to share it!
About Kimberly:
Kimberly Crowe is an international inspirational public speaker and entrepreneur who has spoken on over 5,000 stages, including TEDx Las Vegas. She is the creator of Entrepreneurs Rocket Fuel and the co-host of Speakers Playhouse, where every week she literally hands people the mic and helps them get booked. She’s also the producer of Podapalooza, the one-day podcasting extravaganza that matches guests and podcasters for instant visibility.
Known for her motto, “If it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing,” Kimberly has built a thriving business that blends savvy visibility strategy with playfulness and ease. Her mission is simple: help speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs step out of hiding, get on more stages, and build wildly visible, profitable, and fun-first businesses.
Connect With Kimberly:
- Join Kimberly‘s Speaker’s Playhouse
- Kimberly’s Entrepreneur Rocket Fuel website
- Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn
- Find Kimberly on Instagram
- Kimberly’s Facebook Group
When used effectively, your podcast interviews should provide you with a wealth of valuable content that will help you attract and convert your ideal clients. It should help give you oodles of consistent content, help you be more visible, showcase your authority, grow your list, build an audience, and generate clients.
BUT simply posting that a show is live is NOT enough. You need to be STRATEGIC and CONSISTENT.
We are looking for 2 podcast guests who are running six-figure businesses, who know their audience and want to be more visible and attract their ideal clients faster with consumable, repurposed content. The best part – it’s DONE FOR YOU without any headaches or delays.
