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I didn’t know I was making a mistake… until nobody bought the book

Couch To Podium Podcast

Release Date: 07/08/2025

When Your Business Loses Its Way Because You’re Running on Empty show art When Your Business Loses Its Way Because You’re Running on Empty

Couch To Podium Podcast

Have you ever looked at your business and thought, “Something feels… off” but you can’t quite name what it is? Sometimes, the culprit isn’t a broken strategy, a bad market, or lack of skills. It’s something far more personal: burnout. In this raw and unfiltered episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how running on empty can quietly sabotage your decision-making, dim your passion, and blur the vision that once felt crystal clear. This isn’t a lecture on hustle culture or toxic productivity. This is a conversation about pressing pause, reconnecting with your original purpose,...

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From Free to Profitable: How I Turned Unpaid Speaking Gigs Into Consistent Income show art From Free to Profitable: How I Turned Unpaid Speaking Gigs Into Consistent Income

Couch To Podium Podcast

Waiting for paid gigs before you grab the mic? That mindset might be costing you big opportunities. In this episode, I share the exact shift I made that helped me turn free speaking engagements into a consistent income stream without chasing every stage or burning out. You’ll learn: ✔️ Why the right free stages can outperform paid ones ✔️ 3 places I speak for free that bring real ROI ✔️ The lead magnet move that gets people from audience to inbox ✔️ How to make your next talk part of your business strategy, not just a performance Whether you're a therapist, coach, or expert...

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Couch To Podium Podcast

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Why Your Brand Message & Visuals Are Costing You Speaking Gigs show art Why Your Brand Message & Visuals Are Costing You Speaking Gigs

Couch To Podium Podcast

Let’s be honest, if your brand looks like “meh” and your message is all over the place, you're leaving coins on the table. In this episode, I’m breaking down why speakers who get paid are the ones who know exactly what they’re saying, who they’re saying it to, and how their brand shows up before they ever touch a mic. From brand messaging that lands, to assets that speak before you do… this episode is your wake-up call to stop blending in and start standing out. 🔥 Ready to position yourself as the go-to expert? Press play.   P.S If you're done guessing your way through...

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You’re Not Booked Because You’re Not Marketing show art You’re Not Booked Because You’re Not Marketing

Couch To Podium Podcast

“If I build it, they will come.” It’s the biggest lie new speakers tell themselves and it’s costing them opportunities, visibility, and income. In this episode, I break down the common misconception that creating a speaker bio, website, or social media page is enough to get booked. (Spoiler: it’s not.) You’ll learn: 🔎 Why market research is non-negotiable 🤝 How to align with an organization’s mission, vision, and values 🚦 What it really takes to build trust and drive traffic to your brand 📈 The difference between being present and being strategic If you’re ready to...

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I didn’t know I was making a mistake… until nobody bought the book show art I didn’t know I was making a mistake… until nobody bought the book

Couch To Podium Podcast

I didn’t know I was making a mistake… until nobody bought the book Yep, I’ve been there.   I once made the mistake of turning a whole speaking engagement into a walking commercial for my book. The message got lost. The connection with the audience? Faded. And the impact I could’ve made… missed.   Here are some actionable tips to make sure your book promotion feels natural and adds value rather than coming across as a hard sell during your next speaking engagement: 1. Bring and Showcase a Physical Copy Place a few copies of your book on a side...

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Couch To Podium Podcast

How do you make back-of-the-room sales without being pushy? 🙅🏾‍♀️   Short answer: Give first. Then offer a fast-action bonus they can’t resist.   Whether it’s free chocolate, a juicy resource, or a limited-time bonus, this little strategy builds trust and closes the sale without the cringe.    Curious what to offer and how to make it work for YOUR biz? I break it all down in this podcast, go check it out   #backofroomsales #couchtopodium #SpeakerTips #paidtospeak #SalesWithoutTheSleaze   🎤 If you’ve got a...

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Couch To Podium Podcast

"We don’t have a budget to pay speakers…"   If you’ve heard that line and felt stuck between wanting visibility and needing income, this video is for you.    What if you could turn any speaking gig even the unpaid ones into profit?   I’m breaking down the exact questions I ask before I say yes to a stage, and the creative ways I monetize events without needing a check upfront.   You’ll learn:  How to ethically request the email list   What to include in your contract to protect your offers  Why...

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The Messaging Mistake That Costs Speakers Stages show art The Messaging Mistake That Costs Speakers Stages

Couch To Podium Podcast

You’ve got the credentials. You’ve got the passion. But if your message isn’t clear and compelling, you’ll keep getting passed over. In this episode, we’re unpacking the #1 messaging mistake that’s costing brilliant speakers real opportunities. Spoiler: It’s not your experience. It’s how you’re positioning it.   You’ll learn: Why your current brand message isn’t sticking How to connect your story to what event planners actually book for If you’re tired of being overlooked even though you know you’re qualified, this episode is your reset.  ...

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3 Free Places That Built My Business When Nobody Was Paying Me to Speak show art 3 Free Places That Built My Business When Nobody Was Paying Me to Speak

Couch To Podium Podcast

If you’re sitting on your gift waiting for a check to show up before you speak, you’re playing the wrong game.   There was one shift I made that changed the way I do business: I stopped looking at the front-end money and focused on the back-end strategy.   Here’s what I did and what you can do too: 🔥 I started speaking for free on purpose in rooms that made sense for my offer.   These 3 places? Solid gold: 1️⃣ Chamber of Commerce – Monthly trainings with real decision-makers. 2️⃣ Churches – Safe, trust-filled spaces where people are hungry for growth....

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More Episodes
I didn’t know I was making a mistake… until nobody bought the book
Yep, I’ve been there.
 
I once made the mistake of turning a whole speaking engagement into a walking commercial for my book. The message got lost. The connection with the audience? Faded. And the impact I could’ve made… missed.
 
Here are some actionable tips to make sure your book promotion feels natural and adds value rather than coming across as a hard sell during your next speaking engagement:
1. Bring and Showcase a Physical Copy
Place a few copies of your book on a side table or podium so they’re visible as soon as you walk on stage. This primes the audience to recognize it as part of your message rather than an add-on sales pitch.
 
2. Negotiate Speaking Fees (or Fee Waivers) in Exchange for Bulk Orders
Frame it as a partnership. When you’re in discussions with an event organizer, propose a deal like: “If you cover my travel/honorarium, would you be open to purchasing X number of books (e.g., 50 copies) at a special bulk rate?” This way, they’re not just paying you for your time but also investing in resources for their audience.
 
3. Integrate Your Book’s Content Seamlessly into Your Message
Map your talk to a chapter or key concept. Rather than abruptly saying, “Buy my book,” craft your talk so that one or two stories or frameworks directly mirror a chapter. Something like, “In Chapter 3, I share a case study about exactly this scenario,” makes it obvious that the book deepens the audience’s learning.
 
By weaving these tactics into your overall speaking flow rather than tacking on a sales pitch at the very end, you’ll strike the balance between providing value and offering your book as a natural extension of your message.
 

🎤 I teach strategies like this inside the Paid to Speak Intensive, where therapists, coaches, and authors learn how to turn their message into money and momentum this September 27th in Atlanta

If you’re done winging it on stage and ready to get paid plus sell books without the cringe

🪑 Grab your seat now.
The room is filling and these bonus resources won’t last.

Secure your spot here: 2025 Couch to Podium Conference

#paidtospeak #speakerlife #bookmarketingtips #couchtopodium #speakerintensive #speakandsell