Advice from 35 year speaking veteran Orvel Ray Wilson
Release Date: 07/19/2022
Build a Speaking Business by asking better Questions with Marlo Clarke
Speaking Business podcast
In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I’m joined by Marlo Clarke — a former international rugby player turned global speaker. Marlo’s journey from Barbados to the stage isn’t just inspiring, it’s instructive. Instead of jumping straight into speaking, he spent a year travelling through 13 countries, asking people from all walks of life a simple but powerful question: What does a fulfilling life and career mean to you? That curiosity became the foundation of his talks — and his business. We talk about how Marlo builds tailored keynotes from scratch, why listening always...
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From Busyness to Business: The Oratore Approach with Steven Piessens & Magali De Reu
Speaking Business podcast
This week I’m joined by the dynamic duo behind Oratore Speakers, Steven Piessens and Magali De Reu. Steven, a speaker strategist based in sunny Malaga, and Magali, a branding and AI expert from Antwerp, share how they’ve built a thriving speaker ecosystem in under a year—spanning over 5,500 speakers across Europe, the US, and the UK. We talk about what really builds a speaker business (hint: it’s not more time tweaking slides), how AI is quietly reshaping how speakers work, and the biggest blind spots holding speakers back from being booked. We also dive into their six-month Rising...
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From the Philippines to the World Stage with Sha Nacino
Speaking Business podcast
When Sha Nacino answered a question at a speaker convention in Singapore, she had no idea her 30-second response would change everything. That moment led to global speaking invitations, virtual summits with tens of thousands of attendees, and a spot on Global Gurus’ Top 30 Motivational Speakers list, alongside Tony Robbins and Simon Sinek. In this conversation, Sha shares how she built a truly international speaking business from the Philippines, why leading with service (not sales) opens more doors, and how one idea from a webinar turned into a $20,000 leadership programme. We talk about...
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Style isn't superficial it's strategy - with Kay Korsh
Speaking Business podcast
This week I’m joined by Kay Korsh, former celebrity stylist turned speaker style strategist. After 20 years dressing A-listers and working with luxury brands, Kay now helps professional speakers align their wardrobe with their message. We talk about what speakers get wrong with their style, why being fashionable isn’t the goal, and how your wardrobe can either build or break audience trust. Kay explains why digitising your wardrobe is a game-changer, how mindful consumption applies to speakers, and what you should consider before buying one more jacket. If you want to feel confident on...
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You don't need a stronger bio - you need a better story, with Mark Leruste
Speaking Business podcast
This week I’m joined by leadership communication expert and bestselling author Mark Leruste. Known for helping thousands of leaders at Google, Nike, and the Premier League tell better stories, Mark shares why most speakers are focusing on the wrong thing. It's not your bio that gets you booked—it’s how you connect. We talk about building a “vending machine” of stories, how to introduce yourself so people lean in (not glaze over), and why being a little imperfect in public can make you more powerful. If you’re ready to tell a better story, this one’s for you.
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How to Build a Speaking Business, Zero Excuses with Brad Burton
Speaking Business podcast
In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, I’m joined by the unstoppable Brad Burton, award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, and top motivational business speaker. Brad built a multimillion-pound national company from scratch and has no time for excuses. We talk about his extraordinary journey from a council estate to the stage, how he created the UK's largest joined-up business network, and the power of showing up as your full, unfiltered self. Brad shares the lessons he's learned from thousands of speaking engagements, the importance of resilience, and why being memorable...
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Get Noticed and Grow Your Speaking Business on LinkedIn with Niall Ratcliffe
Speaking Business podcast
In this episode, Maria Franzoni welcomes Niall Ratcliffe, co-founder of the story-driven marketing agency Noticed, to share proven strategies for speakers to get noticed on LinkedIn. Niall explains why LinkedIn is essential for reaching key decision-makers and reveals how consistent storytelling can set speakers apart. They cover practical tips for crafting content that keeps you top of mind, using lead magnets to convert followers into clients, and building genuine authority through your unique experiences. If you’re looking to attract more bookings and grow your speaking business, this...
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Building a Career that Speaks Volumes: Lessons from Rikki Arundel
Speaking Business podcast
In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, host Maria Franzoni sits down with award-winning speaker and Professional Speakers Association founder, Rikki Arundel. Rikki shares their inspiring journey, from early beginnings to receiving the Speaker Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award, revealing valuable lessons for speakers at all stages. They discuss the power of finding your niche, the importance of resilience through career shifts, and what it takes to craft a message that truly resonates. Tune in for Rikki's insights on building a brand, making an unforgettable impact, and navigating...
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From Real Estate to Real Impact: How Nikki Greenberg Built Her Speaking Business
Speaking Business podcast
In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I sit down with world-renowned futurist and keynote speaker Nikki Greenberg. With a background in real estate and technology, Nikki transitioned from designing skyscrapers to designing impactful keynote speeches on the future of cities and innovation. Nikki shares how she built her speaking career from scratch, including the challenges she faced, the strategies she used to stay ahead in a competitive market, and the importance of being both relevant and memorable. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting out, Nikki’s insights into...
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Unlocking Growth with Steve Sumner
Speaking Business podcast
In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, Maria Franzoni reconnects with her very first boss, Steve Sumner, a trailblazer in high street sports retail and a pioneer of online business strategies. With over 40 years of experience, Steve has helped build multi-billion-pound businesses and launched five successful startups. In the episode, he's sharing his insights on how speakers can unlock growth in their own businesses. From navigating the challenges of legacy mindsets to leveraging digital tools like LinkedIn, Steve provides actionable advice for speakers looking to stay ahead in a...
info_outlineHow to stay relevant and bookable as a speaker
In this episode of #SpeakingBusiness Podcast, I talk to Orvel Ray Wilson.
Orvel is a veteran of the profession. He is co-author of 6 books in the legendary Guerrilla Marketing series, which has been translated into 63 languages and more than 25 million books in print. He’s spoken in more than 1,000 cities, in 47 countries, on 6 continents.
He received his CSP in 1997, and in 2001 was honoured as “Speaker of the Year” by Meeting Professionals International. In an international Internet poll, he’s has been voted one of the world’s “Top 5 Sales Speakers” a record five years straight.
After 30 years on the international circuit, he now coaches other speakers on writing their books, and growing their business.
Orvel shares with us the importance of writing a book to enhance your speaking business, the difference between writing a book and writing a book that sells you, what meeting planners look for when booking a speaker, how to set speaking fees and position yourself as an expert and some marketing and sales tips for speakers who need more bookings.