The Speaker Lab With Grant Baldwin // Public Speaking / Motivational Speaking / Entrepreneurship

Sharing in the excitement of our student’s success is such a privilege for our team at The Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.Chris Failla has got an awesome story to share and you’re sure to leave this episode feeling inspired and encouraged to take the next big step in your own career. He’s full of heart and has a really unique narrative to share about what has inspired him to take the stage. Chris and Maryalice talk about finding your “deeper why” and how to use your message to make an impact.During this conversation, Chris unpacks his process, how he came to find The Speaker Lab, and how this investment in his business and himself brought him to stages he never could have imagined. Chris is motivated by the desire to help others love their work for the long haul and have a sustainable impact on a hum

If you’re ready to hear a life-changing, vision-defining story of gratitude, then you’re in the right place.John Israel is a friend and entrepreneur-turned-speaker who has redefined success in his unique niche of the industry. After serving for nearly a decade as the leader of a strategic gifting company, John found himself with a message of gratitude that holds the power to impact client and employee attrition.In this episode he’s sharing his journey to defining the problem he solves and the vision he’s committed to living out. He unpacks the social experiment that changed his life and why it’s important to find your right audience and then teach them (rather than sell to them)! John also talks about why free events are the way to start and how strategic marketing and a willingness to pivot are essential in this industry.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:The competitive advantage in gratitudeWhy experimenting, pivoting, and flexibility will help you find your nicheTeaching vs. selling, and why it matters!W

Have you found the one? Not that one, but the one thing?The one and only Geoff Woods joined us for Episode 376 to explain what “the one thing” is and why you need to find it to achieve your goals.Passionate about how small things make a big difference and why world-class content is a must, Geoff’s approach to productivity and building a business is contagious.Not only will this episode help you begin your journey to finding “the one thing,” but you’ll also get to hear more about Geoff’s road to becoming co-founder and president of the organization, The One Thing.How did he get started? By asking a simple question, “How might I be able to help?” And the rest is history! If you’re looking for the one thing that will reignite your “why” and lead you into the future, then this episode is a must!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:What is “the one thing?”Why does “the one thing matter?”Understanding your goalsHow to start a new careerWhat it means to prioritize (for real)!Having a job vs. building a businessHow can you

The art of stagecraft. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. Understanding your artistic ability, and how to bring things to life, will separate the speakers from the professional speakers.So how do you find your inner performer?Our lead coach, Rick Clemons, is the expert on helping others find where their star shines the brightest, and how to take delivery and content to the next level.Rick takes a deep dive into what speakers should be doing to bring their craft to life while balancing the value of performance vs. being in the moment with your audience. He shares a few of his own first-hand experiences on the stage and how he’s relied on strong fundamentals and creativity to adjust his stagecraft for each audience.What’s exciting is that Rick will also share about a special cohort we will be launching SOON here at The Speaker Lab.Through live virtual sessions, Rick will be working with students to develop everything from volume, cadence, receiving constructive feedback, and navigating the te

You’ve done the heavy lifting, you’ve put in the sweat equity, and as a result, you have a thriving, growing business. And now you need help! So what’s next?Erick Rheam joined us for Episode 374 to explain three things you must consider when you decide to build out a team. We’ll talk in detail about mapping out your organization, creating margin so you can focus on areas you need to focus on, and even how to interact with vendors.Erick has so much insight to share because he’s worked through each of these challenges personally. He’s sharing his experience, and together we’ll highlight what has helped set us up for success along the path of growing as speakers and entrepreneurs.If you’re wondering when it’s time to take the plunge and call in some backup, then this episode is for you!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:What it means to manage your assetsWhen to fire yourself and make a new hireMaking project-based hiresSetting clear expectationsEmployee compensationWhy the structure will continue to evolveAnalyzing

Sharing in the excitement of our students' success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.Dana Knowles joined The Speaker Lab in April 2021. Her enthusiasm and motivation are unmatched, and she quickly engaged with our coaches and the Elite program. She’s always loved speaking and realizing she might be able to get paid to speak was a game changer. Passionate about sharing her extraordinary story with audiences, Dana shares more about her product that went to market and how that helped launch her speaking career. She also reveals the importance of accountability, networking, and goal setting as she continues to grow her speaking business.Dana has overcome, conquered, and continues to strive for excellence. Her conversation with Maryalice will make you feel “not so alone” in

Dorie Clark is the real deal. She’s intentional, professional, experienced, sincere, and she’s passionate about educating others to take action with the future in mind.Having just released her most recent book, The Long Game, Dorie joined The Speaker Lab Podcast to look at what you need to be doing today to build a successful (and sustainable!) tomorrow.In this episode we cover everything from diversified income streams to finding the patience and persistence to give opportunities a chance to gain traction.She’s also giving insight into building meaningful relationships and leveraging archival research to determine what business strategies have led to success for others and could work for you too.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Pre-pandemic vs. post-pandemic speaking engagementsWhat it looks like to provide a premium in-person experienceWhy it matters to have diversified streams of revenueHow to build meaningful relationshipsWhy being a speaker is a long-term gameResearching what worksWhy the “science of it” m

We have to start somewhere right? And we've all been there, trying to build a business, cash is tight, and we need to make ends meet.Erick Rheam, a great friend of TSL, has found incredible success in recent years as his speaking career has taken off. He's about to release his sixth book and year after year he's breaking his own income records. So, how is he doing it?Erick joined us for a deep dive into cash flow management. We're talking about four must-haves when it comes to building a sustainable business with a solid financial foundation.There's no claim here to financial expertise, but you'll see from our conversation that there is a ton of life experience and business success to learn from as you grow your own speaking career!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:The cyclical nature of a speaking careerWhy you need to treat your speaking career like a real businessWhat are money buckets and why do they matter?What it means to "run lean"Why you need a cushion of cashDetermining an ROIEvaluating recurring expens

John Jantsch: author, speaker, marketing extraordinaire, and he’s here for Episode 370 of The Speaker Lab Podcast!John just released his seventh book, The Ultimate Marketing Engine. When it comes to finding expertise on how to use book writing to grow your speaking business, John’s the one to give it. For decades he’s leveraged opportunities that fueled one another and created a growing platform for coaching, consulting, networking, writing and speaking. During our conversation, we cover the process of bringing a book to life, what it can do for your speaking career, and how to know when it's time to start writing.So, if you’re intimidated by the idea of taking on more, but intrigued by what it takes to capitalize on meaningful opportunities, then this episode is for you!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Expectations for virtual gigsWhy every piece of your business should be connectedEvaluating opportunitiesWhy you should have just a few primary keynotesHow to build a business and a lifestylePricing presentation

Sharing in the excitement of our student’s success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.Carrie Kerskie has been speaking for over 15 years to consumer groups about identity theft and helping victims of fraud. Through a variety of opportunities, she uncovered a passion for helping people develop their cyber intelligence. With the need to shift her perspective and learn how to land speaking gigs, Carrie found The Speaker Lab and everything changed!She shares about finding her niche, learning to build a pipeline, create meaningful content, and how to tap into the pain points of your audience. Join Maryalice and Carrie for an energetic and encouraging conversation on what it looks like to work through our TSL Elite program!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:What is a cy

He’s refreshingly funny, incredibly honest, and 100% awesome.It wasn’t all fun and games when Mike Goodwin first took the stage, but through hard work, determination, and a gift for making others crack a smile, Mike has made a way for himself as a comedian and speaker.During our conversation Mike shares how he got his start, what led him to comedy, and how he has found success in both! He shares how you can grow from your mistakes and what it looks like to pivot in the moment. He’s got a ton of experience and even more energy for the work he’s doing and the opportunity to help others learn from his journey. You’re going to love our conversation!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Why your audience needs to smile.Nature vs. Nurture as a speaker.How to adjust to your audience.How many “opportunities for laughter” does your speech need?The art to using comedy in your speaking.How do you know if you’re funny?And much more!EPISODE RESOURCESGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speakin

There’s so much pressure in the speaking industry to land your big idea.But how do you find it?When do you know if it’s the right one?What if it isn’t?Jeff Goins brings tons of industry experience and “big idea expertise” to the table in this episode.Jeff is demystifying the “idea formula” and unpacks why commitment to your craft, understanding your category of the industry, and getting your idea in front of an audience really matters.He also explains why it’s important to show up and focus on making your idea more interesting rather than better. Jeff shares crucial steps needed in landing your big idea, and what to do once you have it.No matter where you’re at in your speaking career, Jeff has a take-away that will leave you with a desire to build a big idea that will take your speaking career into the future!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:What does it mean to be 80% same and 20% different?Three steps to landing your big idea – but it’s not a formula!Why you must get your idea in front of an audience.Does it

With over three decades of industry experience, Jane Atkinson of Speaker Launcher is a colleague and friend of our program. We’re so grateful she agreed to join us as a repeat podcast guest to dive into creating contracts!When it comes to navigating the ins and outs of speaking contracts, the process can be overwhelming. Jane breaks down the must-haves, opportunities to be creative, and where we can go the extra mile for our clients. We also discuss the uncertainties in the business and how to build-in opportunities to add value and keep gigs on the calendar despite challenging times!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:The good news - for the speaking industry!Is virtual here to stay?How to create opportunity and build relationshipsWhat are the basic elements of a speaking contract?How to navigate travel (literally and contractually)!Substitute or refund?How to accept paymentThe value of being proactive vs. reactiveAnd much more!EPISODE RESOURCESGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Y

Sharing in the excitement of our student's success is such a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab. Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear more about our students’ experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.Michelle Onuroah joined TSL in January 2021 and never looked back. As an accomplished author and founder of The Center for Prophetic Listening, Michelle knew she had a message she wanted to share with the world. But how?In this episode, Michelle shares her journey to discovering TSL. She unpacks the work and dedication she prioritized during her time as a student, and how it has propelled her business and opportunity to live out her purpose. She shares how she defined her why, found her ideal audience, and what it takes to get your story to the stage!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Why become a speaker?How she found her audienceWhy Michelle made the investmentWhy she loves TSLWhat

One of the very best parts about The Speaker Lab is our students. Every day our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, demonstrates unwavering commitment to helping them gain confidence, clarity, and a clear path to their very own speaking success. Coupled with her role as a coach, Maryalice has a passion for helping others discover their confidence and unpack their “why.” Maryalice has jumped into the trenches with our team, helping to equip our coaches and refine processes so we can bring our best.With her own entrepreneurial background, Maryalice brings unique perspective and energy to our leadership team. In her short time with TSL, she has witnessed substantial growth and guided our team amidst increased student needs. Maryalice shares more in this episode about the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset and the value of systems in sustaining a growing business.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:How she found her way to TSL, and why it was meant to beWhat it’s like to be in the trenches with stu

As our Director of Operations, KC Procter is truly the wizard behind the curtain here at The Speaker Lab. He’s a master of organization, efficiency, establishing new processes, and implementing awesome tools that support the mission of our core values. With a passion for keeping the day-to-day seamless and innovation at the forefront of future planning, KC has helped lead TSL into some of our greatest growth to date.In this episode KC shares insight on the team culture at TSL, reflecting on our commitment to balance and growth that prioritizes delivering the very best to our team and students. If you’re wondering what it takes to establish and maintain systems and processes as you grow your business, KC offers insight and actionable steps that will get you moving in the right direction.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:How are we prioritizing our core values at TSL?When is it time to establish a checklist or workflow?Why do systems and processes matter?What are the best tools to help implement structure?Is

For Episode 362 I’m sitting down with Mr. Chris Seo, our Director of Marketing here at The Speaker Lab. His innovation and fearless leadership have helped pave the way for TSL to reach our people and share our platform. Chris shares the inside scoop on why our team is so unique and how it’s helping speakers position themselves effectively in the marketplace.With a passion for branding and a wealth of expertise in identifying your market, Chris is helping equip our team and students with resources to make a difference in building your business. His insight and transparency into the world of marketing will leave you encouraged and prepared to take the next step and stand out among the crowd.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:How are empathy and marketing connected?Why it’s important to polish your idea and passion.How to combat information overload.The difference between your audience and your buyer.What resources do you need to get started?Why you need an online presence.Why marketing and sales get you closer to w

It’s a privilege to work alongside a leadership team at The Speaker Lab who embodies our commitment to provide top-notch support, resources, and coaching to our students. For Episode 361 of The Speaker Lab Podcast, I asked our Director of Sales, Sam Hill, to unpack the parallels of his role and expertise with that of speakers ready to take their business to the next level.Sam has walked alongside TSL through significant growth as we adjust and innovate to meet the needs of our clients. His commitment to people, process, and product has allowed him to equip an enrollment team that continues to bring their best. With a passion for helping students find their breakthrough moment and build their business, Sam is here to share the inside scoop on how to find success in sales and marketing, and how it can change the course of your business.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Why is it important to focus on process rather than pizazz?What it means to have conversations that matter.How are we evolving to meet market needs

Have you ever wondered who is behind the scenes at The Speaker Lab? Episode 360 is one of a kind as I’ve invited our entire leadership team to join me on The Speaker Lab Podcast. Join us for the inside scoop on what it’s like to be part of the team at TSL and why we are so committed to making TSL the very best place to work.I’m sitting down with Sam Hill (Director of Sales/Enrollment), KC Procter, (Director of Operations), Chris Seo (Director of Marketing), and Maryalice Goldsmith (Director of Student Success) so they can share how we work together to create a winning product and experience for our students.THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:How do we ensure TSL is one of the best places to work?How do we balance growth and caring for our team?What does it look like to preserve organizational culture?Is it possible to stay connected as a virtual company?What is an OKR and how do we utilize this methodology?Our favorite tools that assist our day-to-dayWhy you should consider joining the TSL teamAnd much, much more

On Episode 359 of The Speaker Lab Podcast, I’m sitting down with my good friend Shawn Hanks, leader of the Premiere Speakers Bureau.The last 18-months have been anything but predictable for all of us. We have been provided unique challenges and opportunities in the speaking business. Some of you might be wondering, are we past the impact of the pandemic? Will the industry come back? How can I best prepare for the unknown?Shawn reflects on this time of refinement for speakers and how to fill the gaps to continue moving forward. He’s also sharing his insights on the current state of the industry, what’s to come, and how you can thrive amidst the unknown. Listen in for all of the details on this episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast!THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:Identifying the biggest trends in scheduling in-person vs. virtual events.How sector, region, and municipalities are playing a role in bringing back live events.What topics and needs are event planners looking for speakers to address?Is it possib