Become Speaker Bureau Worthy: Episode 15

Become Speaker Bureau Worthy: Episode 15

How to Know You’re Speaker Bureau Ready: Fees, Materials, Reputation, and Consistency The episode explains why speakers shouldn’t approach a speakers bureau until they’re “bureau ready,” noting bureaus typically want speakers already booking plenty of work and consistently earning about $7,500–$12,500 per talk, and that some speakers sign with bureaus yet book nothing.  Jenn outlines key readiness factors: professional speaker materials (a speaker kit/portfolio with a clear signature talk, audience takeaways, bios, professional headshots, testimonials, and both editable drafts and polished PDFs so bureaus can add logos), reputation (responsiveness, warm referrals, industry relationships, and a strong online presence), and consistency (fee integrity, consistent branding, visible event activity, and audience fit).  She also discusses tradeoffs of bureaus—25% commission, expectation to say yes, and benefits like negotiation, logistics, and access to ongoing event-planner relationships. 00:00 Bureau Ready Warning 00:22 Why Bureaus Say No 02:49 Who Bureaus Want 03:21 Build Your Speaker Kit 04:50 Professional Assets Checklist 05:28 Public And Private Versions 07:24 Reputation Matters Most 10:19 Boost Your Visibility 11:56 Consistency And Fee Integrity 13:54 Lifestyle Fit Reality Check 15:22 What Bureaus Actually Do 18:10 Wrap Up And Next Steps Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com. Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat [https://www.calendly.com/jennchat] Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com [http://www.jennspingo.com]

Authenticity and your Speaking Style: Episode 14

Find Your Authentic Speaking Style: From Formal to Facilitator This episode explores how a speaker’s authenticity is connected to their unique speaking style and how to identify it. It suggests starting with outward cues like stage wardrobe (formal vs. informal) and aligning dress with language and delivery to avoid disconnects.  Jenn outlines four core speaker personas—informative (data-driven), narrative (storytelling/performance techniques), entertainer (physicality, props, magic), and facilitator (co-creating interactive experiences)—and notes people may blend elements of each.  Jenn also discusses vocal and cultural nuances, especially among women and women of color, including musical cadence influenced by traditions such as church and ministry, along with techniques like vocal fry, upspeak, pitch, and the importance of clear enunciation. She encourages recording and listening to audio to self-assess cadence, pacing, pauses, emphasis, and content balance, then leaning into natural style while practicing new techniques. Get the free guide to evaluating your presentation skills: www.jennspingo.com/free-guide Video on vocal techniques unique to women: https://youtu.be/ueVYU6jZ8-Q?si=hDQMOOY5u0IHYOgQ 00:00 Speaking Style and Authenticity 00:45 Dress Sets the Tone 01:54 Informal vs Formal Vibes 04:52 Stage Personas Explained 05:20 Informative and Narrative Types 06:59 Entertainers and Facilitators 09:25 Cultural Cadence and Musicality 10:51 Vocal Habits to Watch 12:13 Enunciation and Self Review 13:40 Key Takeaways and Next Steps Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com. Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat [https://www.calendly.com/jennchat] Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com [http://www.jennspingo.com]

Who Gives the Best Presentation Skills Feedback: Episode 13

How to Get Useful Speaking Feedback: From Worst to Best Sources Jenn explains why speakers should actively solicit feedback to iterate on their talks, improve performance, and earn rebookings and referrals. She contrasts helpful feedback with a negative experience watching a competitor’s webinar where a volunteer speaker was repeatedly interrupted and bluntly criticized in front of hundreds, advocating instead for supportive, end-of-presentation feedback like Toastmasters and her Mic Drop Moments process.  She recommends using Talkadot to collect immediate audience “smile report” data, quotes, and social graphics, and then ranks feedback sources from worst to best: self-review (often overly critical), staff (too supportive), family and friends (inconsistent and not specific), AI tools (useful analytics but limited on connection), other speakers (valuable if guided with specific questions), audience members and event organizers (more candid survey data), and finally speaker coaches for objective, encouraging, mindset-and-mechanics support. She previews next week’s topic on speaking fees. Resources mentioned: Talkadot https://www.talkadot.com/s/jennespinosa-goswami/share [https://www.talkadot.com/s/jennespinosa-goswami/share] Mic Drop Moments (for 2 levels of feedback) www.calendly.com/jennchat [http://www.calendly.com/jennchat] Evaluate your own presentation with this free guide: www.jennspingo.com/free-guide [https://www.jennspingo.com/free-guide] 00:00 Why Feedback Matters 01:28 A Webinar Feedback Horror Story 04:23 Better Ways to Give Feedback 06:06 Fast Audience Surveys with Talkadot 07:20 Ranking Feedback Sources 07:34 Worst to Mid Feedback Options 12:21 Speakers and Audience Insights 14:41 Event Organizer Reports 15:36 Why a Speaker Coach Helps Most 17:49 Recap and Next Steps Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com. Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat [https://www.calendly.com/jennchat] Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com [http://www.jennspingo.com]

What Audiences Want to See in your Speaker Biography: Episode 12

How to Write an Expert Speaker Biography (Without Imposter Syndrome) Jenn explains how to develop an expert speaker biography by first giving yourself permission to be an expert, even if you work adjacent to a credentialed industry and feel imposter syndrome.  She recommends reviewing and editing existing bios (website About Me page or social profiles) to ensure they clearly state who you are, what you do, who you help, and how you help, while removing unnecessary length and clutter.  She discusses balancing education, certifications, and training with experience and personal connection to the topic, noting you don’t owe audiences anything you’re not ready to share.  She advises adding one human “factoid” to make the bio personable, creating both long and short versions (ideally 150 words or less), and keeping biographies consistent across platforms to avoid confusion and improve hireability. 00:00 Expert Enough Mindset 02:05 Adjacent Industry Imposter Syndrome 03:16 Two Bio Types Explained 03:54 Edit Your Long Bio 05:07 Education Versus Experience 08:28 Share Only What Serves 09:26 Add Human Factoid 11:25 Short Bio Speaker Kit 13:05 Consistency Across Platforms 13:53 Closing And Next Steps Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com. Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat [https://www.calendly.com/jennchat] Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com [http://www.jennspingo.com]

Speaker Coaching with Keynote Speaker Steve Fredlund: Episode 11

Finding a Call to Action That Feels Authentic for Keynote Speakers On Mic Drop Mindset, Jenn coaches keynote speaker and bestselling author Steve Fredlund, a former actuary, on how to include a call to action without feeling like he’s “selling from the stage” or shifting the spotlight onto himself.  Steve shares discomfort with QR codes, newsletters, and book pitches, partly driven by sensitivity to seeming arrogant or manipulative, and he wants audiences primarily to apply what they learned.  Jenn helps him explore what he wants people to do, why a call to action matters, and the difference between success (getting booked) and validation (spinoff business and deeper impact).  As they discuss options, Steve becomes most energized by hosting retreats as a congruent next step, and he commits to reflecting on that and not adding new offers unless he feels genuinely good about them. About Steve: Steve Fredlund is an award-winning keynote speaker, two-time TEDx presenter, and bestselling author of Do the Unright Thing. After more than 30 years as an actuary, executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder, including leading humanitarian efforts in East Africa, Steve gained a unique perspective on leadership in uncertain conditions. Today, Steve helps leaders keep moving forward through change and uncertainty. Through engaging stories, humor, and practical tools drawn from African safaris, leadership research, and high-pressure decision environments, he equips audiences to build engagement, make confident decisions with limited information, and lead effectively when the path isn’t clear. Visit his website at https://stevefredlund.com/ [https://stevefredlund.com/] 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:39 The CTA Struggle on Stage 02:45 Why Selling Feels Icky 04:06 Defining the Real Outcome 05:26 Calls to Action and Conviction 06:31 Are the Resources Compelling 07:55 Audience Impact and Feedback 10:01 Validation Versus Success 11:19 Brainstorming the Next Step 12:02 Call To Action Gap 12:47 Retreats Spark Excitement 14:02 Fears And Pricing Doubts 15:37 Reframing The CTA 17:07 Inviting On Stage 19:31 Chasing Inner Knowing 20:17 Action Steps And Boundaries 22:35 Closing Reflections Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com. Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat [https://www.calendly.com/jennchat] Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com [http://www.jennspingo.com]