How Anyone Can Become a Great Public Speaker w/ Keith Ferrazzi | EP #65

Added: Sep 22, 2023

The conversation begins with the host and Ferrazzi discussing the reasons why someone might want to start a speaking business. They highlight the opportunity to share a message, promote a personal brand, and invest in one's future. Ferrazzi shares his own experience of overcoming his fear of public speaking and how it has become a fulfilling part of his life.

the host and Ferrazzi then delve into the process of becoming a great public speaker. They emphasize the importance of practice and preparation, as well as the need to connect with the audience on an emotional level. Ferrazzi shares his approach of starting with a personal story to capture the audience's attention and then structuring the talk into three sections with three or four bullet points each.

They also discuss the different mediums of speaking, such as on stage, in front of a camera, or in a small intimate setting. They highlight the need to adapt one's style and energy level to suit the medium and audience. Ferrazzi shares his experience of learning to speak effectively on television and the importance of finding one's own style while still emulating successful speakers.

The conversation then shifts to the business side of speaking. the host and Ferrazzi discuss the benefits of writing a book as a speaker, as it establishes credibility and opens up more opportunities for paid speaking engagements. They also touch on the role of speaking bureaus and the importance of building relationships with different agencies to maximize opportunities.

They also emphasize the importance of ongoing communication with the audience after a speaking engagement. They discuss the value of collecting email addresses and staying in touch through newsletters or other forms of communication. This helps to build relationships and keep the speaker top of mind for future opportunities.

They go on to address the fear of public speaking and offer advice for overcoming it. They stress the importance of practice, authenticity, and finding one's own style. They also encourage listeners to start with smaller speaking engagements or join organizations like Toastmasters to gain experience and build confidence.

The podcast continues with a discussion on the significance of having a book as a speaker. They explain that having a book gives you credibility and serves as a brand that can attract speaking engagements. They highlight the importance of having a topic that resonates with audiences and aligns with the interests of those who hire speakers.

Ferrazzi shares his analysis of Diamandis' speaking business, particularly focusing on his topic of abundance. He explains that Diamandis' positive and inspiring message resonates with CEOs who want their employees to be motivated and forward-thinking. They discuss the importance of having a clear message and understanding the needs of the audience you are targeting.

The conversation then shifts to the business side of speaking. They discuss the first step in starting a speaking business, which is determining your topic. They advise considering which audiences are hiring speakers and what gift you can offer to those organizations. They mention that sales organizations, leadership off-sites, customer engagement events, and associations are common places to find speaking opportunities.

Ferrazzi shares his own speaking theme, which he calls "challenge talks." He focuses on helping organizations identify the behaviors that need to change in order to meet their strategies. He emphasizes that anyone in the room can be a leader and drive transformation within their company.

They also discuss the role of an administrative assistant or executive assistant in managing a speaking business. Ferrazzi explains that his assistant, Connie, runs his speaking business and develops relationships with speaking agencies. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with agents and agencies to secure speaking engagements.

The conversation then touches on the topic of setting speaking rates. They discuss different price ranges and how to determine your speaking fee. They advise starting with a lower fee and gradually increasing it as you gain more experience and demand. They also mention the importance of standardizing travel expenses and building relationships with agencies.

They discuss the value of giving free talks in certain situations. They mention TED Talks as an example of a free talk that can have a significant return on investment. They also mention speaking at alumni events or associations as opportunities to reach potential clients or customers.

Diamandis and Ferrazzi conclude the podcast by summarizing the key points. They emphasize the importance of practice, storytelling, authenticity, and building relationships in becoming a great public speaker. They also highlight the lifestyle benefits of a speaking business and the potential for long-term success and fulfillment.