If you're using speaking to grow your business, at some point someone is going to ask for your speaker reel.

And yet… most speaker reels completely miss the point.

Many speakers think a reel is simply a montage of clips stitched together with dramatic music and audience shots.

But event planners aren't just looking at footage.

They're asking themselves:

"Can I picture this person on my stage?"

In this episode, I'm joined by Emmy-winning editor and speaker reel strategist Max Partain to unpack what actually makes a speaker reel work — and why some speakers instantly feel more credible, trustworthy and bookable on camera than others.

We explore the psychology behind booking decisions, the subtle cues that shape perception, and the mistakes speakers make that quietly weaken their positioning before they've even stepped onto the stage.

If you want to get booked more often, position yourself at a higher level, and stop cringing every time someone asks for your reel… this episode is packed with insight.

Enjoy!

What you'll discover: • Why Max calls himself a "speaker reel strategist" — not just an editor • The hidden questions event planners are asking while they watch your reel • Why clarity beats cleverness when it comes to getting booked • What winning an Emmy taught Max about storytelling, attention and trust • The subtle mistakes that make speakers look less credible on camera • Why polished footage alone won't make you feel bookable • The difference between speakers who command attention and those who simply "look professional" • The tiny visual and behavioural cues that make a speaker feel premium • How speaker reels help planners de-risk booking decisions • Why audience reaction shots are more important than most speakers realise • What editing hundreds of speakers taught Max about stage presence and connection • The first thing speakers should improve if they want to shift how they're perceived quickly

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Guest Information: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxpartain/

Books & Resources*: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Speaking Resources: Stagecraft to Showreel, 2-day in-person event: https://livetraining.saraharcher.co.uk/stagecraft

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Why do so many change initiatives fail to create real buy-in… even when the strategy makes complete sense?

In this episode, I'm unpacking something I call 'The Altitude Gap' — the psychological disconnect that often happens between leaders communicating change and the employees expected to live through it.

Drawing on my experience in HR, leadership communication, direct marketing and storytelling, I explore why logic alone rarely moves people, how organisations accidentally create resistance, and why many change programmes struggle long before implementation even begins.

I'll share:

• the communication mistake I see leaders make again and again
• why urgency without safety creates shutdown instead of movement
• how strategic storytelling helps people move from resistance to buy-in
• and the emotional sequence that makes change communication land

If you lead people, communicate change, speak professionally or simply want to influence more effectively, this episode will help you understand why people don't always move when the logic seems obvious… and what to do about it.

What you'll discover: • Why some change programmes start dying the moment the PowerPoint deck appears • The hidden communication gap that makes people quietly drag their feet • Why leaders are often talking about "the future"… while employees are worrying about Friday • The mistake most organisations make when trying to get people bought in • Why explaining things more clearly often doesn't solve the problem • What employees are usually thinking during change… but rarely say out loud • Why "we've tried this before" is often a symptom, not the real issue • The reason some change messages land like a wet firework • Why logic alone rarely gets human beings moving • The storytelling sequence that helps people stop resisting and start leaning in • How to create buy-in without sounding manipulative or corporate • Why people need to feel safe before they're willing to move • The difference between communicating the summit… and helping people survive the climb • How strategic storytelling can reduce fear, friction and pushback during change • Why the best leaders don't just communicate strategy — they communicate possibility

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Books & Resources: The Altitude Gap Guide: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/altitude

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

A lot of speakers think their job starts when they walk on stage.

But what if a huge chunk of your impact, and your future bookings, are being created long before that moment… and long after it ends?

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by former Disney leader and customer experience expert Vance Morris to explore what happens when speakers start thinking differently about customer experience.

Because as a speaker, you have more "customers" than you think.

They're:

* The event organiser * The person booking you * The AV team * The audience members talking about you afterwards * And every person interacting with your brand before, during, and after the stage

And every one of those touchpoints shapes whether you get remembered, referred, or rebooked.

In this conversation, Vance shares what speakers can learn from Disney about creating memorable experiences, building loyalty, and turning one speaking gig into multiple opportunities.

We explore how the experience starts before you arrive, continues through your delivery, and extends long after the applause.

Because a great talk matters.

But the experience around it?

That's often what fills the pipeline.

What you'll discover: • The unexpected lesson from Vance's journey — from Disney to bankruptcy — that still shapes how he runs his business today • What most speakers get wrong about customer experience (and what Disney does differently) • Where speakers are quietly "bleeding profit" — and why they don't even see it • How to turn one speaking gig into multiple opportunities (without chasing the next booking) • The things speakers do that they think build loyalty… but actually push clients away • How to create a "Disney-level" experience that people remember — without it feeling forced or gimmicky • Why combining direct-response marketing with customer experience changes everything • What actually moved the needle in building Vance's speaking business — and what turned out to be a waste of time

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Guest Information: Website: https://vancemorris.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancemorris/

Books & Resources*: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill The Ultimate Marketing System by Dan Kennedy 52 Ways to Wow Your Customer

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

There are a lot of brilliant speakers out there.

But not all of them get recognised booked. Not all of them get recognised. And not all of them get the opportunities they're capable of.

So what's the difference?

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by Elliot Kay, organiser of the Speaker Awards, to take a look behind the scenes of the awards and at what's really going on in the speaking industry right now.

Because Elliot doesn't just see one speaker…

He sees hundreds.

He sees the entries, the trends, the standards, and how they're evolving year on year.

That gives him a unique perspective on what actually makes a speaker stand out in the industry - not just on stage, but professionally.

This episode isn't just about entering awards.

It's about understanding what the awards reveal about the industry… and how you can use that insight to raise your own game.

Here's what we're talking about

What you'll discover: • The importance of recognizing and elevating standards within the speaking industry • How awards can serve as a stamp of authority and recognition for speakers • The evolving perception of award entries among established and high-caliber speakers • What Elliot is seeing across the speaking industry right now — and how the standard is evolving • The patterns that separate standout speakers from those who blend in • What speakers assume matters… that actually doesn't • How to think about the awards strategically (even if you're not entering) • What successful speakers do after being shortlisted or winning — that others don't • The subtle things that make someone sit up and pay attention when reviewing entries • What to focus on right now if you want to seriously raise your chances of standing out • The lowdown on video do's and don'ts for your entry

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Guest Information: Website: https://thespeakersawards.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-kay/

Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Most speakers don't have a pricing problem.

They have a value communication problem.

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by pricing expert and speaker David Abbott, creator of the Platypus Pricing Process, to unpack why pricing feels so uncomfortable — and what to do about it.

Because whether you're pitching a keynote, a workshop, or a programme… If your price isn't landing, it's rarely about the number.

It's about how it's being framed, understood, and perceived.

In this conversation, David shares practical insights to help you move beyond finger in the air fees, stop second-guessing your proposals, and start pricing in a way that reflects the value you actually bring.

If you've ever hesitated when quoting your fee… or quietly adjusted it to "make it easier"… this one's for you.

What you'll discover: • Why most pricing problems have nothing to do with numbers • The hidden reason your price feels "too high" to clients • What really happens when you discount (and why it's risky) • How to make your price feel safer — without lowering it • The mindset shift that changes how you approach pricing completely • What experienced professionals still get wrong about pricing • How to reposition yourself when you want to charge more • The difference between explaining your price… and justifying it

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>

Guest Information: Website: https://www.davidabbottspeaker.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diabbott

Books & Resources*: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

You can have a brilliant idea. A powerful story. A message that genuinely matters.

But if your pace is off?

Your audience either can't keep up… or they've already checked out.

In this solo episode of The Speaking Club, I'm diving into one of the most overlooked, and most powerful, elements of delivery - pace.

Pace isn't just about slowing down.

It's about control ... it's about emphasis, and it's about giving your audience the time they need to actually think, feel and respond to what you're saying.

If you've ever felt like your talk bored the pants off people, or you rushed through a key point, and lost your audience... this is for you.

What you'll discover: • Why speaking too fast (or too slow) kills your impact • The four modes of pacing and where to use them • How poor pacing makes even great content hard to follow • The difference between talking and landing a message • Where to slow down for maximum impact (and where not to) • How to use pace to create tension, emphasis and clarity • The simple shift that helps your audience stay with you • Why silence might be your most powerful delivery tool

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

In a world where everyone is "networking", why do some people effortlessly build powerful relationships while others struggle to be seen or remembered?

My guest today, Lirone Glikman, has spent more than a decade studying and teaching the art of global relationship-building. She's worked across 28 countries, advises leaders and organisations worldwide, and is the bestselling author of The Super Connector's Playbook.

Lirone believes the most successful people in business aren't the loudest or the most visible — they're the ones who know how to build genuine, strategic relationships that open doors.

And if you're a speaker, that insight is priceless.

Because speaking success rarely comes from one brilliant talk. It comes from the network of trust, referrals, and opportunities that grow around your message.

In this conversation we explore what it really takes to become a superconnector, why traditional networking advice often falls flat, and how speakers can use connection to expand their influence far beyond the stage.

If you want to grow your reputation, build meaningful relationships, and get your message in front of more people — this episode is for you.

What you'll discover: • Learn what separates the people who build powerful global relationships from those who just "network" • With the shelves full of networking and branding books, why did Lirone feel the world needed another? • Why most networking advice actually creates shallow connections • How your ego can sabotage your connection success. • The real barrier to becoming a superconnector. • What you need to do to shift from getting the odd gig to filling your pipeline. • What to do in the next 12 months to become a superconnector.

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Guest Information: Website: https://lironeglikman.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lironeglikman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lirone_glikman/ YouTube: https://lironeglikman.com/the-show/

Books & Resources*: The Four Agreements: Practical Guide to Personal Freedom The Super Connector's Playbook

Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Most speakers start their talks by explaining what they're going to say.

Unfortunately, that's exactly why audiences stop listening.

In this quick tip episode of The Speaking Club, Sarah Archer shares why the obvious opening weakens your talk and how creating curiosity from the first sentence can dramatically increase audience engagement.

You'll learn why unanswered questions create attention, how to avoid the most common opening mistake, and how a small shift in your first line can make audiences lean in rather than switch off.

If you want stronger engagement, better audience connection, and a more compelling start to your talks — this episode is for you.

What you'll discover: • Why explaining your topic at the start can weaken your talk • The difference between hype and genuine curiosity • What actually makes an audience lean forward and listen • Why unanswered questions are more powerful than explanations • How to challenge what your audience thinks they already know • Why highlighting the cost of staying the same can capture attention • The power of dropping your audience straight into a moment • Why restraint is often the secret ingredient in a strong opening

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that on my YouTube Channel here>>

Speaking Resources: Strategic Storytelling Training: https://training.saraharcher.co.uk/storytelling-tsc

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Navigating a world where change is happening at break neck speed and uncertainty is the new norm, finding clarity, calm and purpose in the chaos can seem like a daunting task. But my guest, Carlo Mahfouz, is here to guide us through that landscape with his insights from his book, "Reality Check."

As an engineer turned thought leader, Carlo's journey highlights the powerful combination of analytical thinking and emotional awareness. We discuss how his own relationship with ambiguity shifted, leading him to explore the deeper questions that can drive meaningful change within ourselves (and our wider society!)

In this episode, we explore how to embrace uncertainty and ambiguity, the importance of asking the right questions, and how Carlo is sharing this message on the stage.

If you're curious to discover how to reclaim your agency and power whilst being buffeted by the economic, political and technological head winds so that you can create more meaningful impact in your personal and professional life, then this episode is for you.

Whether you're a founder, speaker or just someone looking to navigate life's complexities, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

What you'll discover: • What triggered Carlo's "Reality Check" moment? • Why "the technology is evolving and we're not" — and what that means for founders, leaders and anyone navigating uncertainty • The three traits that define a true founder: ambiguity, absurdity and aliveness • Why ambiguity isn't a weakness • The ambiguity paradox and how if affects focus • Why founders who stop being "absurd" stop innovating • Why collaboration isn't about agreement and what it really requires • What Carlo means by "be so present that you disappear" • Why flow isn't something you enter… • The three internal forces that sabotage founders • Why trying to "ignore" difficult circumstances actually gives them more power • Why most founders are fighting themselves — not the market • What Carlo learned the hard way about speaking • The mistake Carlo initially made with his speaking and what he does differently now • The simple but profound wisdom he learned from his grandfather — a shepherd who saw life with startling clarity

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Guest Information: Website: https://www.thefounderstruth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlomahfouz/

Books & Resources*: Alchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity by Rory Sutherland

Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

In this Quick Tip episode, I'm exploring something that can either elevate your speaking game or trip you up - speaker archetypes.

Here's some of the ones you might have come across...

Storyteller. Teacher. Provocateur. Authority.

But if you've ever found yourself feeling slightly "off" on stage, even when your content is good, this episode might explain why.

In this episode, I'm exploring the pressure, (often at the heart of some speaking coaching systems), to pick and swap styles as you move through your talk.

We'll look at why that way of thinking can subtly mask your personality, why some performance advice creates more confusion than clarity, and why the way actors approach a script might be a more useful lens for speakers.

This episode isn't about giving you another label. It's about helping you notice what stays consistent, even when everything else in a talk changes.

What you'll discover:

• The hidden pitfalls of rigid speaker archetypes and how they can negatively impact your performance.
• The subtle way "presenter mode" can creep in without you noticing
• A question most speakers never ask about how they show up on stage
• A perspective borrowed from acting that might shift how you think about speaking
• The difference between changing tone and changing who you are
• Why some talks feel technically solid but emotionally flat
• Why this conversation matters before you ever think about humour

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Sue is an award-winning non-fiction publisher and founder of The Right Book Company. She is a passionate advocate for helping business professionals transform their ideas into impactful books.

For business speakers who create a book, doors open wider, their platform expands and their light shines more brightly than they could ever have dreamed.

As a speaker herself, Sue has spent the last 20 years sharing her knowledge with the business community and beyond. Sue is also a Fellow of the Professional Speakers Association.

In this episode, Sue shares insights from her journey into publishing and the essential role books can play for entrepreneurs and thought leaders. She emphasises that creating a well-crafted book is not just about putting words on paper, but a significant step toward establishing authority and respect in one's field.

What you'll discover:

• What drew Sue into the world of business books (and why she's still obsessed)
• The unexpected success story that changed her perspective on publishing
• The real reason a business book still matters — even when "everyone's writing one"
• What separates a book that changes lives from one that just takes up shelf space
• The truth about self-publishing vs. traditional deals (and what most people miss)
• Why speakers need books — and authors need stages
• Practical tips for aspiring authors on how to publish "well" and build their credibility
• The #1 mistake most aspiring author-speakers make when they start writing
• Her 3-step "start here" plan for overwhelmed speakers with a book idea
• The editing question that turns a book from "pretty good" to powerful

If you've ever thought about writing a book to enhance your business or establish your expertise, this episode is a must-listen! Sue's insights will empower you to take actionable steps toward publishing a book that not only showcases your knowledge but also resonates with your audience.

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Books & Resources*: Purple Cow by Seth Rodin Right Book Direct: https://www.therightbookcompany.com/right-book-direct Accelerator Programme: https://www.therightbookcompany.com/accelerator-go Impact Community: https://the-impact-network.mn.co/landing

Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)