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)

Sarah Fox is a lawyer transforming the way people do business. After decades dealing with huge deals in the construction sector, she realised that long, complex and bad contracts were costing time, money, deals and relationships.

Sarah advocates for short, simple contracts starting with just 500 words.

She inspires people across industries to streamline deals and enhance customer relations with contracts that represent their values, embed trust, and keep everyone protected.

In this show Sarah will be sharing how speakers can create simpler contracts that can build bigger speaking businesses.

What you'll discover: • The real cost of bloated contracts (and who they're really protecting) • What actually counts as a "contract" (yes, even that email thread! • How to price and protect your work, your recordings, and your energy • Why your contract should sound like you — not your solicitor's scary cousin • What red flags to watch for in pre-gig conversations • How your contract can actually accelerate your business (yes, really!) • How Sarah's TEDx moment and Happy Fee rule changed how she does business • The 3 C's every speaker contract should cover — and what to say when someone says "That's a bit pricey, isn't it?"

Enjoy!

If you've ever said "I'll just send them a quick email" instead of a proper agreement… this episode is for you.

It's time to simplify, protect, and sound more like you in every part of your speaking business — including the small print.

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

Guest Information: Website: https://500words.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjvfox/

Books & Resources*: Play Big by Tara Mohr Stepping Up as a Motivational Speaker with Joy Marsden - The Speaking Club 055

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 letting you in on one of the most overlooked — but totally game-changing — parts of any talk: the segue.

It's that moment between a killer story and your next point where everything suddenly feels… awkward.

Where the energy drops, the audience blinks, and you find yourself muttering: "Anyway… moving on." 😬

Yeah. That bit.

Whether you're telling a personal story, landing a teaching point, or sliding into your call-to-action — how you move between moments can make or break your talk.

Inside my weekly Skills Lab, my clients have been working this — and in this episode, I'm sharing the best bits to help you turn your transitions from clunky to captivating.

What you'll discover: • Why bad segues make your talk feel like a school play (and how to fix it) • How to stop saying "anyway…" and start sounding like a pro • The "bridge words" that glue your talk together seamlessly • How to move from story to insight (and insight to CTA) without killing the vibe • The CTA mistake that makes you sound like a sales bot — and what to do instead • Real-life lab exercises that helped speakers go from stiff to slick in less than 60 minutes

Whether you're prepping for a keynote, pitching your programme from stage, or just want your talk to flow like Netflix, this episode will give you the tools to speak smoother, sell smarter, and sound like a total pro.

Enjoy — and try not to say "anyway" after this. 😉

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

Books & Resources: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch: https://standoutpitch.com/ Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker: https://crackingspeechmate.com/

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)

Chris Voss was the FBI's lead international hostage negotiator… but these days, he's helping CEOs, speakers, and sales pros negotiate million-pound deals, win high-stakes conversations, and get results — without pushing, pitching, or people-pleasing.

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by the author of Never Split the Difference to explore how you can use his real-world-tested negotiation techniques to build trust fast, shift resistant clients into action, and speak with more power and presence.

And yes — I even used one of his own tactics to get him to say "yes" to coming on the show! Whether you're trying to book more speaking gigs, close better clients, or simply influence with integrity — this one's packed with actionable diamonds!

What you'll discover:

• How Chris Voss went from SWAT and undercover ops to suicide hotlines and high-stakes hostage negotiation — and why it made him one of the world's top communication experts.
• What compelled Chris to share his FBI-developed negotiation system with the world instead of retiring into the sunset — and how that decision shaped Never Split the Difference.
• The one negotiation tactic that sounds great on paper… but can actually backfire, and what to do instead.
• Chris's ride-or-die technique — the one negotiation move he'd keep if all others were off the table.
• The common "influence" move that actually kills deals faster than anything — and what to replace it with.
• How Chris would handle a client who's stalling on a deadline or payment — and the exact question he'd use to move them into action.
• The subtle ways Chris reads and influences a room when he's speaking — and how his FBI experience shapes his delivery and timing.
• Why "labelling the room" during a talk can deepen audience connection — and how to read silent resistance and adjust in the moment.
• What the concept of the "Black Swan" means for public speaking — and how spotting the right insight can completely change your impact.
• How to make your audience feel in control (even if you're the one guiding them) — and why that's the secret to ethical influence and increased action.
• Why "Yes is nothing without how" — and how to use this principle in your calls to action so that people actually follow through after your talk.

Enjoy!

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

Guest Information: Website: https://www.blackswanltd.com/chris-voss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervoss

Books & Resources*:

Start with No by Jim Camp

The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler

Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

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)