Professional Speaking: Known. Booked. Paid.
Professional Speaking is for experts who are good on stage but not yet widely known and consistently in demand. You deliver. You care about your craft. You have something worth saying. But you are not yet the speaker they ask for by name. If your calendar feels too open, your fees have plateaued, you're not able to go full-time yet or your talks are not creating the traction you expected, this show is for you. Each week we explore how to turn speaking into real authority and commercial momentum. Positioning that makes you visible. Talks that build trust. Influence without...
Why Smart Speakers Get Stuck
The smarter you are, the easier it is to get stuck - not because you lack ability, but because intelligence can quietly build a wall between you and the reality that would actually move you forward.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode, John explores one of the most common — and least talked about — reasons experienced speakers plateau.
It's not a skill gap. It's a distance-from-reality problem.
Drawing on 15 years of coaching speakers, John introduces the concept of psychological limiter loops: self-reinforcing cycles that keep you feeling productive while quietly keeping you stuck. He u...
How to Write Speeches That People Will Remember (Speechwriting Secrets from Political Speechwriter Rob Noel)
Speechwriting Secrets from the Political World
With Rob Noel
SUMMARY
What separates a forgettable speech from one people remember years later?
In this episode of Professional Speaking, John speaks with political speechwriter Rob Noel, who has written speeches for major figures including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
Rob shares how professional speechwriters think about structure, storytelling, rhetoric and audience psychology.
And some of the insights might surprise you.
For example:
One of Rob’s most contrarian vi...
Speaker Coaching: From ÂŁ1K School Talks to ÂŁ10K Corporate Keynotes (Plus The System for Booking Corporate Speaking Gigs)
Episode Summary
In this coaching session, John Ball works with speaker Jackson Ogunyemi, who has spent 25 years speaking in the education sector and now wants to transition into higher-paying corporate speaking opportunities.
Jackson has the experience, the message, and the stage presence. What he’s missing is the business engine that consistently generates bookings.
Together they unpack some uncomfortable realities about the speaking industry: why conferences rarely pay new speakers well, why speaker bureaus don’t create demand, and why many talented speakers stay stuck at low fees.
From there, they buil...
How to Improve Executive Presence Through Self-Awareness with Michael Delisser
Self-Awareness, Mindset, and Audience Focus: Michael Delisswe
John chats with executive communication coach Michael Delissa about self-awareness, feedback, and mindset in presentations, arguing that most presentation problems are internal rather than technical. Dea shares a humiliating early experience when a professor publicly flagged his filler words, and explains how he now builds self-awareness by recording speakers and letting them see distractions for themselves. They discuss avoiding perfectionism, reducing distracting habits without sounding robotic, and focusing on outcomes and audience needs rather than what the presenter wants to say. Dea highlights common issues such as covering too much...
Should I Start A Podcast?
Should you start a podcast?
If you’re a speaker, coach, or expert, it can feel like the obvious next step. Visibility. Authority. Credibility. Influence.
But is it actually the smartest move right now?
In this episode, John takes a balanced look at podcast hosting and why sequencing matters more than trends.
Podcasting can absolutely become a powerful business asset. It can sharpen your thinking, strengthen your authority, expand your network, and generate enquiries. Done well, it becomes a content engine and a long-term brand builder.
But it also de...
How Listening Transforms Speaking: A Deep Dive with TED's Julian Treasure
Julian Treasure is one of the most-watched TED speakers in the world, but his message is simple: the most important skill for speakers is listening.
In this episode, Julian explains why audiences don’t hear your message “as delivered.” They hear it through filters: culture, mood, expectations, time of day, the speaker before you, and even the acoustics of the room.
We talk about how to “listen to their listening” in real time, how to recover when the energy is off, and how to make your voice land with more impact, without turning into a motivation...
Leadership Communication: How Great Speakers Use Rhetoric, Metaphor and Emotion (Simon Lancaster) [Re-edited & Republished]
Summary:
Political speechwriter and author Simon Lancaster breaks down how leaders and speakers win minds using rhetoric, metaphor and emotional language. We explore why corporate jargon kills trust, how metaphors shape beliefs, and simple persuasion tools speakers can use without sounding manipulative.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What rhetoric is and why it matters for modern speakersWhy emotion often persuades more than logicHow metaphor shapes perception, behaviour and beliefWhy corporate language dehumanises and disengages audiencesPractical ways to become “metaphor aware” and communicate more humanlyThe responsibility leaders have when using persuasive languageMemora...
Has Personal Development Undermined Professional Speaking?
Summary
The professional speaking world and the personal development industry have been intertwined for decades. That overlap has created energy, inspiration, and transformation. It has also created hype, pseudoscience, and borrowed authority.
In this solo episode, John explores where influence crosses into manipulation, why anecdotes are powerful but weak evidence, and how emotional intensity can lower scrutiny in a room.
This is not an attack on personal development. It is a call for healthier boundaries, intellectual humility, and higher standards.
If you are building a serious speaking business and care about...
How The Speaking Industry Really Works (Maria Franzoni's Bookability Reality Check)
Maria Franzoni is a former speaker bureau owner and author of The Bookability Formula. She shares a blunt, practical view of what makes a speaker bookable in the UK and European markets, and why “being good” is not the same as “getting hired”. This show is unmissable if you're serious about speaking.
What we cover
Why “follow your passion” is often terrible business adviceThe UK/Europe market reality vs the US speaking marketWhy relevance to a paying market comes before polishing a keynoteWhat really builds credibility (and what screams “fake”)The networking mistake almost everyone makesWhy speakers overrun...Why Most Speakers Stay Stuck (And How the Successful Ones Break Through)
Episode Summary
Why do so many capable speakers never gain momentum or consistent bookings?
In this short solo episode, John Ball breaks down the single biggest block that stops speakers from becoming successful professionals. It is not talent, confidence, or credibility. It is the habit of overthinking and under-acting.
Drawing on years of coaching speakers and working inside the speaking industry, John explains how planning becomes a comfort zone, why “being ready” is often procrastination in disguise, and how real progress only starts when action meets reality. If you want to treat speaking like...
Speaker Coaching: Why You’re Not Getting More Bookings Even With A High-Demand Topic
A hot market does not guarantee hot bookings. In this coaching session, John works with tech and emerging-tech speaker Cortney Harding to diagnose the real reasons her calendar is not matching her credibility. They unpack why prestige signals and “busy content” do not automatically create demand, how to position around an expensive problem, and why simplifying outreach beats “post and pray” when you want reliable bookings.
You will also hear a strong warning for speakers who chase whatever topic is trending. It looks strategic until you realise you are rebuilding your positioning every six months and still not beco...
Virtual Presenting for Professional Speakers (What Most Get Wrong) with Jelmer Smits
Mastering Virtual Presentations: Tips and Techniques
SUMMARY:
Virtual presentations are not going away. Job interviews, client meetings, and hybrid work all mean your first impression is increasingly happening through a webcam. In this episode, Jelmer Smits argues most organisations are still presenting like it’s 2020, stuck in survival mode with poor setups, flat delivery, and zero audience care. The result is not professionalism. It is the awkward middle ground where competence and warmth both collapse.
We unpack a simple charisma lens, competence plus warmth, and why virtual delivery often drains both. Jelmer explains wh...
Conflict Avoidance: How Avoiding Tension Undermines Your Authority - With Leadership & Culture Expert Julie Holunga
Most leaders avoid conflict. Not because they are weak, but because they want to be liked, respected and seen as reasonable.
In this episode of The Professional Speaking Show, John Ball and leadership expert Julie Holunga unpack how conflict aversion quietly erodes authority, credibility and influence — especially for leaders and professional speakers who rely on trust and presence to lead.
Julie introduces the idea of “lazy leadership” and explains why avoiding hard conversations feels easier in the moment, but costs leaders status, clarity and effectiveness over time. The conversation explores how language, tone and timing shape...
How Speakers Can Win on LinkedIn with Michelle J Raymond LinkedIn B2B Expert
Stand Out on LinkedIn: Strategies for Speakers and Coaches
SUMMARY
In this episode of the Professional Speaking Show, host John Ball engages with LinkedIn expert Michelle J Raymond to discuss the evolving landscape of LinkedIn and how speakers and coaches can navigate its complexities. They explore the challenges posed by AI-generated content, engagement pods, and the pressure to conform to viral trends, emphasising the importance of authenticity and genuine engagement. Michelle shares her insights on how to stand out in a crowded space by building real relationships and creating meaningful content that resonates with audiences...
How to Become Known (Without Being a Marketing Clone) – Mark Schaefer on Personal Brand, Speaking & Authority
Secrets of Personal Branding
SUMMARY
In this episode of Present Influence, John is joined by branding expert and bestselling author Mark Schaefer to explore what it truly means to become known in a noisy, copy-and-paste marketing world.
They explore why most personal brands fail, how guru-led thinking is killing originality, and why authority is built through relevance, consistency, and usefulness rather than visibility or hype.
Mark shares practical insights from his books Known and Audacious, including how speakers and experts can clarify what they want to be known for, choose the...
Welcome To Professional Speaking (formerly Present Influence)
Welcome to Professional Speaking, the podcast for keynote speakers, subject matter experts, and coaches who are ready to stop being "well-kept secrets" and start building a scalable, high-impact career.
Most speaking advice is either too "soft" (focusing only on stage presence) or too "sleazy" (focusing on aggressive, outdated sales tactics). We believe there is a third way: The Path of Professional Influence.
Each week, we dive deep into the three pillars of a sustainable speaking career:
Master the Stage: Advanced communication, storytelling, and delivery techniques that ensure you leave a lasting legacy.Book More...You Don’t Hate Sales. You Hate Bad Sales. (Katie Nelson)
SUMMARY
Many speakers, coaches, and consultants say they hate sales. In reality, what they hate is manipulative, impersonal, high-pressure selling that feels out of alignment with who they are.
In this episode of Present Influence, sales expert Katie Nelson dismantles the myth that selling high-ticket offers has to feel sleazy. We explore why sales is fundamentally human, not transactional, and why relationship, curiosity, and courage matter far more than funnels, scripts, or AI shortcuts.
We cover how speakers and coaches can sell premium services ethically, why relying solely on referrals is risky, how...
The Professional Speaking Shift: The Process My Clients Use To Get Unstuck & Grow
SUMMARY
In this conversation, John Ball discusses the importance of treating speaking as a business rather than just a performance. He emphasises that many speakers struggle not due to a lack of skill but because they fail to position themselves effectively in the market. The discussion highlights the need for speakers to shift from hoping for opportunities to actively creating strategies that lead to sustainable careers. By focusing on serving specific audiences and building trust, speakers can enhance their impact and success in the industry.
You can connect with me using the links below.
<...Remote Work Productivity: How to Focus, Avoid Distractions, and Get More Done (with Steven Puri)
How to Beat Digital Distraction and Do Deep Work From Home
Summary
In this conversation, John Ball and Steven Puri explore the challenges of remote work, emphasising the importance of focus, intention, and managing distractions. They discuss how digital distractions are engineered to capture attention and the significance of establishing rituals and habits to enhance productivity. Puri shares insights on achieving a flow state for peak performance and the role of luck in success. The discussion also highlights practical strategies for overcoming procrastination and the power of prioritisation in achieving meaningful work.
Takeaways<...
Seasons Greetings from John at Present Influence
No proper episode till Friday, but a quick festive greeting from John at the Present Influence podcast. Whether you're celebrating or hiding away, I wish you peace, happiness and prosperity for this season and the year ahead. Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for Xmas goodies before NYE.
Visit presentinfluence.com/quiz to take the Speaker Radiance Quiz and discover your Charisma Quotient.
For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email john@presentinfluence.com or find me on LinkedIn
You can find all our clips, episodes and more on...
Why Great Speakers Are Often Broke
Why Great Speakers Stay Broke
SUMMARY
In this episode, John addresses the challenges faced by speakers and coaches in gaining visibility and securing bookings. He emphasises the importance of marketing and the need for professionals in these fields to shift their identity from being just a performer to becoming a business owner. By focusing on marketing, networking, and consistent visibility, speakers and coaches can improve their chances of success. John also discusses the significance of setting clear goals and taking actionable steps to achieve them, urging listeners to treat their speaking or coaching endeavours as...
Sell First, Speak Later! Why Professional Speakers Need To Master Sales Skills Before Their Speaking Skills | with Merit Khan
Unlocking the Power of Stagecraft with Merit Khan: From Keynotes to Comedy
SUMMARY
In this episode of Present Influence, join John as he converses with Merit Khan, a dynamic speaker and performer, about the art of landing paid speaking engagements and refining your stagecraft. Merit shares insights from her journey, emphasising the importance of mastering sales skills to sell your talks before perfecting your stories. She discusses her diverse career, including keynoting for serious audiences, coaching sales professionals, and her one-woman show, 'Optimistic Personality Disorder.' Discover how improv, comedy, and understanding your audience can...
Is Podcast Guesting Still Worth It For Speakers?
Strategic Podcast Guesting: Boost Your Professional Impact
SUMMARY
In this episode, John delves into the nuanced value of podcast guesting for professional speakers and coaches. The discussion explores whether incorporating podcast guesting into your promotional strategies is worth it and emphasises the importance of strategic planning over mere volume. Key insights include the potential benefits of both audio and video formats, how podcast guesting can enhance authority and create long-term opportunities, and the importance of being well-prepared for interviews. The episode also highlights the pros and cons of using booking agencies, the significance of a...
You Don't Need To Become An Overachiever To Be Successful
Rejecting Overachievement: Embrace the Low-Pressure Success Method
SUMMARY
In this episode, John reflects on the pervasive culture of overachievement and hustle culture, discussing its detrimental effects on personal well-being and productivity. He shares his experiences and insights from coaching individuals who have faced burnout and highlights how this toxic mindset can lead to long-term damage. John advocates for a sustainable approach to success through the 'low-pressure success method,' emphasising consistency, patience, and maintaining one's health and relationships. He also encourages listeners to redefine success by focusing on presence over performance and taking deliberate, manageable...
Simplifying Success: One Stage At A Time
Finding Clarity: Narrowing Focus for Greater Success
SUMMARY
In this episode, the host talks about the importance of clarity and shares personal insights on overcoming mental fog and distractions. The host discusses the challenges of juggling multiple goals and projects, emphasising the need to focus on what truly matters. The episode highlights the decision to narrow focus on speaking engagements and corporate comedy, leaving other pursuits on hold. A more intimate, heart-to-heart discussion is presented, aiming to provide listeners with valuable takeaways on simplifying their professional endeavours. The host also invites listeners to reach out...
How To Be Credible When Everyone's Faking It
Authenticity and Connection: Transforming Public Speaking with Marianne Hickman
SUMMARY
In this episode of Present Influence, host John welcomes Marianne Hickman to discuss the importance of authenticity, connection, and ethical speaking in public presentations. They explore issues such as trauma dumping, the power of telling stories from scars, and why confidence without competence can be detrimental. Marianne emphasises the sacredness of the microphone and shares insights on the 'Utah bro' archetype and the Dunning-Kruger effect. The conversation also delves into how humour, open mics, and even onstage mishaps can enhance teaching and engagement. They advocate...
Open Mic Nights: The Art of Getting Up and Falling Hard
The Importance of Humour and My Journey into Stand-Up Comedy
SUMMARY
In this bonus episode, the host shares updates about the show and discusses the vital role of humour in professional speaking. He talks about his personal journey into stand-up comedy, highlighting the challenges and rewards of performing at open-mic nights. The episode includes a recording of one of his recent comedy sets, where he reminisces about school experiences, the challenges of PE, and the humour he found in those moments. Additionally, the host emphasises the need for mental resilience in the face of criticism...
The Trust Deficit in Speaking & Personal Development: Are We Part Of The Problem?
Addressing the Trust Deficit in the Personal and Professional Development Industry
SUMMARY
In this episode, the host discusses the growing trust deficit within the speaking, coaching, and personal development industries. Highlighting issues such as overpromised transformation, shallow certifications, and unethical practices, the host shares thoughts on how to identify and avoid contributing to the problem. They offer practical steps for rebuilding trust, emphasising the importance of ethics, integrity, and realistic promises. The episode also serves as a precursor to an interview with Marianne Hickman, a fellow expert in communication skills, set to release later in...
Crafting a Richer Listener Experience For You
Present Influence: A New Direction for Deeper, More Valuable Conversations
SUMMARY
In this pivotal episode, the host addresses long-time listeners and newcomers with a sincere update about the future of 'Present Influence.' Recognising that previous episodes had sometimes lacked depth and value, the host announces a shift towards higher-quality content. Moving forward, there will be fewer, but more substantial interviews, with a focus on deep, practical conversations. Additionally, the host aims to infuse solo episodes with valuable insights, coaching sessions, and even some comedy. This episode sets the stage for a leaner, more impactful...
What Fear Is Costing You As A Speaker
Navigating Fear and Anxiety: Practical Steps for Growth and Resilience
SUMMARY
There are many fears that can hold people back in their journey to becoming amazing speakers and communicators. In this episode, John and coaching colleague James discuss how fear can be used as useful feedback rather than a stop sign. They explore lingering pandemic-related anxieties, physical manifestations of stress, and common fears such as failure or societal pressures. Together, they offer practical techniques for reframing fear into usable energy and taking small, safe steps towards a supportive environment. Additionally, they emphasise the importance of...
Influencing the Irrational: Lessons from a Former Hostage Negotiator
Mastering Negotiation: From Hostage Tactics to Everyday Deals with Susan Ibitz
SUMMARY
In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball interviews Susan Ibitz, an expert in international hostage negotiation, interrogation, and behavioural analysis, about applying real hostage negotiation strategies to everyday situations. Susan shares practical tactics for establishing instant rapport, navigating irrational behaviour, and negotiating without scripts. She discusses the balance of warmth and assertiveness in communication and the importance of understanding both your own and others' irrational behaviours. The episode also highlights the value of strategic negotiation in various contexts, from personal relationships...
Build Trust From The Stage Without Being Sleazy
Building Genuine Credibility: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Manufactured Status
SUMMARY
In this episode of 'Present Influence,' host John Ball discusses the difference between genuine credibility and manufactured status for speakers, coaches, and expert business owners. He warns against the allure of fake status symbols like rented Lamborghinis and pay-to-play magazine features, emphasising the importance of authenticity and ethical authority. John shares a three-point credibility test to help listeners audit their own credibility signals, ensuring they are earned, relevant, and verifiable. He also highlights the role of passion, honesty, and real-life testimonials in building sustainable...
How to Make Boring Talks Engaging (and Why It Matters) with Joel Benge
Mastering Technical Talks: Joel Benge's Guide to Message Therapy
SUMMARY
In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball speaks with Joel Benge, author of 'Be A Nerd that Talks Good,' and creator of the Message Therapy framework. Joel shares his technique for transforming technical presentations into memorable and impactful stories. Drawing from experiences at Nickelodeon, NASA, and the Department of Homeland Security, Joel discusses how to connect with any audience by striking a balance between logic, emotion, and credibility. Listeners will learn how to strip out jargon, build trust, and convey powerful messages...
Before You Speak: The Pre-Game Rituals That Actually Work
Most speakers sabotage themselves before they even get on stage.
Some wing it. Others over-hype themselves. Many cling to lucky charms or last-minute cramming. The result? Nerves, shaky delivery, and lost connection with the audience.
In this solo episode, John shares a practical pre-game system you can actually use to get stage-ready without superstition or overthinking.
You’ll learn how to:
Reset your mindset in two minutes with Stoic reframing, box breathing, and a simple nerves-to-excitement shift.Prepare your body and voice with easy warm-ups (that won’t make you look ridiculous back...Stop Performing, Start Connecting | Rebecca Williams on Presenting That Moves People
Most presenters polish slides and still feel the room slip away. In this conversation with Rebecca Williams, co-author of Presenting Presenting: The Art of Public Speaking and How to Do It Better, we delve into why performance blocks connection and how to address it quickly. You’ll learn Rebecca’s First Five Formula to open any talk, how to reframe nerves into excitement, and why you should build your talk off the laptop and on the wall before you ever touch slides.
We cover connecting with your audience first, storytelling that lands, and the mindset shift from “make me l...
Start Standing Out: Normal Is Boring.
SUMMARY
Most of us spend our lives trying to blend in; at work, in friendships, even on stage. But the harder we chase acceptance, the more invisible we become.
In this episode, I share my own story of being pushed out of the very communities I once belonged to, and how that rejection became the catalyst for finding my voice. You’ll learn why “not fitting in” is often the beginning of true influence, how to turn outsider energy into credibility, and why your quirks might be your greatest professional asset.
🔥 What you’ll take awa...
The 3 Rules of Communication Every Leader Needs | Lucille Ossai
Leaders don’t fail because they lack ideas — they fail because they can’t communicate them.
In this episode, I sit down with Lucille Ossai, award-winning communications trainer and author of Influence and Thrive. From Lagos Business School to global boardrooms, Lucille has helped leaders transform how they connect, persuade, and inspire.
We unpack her 3 rules of effective communication and why mastering writing is often the fastest way to expand your influence.
🔑 In this conversation:
How Lucille stumbled into communication after starting as a stay-at-home mumThe surprising power of writing in an AI-driven...Feeling Ignored: How to Be Heard Without Shouting
Overcoming the Feeling of Being Ignored: Real Stories and Practical Strategies
SUMMARY
In this episode, the host and his coaching friend James discuss the painful experience of feeling ignored, whether at work, online, or among friends. They share personal stories and explore the reasons why feeling ignored can hurt deeply. The conversation delves into strategies to combat this feeling, including setting boundaries, persistence, and reframing rejection. They emphasise the importance of self-awareness, the value of small successes, and not letting fear of judgment hold you back. With practical advice for speaking up and being heard...
Trust & First Impressions - Ex-Secret Service Agent Brad Beeler
Mastering Human Interaction: Insights from a Former US Secret Service Agent with Brad Beeler
SUMMARY
In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball welcomes Brad Beeler, a former US Secret Service agent. Brad shares profound insights from his experiences in high-stakes environments to help decode human behaviour, build trust, and improve communication. Key topics discussed include the effectiveness and use of polygraph tests, the importance of congruent body language, effective first impressions, and the potent, often-overlooked influence tools like curiosity and respect. Brad also teases his upcoming book, 'Tell Me Everything,' which promises...
Charisma Killers: Stop Sabotaging Your Stage Presence
Identifying and Overcoming Common Charisma Killers in Your Presentations
Summary
In this episode, presentation coach John discusses why some presentations fail to connect despite clear, confident, and sometimes even humorous delivery. He introduces three common 'charisma killers'—overexplaining, incongruent energy, and lack of curiosity.
John shares real client stories to illustrate these points and offers practical advice on how to rectify them. Additionally, he previews a live event called 'Charisma Killers,' where he will go over seven major charisma killers and techniques to address them. This event is scheduled to be free an...
