By Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE, Cavett Award Recipient With 3,500 paid speaking engagements over the past 48 years, I have taken about 9,000 separate flights, including connections. I’ve stayed in over 3,000 hotels and taken a huge number of taxis, limos, private and Uber rides in places where I had never been before. What are … Read more

By Dr. Celina Peerman, CSP In my last article, I wrote about the tension many speakers face as we grow — how success can sneakily outpace our systems, our energy, and even our joy. What I’ve learned since then is this: capacity isn’t about keeping up. It’s about building ahead. If your speaking business is … Read more

By Dr. Celina Peerman, CSP I still remember the moment I realized I couldn’t do it all myself anymore. I was walking off stage after delivering a keynote that had taken weeks of preparation, managing all the logistics, communications, travel details, and follow-up myself. My inbox was exploding, and I had multiple training sessions booked … Read more

By Clint Pulver, CSP, CPAE Eight years ago, I walked away from the security of a steady paycheck. People thought I was crazy. I had a good job, benefits, and what many would call a stable life. But deep down, I wasn’t living—I was existing. A quote by Oscar Wilde haunted me: “To live is … Read more

By Amanda Gore, CSP, CPAE, Global Speaking Fellow BE YOURSELF! So often when I present to speakers, they come up to me afterwards and say, “Thank you for giving me permission to be myself on stage!” I really understand now – but I didn’t earlier in my career! My mentor, Michael Grinder, the world’s leading … Read more

By Brian Walter, CSP, CPAE, Cavett Award Recipient Okay, the words “Clooney” and “paparazzi” in this headline may seem to go together. But…genocide? Yet if you do what I do, and search online for old media stories, you’d discover an amazing insight on how to make our speeches more “sticky.” This insight came from a … Read more

By Maura Nevel Thomas, MBA, CSP The final lessons I’ve collected on building a thriving speaking business involve strategic growth and cultivating the professional relationships that continue to sustain me. These lessons include smart referrals, increasing rates with confidence, staying relevant, and engaging meaningfully with our professional community—all while maintaining the personal well-being that makes … Read more

By Maura Nevel Thomas, MBA, CSP Once you’ve considered the foundational items covered in Part 1, the focus shifts to creating efficient systems and strategic market positioning. This section covers the operational backbone lessons that enabled my growth —from systematizing my processes to mastering client qualification, pricing strategies, and even travel logistics. These lessons helped … Read more

By Maura Nevel Thomas, MBA, CSP This has been on my mind for years. I entered this business as a trainer, taking lessons I had learned from my decade in the productivity space. The first paid workshop I delivered was a “lunch and learn” for a state government office in 2006, where I earned $100. … Read more

By Harvey Mackay, CPAE Public speaking is one of my favorite pastimes – and it should be, considering all the speeches I give every year. I speak to huge corporations and highly-specialized groups and get paid well for the privilege. I’m often asked for advice on making effective and interesting presentations. Seems a lot of … Read more