Most people think polish makes a speaker great. Authenticity is what makes an audience listen.
In this episode, Karin Reed talks with international keynote speaker and bestselling author Ryan Vet about what it really takes to build a professional speaking business. From a non-linear journey shaped by entrepreneurship and early Twitter fame to a moment of clarity sparked by unexpected feedback, Ryan shares how authenticity, not polish, is the quality that sets great speakers apart.
Ryan and Karin discuss common misconceptions about the speaking world, including the myth that success happens quickly or that all impactful talks happen on massive stages. Ryan offers practical insight into building a sustainable speaking business, from understanding who’s in the room to customizing talks without compromising your voice. He also explains why things like AV etiquette, recording your talks, and building multiple revenue streams are part of the job, not just extras.
Whether you’re aiming for the main stage or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this conversation pulls back the curtain on professional speaking with honesty, humor, and a healthy dose of real talk.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Ryan’s Path to Professional Speaking
04:30 Lessons from Writing Speak Goodr
06:00 Handling On-Stage Mishaps
09:24 Respecting the AV Team
10:04 Building a Speaking Business
12:43 Setting and Explaining Your Fee
16:37 Creating Multiple Revenue Streams
17:05 Preparing for Your Audience
20:14 Why Recording Your Talks Matters
22:19 How the Speaking Industry is Changing
23:32 Impacting Audiences of Any Size
25:55 Stick With It
Links
Connect with Ryan Vet:
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
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