EP34: Tales from the Trenches of the Speakers Circuit

2025-04-22

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 t...

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