Seth is an accomplished writer, entrepreneur, and speaker who is a pioneer in the ethical online direct marketing space. He has published 20 bestselling books mainly about marketing and innovation, and they have been translated into nearly 40 languages. Through his talks about effective marketing, leadership, the spread of ideas, and more, Seth has been able to motivate and inspire countless people around the world. His goals are to solve interesting problems, notice things that people don't notice, and lend a hand to others—all things that he is able to accomplish on stage. Seth's many achievements include being in the Guerrilla Marketing Hall of Fame, the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, and the Marketing Hall of Fame.

Key Takeaways 

• Seth believes you are not necessarily predestined to do something but you can decide what you are called to do based on your analysis of the world. 
• Learn about the easiest road to becoming a successful speaker. Hint: it is about the value you bring before getting on the stage.
• Giving people a story to take away from a product or experience—like a book or speaking engagement—is key to being memorable.
• Being a great speaker is about being creative and innovative. 
• Learn about the most challenging speech Charles had to give and how he had to pivot on the spot.

Memorable Quotes

• "I discovered as a marketer that you don't change things because you're tired of them, you change things because your audience gets tired of them." - Seth Godin 
• "We want things to look all pretty. We tend to the outside rather than tend to what's on the inside of our heart to perfect that and make those things better." - Charles Clark
• "Authenticity creates connectivity." - Charles Clark
• "Do not beat yourself up about the disconnect between what the market is rewarding and the quality of what you're saying." - Seth Godin

Episode Resources & Links

Seth Godin

Website: https://www.sethgodin.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethgodin/

Facebook + Instagram: @sethgodin | Twitter: @thisissethsblog

Charles Clark

Website: https://thecharlesclark.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesclarkusa/

Instagram + Facebook: @thecharlesclark

To get access to all our episodes, visit our podcast page!

Enroll in our Journey to Paid Speaking Gigs program to find your voice and learn how to create your own speaking business.

Jill Monaco is a Christian speaker, life coach, podcaster, and author. She is the founder and CEO of Jill Monaco Ministries, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that encourages people to pursue the presence of God and find freedom in Christ. As a speaker, she captures the attention of her audience with her engaging faith-filled and transparent stories. On her podcast, The Jill Monaco Show, Jill and her guests explore God's teachings. Her goal is to inspires listeners to love God, love themselves, and love others. Her first book The Freedom Coach Model has reached #1 on the Amazon bestseller list.

Key Takeaways 

• Finding a way to be thankful for things in life and looking at the bigger picture when you can is often very beneficial in the long run.
• Certain life experiences can be wide ranging and seemingly irrelevant to your current pursuits. However, the lessons and skills you garner from them can still be incredibly useful.
• Everyone on their journey can share where they're at. Use what you have right now. There is a process to get where you want to be. 
• Jill shares how it is important for her to make time with God in order to keep her humble, grounded, and energized. 
• Listen about a day in the life of Jill and what her speaker routine is like. 

Memorable Quotes

• "Sometimes you need that salt in your life to show who you are truly meant to be." - Charles Clark
• "The preparation is just as important as the performance." - Jill Monaco
• "You don't have to be 100% healed or secure for God to use your story." - Jill Monaco
• "Rest, stop, and recharge." - Charles Clark
• "I have to work hard, but then I have to rest. And in the rest, that's where the grace is." - Charles Clark
• "An imitation of somebody else is never as great as an authentic you." - Jill Monaco

Episode Resources & Links

Jill Monaco

Website: jillmonaco.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillmonaco/

Instagram + Twitter: jillmonaco | Facebook: jillmonacoministries

Charles Clark

Website: https://thecharlesclark.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesclarkusa/

Instagram + Facebook: @thecharlesclark

To get access to all our episodes, visit our podcast page!

Enroll in our Journey to Paid Speaking Gigs program to find your voice and learn how to create your own speaking business.

Jay Baer is a 7th generation entrepreneur who speaks about business strategy. He has written six books on marketing the customer experience and has founded five multi-million dollar companies. He started paid speaking around 40, which was relatively late in his working career, but after eight years, he got into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame. He now spends most of his time working on speaking programs around the world and does a lot of brand ambassador work for software companies. Jay is also the second most popular tequila influencer and educates people all around the world.

Key Takeaways 

• Jay didn't "need" to do speaking because he was a successful consultant, but he found that he really enjoyed giving presentations. Because of this, he decided to make a pivot: go from a consultant who does some speaking to a speaker who owns a consulting firm. 
• Your experience in your given industry—whether that be consulting, technology, and more—can make you a great and highly sought after content-specific speaker. 
• As a speaker, delivering great value is important, but you also have to be mindful about not overwhelming people. Oftentimes, a few simple talking points is much more effective than a long list all at once.
• Having "talk triggers" or signature elements as a speaker can help make you unique and memorable. Learn about what separates Jay from other speakers in this episode.

Memorable Quotes

• "It was just as much work pulling myself out of my other business as it was getting into the speaking business." - Jay Baer
• "If there is something you want to do, have the experience in doing it...Get out there. Get your feet wet. Fail a couple times." - Charles Clark
• "If you've got a signature bit or something that people really recognize as your essence, don't run away from it. Run towards it." - Jay Baer
• "You have to be brave enough to fully embrace who you are." - Charles Clark
• "Authenticity is better than perfection." - Charles Clark
• "The audience can smell inauthenticity." - Jay Baer

Episode Resources & Links

Jay Baer

Website: jaybaer.com | thebaerfacts.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybaer/

Facebook + Instagram + Twitter: @jaybaer 

Charles Clark

Website: https://thecharlesclark.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesclarkusa/

Instagram + Facebook: @thecharlesclark

To get access to all our episodes, visit our podcast page!

Enroll in our Journey to Paid Speaking Gigs program to find your voice and learn how to create your own speaking business.

Vince Poscente has a long list of accomplishments to his name. In four short years, he went from recreational skier to Olympic athlete. He is an accomplished speaker and is one of only four people on the planet to be inducted into the USA and Canadian Speaker Halls of Fame. Furthermore, he is a New York Times bestselling author of seven books. Today, he uses his skills as an award winning business professional to teach people the importance of understanding resiliency, equipping teams with practical tools to handle crises. 

Key Takeaways

• If your primary reason for being a speaker is the attention, being a professional paid speaker may not be for you. Your main purpose should be having impact and influence. 
• Speakers are entrepreneurs. They see a need and fill it. 
• We are often motivated by discomfort. Fear is temporary but regret is forever.
• Do what your competition isn't willing to do. Provide value and opportunities will come.
• Vince asks himself: how will I serve with love? This will help you find what aligns with your values. 
• Hear about some challenges Charles and Vince faced while pivoting their speaking business in COVID-19 times. 

Memorable Quotes

• “A good idea won’t go away so pursue that.” - Vince Poscente
• “What you have to say is good enough for where you are right now.” - Charles Clark
• “If you’re saying the same thing that everyone else is saying, you’re not filling a need.” - Vince Poscente
• “I learned the lesson: if you don’t engage, you’re going to have regrets.” - Vince Poscente
• “Resilience without clarity is stubborn ignorance.” - Vince Poscente
• “You don’t have to be perfect to speak.” - Charles Clark

Episode Resources & Links

Vince Poscente

Website: https://www.vinceposcente.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinceposcente/

Facebook: @Vince.Poscente | Twitter: @vinceposcente

Charles Clark

Website: https://thecharlesclark.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesclarkusa/

Instagram + Facebook: @thecharlesclark

To get access to all our episodes, visit our podcast page!

Enroll in our Journey to Paid Speaking Gigs program to find your voice and learn how to create your own speaking business.

Natalie Nixon is a creativity strategist, author, and speaker. At her core, she considers herself a dreamer and creator. She comes from a background in cultural anthropology, fashion, design thinking, and dance. Using all her unique experiences and expertise, she helps leaders transform their business models and leadership styles by applying creativity and foresight. She is a big proponent of practicing courage and being flexible. Natalie's firm Figure 8 Thinking, was named among the top 20 women-led innovation firms by Core 77 in 2021. She was also named one of Real Leaders' "Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World for 2022."

Key Takeaways 

• Learn about how Natalie got creative with her book release and promotion during the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Creativity can be an incredibly powerful tool. Natalie believes speakers can exercise it through the three I's: inquiry, improvisation, and intuition. 
• Natalie's biggest goals on stage are to inspire and leave people with practical tips and takeaways. 
• Natalie is a big proponent of having courage in all endeavors. This means following your heart, being open to experimentation, and being able to admit ignorance.
• Pulling from past experiences that are not directly linked to presenting or giving talks can still help you develop speaking skills. For instance, Natalie's experience in dance taught her applicable lessons like the importance of discipline, working with others, and performance. 

Memorable Quotes

• "I think of creativity as toggling between wonder and rigor to solve problems." - Natalie Nixon
• "I'm a firm believer in embodying what we feel, what we think." - Natalie Nixon
• "If you are 50% terrified and 50% exhilarated, then leap...because the terror anchors you...and the exhilaration keeps you optimistic, and buoyant, and dreaming, and hopeful." - Natalie Nixon
• "The more you practice courage, the stronger you get to handle something of a much larger magnitude." - Charles Clark
• "Your tribe sets your vibe." - Charles Clark 

Episode Resources & Links 

Natalie Nixon

Website: https://www.figure8thinking.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/

Facebook + Instagram + Twitter: @natwnixon

Charles Clark

Website: https://thecharlesclark.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesclarkusa/

Instagram + Facebook: @thecharlesclark

To get access to all our episodes, visit our podcast page!

Enroll in our Journey to Paid Speaking Gigs program to find your voice and learn how to create your own speaking business.

Mark Samuel is a writer, speaker, and CEO of IMPAQ, an award-winning international consulting firm. He has developed a unique system for businesses that links Execution, Culture and Deliverables together. The goal of this system is to create cross-functional accountability to successfully implement global changes that increase profitability, build trust and increase efficiency. As an award-winning speaker, Mark has addressed national conferences of ASTD, AQP, ODN, ASHHRA and ISPI. He has impacted audiences all over the world through his thought-provoking and humorous presentations.

Key Takeaways 

• Learn about how Mark built up his confidence and speaking skills.
• It is important to talk from experience. This, in large part, has helped Mark become a stronger speaker. 
• Mark's practices what he has coined "authentic vulnerability." This is being able to be open with your audience and share your weaknesses and imperfections.
• Shifting from speaking unpaid to creating a business has a lot to do with an inner transformation. It's when you start honoring your voice and your value. 
• Mark believes our ultimate accountability is to ourselves and we should ask ourselves "how do I become the best being I can be?"
• Your audience is your coach. They can give you feedback on your speeches and help you improve.

Memorable Quotes

• "We don't have to be perfect to be excellent; in fact, we don't even want to be." - Mark Samuel 
• "In order to be paid to do what you love, there are some mindset shifts necessary." - Charles Clark
• "[Great speakers] say something of value that opens me up to a new way of thinking." - Mark Samuel
• "[Speakers] are artists. What you write, what you say, it's your canvas. It's your masterpiece. It doesn't have boundaries. You paint the way you want to paint. You say what needs to be said." - Charles Clark

Episode Resources & Links

Mark Samuel

Website: https://bstate.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markssamuel/

Instagram: @markssamuel_

Twitter: MarkSSamuel

Charles Clark

Website: https://thecharlesclark.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesclarkusa/

Instagram + Facebook: @thecharlesclark

To get access to all our episodes, visit our podcast page!

Enroll in our Journey to Paid Speaking Gigs program to find your voice and learn how to create your own speaking business.

David Harrell is an actor, speaker, and disability advocate. He has created and produced several solo plays. Using this material, he began cultivating a keynote and transitioning into the world of speaking. As he entered adulthood, he started becoming more aware of his disability and the larger disability community and is now focused on advocacy in arts and entertainment.

Key Takeaways 

• We are all going to face limitations or challenges at some point in our lives. As an emerging speaker, these moments of resilience and growth can serve as very powerful stories. 
• Just simply showing people they are not alone can send a very strong message. 
• Learn about how David has found success in his speaking niche. 
• Knowing your audience and adapting your speeches accordingly are incredibly important skills. 
• Striking a balance between staying on-script and off-script can be difficult but very useful.
• Learn about which speaker's brain David would like to pick. 

Memorable Quotes

• "I think it is a universal truth that we're all going to face challenges and difficult circumstances...limitations are always going to come up. Those limitations could be placed on us by others, and sometimes these limitations are going to be placed on ourselves...Those limitations don't have to peel away our humanity in any way." - David Harrell
• "By us sharing our experiences, it lets the world know, let the people in your community know that they're not alone." - Charles Clark
• "[Transcending] from that place of...head knowledge to heart knowledge [allows us] to create some synergy in the room." - Charles Clark

Episode Resources & Links

David Harrell

Website: https://davidharrellspeaks.com

Instagram: davidharrell3 | Twitter: @david_harrell

Facebook: davidharrellactorspeaker

Charles Clark

Website: https://thecharlesclark.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesclarkusa/

Instagram + Facebook: @thecharlesclark

To get access to all our episodes, visit our podcast page!

Enroll in our Journey to Paid Speaking Gigs program to find your voice and learn how to create your own speaking business.

Aaron Linsdau has been a polar explorer for more than 10 years. Before this, he worked as a software embedded systems engineer for 20 years but decided to leave his career to pursue international expeditioning. He has authored several books on his experiences outdoors and has also built his speaking business around them. Throughout his life, he's always enjoyed challenges and solving problems. In large part because of this, he now speaks on overcoming adversity, as well as risk and safety management. His 2024 Total Eclipse Guidebooks are available for purchase now!

Key Takeaways 

• It is important to seize opportunities the that come to you. Learn about how Aaron jumpstarted his speaking career through his book Antarctic Tears.
• You need to figure out what you can bring to the table. Even if you're just one percent different from someone else, hone in on that uniqueness.
• Aaron's belief is that you can fail spectacularly but still succeed. Challenges can teach you to rise up, build new skill, and become a better person overall. 
• Learn about the value of generating an emotional reaction from your audience. 
• Learn about Aaron's speaker inspiration. 

Memorable Quotes

• "In the speaking industry, you're not just a speaker. You're a model for something. You model excellence in some way." - Charles Clark
• "The question for a speaker is what do you bring to the table?...For me, it's my ability to overcome adversity in the most extreme conditions." - Aaron Linsdau 
• "Failed attempts are better than missed opportunities." - Charles Clark
• "The current will not look like the future, and the future will not look like the current." - Aaron Linsdau

Episode Resources & Links

Aaron Linsdau

Website: https://www.aaronlinsdau.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinsdau/

Facebook + Twitter: @alinsdau

Charles Clark

Website: https://thecharlesclark.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesclarkusa/

Instagram + Facebook: @thecharlesclark

To get access to all our episodes, visit our podcast page!

Enroll in our Journey to Paid Speaking Gigs program to find your voice and learn how to create your own speaking business.