Speakers are subject matter experts, and in today's crowded digital landscape, simply being a speaker or a subject expert isn't enough. You need to be seen, heard, and understood. While articles, webinars, and social media all play a role, there's one medium that stands out for its intimacy, reach, and ability to build genuine connection: the podcast.

If you're a subject matter expert (SME), a podcast isn't just a trend; it's a strategic imperative. Here’s why stepping up to the microphone can transform your influence and impact.

1. Establish Unmatched Authority and Credibility
Think of your podcast as an ongoing, in-depth conversation where you get to shine. Unlike a quick social media post or a brief interview, a podcast allows you to explore complex topics, share nuanced insights, and demonstrate your expertise over time. Listeners get to hear your thought process, your unique perspective, and your command of the subject. This consistent delivery of valuable content naturally positions you as a leading voice in your field.

2. Build Deep Connections and Trust
There’s something uniquely personal about audio. When someone listens to your voice directly in their ears, whether they're commuting, working out, or doing chores, it creates a bond that visual content often can't replicate. They hear your passion, your enthusiasm, and your personality. This consistent, intimate interaction fosters trust and loyalty, turning casual listeners into dedicated followers and potential clients or collaborators.

3. Expand Your Reach Beyond Traditional Channels
Podcasting offers a new avenue to reach audiences who might not engage with your other content.
Many people prefer audio for learning and entertainment because it fits seamlessly into their busy lives. By having a podcast, you tap into a global audience of active listeners specifically seeking out information and insights in your niche. You become discoverable on platforms where your ideal audience is already spending their time.

4. Create a Hub for Evergreen Content
Unlike fleeting social media posts, podcast episodes have a long shelf life. A well-produced episode on a foundational topic in your field can continue to attract new listeners for years. Each episode becomes an evergreen asset that can be repurposed into blog posts, social media snippets, email newsletter content, and even form the basis for future courses or books. It's a highly efficient way to maximize your content creation efforts.

5. Open Doors to Networking and Collaboration
A podcast is a powerful networking tool. Inviting other experts, thought leaders, or industry influencers as guests on your show can lead to invaluable connections. It's a mutually beneficial exchange: they get exposure to your audience, and you gain access to theirs, while also deepening your professional relationships. These collaborations can lead to new opportunities, joint ventures, and a broadened professional circle.

6. Monetization Opportunities
Beyond direct influence, a podcast can open up various monetization avenues. This could include sponsorships and advertising, selling your own products or services, offering premium content through subscriptions, or even using the podcast to drive traffic to your consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements. Your podcast becomes a direct channel for converting listeners into clients or customers.

For more help with professional speaking, get the book FROM THE SOAPBOX TO THE STAGE, available on Amazon. Copyright 2025 Bill Corbett and The Get Paid To Speak Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Of all the things that keep adults from achieving their goals with getting paid to speak, is fear. It holds them back. It might be the fear that they won't succeed, that others will laugh at them, that they won't be accepted or that they might fail. Many of us heard the message over and over, "You're not good enough," and many are allowing that endless tape to play over and over, especially when we feel that others didn't like what we had to offer.

Doug Foresta is a therapist and podcasting coach and someone I've included in my inner circle for years. I've invited him in to speak to groups I've been a part of and we worked together for workforce development groups nationally. I had an opportunity to be featured as a guest on Doug's radio show and we discussed, not only what's inside my book, but the things like fear that hold people back from bringing their gifts to the world.

When you are presenting something that ignites the passion in you, everything changes. The topic is delivered effectively, the audience is receptive and you as a speaker feel so complete and aligned with yourself and your message. So figure out what your message is and start putting it together to change the lives of others. This recording is the property of Bill Corbett and the GET PAID TO SPEAK PODCAST, copyright 2023. All rights reserved.

For more help with professional speaking, get the book FROM THE SOAPBOX TO THE STAGE, available on Amazon. Copyright 2025 Bill Corbett and The Get Paid To Speak Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

I'm Bill Corbett, professional speaker, author and television program producer and host. After nearly 20 years of traveling nationally and internationally, delivering presentations, I sat down and wrote the Amazon bestseller, FROM THE SOAPBOX TO THE STAGE: HOW TO USE YOUR PASSION TO START A SPEAKING BUSINESS. And now you're listening to the GET PAID TO SPEAK PODCAST to help you use what you feel passionate about to inspire change in others.

There are so many incredible things you can begin doing immediately to help launch yourself as a speaker in your local area. One of those things is to become a local expert that television show producers can call on to appear on local news and magazine shows to help them fill air time with quality programming that people want to watch. Becoming an on air contributor is easy to do but takes time to develop yourself and some patience to make it work. In this episode I'm going to teach you how to do it and share some segments of my on air interviews with local ABC and NBC affiliate stations. So let's get started with, why you need to become a local on air contributor and how to do it.

Television producers need content and subject matter experts that can provide that content. All you have to do is find the producers and introduced yourself to them. Start by thinking of the people you can help, the people that will eventually be seated in your audience when you're speaking. Imagine them in your mind and imagine the problems they may be dealing with. Just think about who you can help because of what you know. Let's say you worked in HR and want to speak to HR professionals. What problems do they deal with. If you are a car dealer, I would imagine that you might have other car dealers in mind. What problems can you provide the answers for to help them sell more cars.

Once you have their contact information, send them your information as to who you are, what your expertise is and how they can contact you. Keep it brief, professional and concise. Then weekly, send them topic ideas they might interest them for a future segment. Keep an eye on national new or trends that you could offer advice on.

Once you get noticed by local producers and they like you as a guest, they will begin calling you regularly for on-air opportunities. When you are presenting something that ignites the passion in you, everything changes. The topic is delivered effectively, the audience is receptive and you as a speaker feel so complete and aligned with your self and your message. So figure out what your message is and start putting it together to change the lives of others. I want to hear what your ideas and questions are. Email me at Bill@billcorbett.com and let's connect. I'd love to hear from you.

For more help with professional speaking, get the book FROM THE SOAPBOX TO THE STAGE, available on Amazon. Copyright 2025 Bill Corbett and The Get Paid To Speak Podcast. All Rights Reserved.