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Present Influence: The Professional Speaking Show

Present Influence: The Professional Speaking Show

By: John Ball
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Present Influence is the podcast for professional speakers, coaches, and leaders who want to master ethical persuasion, magnetic communication, and stage presence that drives action. Hosted by keynote coach and influence expert John Ball, each weekly episode delivers powerful insights, expert interviews, and practical tools to help you get more bookings, boost your re-bookings, and scale your speaking business. Whether you're leading from the stage or the boardroom, you'll learn how to inspire trust, influence decisions, and leave a lasting impact, without manipulation. Subscribe now and start commanding attention with confidence. Each week, John shares insights through solo episodes, interviews with influential guests, and in-depth book reviews. Whether you're looking to sharpen your presentation skills, master the art of persuasion, or enhance your leadership presence, Present Influence provides practical strategies and expert advice to help you lead with confidence and authenticity. Tune in and discover how to communicate your ideas in a way that resonates, persuades, and inspires lasting change.© 2022 Present Influence Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Why Are So Many Great Speakers Broke?
    Dec 17 2025
    Why Great Speakers Stay Broke

    SUMMARY

    In this episode, John addresses the challenges faced by speakers and coaches in gaining visibility and securing bookings. He emphasises the importance of marketing and the need for professionals in these fields to shift their identity from being just a performer to becoming a business owner. By focusing on marketing, networking, and consistent visibility, speakers and coaches can improve their chances of success. John also discusses the significance of setting clear goals and taking actionable steps to achieve them, urging listeners to treat their speaking or coaching endeavours as a business.

    The LinkedIn Article: READ HERE

    Key Takeaways

    • Many talented speakers and coaches struggle to get bookings.
    • Skill alone is not enough; marketing is crucial.
    • Successful individuals take action before they feel ready.
    • Recognition comes to those who actively seek it.
    • Being known is more important than being the best.
    • The best speakers often excel at running a business.
    • Identity shift is foundational for success.
    • Spend at least half your time on marketing activities.
    • Set clear revenue goals and reverse engineer them.
    • Treat your speaking or coaching as a business.

    Sound bites

    "Your identity shift is not optional."

    "Prospecting should be a daily activity."

    "Now's the time to start taking action."

    CHAPTERS

    00:00 The Pain Point of Speakers and Coaches

    02:28 The Importance of Marketing in Speaking

    05:05 Identity Shift: From Speaker to Business Owner

    07:44 Setting Goals and Taking Action

    10:13 Call to Action and Future Insights

    11:41 Close

    Visit presentinfluence.com/quiz to take the Speaker Radiance Quiz and discover your Charisma Quotient.

    For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email john@presentinfluence.com or find me on LinkedIn

    You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence

    Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
  • Optimistic Personality Disorder: A Journey in Comedy and Speaking
    Dec 11 2025

    Unlocking the Power of Stagecraft with Merit Khan: From Keynotes to Comedy

    SUMMARY

    In this episode of Present Influence, join John as he converses with Merit Khan, a dynamic speaker and performer, about the art of landing paid speaking engagements and refining your stagecraft. Merit shares insights from her journey, emphasising the importance of mastering sales skills to sell your talks before perfecting your stories. She discusses her diverse career, including keynoting for serious audiences, coaching sales professionals, and her one-woman show, 'Optimistic Personality Disorder.' Discover how improv, comedy, and understanding your audience can enhance your presentations and contribute to a thriving speaker ecosystem. Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your existing speaking business, this episode offers practical strategies and inspirational stories to help you succeed.

    Find out more about Merit at meritkahn.com or her one-woman show at opdshow.com

    Here's the link to that article on why so many great speakers are broke: CLICK HERE TO READ IT

    CHAPTERS

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

    00:40 Meet Merit Khan: Sales and Comedy Expert

    01:36 Contrarian Viewpoint: Sales Skills First

    03:30 Building a Business Ecosystem

    06:19 Adapting to Market Needs

    09:44 Balancing Multiple Business Ventures

    17:55 The Importance of Sales Experience

    22:35 Creating a One-Woman Show

    24:44 Unexpected Connections and Personal Growth

    26:09 Diving into Standup Comedy

    29:35 The Power of Humour in Speaking

    32:13 The Art of Storytelling and Performance

    36:39 Personal and Professional Growth in Speaking

    42:24 Lessons from Standup and Knowing Your Audience

    46:25 Podcasting and Future Projects

    49:33 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

    Visit presentinfluence.com/quiz to take the Speaker Radiance Quiz and discover your Charisma Quotient.

    For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email john@presentinfluence.com or find me on LinkedIn

    You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence

    Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Is Podcast Guesting Still Worth It For Speakers & Coaches?
    Nov 20 2025

    Strategic Podcast Guesting: Boost Your Professional Impact

    SUMMARY

    In this episode, John delves into the nuanced value of podcast guesting for professional speakers and coaches. The discussion explores whether incorporating podcast guesting into your promotional strategies is worth it and emphasises the importance of strategic planning over mere volume. Key insights include the potential benefits of both audio and video formats, how podcast guesting can enhance authority and create long-term opportunities, and the importance of being well-prepared for interviews. The episode also highlights the pros and cons of using booking agencies, the significance of a clear call to action (CTA), and how to pitch and promote podcast appearances effectively. Finally, tips are shared on maintaining professional integrity and ensuring guest appearances align with your goals for maximum impact.

    CHAPTERS

    00:00 Introduction: Is Podcast Guesting Worth It?

    00:41 The Potential of Podcasting: Audio vs. Video

    03:13 Strategic Podcast Guesting: Quality Over Quantity

    05:40 Preparation and Performance Tips for Podcast Guests

    12:36 The Role of Booking Agencies

    15:29 Starting Out: Tips for New Podcast Guests

    18:45 Maximising Your Podcast Guesting Experience

    26:01 Conclusion: The Future of Podcast Guesting

    Visit presentinfluence.com/quiz to take the Speaker Radiance Quiz and discover your Charisma Quotient.

    For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email john@presentinfluence.com or find me on LinkedIn

    You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence

    Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
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