SpeakersU Podcast with James Taylor cover art

SpeakersU Podcast with James Taylor

SpeakersU Podcast with James Taylor

By: James Taylor - Keynote Speaker
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 SpeakersU Podcast host James Taylor brings you weekly speaker training, interviews and public speaking tips. You'll learn strategies on how to launch and grow your professional speaking business. The SpeakersU Podcast will teach you how to become a better public speaker and ways to get booked to travel the world as a highly-paid keynote speaker. You'll go behind-the-scenes as innovation keynote speaker, creativity expert and speaking business coach James Taylor travels the world speaking at global conferences and interviewing top leadership speakers, business speakers and speaker bureaus. Subjects covered in the SpeakersU Podcast include how to become a top keynote speaker, motivational speaker or public speaker, working with speaking bureaus, how to make money speaking, speaker marketing automation, selling your speaking, joining speakers associations, improving your communication skills, presentation training basics, and how to become a successful professional speaker.SpeakersU Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Speaking Business Trends – What's Changing and What's Next #SUP212

    Speaking Business Trends – What's Changing and What's Next #SUP212
    Dec 5 2025
    In this forward-looking episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni unpack the key trends shaping the global speaking industry as we head into 2026 and beyond. Maria shares insights from her presentation at the Speaker Summit & Awards on the Future of the Speaking Industry, while James brings field reports from 25 countries — including Saudi Arabia, Dubai, the Philippines, and New Zealand — revealing what's really happening in global event markets. Together they discuss where speaking opportunities are growing, which regions are slowing down, the rise of hybrid events, the impact of AI and generative search, and why bookers are demanding greater ROI and customisation from every speaker they hire. Whether you're an emerging or established speaker, this episode will help you stay ahead of market shifts, adapt your marketing, and future-proof your speaking business. Key Takeaways ROI is everything – Bookers expect measurable value and tangible takeaways from every speaker. Stack your value – Offer panels, Q&As, and workshops to increase ROI and referrals. Hybrid events aren't going away – Learn to master both live and virtual audiences. Recording is now standard – Expect to be filmed; be clear on how your footage is used. Customisation is essential – Tailoring your keynote builds trust and repeat bookings. AI tools are reshaping marketing – From James's Taylor-Made AI tool to generative SEO (GEO/AEO), speakers must adapt fast. Bookers are getting younger – They're digital natives searching on social media and ChatGPT. Video expectations are changing – Bookers want full-length clips, not just highlight reels. Industry recovery is uneven – It's a K-shaped comeback: top speakers thrive, many others struggle. Global trends – Middle East (Riyadh-focused), Southeast Asia, and Turkey are hot; Europe and the US are mixed; India is poised to boom. Memorable Quotes "It's not enough to show up and speak — you have to show clear ROI for the booker and the audience." – Maria Franzoni "Stack your value. Go beyond the keynote — moderate, run a panel, do a workshop." – James Taylor "If you're saying no to being recorded, you might not get chosen." – Maria Franzoni "We're moving from SEO to GEO — from search engine optimisation to generative engine optimisation." – James Taylor "You don't need to be on every social platform, but you do need to be where your next generation of bookers are." – Maria Franzoni "Be passionate about your topic. Audiences forgive nerves but never indifference." – James Taylor Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome, party season, and comedy talk 02:52 – Introducing today's theme: Speaking Industry Trends 03:20 – What bookers want in 2026: ROI and added value 06:01 – How James stacks value with workshops and panels 07:59 – Hybrid events: why they're here to stay 10:09 – The rise of recording and licensing considerations 12:26 – Customisation and tailoring expectations 14:53 – Using AI for keynote research and relevance 16:41 – James's new "Taylor-Made AI" keynote customisation tool 17:59 – From SEO to GEO: adapting to generative search 18:59 – Younger bookers and digital-native expectations 21:04 – How bureaus help new planners avoid mistakes 23:12 – The K-shaped recovery in the speaking market 25:41 – Why innovation speakers are struggling and AI speakers are thriving 26:52 – Showreels and video trends: longer, more authentic footage 28:06 – Why TED-style talks are losing impact 29:58 – Digital twins and AI-driven content for speakers 32:38 – Global hotspots: Middle East focus shifting to Riyadh 36:10 – Asia and India's fast-growing opportunities 39:20 – Europe's uneven landscape and UK fee pressures 42:14 – The US outlook, shifting city destinations, and Latin America's rise 44:28 – Wrap-up and call for listener suggestions Resources & Links 💡 Explore more episodes at SpeakersU.com 📧 Share your questions or topic ideas: hello@speakersu.com
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    46 mins
  • Speaker Showreels – How to Create a Reel That Gets You Booked #211

    Speaker Showreels – How to Create a Reel That Gets You Booked #211
    Nov 28 2025

    In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni reveal exactly what makes an outstanding speaker showreel — and what mistakes stop speakers from getting booked.

    Maria, drawing on her years running one of Europe's leading speaker bureaus, explains why a showreel is your movie trailer — and how to hook bookers in the first 30 seconds. She shares her recipe for a perfect reel, complete with examples of her three favourite videos from top professional speakers. James adds insider tips from producing his own showreels, including scripting, storyboarding, and using AI for engagement testing.

    Together, they cover how to create a showreel when you have little or no footage, how often to update your video, what length performs best, and how to balance style, substance, and storytelling.

    If you're a professional speaker or aspiring keynoter who wants to stand out in a crowded market, this episode will show you how to create a showreel that truly sells.

    Key Takeaways

    • Think "movie trailer," not "documentary" – Hook the viewer emotionally and visually in the first 30 seconds.

    • Speak fast, show yourself early – Bookers want to see and hear you immediately, not a montage of others talking about you.

    • Sell the outcomes – Lead with the value and results your keynote delivers.

    • No talking-head testimonials – Keep the focus on you, your ideas, and the audience reaction.

    • Show what you want to sell – If you want big stages, include big-stage shots; if workshops, show intimacy and interaction.

    • No footage? Fake it smartly – Film a staged talk, record to camera, or hire a local venue and bring friends as your audience.

    • Keep it short – Two to five minutes is ideal; if it's longer, it must be exceptional.

    • Refresh every three years – Styles, tech, and your personal brand evolve quickly.

    • Differentiate through tone – Match your video style to your target market — C-suite vs. consumer audiences.

    • Always test and iterate – Storyboards, feedback loops, and even AI tools help refine your reel before launch.

    Memorable Quotes

    • "A showreel is your movie trailer — make me excited to see the full movie." – Maria Franzoni

    • "Focus on the outcomes first — what the client gets, not what you say." – Maria Franzoni

    • "Your showreel sells the sizzle, not the steak." – James Taylor

    • "You don't need a huge audience — you need great energy and clear messaging." – Maria Franzoni

    • "Style your reel for the buyer: TikTok for agencies, Economist-style for the C-suite." – James Taylor

    Episode Timestamps

    • 00:00 – 03:30 Catch-up and last-minute client bookings

    • 03:36 Today's topic — Speaker Showreels

    • 04:10 Maria's philosophy: why a reel is like a movie trailer

    • 05:25 Do you need audience shots? When and why they matter

    • 06:56 What to do if you don't yet have speaking footage

    • 08:08 Creative solutions for new speakers — DIY and staged filming

    • 10:38 Examples of speakers who built strong first reels

    • 11:14 Showreel vs full speech vs "How I Work" video

    • 13:01 Using bureau studios and "how I work" clips

    • 13:40 Maria's top 3 showreels (Andrew Davis, James Kerr, Kay Korsh)

    • 15:01 – 17:11 Breakdown of each and what makes them effective

    • 18:09 – 18:35 DIY filming, 4K phones & editing on a budget

    • 20:23 How long should your showreel be?

    • 22:26 Why decision-makers rely on reels — and how fast they judge

    • 23:12 How often to update and refresh your footage

    • 24:43 The power of location-specific photos and clips

    • 25:43 – 27:25 Invitation to submit your showreel for feedback

    • 27:25 – 28:12 Maria's downloadable Showreel Checklist and wrap-up

    Resources & Links

    • 🎬 Maria Franzoni's Showreel Checklist: mariafranzoni.me/resources

    • 📧 Submit your showreel for feedback: hello@speakersu.com
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    30 mins
  • Getting Known as a Keynote Speaker – How to Build Your Brand and Stand Out #210

    Getting Known as a Keynote Speaker – How to Build Your Brand and Stand Out #210
    Nov 21 2025
    32 mins
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