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.

• 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.
  
  

• "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
  
  

• 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

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni pull back the curtain on the world of top speaker bureaus — how they work, what they look for in speakers, and how to build mutually beneficial relationships that generate bookings.

Maria draws on decades of experience running one of Europe's most respected bureaus to explain how agents think, what differentiates a bookable speaker, and the dos and don'ts that every professional should know. James adds his perspective as a speaker represented by leading bureaus around the world, revealing how he collaborates with agents, builds trust, and stays top-of-mind.

Whether you're just starting out or already on the international circuit, this episode will help you understand the economics, etiquette, and psychology of working successfully with speaker bureaus.

• Bureaus are partners, not promoters – Their job is to serve their clients, not to manage your calendar.
  
  

• Be easy to sell – Have clear positioning, strong video, up-to-date assets, and a defined fee range.
  
  

• Stay top of mind – Regular updates, newsletters, and personal touches help agents remember you.
  
  

• Trust takes time – A bureau relationship is earned through reliability and professionalism.
  
  

• Never bypass a bureau client – Always respect existing relationships and contracts.
  
  

• Understand their economics – Bureaus work on commission; help them justify recommending you.
  
  

• Differentiate your topic – Relevance, clarity, and credibility make you stand out in their database.
  
  

• Be bureau-ready – Fast response times, accurate details, and flexibility build confidence.
  
  

• Support their success – Make them look good in front of their clients, and they'll champion you again.
  
  

• "A bureau's client is the end client — not you. Understand that, and you'll have better relationships." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Don't expect bureaus to build your business; help them sell you by giving them reasons to." – James Taylor
  
  

• "The easiest speakers to book are the ones who make agents look brilliant." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Relevance and reliability will get you booked again and again." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Treat bureaus as partners — not miracles." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and catching up on travel and client projects
  
  

• 01:52 – What exactly is a speaker bureau?
  
  

• 03:28 – How bureaus differ from speaker agents or managers
  
  

• 05:16 – What bureaus really look for when recommending a speaker
  
  

• 07:32 – The economics of bureau commissions and client service
  
  

• 09:18 – How to make yourself "easy to sell"
  
  

• 11:40 – The power of positioning and clarity in your topic
  
  

• 13:05 – Dos and don'ts when approaching a new bureau
  
  

• 15:33 – Why trust is the currency of the bureau–speaker relationship
  
  

• 17:26 – Handling multiple bureaus without conflict
  
  

• 19:47 – Updating bureaus and keeping them engaged
  
  

• 22:09 – Common mistakes speakers make when working with bureaus
  
  

• 24:34 – Case studies: speakers who get rebooked again and again
  
  

• 26:42 – How to support your bureau before, during, and after events
  
  

• 29:15 – Tech & tools of the week for bureau collaboration
  
  

• 31:20 – Final thoughts and listener questions
  
  

👉 Have a question or suggestion for James and Maria?
Email hello@speakersu.com

In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni dive into one of the biggest decisions every professional speaker faces — whether or not to write a book. With reading habits changing and attention spans shrinking, is publishing still worth it?

Maria shares what she learned from writing The Bookability Formula, including how a book clarifies your thinking, protects your IP, and raises your authority. James discusses his upcoming SuperCreativity book, why he waited five years before writing it, and how books can elevate your speaking brand. Together they explore the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, how to use your book as a marketing tool, and creative ways to launch and promote it.

Whether you're a new or established speaker, you'll discover why books still matter — and how to make yours work for your business, your brand, and your audience.

• Books clarify thinking – Writing forces structure and helps you refine your core message.
  
  

• Authority comes from authorship – The word "authority" literally begins with "author."
  
  

• Timing matters – Don't write too early; live your content first.
  
  

• Books as business cards – A book opens doors and elevates positioning, even if it doesn't make big money.
  
  

• Hybrid publishing is a smart middle path – Keeps quality control without losing autonomy.
  
  

• Tie your launch to an event – Use an existing audience for maximum visibility.
  
  

• Give books freely – Strategic giveaways amplify goodwill and social proof.
  
  

• You must market it – Promotion, interviews, and podcasts are on you, not your publisher.
  
  

• AI audiobooks are here – Tools like Eleven Labs can narrate your book in multiple languages.
  
  

• "Writing a book unravels your thinking — it turns spaghetti into structure." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "A book is the summation of years of ideas, handed to you for £20. That's incredible value." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Authority comes from author. A book changes how clients perceive you." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "You don't need a book to be a successful speaker — but it can unlock a higher level of opportunity." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Attach your book launch to an event that already has your perfect audience." – Chris Gardner (via Maria Franzoni)
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome & why reading is declining
  
  

• 01:16 – Why Maria wrote The Bookability Formula
  
  

• 02:15 – Books as clarity tools and IP protection
  
  

• 04:01 – James on the value of books for idea transfer and legacy
  
  

• 05:47 – Speaking first, writing later – when to start your book
  
  

• 07:09 – Avoid writing too early; live your material first
  
  

• 08:23 – How writing affects your speaking income short-term
  
  

• 09:38 – Books as brochures and positioning tools
  
  

• 10:59 – How bureaus view speakers with books
  
  

• 13:44 – Branding your book and keynote under one concept
  
  

• 15:01 – Why bureaus love books but don't profit from them
  
  

• 16:54 – Micro-books and multi-series publishing
  
  

• 17:46 – Traditional vs hybrid vs self-publishing
  
  

• 18:12 – Finding a publisher who respects your voice
  
  

• 19:36 – Owning foreign rights and global expansion
  
  

• 21:27 – The marketing reality: sales depend on you
  
  

• 22:08 – David Allen's 25-year book promotion discipline
  
  

• 23:08 – Maria's tip: attach your book launch to an event
  
  

• 25:02 – Free books as social-media gold
  
  

• 25:50 – James' tool: Eleven Labs for AI audiobooks and voiceovers
  
  

• 26:58 – Closing thoughts and listener questions
  
  

👉 Have a question or topic suggestion for James and Maria?
Email hello@speakersu.com

In this candid episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni tackle one of the most dangerous traps for professional speakers — ego. While confidence is essential to step on stage, unchecked ego can sabotage client relationships, damage reputations, and even end careers.

Maria shares shocking true stories of "speakers behaving badly," from diva demands and drunken disasters to midnight tantrums over hotel rooms. James reveals how cultural differences, gender perceptions, and even microphone preferences can blur the line between professionalism and arrogance. Together they explore how to stay grounded, easy to work with, and respected — even when success and attention start to inflate your self-image.

If you've ever wondered where confidence ends and ego begins, this episode offers hard-won lessons, cautionary tales, and practical ways to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

• Confidence ≠ arrogance – A healthy ego gets you on stage; an inflated one gets you blacklisted.
  
  

• Be easy to work with – Kindness to AV teams, organisers, and staff is remembered (and shared).
  
  

• Do your own briefing calls – Never outsource relationships that build trust with clients.
  
  

• Ego destroys reputations fast – Word travels quickly among bureaus and event planners.
  
  

• Cultural context matters – What reads as confidence in the US may look like arrogance in the UK.
  
  

• Boundaries vs. bad behaviour – Riders and technical requests are professionalism, not ego.
  
  

• Stay grounded – Family check-ins, gratitude, and humility keep you level when success rises.
  
  

• "Speakers need ego to get on stage — but when it tips into arrogance, it can destroy your career." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Our job is to be champions for our craft, not divas of the greenroom." – James Taylor
  
  

• "Do your own briefing calls — if Neil Armstrong could, so can you." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• "Confidence is caring about the craft; ego is caring only about yourself." – James Taylor
  
  

• "You can't control how others treat you, but you can control how you treat everyone around you." – Maria Franzoni
  
  

• 00:00 – Welcome and playful banter about podcast "coolness"
  
  

• 01:20 – Why ego deserves its own chapter in The Bookability Formula
  
  

• 03:07 – When ego makes speakers inflexible on stage timings
  
  

• 04:18 – The ripple effect of bad behaviour on AV and event teams
  
  

• 06:29 – How negative energy travels fast between events and bureaus
  
  

• 07:15 – "Speakers behaving badly" – examples from Maria's agency days
  
  

• 09:07 – Do your own briefing calls (and why Neil Armstrong did his)
  
  

• 10:45 – Cultural and gender differences in how ego is perceived
  
  

• 12:13 – When high standards aren't arrogance but professionalism
  
  

• 13:20 – Midnight hotel tantrums and balcony meltdowns
  
  

• 14:08 – Respect the client's exhaustion – empathy over entitlement
  
  

• 16:42 – Drunken speeches and recycled stories: reputations ruined
  
  

• 18:04 – Tracking your material to avoid repetition and mistakes
  
  

• 19:44 – Cultural nuances: big intros that work in the US flop in Europe
  
  

• 20:24 – Crossing ethical lines: relationships and reputation at events
  
  

• 21:56 – Zig Ziglar's "five calls a day" rule to stay grounded
  
  

• 23:20 – Tips & tools of the week: elected-office speaking practice and portable AI recorders
  
  

• 27:25 – Future of AI speaker assistants — "Digital Maria Franzoni?"
  
  

• 27:52 – Wrap-up, humour, and listener invitation
  
  

Have a question or story for James and Maria?
Email: hello@speakersu.com