Episode

Li Hayes and Stephanie Love reveal what event planners actually look for, what turns them off instantly, and the behind-the-scenes secrets that make speakers stand out.

Li Hayes and event planner Pat Miller reveal what actually makes speakers stand out and get hired, especially for the small, high-value stages that can change your career.

Season 2 continues with a truth bomb: celebrity often gets you booked faster than expertise.
Li Hayes and Mark Albert (Peabody + Emmy-winning journalist) break down how media actually works for speakers, and why most are using it wrong.

Everything you think you know about speaker bureaus might be wrong. Li Hayes and Ben Anshutz, President of Entertainment at Gotham Artists, pull back the curtain on how agents and bureaus truly operate and what emerging speakers can do to get on their radar.

What if charging less actually costs you gigs? Li Hayes breaks down the unspoken truth about speaker pricing and how to set rates that get you booked.

From guest spots to launching your own show, Lou Diamond shows how podcasting can supercharge your speaking career.

Think a “big break” is the secret to your speaking career? Kevin O’Connor reveals why it almost cost him everything, and what actually matters.

Your bio is your first impression, and it could be costing you gigs. Li Hayes teams up with LinkedIn pro Donna Serdula to uncover why most bios repel clients and how a simple tweak can skyrocket your speaking career.

What if the real barrier to your speaking career isn’t nerves, but your keynote itself? In this episode of Path to the Main Stage, legendary speaker coach John Bates joins host Li Hayes to reveal why “being good on stage” isn’t enough.

Think social media doesn’t matter for speakers? Think again. Li Hayes and Amber Vilhauer break down why event planners are checking your profiles, which numbers actually count, and how to build an authentic online presence that gets you booked.