Public Speaking Fees

Most speakers guess when they’re setting fees. The amount of bad information about how to determine your fee is staggering. I’ve attended sessions at NSA where the presenter tells the audience that there is no formula for setting fees. This is ridiculous, and it shows why so few people make money in this business. Meanwhile,...

Best Novel for Public Speakers

Og Mandino, one of the most popular authors of all-time, wrote one of his last books about a fictional thought-leader/public speaker. Bill Gove, Og Mandino’s speaking coach and mentor, told me back in 1996 that I had to read this book. As usual, Bill was right. I’ve never forgotten this book. It’s a must-read for...

Keynote Speakers Become Rockstars

One of the most misunderstood aspects of professional speaking is the power of the keynote speech. Teachers and trainers call our office every day and ask why they should focus on becoming a keynote speaker. Many people believe it’s because of the fee’s keynoters receive, but the truth is that’s only the beginning of why...

Speaking Legend’s Seminar In Malibu

Larry Wilson, founder of multi-national Wilson Learning and one of the highest grossing corporate speakers of all-time, is conducting a rare, 2-day seminar in Malibu, California May 14-15, called The Great Game of Life. Larry turned 80 last week, and he told me he feels like he’s just getting started. This is a once in...

Bob Proctor’s Advice to Speakers

Bob Proctor is one of the most successful professional speakers of all-time. I’ve had the honor of speaking at dozens of conventions with Bob all over the world. I can tell you from first hand experience why he’s so successful: he’s really good. More specifically, he’s a very exciting, content rich, entertaining performer. Millions of...

Professional Speakers Beware: End of an Era

The great recession/correction of 2008-2010 marks the end of an era for professional speakers. The days of thousands of motivational speakers regurgitating think and grow rich are over. Thousands of speakers have been forced out the business in the last two years because companies are demanding tens time the value they were 24 months ago....

When Oprah Called

A few years ago I got a call from an executive at Oprah Winfrey’s company, Harpo Productions. She was interested in having their executives attend the Bill Gove Speech Workshop. It was an unsolicted call from one of the best possible clients. We’ve had similar calls from Dear Abby, John McCain, (the senators cousin) and...

Bill Gove: The Master of Keynote Speaking

I’m often asked what made Bill Gove, the father of professional speaking, so successful as a keynote speaker and coach of more million dollar speakers than anyone in history. After spending five years on the road with Bill, I think I know the answer. Listen to this post and copy the habits of the great...

PLEASE DON’T Write a Book in 30 Days

The average best-selling author spends 12-24 months writing their books, yet there’s a bunch of people promising new speakers they can do it in 30 days. These are the same people claiming the speaking business is easy and you can throw a speech together overnight and you don’t even have to be a good speaker...

Should speakers thank the audience?

Seems like a pretty easy question to answer, but speakers have different beliefs about this. We get this question at every session of the Bill Gove Speech Workshop, and we give the workshop philosophy to the participants. Bill Gove, the father of professional speaking, felt very strongly about this. Listen to this 2-minute audio post...