Speaking Business podcast

Maria Franzoni
  • 3.7 (3)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Speaking Business Podcast hosted by former international Speaker Bureau Owner and Agent Maria Franzoni. Speaking Business Podcast is a practical no waffle no nonsense podcast packed with actionable advice for Speakers wanting to be more bookable and make more money. Maria is the hidden influence behind the careers of hundreds of successful speakers and a recognised Speaking Industry expert. For 23 years she worked in and ran leading speaker bureaus, she knows why clients really book speakers - and why they don't. Maria's guests are all personally invited by Maria, they are collaborators, clients, speakers and bookers, sharing their experience about how to succeed in the world of paid speaking. Topics covered in this podcast include how to: • Position yourself in a competitive market • Build your profile and market your services • Get listed with Speaker Bureaus • Charge higher fees • Close more deals • Grow your Speaking Business If you are a speaker and would like help to be more bookable and charge higher fees go to https://www.mariafranzoni.me/

  1. What speakers learn from journalists to become visible, credible and easier to book with Jon Card

    18H AGO

    What speakers learn from journalists to become visible, credible and easier to book with Jon Card

    In this episode, I'm joined by Jon Card, former business journalist for The Guardian, The Times and The Daily Telegraph, and founder of Full Story Media. Jon shares what makes someone interesting to the media, how speakers can turn their expertise into quotes journalists actually want, and why being media-ready has far more crossover with being speaker-ready than many people realise. There's a lot in here for speakers who want to raise their profile without turning PR into a full-time job. We also dig into the parallels between media and speaking: credibility, clarity, story, readiness, and the fact that the people who get picked are often the ones who show up well, say yes, and make life easy for the person doing the choosing. If you want more visibility for your speaking business, this conversation will give you practical ideas you can act on straight away.

    28 min
  2. You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    18H AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Introducing "Shivery Delicious" (w/ Nicole Kidman) from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. Follow the show: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang Readers, Kayteighs, Publicists, Finalists, and Kyles — what better way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CULTURE with the one and only Nicole Kidman! From penguins in Antarctica to “Heartbreak feels good in a place like this” — the three get into IT. Matt and Bowen chat with Nicole on yearning, her favorite collaborators like Baz Luhrmann, the MET Gala, cruise love, her most iconic roles, including her iconic Chanel No. 5 ad. Get into it HONEY on this episode of Las Culturistas! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Sustaining High Performance & Building a Speaking Business with Anna Hemmings

    FEB 26

    Sustaining High Performance & Building a Speaking Business with Anna Hemmings

    What does it really take to achieve and sustain high performance when the pressure never lets up? In this episode, I'm joined by two-time Olympian, six-time World Champion and Britain's most successful female kayaker, Anna Hemmings. Since retiring from elite sport, Anna has built a leadership and performance consultancy, working with organisations that want to stay at the top of their game year after year. We explore what changed for her after winning her first World Championship title, why the second one brought even more pressure, and the mindset shift required to keep raising the bar when everyone else is chasing you down. Anna shares how working with a sports psychologist shaped her approach to confidence, preparation and controlling the controllables, and how a career-threatening illness forced her not to "bounce back" but to bounce forward. For speakers, there's plenty here on building a serious business. Anna talks openly about how 50% of her work now comes from speaker bureaus, how long that took to build, and what changed when she improved her positioning, materials and fees. We discuss moving from one-off keynotes to longer-term client relationships, offering workshops and coaching beyond the speech, and why clarity of positioning is what brings repeat bookings. We also cover continuous learning, accreditation, tools such as CRM and LinkedIn, and why your content needs to resonate with the audience rather than simply tell your story. If you want to build a speaking business that is credible, sustainable and positioned at the top end of the market, there are some powerful lessons in this conversation .

    25 min
  4. Shut Up, Move On: Building a Speaking Career That Lasts with Paul McGee

    FEB 12

    Shut Up, Move On: Building a Speaking Career That Lasts with Paul McGee

    In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, Maria Franzoni is joined by Paul McGee, widely known as The Sumo Guy. Paul shares the real story behind building a long, sustainable speaking career, from losing his corporate job through ill health to becoming a bestselling author and one of the UK's most recognisable keynote speakers. They explore how S.U.M.O. (Shut Up, Move On) became a memorable and commercially viable framework, how Paul has kept his material relevant for over three decades, and why mindset, humour and practicality still matter more than slick performance. Paul also talks openly about fees, when speaking for low or no fee can make sense, how to judge success beyond audience applause, and what new speakers often misunderstand about turning passion into a paid business. An honest conversation about longevity, relevance, and what it really takes to stay bookable in a crowded speaking market.

    34 min
  5. How to use webinars to grow your speaking business with Simone Vincenzi

    JAN 29

    How to use webinars to grow your speaking business with Simone Vincenzi

    In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, Maria is joined by Simone Vincenzi, sales consultant, speaker, co-founder of GTeX and co-founder of the Speaker Awards. Simone shares how he built his speaking career by creating his own stages when none were available, starting with weekly events that became his training ground. He talks candidly about how necessity has shaped his business model, from live events to webinars, and why webinars are one of the closest things a speaker can get to a live speaking gig. You'll hear why webinars are not just a marketing tactic but a core speaking asset, how they differ from stage presentations, and how speakers can use them to generate clients, build community, and secure paid speaking engagements. Simone also explains how he uses webinars as a showcase for event organisers, the tools he relies on, and why simplicity, pace and preparation matter more than production. This episode is packed with practical insight for speakers who want more control, flexibility and commercial return from their speaking business. Connect with Simone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-vincenzi/ Website: https://gtex.org.uk/ Free Webinar Training: https://growingtogetherexponentiallyltd.webinargeek.com/get-clients-with-webinars-2?cst=website Webinar Conversion Kit - Create your webinar presentation: https://webinarconversionkit.com/

    27 min
  6. The Practice Most Speakers Are Missing with Jayne Storey

    JAN 15

    The Practice Most Speakers Are Missing with Jayne Storey

    Most speakers focus on what to say and how to say it. But what about the state you're in when you say it? Jayne Storey has spent decades working with elite performers—Olympians, Formula 1 drivers, senior leaders operating under intense pressure. What she's learned might surprise you: peak performance doesn't come from pushing harder. It comes from getting quiet. In this conversation, Jayne shares why flow is something you receive, not achieve, and how a simple daily practice can change the way you show up on stage. We talk about her journey from painfully shy to speaking in front of rooms full of CEOs, the 11-year-old tennis players who see the ball in slow motion, and what happened when she calmed her nerves in front of 300 police officers—right there on stage. If you've ever felt like you're fighting yourself before you speak, this one's for you.

    34 min
  7. Finding the Rhythm with Freddie Ravel

    12/11/2025

    Finding the Rhythm with Freddie Ravel

    In this episode, I sit down with the wonderful Freddie Ravel, the internationally acclaimed keynote maestro who has performed with icons like Madonna, Prince, Carlos Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire. Freddie blends music with leadership, communication and human connection in a way that few can. He shares how his multicultural musical upbringing, his time with legends, and his long-standing practice of building bridges through music now shape his global work as a speaker. We explore why listening is the hidden superpower, how music can dissolve cultural friction in international teams, and why human intelligence matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. Freddie talks us through how he prepares for deeply customised keynotes, the importance of addressing dissonance rather than skipping over it, and how speakers can bring more personality into their own performances. Whether you're a speaker, a leader, or someone fascinated by the link between human behaviour and rhythm, this conversation is rich with ideas you can apply immediately.

    30 min
  8. Market Eminence: Standing Out, Staying Relevant and Getting Hired with David Newman

    11/26/2025

    Market Eminence: Standing Out, Staying Relevant and Getting Hired with David Newman

    In this episode, I'm joined by Certified Speaking Professional David Newman, author of Do it! Selling, Do it! Speaking, and Do it! Marketing.  He has just published a new book titled Market Eminence.  In our chat we get into the real commercial challenges speakers face today: obscurity, relevance, perceived expertise and why some speakers get three times the fee despite not being three times better. David breaks down why visibility, respect and brand preference matter more than ever, how to stop paying "obscurity tax", and why your language, responsiveness and reinvention cycles shape your long-term bookability. We also talk borrowed voice, freak flags, repelling the wrong clients, how to think instead of how-to do, and why speakers need to help bookers see around corners. It's a practical, no-nonsense conversation about becoming the obvious, safest choice in your market. A must-listen for anyone serious about being booked, rebooked and valued properly.

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Speaking Business Podcast hosted by former international Speaker Bureau Owner and Agent Maria Franzoni. Speaking Business Podcast is a practical no waffle no nonsense podcast packed with actionable advice for Speakers wanting to be more bookable and make more money. Maria is the hidden influence behind the careers of hundreds of successful speakers and a recognised Speaking Industry expert. For 23 years she worked in and ran leading speaker bureaus, she knows why clients really book speakers - and why they don't. Maria's guests are all personally invited by Maria, they are collaborators, clients, speakers and bookers, sharing their experience about how to succeed in the world of paid speaking. Topics covered in this podcast include how to: • Position yourself in a competitive market • Build your profile and market your services • Get listed with Speaker Bureaus • Charge higher fees • Close more deals • Grow your Speaking Business If you are a speaker and would like help to be more bookable and charge higher fees go to https://www.mariafranzoni.me/

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Franzoni
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    246
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Maria Franzoni
  • Show Website
    Speaking Business podcast

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