The Speak to Scale Podcast

Sarah Michelle is the founder of SMNP Reviews, an educational platform that helps students pass nurse practitioner exams. She’s also a public speaker, podcast host, mother, and of course, a former nurse practitioner herself.

I’ve had the honor of helping Sarah with a big keynote presentation over the past few months. When I learned more about her and heard her story, I knew I had to get her on the podcast so she could share it with you all. 

In this episode, Sarah and I talk about how she started her business, how mental health is built into its core, collaborating with her students, and more.

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/231

There’s this misconception out there that a busy speaker is a successful speaker. You see someone booking all the podcast interviews, getting all the media attention, and speaking at all the events, and you think, “Dang, that speaker’s made it. They know what they’re doing!”

But that’s not always the case. Trust me, I work with some of these speakers. And so many of them come to me in a panic because they dropped tons of money booking these engagements and aren’t seeing results. Or they’re getting attention, but no sales or leads.

That’s what happens when you say yes to speaking opportunities that aren’t right for you. You can accomplish so much more by saying no! Let’s talk about what that means below.

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/230

“As a beginner speaker, you have to get on stage. Traditional speaking events are the only way to go.” Have you heard this idea before? Is it something you believed before you started speaking? Well, friends…it’s not true.

Speaking does not always mean you have to get a spot in a conference with thousands of attendees. There are so many unconventional speaking opportunities that are actually better fits for beginner speakers! And one of those opportunities that I always recommend to clients? Podcasting.

Yes, you can start speaking with podcasts, either as a host or a guest. Find out how (and why) below. 

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/229 

What’s the key to making speaking work for your business? Well, not just work. It can help your business grow, help you make an impact on the world, and help you create the life you’ve always wanted.

The key is to figure out the path to successful speaking that’s best for you. If you don’t — and you jump into speaking without understanding your strategy first — speaking can quickly become this extra task on your plate that’s not getting you results.

Luckily, I’ve mapped out the three paths to profitable speaking for you below! Which path will you choose?

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/228

As a business owner, it’s easy to get into the habit of putting everything and everyone else first. You keep serving your clients, helping them accomplish their goals, and grow their businesses. What you want, like speaking, gets put on the back burner.

I see this happen all the time with our clients. And I do the exact same thing. I’ve spent so much time helping my clients move forward on their speaking journey (which I love) but I haven’t spent enough time on my own speaking platform!

It’s time we changed that. It’s time to prioritize yourself in 2024.

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/227

A friend recently reached out to me and asked if she should pay to speak at a certain event. When I realized I had been invited to speak at that same event the night before — without being required to pay — I found out that paying to speak was now a thing. And I needed to talk about it on the podcast.

This episode is not meant to bash the whole pay to speak method, or make you feel bad if you’ve tried it. I want to bring light to things that are happening in the speaking industry so that you have the information you need to make your own decisions.

With that being said…let’s dive in.

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/226

Recently I was thinking of an old business friend for a potential speaking opportunity when I realized something: I hadn’t “seen” them online in a while. Which isn’t uncommon on social media with algorithms that are always changing. But when I looked them up, I found that they were doing something completely different with their business.

This happens more than you think. (Hello, 2020.) If you’re pivoting your business or have shifted it already, you need to make sure your speaking strategy can sustain the change.

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/225

The world feels like a heavy place to live in right now. Things feel broken, maybe even irreparable. Whether you’re directly affected by current events, feel anxious about what’s happening in the world, or are going through something personal, it’s understandable if you’re having a hard time serving your people.

How do you stay motivated with speaking when you don’t actually feel motivated? How can you show up on stage to motivate, lead, or inspire others to take action when everything sucks? And what’s the point if it feels like we can’t make a difference?

I’m here to help, my friend. Let’s talk tips on staying motivated and taking care of yourself when it feels like the end of the world.

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/224-1

Browse through the backlog of this podcast with over 200 episodes (!!), and you’ll find a lot of advice on preparing to speak on stage. Advice like overcoming your speaking anxiety, using slides in your presentation, and practicing so that your flow and rhythm are natural. These topics make sense; as a speaker, you want your voice and talk to make a big impact.

But what about how you look while you’re speaking? If you struggle with body image and feeling comfortable in your skin, delivering a killer presentation can seem downright impossible.

Registered Dietician, coach, public speaker, and podcast host Brittany Braswell joined me on The Speak to Scale Podcast to talk about food and body obsession, how it can affect speakers from showing up, and how to feel more confident when speaking on stage

For the full shownotes and links: https://thepublicspeakingstrategist.com/shownotes/223