There are 6 reasons Professional Speakers often fail to get the fees, bookings and referrals they want
You can avoid these pitfalls
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Not treating speaking as a business
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Not solving a significant or urgent problem
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Not understanding or researching market needs
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Lacking a reliable lead engine for their bookings
3
Overwhelming audiences with information heavy talks
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Relying on content creation & social media posts to generate leads
These six issues are the root causes holding you and your speaking business back from greater success.
Coaching will help you and your business transform for growth and greater impact.
There’s a reason why most speakers never reach the top... and why so many eventually give up.
All too often, incredibly talented speakers fade away because they prioritise the delivery part of their business over marketing and operations.
They treat speaking as a performance art rather than a commercial engine. When the "hope-based marketing" fails and the phone stops ringing, even the best speakers start to believe they aren't "good enough", when in reality, their business model was simply broken.
Here's an uncomfortable truth... the top speakers are not always the best speakers.
In fact, that's the harsh industry reality most of the time.
Ouch!
Top speakers are the people who treat speaking like a business and aren't just hoping for bookings.
Most speakers fall victim to at least one of these 6 business-killing assumptions:
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"If I’m good on stage, the bookings will find me" ❌
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"My topic is in demand, everyone will want to book me" ❌
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"Joining a speaker bureau will solve everything" ❌
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"Stuffing talks with great information = Delivering Value" ❌
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"My credentials and accolades will get me booked up" ❌
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"Regular posting on social media will generate leads" ❌
These beliefs lead to the "Income Rollercoaster" that eventually forces talented people out of the industry.
Most bookers won't tell you that your offering is irrelevant to their bottom line; they simply won't book you. They won't tell you that you were hard to work with, but they'll talk about you. They won't tell you that your talk was dull or overstuffed, they just won't book your workshops or have you back.
Reality Check: Strategy = Longevity.
If your speaking business feels like a constant uphill battle, it’s rarely a lack of talent. It’s a lack of strategy.
The good news? It’s all fixable.
For over 15 years, I’ve helped speakers move from "Stuck Professional" to Strategic Authority, building the engines that turn expertise into a lasting, high-fee career.
I love working with people who are serious about treating speaking as a business and also want to be the best speakers at the top of the industry. Is that you?
Are you ready to get started?
Meet John Ball
The Strategic Speaker’s Partner
It’s often said that 80% of success is just showing up. But in the world of professional speaking, showing up is just the entry fee.
There is a massive gap between being a "polished performer" and running a high-velocity speaking business.
John is on a mission to give serious speakers the strategic architecture they need to move beyond the revenue plateau and build a business that actually works.
The Experience: With over 15 years of experience in leadership, communication, and high-performance training, John has been the lead trainer for top-tier programs like T. Harv Eker’s "Train the Trainer". More recently, he has served as a student success coach with The Speaker Lab, helping professionals build and launch scalable speaking businesses from the ground up. He's coached new speakers, experienced speakers and well-known speakers from around the world.
The "Working" Speaker: John doesn't just coach business; he lives it. He is an exceptional leadership speaker, and the host of The Professional Speaking Show the podcast for professional speakers who want to master the stage and scale their business.
If you want a speaker who understands how to solve urgent market needs, John is your man. If you want your own speaking to work as hard as you do, it’s time to stop guessing and start building your strategy.
On a personal note: John has always been fascinated by the psychology of influence and persuasion, especially as it relates to public speaking. It had led him to an obsession with the invisible mechanics of influence and an expertise in ethical persuasion.
Whilst remaining stubbornly English, John lives in Valencia, Spain, with his Spanish husband. He is a frequent participant in open-mic comedy nights, because humour is a very powerful tool for influence.
John knows that in business, results are the only metric that matters. Applause is great but income is better (and lasts longer).
Professional Speaking
Listen to the latest insights and strategies for serious speakers.
Audio Course
Strategic Speaker Podcast Guest (Mini-Course)
Stop guesting on podcasts for "exposure" and start using audio as a high-conversion sales engine.
This private audio course teaches you how to turn every interview and every episode into a direct pipeline for your speaking business and new opportunities.
COST €95
Lead Generation That Gets You Fully Booked & Keeps You There
Speaking Business Engine™
Building the foundation: CRM setup, Sales Engine automation, and Market-Pain alignment.
This moves you from a "Hobbyist" or "struggling speaker" to a "Strategic Business Owner."
Together, we'll install the habits and best practices that help to fill your calendar with high paying gigs and keep it booked up.
COST €3,500
Power Hour + Report
Deep Business Asset Audit
A comprehensive, forensic look at the "hidden" leaks in your business.
I will personally audit your key assets, including your primary talk, workshop outlines, and sales materials, to identify exactly why your bookings have plateaued and present a course of action.
COST €495
Turn Every Stage Into Your Growth Engine
High-Velocity Authority™
Advanced scaling: Increasing fees, building a referral framework that works without you, and expanding into high-ticket consulting.
Built around the powerful STICK Framework, you’ll learn how to simplify your message, unlock your authentic presence, craft unforgettable moments, and scale your impact beyond the stage.
Whether you’re already getting booked or just starting to build momentum, From Stage to Scale™ gives you the tools, structure, and coaching to grow a profitable, referral-rich speaking business that lasts.
COST €3,500
Strategic Speaker MasterTrack
The 6-Month Speaking Business Overhaul
This is the complete evolution from "Talented Individual" to "Strategic Business Engine". Over six months, we don't just fix your talk; we build the proprietary systems, sales engines, and market-aligned frameworks required to secure high-fee bookings and predictable referrals.
What’s Included:
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Phase 1: The Business Engine – CRM automation, ethical influence sales scripts, and "must-hire" market positioning.
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Phase 2: High-Velocity Authority – Advanced scaling strategies, referral frameworks, and high-ticket consulting expansion.
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Bonus: Full access to The Strategic Podcast Guesting audio course on Hiro.fm to generate leads while we build your backend.
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The Investment: starting at €5,950 for founding members.
(Save over €1,000 by committing to the full transformation).
"It was a game changer when I worked with John on my keynote speech. I have given keynotes for years and felt like it could be better, but I was struggling to put my finger on where or how to improve it.
With John's expertise I quickly saw where I needed to improve."
- Kerri Burchill, Speaker & Coach. San Antonio, TX.
"John is an excellent coach with both great coaching skills but also great insight into personal development and ways to become a better presenter."
- Markus Brattfeldt,
Keynote Speaker & CEO. Stockholm, Sweeden.
"Working with John was invaluable. From the start, he was approachable and easy to get to know, making it simple to dive into the work together. He always came prepared, quickly steering each session to the heart of what needed improvement. His strong point of view challenged me to refine my messaging, pushing for clarity and power in every phrase. What stood out most was his ability to balance the big picture with the smallest details, ensuring my talk was both cohesive and powerful. If you're looking to elevate your speaking, John is the person to work with."
- Antoinette Perez,
Workshop & Keynote Speaker. Kyle, TX.
