Break the Glass Ceiling and Break Into Public Speaking
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Sharing public speaker and writing tips, thought leader resources, and real-life student stories.
We are here to help you get booked and paid to speak.
Learn how to harness your inner keynote speaker and get inspired by Speaker Sisters creating impact and income through paid public speaking, keynote talks, and storytelling.
For aspiring women public speakers, stepping onto the stage can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Beyond crafting a compelling message, mastering the art of stage presence is crucial for leaving a lasting impact on your audience. In this guide, we'll delve into...
When you think about public speaking, what image comes to mind? Roaring applause? Connecting with an audience? Being in a state of flow? Given the overwhelming fear of public speaking many of us face, it’s probably more like you standing on a stage, staring into a...
Nothing is worse than forgetting a crucial item on the day of your speaking gig. As a keynote speaker, the only thing you want to worry about on gig day is delivering your talk. In this post, we'll explore the crucial items that should be packed in every keynote...
Ever had that nagging feeling of imposter syndrome creeping in? You're not alone! Even the most accomplished speakers and authors face self-doubt from time to time. At Mic Drop Workshop, we're here to help you kick imposter syndrome to the curb and step into your...
If you're a professional public speaker with a signature keynote talk, a published book could be in your future. As a motivational speaker, you already have the confidence, content, and credibility to pivot into the self-published author world. Ready to add "published...
Meet Katie Quesada, a speaker, storyteller, coach, and graduate of Mic Drop Academy. Katie enrolled in Mic Drop Academy in Fall 2021 to grow her speaking business from occasional events & gigs to more consistent bookings. "I knew the fun side of speaking, but what...
Your keynote is finished, your website is live, and you're ready to start booking paid public speaking gigs. You're in the right place! Apply now to these open applications, calls for keynote speakers and requests for proposals. This list is updated and sourced...
Landing press coverage is one of the best ways to grow your public speaking business. Not only does press coverage and publicity help you gain visibility, but it also boosts your credibility as a thought leader and speaker if you’re featured on local, regional, or...
You don’t have to have a talk show, newsletter, or podcast to reach your audience in today’s day and age. Thanks to social media, you can build a platform for free entirely in the palm of your hand. Anyone with a public Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook account can...
Meet Sandy Spady, founder of Women with Voices, an empowerment group that gathers a collective of women together to uplift, network, and share their true stories. Sandy joined Mic Drop Workshop to empower women to follow their dreams in life no matter their age. "We...
It's the holiday season! Whether you're shopping for yourself or someone special in your life, here are our top 2022 holiday gift ideas for aspiring public speakers. These gift ideas range from technical gig day must-haves to...
Ready to channel your inner writer? Check out these 4 tips from Mic Drop Workshop founder and two-time author Jess Ekstrom ⬇️ I first caught the writing bug in 6th grade. I became obsessed with the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and would read them on the bus to and...
I remember where I was standing when the TODAY Show called and said they were going to do a story on me. I asked to confirm that they had the right number and was talking to the right person. They did. After it aired, myself and...
One of the best ways to land speaking gigs consistently is to position yourself as a thought leader online as well as onstage. LinkedIn is one of the fastest growing platforms for thought leaders looking to create an impact and an audience. If the last time you posted...
Meet Jennifer DePascale, who joined Mic Drop Workshop in July 2022 to inspire audiences to turn inward in order to find fulfillment in life. "I have so much passion reconnecting people back to themselves. It's like I finally gave them permission to follow something...
As an aspiring public speaker, you’ve most likely seen an abundance of tips and tricks telling you exactly how to build the speaking career of your dreams. In this post, we’re switching up our typical public speaking recommendations and showing you what NOT to do as a...
When it comes to building a speaking career, you might be surprised to learn that the majority of your time will be spent pitching rather than presenting. The key to landing speaking engagements isn’t just being a great speaker. In order to actually get booked...
Public speaking can often feel like a one-woman show that’s hard to keep consistent. In order to grow your impact and income as a paid public speaker, nailing down a networking strategy is key. Does networking feel like a nightmare for you? Does your inbox stay empty...
Meet Jenn Whitmer, who joined Mic Drop Workshop in January 2019 to pursue speaking as a career. "I loved speaking. I always received so many compliments after presentations or small opportunities I had to speak," Jenn said. "The idea that speaking could be a career…it...
It’s no secret that virtual events are now just as common as in-person events. From virtual conferences to company-wide Zoom meetings to social media live events, now is the time to polish and perfect your video presentation skills. Believe it or not, presenting on a...
There’s no greater feeling than holding your very own published book in your hands (and let’s be honest, smelling those freshly printed pages). Have you dreamed of publishing a book someday but you’re not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place. Believe it...
Your keynote is ready, you’ve traveled to your public speaking gig, and now it’s time to get dressed. What should you wear onstage as a public speaker? Not only is your onstage outfit as a speaker important for comfort while you deliver your keynote talk or workshop,...
Meet Speaker Sister Tradara McLaurine, who has set out to change the world through stories both spoken and written. Tradara joined Mic Drop and Book Pop Workshop in 2021. She’s a keynote speaker and published author of three children’s books. We sat down with Tradara...
If you are looking to become a paid public speaker, one of the most important ways to land a paid public speaking gig is with a demo reel. A demo reel is like a movie trailer, but instead of previewing a movie, it’s giving an event organizer a preview into your stage...
What if we told you that you could make thousands of dollars from one public speaking engagement? You can! If you associate public speaking with unpaid obligations like team meetings or class presentations, think again! You can make major supplemental income or even a...
One of our most frequently asked questions from aspiring public speakers is “what’s the best way to get speaking gigs?” Truth be told, there are several different factors that contribute to landing a paid public speaking gig that it’s impossible to name just one....
When it comes to publishing a book, there’s one thing that is just as important as the book itself: your book proposal. If you’re an aspiring nonfiction author with a solid book idea, this is your ticket to get your book idea in front of publishers. Not sure what a...
Meet Jamee Damron-Larson who got her start in public speaking and writing through stand up comedy. Throughout her career, Jamee has made countless audiences laugh and has also spoken professionally to women's groups and young...
So you’ve finished your keynote and you’re ready to step on stage. Great! Now, the marketing comes in. Remember, people won’t know you’re a speaker unless you tell them you’re a speaker. Building a speaker website is crucial to showcase yourself as a professional and...
It’s gig day! No matter how big or how small the speaking engagement, a smooth soundcheck is crucial to make sure any and all kinks are ironed out before you grab the mic. The less surprises you encounter like a faulty flash drive or wonky WiFi, the better. Keep these...
Did you know that 73% of the U.S. population has a fear of public speaking? 🤯 Even some of the most notable celebrities and speakers have struggled with public speaking nerves (Nicole Kidman, Jay-Z, Julia Roberts, just to name a few). The good news is you can always...
So you've published a book - now what? If you think you'll have to spend the rest of eternity cycling through writing, publishing, writing, and publishing - think again! Becoming a published author can be the first step in building an influential career as a thought...
As storytellers, speakers, and authors, inspirational quotes motivate us to be our best, most confident selves. On this International Women's Day, we've rounded up a collection of our favorite inspirational quotes from the world's most influential and impactful women....
Meet Veronica Loving, who recently joined Mic Drop Workshop to inspire others with her powerful, personal story. Veronica speaks and writes about converting tragedy and trauma into triumph. She helps audiences find joy in living their truth and being their authentic...
We're on a mission to get more women to share their stories on stage and in writing. Introducing our Speaker Sister Spotlight series, where you'll meet real life Mic Drop and Book Pop Workshop students who are chasing their dreams of becoming professional thought...
Have you ever thought about becoming a published author? Have you been told by friends, family, or colleagues that you should write a book? If your life stories and experiences garner that response from people you know, just imagine the impact you could have on the...
If you’re just starting out as a speaker, it’s possible that your first few speaking gigs could be unpaid. Don’t let an unpaid gig deter you! There are plenty of ways to negotiate value out of a free speaking gig. The next time you find yourself considering speaking...
Picture this - you’re smiling and waving to a standing ovation after wrapping up your keynote talk in a packed auditorium. There’s a line forming in the aisle of people eager to meet you when you step off stage. Can you say adrenaline rush? When it comes to...
You’ve written your keynote speech, built your website, and changed your LinkedIn title to “public speaker.” It’s time to find those gigs! Are you ready to start booking speaking gigs but not sure where to find them? Finding paid speaking opportunities is not as...
Ready for a dose of motivation? Nothing inspires us quite like our fellow Speaker Sisters who are embracing their stories to help others. Mary Mobley has persevered through her fair share of hardships and challenges in life. Now, she’s setting out to influence...
One of the most common questions we get from Mic Drop Workshop students about starting a speaking career is how much to charge for a speaking gig. No matter what stage of your speaker journey you’re in, it can feel a little tricky to figure out what to charge as a...
Are you curious about becoming a paid keynote speaker this year? If you’ve got a story to tell, then you’ve already got what it takes to step on stage and inspire an audience. The world needs more diverse speakers, and there is no better time than now to start your...
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My first public speaking gig was for a slice of pizza and now I'm making 7-figures a year as a thought leader, keynote speaker, and author.
Everything I create is to help you tell & sell your story…so you can make a living and make a difference at the same time. Let me be straight with you – I’m not that perfectly filtered influencer on the internet that promises you the world and doesn’t follow through after that credit card is swiped.
My mission at Mic Drop Workshop is to guarantee you two things
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Enough about my story, let’s help you monetize your story by becoming a paid public speaker!
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If you are ready to make a living and a difference as a keynote speaker, you've come to the right place. Take our public speaking courses to help you TELL & SELL your story.
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