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Speaker Sister Spotlight: Dr. Kate Steiner

Speaker Sister Spotlight: Dr. Kate Steiner

Meet Dr. Kate Steiner, a Mic Drop Academy graduate who empowers women professionals to navigate burnout and build resilience. Through her method of Observing, Preparing, and Recovering, she teaches that while burnout may be inevitable, it doesn't have to define your...

3 Ways to Diversify Your Income as a Public Speaker

3 Ways to Diversify Your Income as a Public Speaker

As a speaker, your story and message have the power to transform audiences in person. You've already crafted a killer keynote that leaves people in the room inspired and ready to take action. But why stop there? By diversifying your income streams and turning your...

Why Every Public Speaker SHOULD BUILD AN EMAIL LIST

Why Every Public Speaker SHOULD BUILD AN EMAIL LIST

In today’s digital age, we public speakers have a variety of platforms to reach our audiences. Social media platforms and websites offer incredible opportunities for visibility. However, there's one tool that remains unparalleled in its potential for engagement and...

Speaker Sister Spotlight: JESS RODRIGUEZ

Speaker Sister Spotlight: JESS RODRIGUEZ

Meet Jess Rodriguez, a Mic Drop Academy graduate known as "The Improv Girl." Jess has harnessed her love for comedy and the principles of improv to enhance her public speaking. Embracing the core improv rule of "yes, and…," she not only accepts what comes her way but...

Mastering the Art of Stage Presence

Mastering the Art of Stage Presence

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...

Gig Day Checklist: What to Bring to a Public Speaking Gig

Gig Day Checklist: What to Bring to a Public Speaking Gig

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...

How to Conquer Imposter Syndrome

How to Conquer Imposter Syndrome

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...

How to Turn Your Keynote Into a Book

How to Turn Your Keynote Into a Book

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...

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Katie Quesada

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Katie Quesada

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...

Open Calls for public Speakers

Open Calls for public Speakers

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...

How to Land Press

How to Land Press

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...

How to Build a Community on Social Media

How to Build a Community on Social Media

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...

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Sandy Spady

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Sandy Spady

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...

2022 Gift Guide for Public Speakers

2022 Gift Guide for Public Speakers

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...

4 Ways to Bring Out Your Inner Writer

4 Ways to Bring Out Your Inner Writer

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...

5 Tips for Creating Weekly LinkedIn Content

5 Tips for Creating Weekly LinkedIn Content

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...

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Jennifer DePascale

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Jennifer DePascale

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...

5 Public Speaking Mistakes to Avoid

5 Public Speaking Mistakes to Avoid

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...

How to Find Leads for Speaking Engagements

How to Find Leads for Speaking Engagements

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...

4 Networking Tips For Public Speakers

4 Networking Tips For Public Speakers

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...

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Jenn Whitmer

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Jenn Whitmer

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...

How to Publish a Book

How to Publish a Book

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...

What to Wear Onstage as a Public Speaker

What to Wear Onstage as a Public Speaker

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,...

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Tradara McLaurine

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Tradara McLaurine

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...

How to Create a Demo Reel

How to Create a Demo Reel

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...

How to Make Money from Public Speaking

How to Make Money from Public Speaking

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...

Get Booked for Public Speaking Engagements

Get Booked for Public Speaking Engagements

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....

How to Create a Book Proposal

How to Create a Book Proposal

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...

5 Things Your Speaker Website Needs

5 Things Your Speaker Website Needs

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...

5 Tips for Soundcheck

5 Tips for Soundcheck

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...

How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

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...

6 Ways to Grow Your Brand as a Thought Leader

6 Ways to Grow Your Brand as a Thought Leader

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...

13 Inspirational Quotes For Women, By Women

13 Inspirational Quotes For Women, By Women

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....

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Veronica Loving

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Veronica Loving

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...

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Kaitlyn Kenealy

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Kaitlyn Kenealy

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 students who are chasing their dreams of becoming professional thought leaders and creating...

3 Reasons You Should Publish a Book

3 Reasons You Should Publish a Book

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...

How to Negotiate Value Out of a Free Speaking Gig

How to Negotiate Value Out of a Free Speaking Gig

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...

The Secret to Crafting a Powerful Keynote Talk

The Secret to Crafting a Powerful Keynote Talk

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...

5 Places to Find Public Speaking Gigs

5 Places to Find Public Speaking Gigs

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...

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Mary Mobley

Public Speakers Sister Spotlight: Mary Mobley

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...

How Much to Charge as a Public Speaker

How Much to Charge as a Public Speaker

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...

How to Become a Paid Keynote Speaker in 2023

How to Become a Paid Keynote Speaker in 2023

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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HI I'M JESS ekstrom!

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 👇

Enough about my story, let’s help you monetize your story by becoming a paid public speaker!

If you’re more into texting, click the link and text us the word “SPEAKER” to get tips on how to tell & sell your story 📲

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