Most people think polish makes a speaker great. Authenticity is what makes an audience listen. In this episode, Karin Reed talks with international keynote speaker and bestselling author Ryan Vet about what it really takes to build a professional speaking business. From a non-linear journey shaped by entrepreneurship and early Twitter fame to a moment of clarity sparked by unexpected feedback, Ryan shares how authenticity, not polish, is the quality that sets great speakers apart. Ryan and Karin discuss common misconceptions about the speaking world, including the myth that success happens quickly or that all impactful talks happen on massive stages. Ryan offers practical insight into building a sustainable speaking business, from understanding who’s in the room to customizing talks without compromising your voice. He also explains why things like AV etiquette, recording your talks, and building multiple revenue streams are part of the job, not just extras. Whether you’re aiming for the main stage or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this conversation pulls back the curtain on professional speaking with honesty, humor, and a healthy dose of real talk. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Ryan’s Path to Professional Speaking 04:30 Lessons from Writing Speak Goodr 06:00 Handling On-Stage Mishaps 09:24 Respecting the AV Team 10:04 Building a Speaking Business 12:43 Setting and Explaining Your Fee 16:37 Creating Multiple Revenue Streams 17:05 Preparing for Your Audience 20:14 Why Recording Your Talks Matters 22:19 How the Speaking Industry is Changing 23:32 Impacting Audiences of Any Size 25:55 Stick With It Links Connect with Ryan Vet: www.RyanVet.com www.SpeakGoodr.com Connect with Karin Reed: Website: www.speakerdynamics.com Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/ Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/ Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.