Top 10 most-read articles on SpeakerHub
The articles, podcasts, infographics and videos on SpeakerHub’s SkillCamp provide professional speakers with new ideas, expert insights, practical how-to’s, and inspiration. The key focuses are speaking skills and business building.
We’ve covered all sorts of topics that range from how to avoid catastrophes during your next event, through how to handle hecklers, to the best technology for speakers and trainers.
We wanted to know what kind of articles you, our audience, like best. So we took a look at what your top ten favorite articles of all-time have been, and we’ve created this list.
We hope you will find them useful and interesting.
Do you have a topic you’d like to share your expertise on? Find out more about guest posting on SpeakerHub.
Top ten most-read articles on SpeakerHub
1. 31 of the best smartphone apps for presenters and professional speakers
Read this article if:
You are looking for smartphone apps that will help you improve your speaking skills.
One essential takeaway:
While none of the tools can get up on stage and do your talk for you, there are many apps available which can help smooth any rough edges, helping you tweak and perfect your talk.
The article showcases the apps in easy-to-scan sections, so you can quickly find the apps that will be the most helpful to you.
Read this? You might also like:
- 21 Smartphone apps for presenters
- Building a speaker website: 5 easy-to-use platforms reviewed
- The best technology for a professional speaker’s toolbox
2. A guide to negotiating your speaking fee
Read this article if:
You want some practical techniques and strategies for creating win-win situations for both you and the event organizer when it comes to getting paid.
One essential takeaway:
Use emotional intelligence over logic and reason. By addressing the event organizer’s needs and desires, you are more likely to gain a competitive edge over other speakers when it comes to getting what you need.
This article covers key topics like, what you should do before going into a negotiation, effective negotiating tactics, and how to walk away with extras.
Read this? You might also like:
- The ultimate guide to setting your speaking fees
- Getting paid more to speak: how to increase your speaking fee
- Downloadable Speaker Contract
3. Discussion: Do you need a speaker agent, and how do you find one?
Read this article if:
You have thought about getting a speaker agent, and wondered whether or not one could help you substantially build your business.
One essential takeaway:
While a speakers’ agency might seem like a quick-fix to getting new bookings, many novice and mid-level speakers have found their benefits are patchy at best. More advanced speakers who already have a booming speaking business find that agents help by taking care of the arrangements for speaking at events, such as agreeing contracts and ensuring that payments are made in a timely manner.
Read this? You might also like:
- Speakers bureaus and agencies: mandatory for success?
- No shortcuts: A speaking agent isn’t a fix-it solution to building your speaking business
- 3 ways to use SpeakerHub to get more bookings
Read this article if:
You are just starting out hosting panel discussions or feel like you could use some inspiration on how to make them more interesting and insightful.
One essential takeaway:
Why should your audience care? Each question should come back to this and you should be constantly pushing your panelists towards creating value and insights for your audience.
This article provides many questions you can use immediately, plus a lot of ideas on how to create insightful questions specifically for your audience.
Read this? You might also like:
- What can panel moderators learn from Charlie Rose, Larry King and Oprah Winfrey?
- It ain’t over ‘till it’s over: How to expertly end a panel discussion
- 6 Ideas for Moderating Engaging Panel Discussions
5. 101 Quotes to inspire speakers
Read this article if:
You need a little inspiration! Everyone needs a boost sometimes, and this ebook can help.
One essential takeaway:
You are not the first person to have hiccups and hangups. Many speakers have already gone through that and have advice for you on how to excel.
Read this? You might also like:
- 60 ideas and quotes on breaking through a creative block
- How do we achieve our dreams and goals as a speaker? The inspiring story of Dale Carnegie’s road to success
- 25 Quotes to inspire event planners
6. 12 Ways to handle a heckler as a professional speaker
Read this article if:
You have ever had to deal with a heckler, or worry that you might run into one? If you don’t deal with a heckler correctly, they can easily ruin your presentation. If you can’t remain in control, you run the risk of losing your audience’s attention — and your credibility. Learn how to deal with hecklers in an effective way.
One essential takeaway:
Never lose your temper — even if you feel they have completely ruined your moment and you are raging on the inside. If you lose control, you will not be able to get it back.
The best course of action is to keep a level head, be polite, and get your presentation back on track as quickly as possible.
Read this? You might also like:
- 7 Things comedians can teach you about public speaking
- Q+As: What to do when you don’t know the A
- The Do’s and Don’ts When Giving a Presentation
7. The Essential Speaker Checklist
Read this article if:
You aren’t using a checklist already. We created a one-page PDF checklist that you can print off and change to suit your needs. Items are grouped by category, and you can add your own items and notes, as well as some finer details for a particular event.
One essential takeaway:
With a million things to remember before your presentation, forgetting a key element can put you off-kilter and even jeopardize your ability to deliver your talk. A checklist can help.
Read this? You might also like:
- The comprehensive webinar checklist
- The Essential Trainer Checklist: What to do and pack before and after your training session
- 10 essential ways you can optimise your work/life balance as an international speaker
Read this article if:
You’d like to create a One Sheet. We’ve got a template that you can use and download and easily print off and share on social media, or send direct to an event planner. Ultimately you will be creating the One Sheet yourself, but we’ve got a helpful template and some instructions to make getting started easy.
One essential takeaway:
If you’re building your speaking business, you’ve got to have the right marketing tools and materials ready to go. A Speaker One Sheet can help you showcase what you do in a visually pleasing way that will help you get hired.
Read this? You might also like:
- Building a speaker website: 5 easy-to-use platforms reviewed
- Want to get paid more for your speaking gigs? Here is how to make a great demo video
- Build confidence & get hired: use testimonials to get more speaking opportunities
9. How to create your elevator pitch, and defining your “Why choose me” statement
Read this article if:
You struggle to tell event organizers what exactly it is that you speak about and what the benefits are to them. You would like to find a way to effectively communicate what you do.
One essential takeaway:
Start with all the details you want to include, then edit your pitch down so you are left with something concise that can be said and understood in 30-seconds.
This article will show you how to create a clear and concise “Why choose me?” statement.
Read this? You might also like:
- A guide to your SpeakerHub profile
- The quick guide to networking
- Offline networking in the digital age
10 . TED: The banned talks and what we can learn from them
Read this article if:
You are aspiring to get on the TED or other equal-impact stages. A viral talk can propel a speaker into book deals, grants, thousands of new followers, and a full calendar of bookings from around the world. This article explores TED’s review process, what happens when a talk goes wrong, and what other speakers can learn about creating world-class talks. So if you picture yourself on a TED stage in the future — start here.
One essential takeaway:
Lessons we can learn from TED Talks that have been pulled, include:
1. Avoid promoting illegal activity
2. Avoid promoting a religious belief-system
3. Avoid flying in the face of the existing body of scientific knowledge
4. Do not use derogatory slurs
5. Always avoid offensive humor
6. Be careful how you talk about politics
7. Ensure your data is credible
8. Provide irrefutable evidence
This article also explores the marks of good and bad science, and how TED’s review process works.
Read this? You might also like:
- A guide to booking your first TED Talk
- 5 Presentation tips TED gives its speakers
- 7 Storytelling techniques used by the most inspiring TED presenters
We’d like to take a moment to say thank you.
To all our readers, speakers, contributors, and to those who took a moment to share or like our articles — we want to say thank you!
We are excited about the new projects, articles, interviews, and resources we have lined up for 2020, and are looking forward to sharing more about them with you soon. In the meantime, if you have ideas or comments, we would love to hear them, don’t hesitate to contact us.
What other kinds of topics would you like to see us explore? Contact us.
Would you like to be a guest writer for SpeakerHub? Please see our guidelines and get in touch!
This was originally posted on SpeakerHub Skillcamp.
