One thing I’ve learned since moving into the world of professional speaking is that it’s not enough to be good on stage. You could have a powerful story, deliver your talk with conviction, and genuinely want to help people—but if your branding is unclear or inconsistent, you might never even get the chance.
That was one of the big takeaways from my recent conversation with Leah Woodford, founder of Speaker Life Magazine, on the Beyond Impact podcast. Leah works with speakers every day, helping them sharpen their message and position themselves for success. And as she pointed out, the real challenge for most speakers isn’t performance. It’s perception.
The Problem Isn’t Talent. It’s Confusion.
Leah said something that really stuck with me: “I’ve seen some amazing speakers, but they don’t have a brand and they don’t have a visibility mechanism. And therefore, they’re not being seen.”
The truth is, event planners and HR reps are busy. They don’t have time to figure out who you are, who you serve, or what makes you different. If your website says one thing, your LinkedIn says another, and your Instagram is all over the place, it creates friction. And when there’s friction, there’s no booking.
The people making decisions about who to put on stage are often younger professionals in their 20s or 30s. They’re looking at your social media first. If your presence isn’t clear and aligned, they move on.
What Inconsistency Looks Like
This isn’t always about bad design or amateur content. Sometimes it’s more subtle.
You might have a speaker one-sheet that targets corporate clients, but all your content is aimed at solopreneurs. Your tone and message might shift depending on where someone finds you. One platform might say you’re a leadership coach, another says keynote speaker, and your website leans heavily into mindset or storytelling.
Leah broke it down clearly: “If they’re not all clear and concise and matching… you’ve lost the sale.”
That hit home for me. When I started building my speaking career, I realized that I was speaking to different audiences on different platforms. It wasn’t intentional, but it sent a confusing message. And confusion rarely converts.
Your Speaker Deck Still Matters—But Not for Long
Early on, I assumed a long, detailed speaker deck would make me look more professional. Turns out, that was a mistake. According to Leah, you have about three to four seconds to capture someone’s attention.
That means your first page has to do the heavy lifting. Leah’s advice? “The ROI for them. That’s all they care about—what am I going to get from this?”
It’s not about telling your life story on page one. It’s about showing a decision-maker what value you bring to their audience. If that’s not crystal clear, the rest of the deck doesn’t matter.
You Have to Think Like a Business
Another point Leah brought up that resonated deeply was this: no one will market you better than you market yourself. She shared how speaker bureaus are often just looking for proven names. If you’re not already in demand, you’re not likely to get their attention.
As someone who came from the world of film and television, I was used to others handling promotion and positioning. Speaking requires a completely different mindset. You need to treat your brand like a business, not a resume.
Leah built her own magazine as a branding tool. She created Speaker Life not just to serve others, but to create leverage for herself. That’s the kind of initiative that gets attention—and results.
Where to Start
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. Here’s what helped me start aligning my brand with my message:
- Take inventory of every place your name appears online. Does it reflect who you are today?
- Answer the four core questions Leah asks her clients: Who are you? Who do you serve? What problem do you fix? What’s your deeper calling?
- Update your content to make sure those answers come across clearly and consistently.
Start with the end in mind. Then work backward from the audience you want to reach.
Watch or Listen to the Full Conversation
There’s a lot more we covered in the episode, including what to include in your back-of-the-room offer, how to approach cold outreach creatively, and why your story needs to be a scar—not a wound.
If you’re ready to take your speaking to the next level, this conversation is a must.
You’ve got something to say. Make sure your brand reflects that—clearly, consistently, and with purpose.
