Part 2: "Clients From Speaking Series"

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You’ve heard that speaking is supposed to be one of the best ways to attract clients… so why does it so often lead to crickets instead?

In part two of my Clients From Speaking 🏆 best of 🏆 series, we’re moving from getting booked to making the room count.

Over the last decade, I’ve seen so many smart, talented entrepreneurs walk off stage with great feedback but no follow-ups, consults, or new clients. But for me, free speaking has become the single most reliable way to market and grow my business.

So in this episode, I’m sharing the tried-and-true, not-so-obvious shifts I’ve used to turn more than 150 free talks into $400,000+ in business, without ever feeling pushy, salesy, or too self-promotional.

Getting clients from free speaking is both an art and a science — and this episode shows you how to make your next talk lead somewhere.

🎯 YOU’LL DISCOVER

• Why most free talks don’t lead to clients, even when the content is good
• The one thing most presentations are missing, and how to fix it
• What to do instead of sharing your bio at the start
• How to keep your audience engaged and eager to work with you
• Why a clear next step gets people off the sidelines and into your world

🙌 PUT THIS INTO ACTION

Ready to stop speaking for crickets and start turning free talks into real clients?

👉 Talk with Annie about Clients From Speaking Fast-Track: www.greateststorycreative.com/consult

This private, focused offer gives you my proven Clients From Speaking system, templates, and dedicated working time with me to help you polish and implement your top speaking priorities — like your talk, slides, pitch emails, speaker menu, or talk-to-consult process.

There are just two Fast-Track spots available for June!

🎧 LISTEN TO PART ONE: HOW TO GET THESE GIGS IN THE FIRST PLACE

Episode 72 | Speaking as Marketing: Get Booked to Speak Without Cold Pitching

✨ MOMENT OF MAGIC

Fit your goals on one page! Discover Sarah Glova's TEDx Talk, "How to achieve your goals with a single page": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeXSrEMXvQk&t

#speakingstrategy #clients #marketing #businessgrowth #establishyourself #visibility #clientattraction

Part 1: "Clients From Speaking" Series

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When you know you need clients but don’t want to spend hours making cold pitches, burning money on ads, or waiting for speaking invitations that never come… what do you do? For me, I always turn to my most reliable growth strategy — booking free speaking gigs.

But HOW do you get those speaking gigs on your calendar in the first place?

This episode is the first in a two-part, 🏆 "Best Of" Clients From Speaking series, and we’re starting with the piece that comes before the talk itself: finding and booking the right rooms.

I’m pulling back the curtain on the repeatable process I’ve used for more than a decade, and still use today, to find and book free (and sometimes paid) speaking opportunities in front of rooms filled with potential dream clients.

Because speaking as marketing works best when it is not random. It works when you know who you want to reach, where they already gather, and how to make a warm, clear ask that makes it easy for organizers to say yes.

Whether you’re just getting started with speaking or ready to return to what has always worked, this episode will help you take meaningful action now to get in the right rooms and start building momentum.

🎯 YOU’LL DISCOVER

• The 4-step strategy I use every time I want more clients from free speaking
• What to do before you ask for any gig, or risk hearing crickets
• Why warm-ish asks beat cold pitches, and how to make one
• The mindset shift that changed everything and helped create a $20K room in LA

🙌 PUT THIS INTO ACTION

If this episode gives you good ideas, but you know you’d love help actually putting them into action, I’ve created a new private offer called Clients From Speaking Fast-Track.

Fast-Track gives you my proven Clients From Speaking system — including the repeatable roadmap, strategies, templates, and mad-lib-style pitch emails I’ve used for years — plus dedicated private time with me to implement it.

This is not a course you buy and never open. It’s the roadmap and the working sessions, the templates and my eyes on how to make them work for your business, your audience, and your goals.

Inside Fast-Track, we’ll choose up to two priorities based on what would help you most right now, such as:

• Writing and refining your speaking pitch emails
• Outlining your signature talk
• Polishing an existing talk or slides
• Streamlining your talk-to-consult process
• Building a simple speaker presentation menu

If you’re a coach, consultant, or service provider who already knows free speaking could help you grow your business, but you want my go-to system and my help putting the pieces together, set a free time to talk with me:

👉 www.greateststorycreative.com/consult

PS: There are just two Fast-Track spots available for June!

✨ MOMENT OF MAGIC

• Discover Marcey Rader's TEDx Talk, "The Relentless Pursuit of More": www.marceyrader.com/tedx
• Learn more about amazing speaker, Marcey Rader at marceyrader.com

#speakingstrategy #clientattraction #freegigs #coaches #consultants #marketingwithintegrity #businessgrowth #establishyourself #confidenceinbusiness

Get the new, free "Branding Essentials Checklist" that comes with this episode! ✅ Find it now at greateststorycreative.com/checklist

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Coming out of corporate - do you feel like you need the perfect website, a polished brand identity, an email funnel, and a whole social media strategy before you can really start consulting or coaching?

You don’t!

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact 6 branding essentials you *actually* need when you’re leaving corporate to start your consulting or coaching practice, and all the things you can skip for now, so they won't slow you down!

Because when you’re in that early launch season, the goal isn’t to build a giant entrepreneurial ecosystem before anyone can hire you. The goal is to get clear enough to explain what you do, look credible when people check you out, and start having real client conversations.

If you’ve been stuck trying to make your brand, website, offer, or messaging perfect before you tell people what you do, listen now.

🎯 YOU’LL DISCOVER

• Why a full brand identity may be too much, too soon when you’re leaving corporate
• The branding essentials that help new consultants and coaches look credible fast
• Why one clear offer matters more than a complete offer suite
• How a simple one-page website can help you look established without slowing you down
• Why referral messaging and human-first growth strategies matter more than chasing algorithms
• How to stop waiting for the “perfect” brand and start getting paid to figure it out

🙌 PUT THIS INTO ACTION

If you want a simpler, clearer path to launching your consulting or coaching practice — I made you a free checklist!

[FREE CHECKLIST}

Grab the "Leaving Corporate? Here’s the Branding You Actually Need" Checklist here:

https://www.greateststorycreative.com/checklist

And if you’d love my help clarifying your message, packaging your expertise, and pulling together the branding essentials you need to start getting clients.. I’d love to support you via Package Your Process™ with the Expert - my streamlined service to get all these put together now, not months from now.

👉 Set a free consultation with me today to learn more:

https://www.greateststorycreative.com/consult

#brandingessentials #leavingcorporate #consultingbusiness #coachingbusiness #brandmessaging #offerclarity #clientattraction #messagingstrategy #servicebusiness #establishyourself

Is your inbox full of tasks, notes to reply to, and overwhelm!?

Been there more times than I'm willing to admit... But I've finally found a system (and free tool!) that works for my brain, my inbox, and business.

Discover the simple free app that finally helped me stop using email as my to-do list — and why it’s become one of the few productivity systems I’ve actually stuck with for more than a few weeks.

Because as a coach, consultant, speaker, or service business owner, you probably have a lot of ideas, client follow-ups, projects, and random “don’t forget this” thoughts flying around at any given time. And when all of that lives in your inbox, it’s not a smooth system — it’s a stress producer.

If you’ve ever had tasks hiding in email, notes apps, sticky notes, half-finished notebooks, or the back of your very busy brain, listen now.

🎯 YOU’LL DISCOVER

• Why emailing yourself tasks makes your inbox feel heavier than it needs to
• The simple boundary that helped me keep tasks out of my email
• How Todoist became my “external brain” for business and life
• Why the best productivity system is the one that works with your brain
• How I use labels, filters, and “parking lots” to capture ideas without creating pressure
• A tiny action step to help you start getting tasks out of hiding today

🙌 PUT THIS INTO ACTION

Want more behind-the-scenes tools, strategies, and business tips like this?

👉 Sign up to get new episodes of the show here:

https://www.greateststorycreative.com/podlinks

👋 SAY HI IF YOU'RE LISTENING TO THE SHOW!

And in this week’s Moment of Magic, I share why hearing from listeners likw toy truly means so much. If you’ve been listening and want to say hi, connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me your favorite Muppet:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniefranceschi/

#inboxzero #taskmanagement #businesssystems #productivitytools #todoist #smoothsystems #streamlineyourbusiness #coachingbusiness #consultingbusiness #servicebusiness #establishyourself

Ever gotten one critical comment, one weird email, or one unexpected reaction on a sales call… and suddenly started questioning everything?

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most important sleaze-free selling and branding principles I teach: Don’t cater to the critic.

Because when you care deeply about your work, feedback matters. But not every piece of feedback deserves the same weight — and one negative comment should not get to run your business (even if it sends you spiraling!)

If you’ve ever been tempted to water down your message, hide your offer, or change your whole approach because somebody made a crappy comment, listen now.

🎯 YOU’LL DISCOVER

• Why one negative comment can feel louder than a hundred thank-yous
• How to tell the difference between useful feedback and critic noise
• Why people-pleasing marketing can water down your brand
• The simple questions to ask before you change your offer, workbook, or sales approach
• How to keep showing up for the right people with more confidence and clarity

🙌 PUT THIS INTO ACTION

If this episode made you want to feel clearer and more confident about your brand and how you talk about what you do for your ideal clients — I’d love to support you.

I help experienced coaches, consultants, speakers, and service business owners clarify their message, package their expertise, and sell without sleaze so the right people can quickly understand the value of their work.

👉 Set a free consultation with me now:

https://www.greateststorycreative.com/consult

#businessfeedback #marketingfeedback #sleazefreeselling #salesconfidence #messagingstrategy #offerclarity #coachingbusiness #consultingbusiness #servicebusiness #establishyourself

Debating what to do for marketing this week? Can't stand the thought of writing another LinkedIn post!?

What if you didn't have to? What if the best way to use your time was easy, free, and hiding right under your nose?

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the simplest and most powerful growth concepts I come back to again and again when I want more clients, more referrals, and more momentum WITHOUT just doing "more marketing."

It starts with one simple question: Do they know what I know?

So often, we assume people already know what’s new in our business, what we offer, what kind of clients we want, or what direction we’re growing in. But if people do not know, they cannot refer you, hire you, or send opportunities your way.

If you’re ready for a more personal, relationship-based way to create awareness and momentum in your business, listen now.

🎯 YOU’LL DISCOVER

• Why awareness is often the missing piece when something is not gaining traction
• How I think about sharing updates without making it feel like a pitch
• What to say when you want to reach out in a warm, genuine way
• A simple challenge to help you create more momentum by reaching out to 10 people this week
• How to turn this into a repeatable practice you revisit every 3 to 6 months

🙌 PUT THIS INTO ACTION

If this episode makes you realize you are still a little fuzzy on how to explain what’s new in your business — or you want to feel more confident talking about your offer in a way that feels simple, clear, and natural — I’d love to support you.

Package Your Process™ Accelerator is my 5-week intimate group program designed to help you clarify your message, package your expertise, and talk about what you do in a way that feels easier to share and easier for the right people to say yes to.

Our next cohort runs May 6 through June 3...

and applications close this Friday, 4/24.

👉 Learn more and apply for free now here:

https://www.greateststorycreative.com/pyp

Applications take 3 minutes, and I personally respond to every one. Spots are limited, so apply now if you’re curious (applications close on Friday, 4/24/26.)

#marketingstrategy #clientattraction #referrals #businessvisibility #relationshipmarketing #offerclarity #coachingbusiness #consultingbusiness #servicebusiness #establishyourself

Want a clear packaged offer in place by June 3? Apply for free now at packageyourprocess.com

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🏆 "BEST OF" EPISODE 🏆

Tired of writing proposals from scratch? Hear how Lauren got clients to say yes without them.

Lauren, a former Package Your Process™ Accelerator student went from doing custom proposals and RFPs to creating a clear package that helped clients say yes on the spot — without proposals and without the usual stress. Her story is such a powerful example of what can happen when you stop winging how you talk about what you do and start packaging your process with more clarity and confidence.

If you’re ready to make your services easier to explain, easier to buy, and easier to sell, listen now.

🎯 YOU’LL DISCOVER

• How Lauren went from custom proposals and RFPs to a clear branded package
• Why having a formal process made it easier for clients to understand and say yes
• How the Offer 1-Pager™ helped her sell without a sales page or proposal
• What happened after Lauren soft-launched her new service
• Why the Referral Party became such a valuable way to practice talking about her offer
• How PYPA helped her simplify what she already did into something clearer and easier to sell
• Why this process can work even if your business is not exactly like Annie’s (or Lauren's!)

🙌 PUT THIS INTO ACTION

If you’d love help getting clear on how to talk about what you do, shape a stronger offer, and present your services in a way that feels confident and easy to say yes to, I’d love to support you.

Package Your Process™ Accelerator is my 5-week intimate group program designed to help you clarify your message, build a compelling package, and create a repeatable system for selling your services with more confidence.

Our next cohort runs May 6 through June 3.

👉 Learn more and apply for free now here:

https://packageyourprocess.com

Applications take 3 minutes, and spots are being filled right now, on a rolling basis, until the cohort is full - so apply soon if you're curious!

#clientstories #offerclarity #packagedservices #customproposals #onepagerstrategy #coachingbusiness #consultingbusiness #servicebusiness #packageyourprocess #establishyourself

Want a clear packaged offer in place soon? Discover how at packageyourprocess.com

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🏆 "BEST OF" EPISODE 🏆

If you’ve ever felt like the only way to land great clients is to offer fully custom services, custom proposals, and one-off scopes of work, this episode is for you.

I’m sharing the impact behind one of the biggest shifts I’ve ever made in business: moving away from custom work and toward customized packages that are easier to sell, easier to deliver, and much less stressful to sustain. This approach helped me simplify my services, communicate my value more clearly, and attract better-fit clients without losing the tailored experience my work is known for.

If you’re ready to stop reinventing the wheel and start building offers that feel clear, premium, and easier to buy, listen now.

🎯 YOU’LL DISCOVER

• Why custom work often makes your business harder to sell and harder to scale
• The myth we debunk about packaged offers and highly tailored services
• How customized packages can still feel personal, thoughtful, and high-touch
• Why clear offers make it easier for great clients to trust you and say yes
• How repeatable systems can reduce stress while improving the client experience
• Why packaging your services can help you become known for something specific

🙌 PUT THIS INTO ACTION

If you’re ready to stop relying on custom proposals and start shaping a clearer, more compelling offer, I’d love to support you.

Package Your Process™ Accelerator is my 5-week intimate group program designed to help you clarify your message, create a stronger offer, and package your expertise in a way that feels confident, valuable, and easy to sell.

Our next cohort runs May 6 through June 3.

👉 Learn more and apply for free now here:

https://packageyourprocess.com

Applications take about 3 minutes, and spots are filled on a rolling basis until the cohort is full. If the group experience isn’t the right fit, I’ll tell you — and I can also help you explore the private version.

😂 PS: LOCAL TO NC? SEE ANNIE DO STAND-UP COMEDY THIS WEEK!

Catch Annie's stand-up set at nationally-known Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, NC!

This Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm | Ladies Laugh Lounge (all invited!)

Get tickets here: https://www.goodnightscomedy.com/shows/357050

#authenticnetworking #networkingstrategy #coachingbusiness #consultingbusiness #servicebusiness #businessrelationships #dreamclients #messagingstrategy #establishyourself

#customwork #packagedoffers #servicepackages #offerclarity #messagingstrategy #coachingbusiness #consultingbusiness #servicebusiness #packageyourprocess #establishyourself