Maria Franzoni is a former speaker bureau owner and author of The Bookability Formula. She shares a blunt, practical view of what makes a speaker bookable in the UK and European markets, and why “being good” is not the same as “getting hired”. This show is unmissable if you're serious about speaking.

1. Why “follow your passion” is often terrible business advice
2. The UK/Europe market reality vs the US speaking market
3. Why relevance to a paying market comes before polishing a keynote
4. What really builds credibility (and what screams “fake”)
5. The networking mistake almost everyone makes
6. Why speakers overrun and how it hurts the event (and other speakers)
7. The real reason top-paid speakers get booked
8. What makes organisers and bureaus reject someone instantly
9. Demo videos: why bad video is worse than no video
10. Whether your full keynote should be public or private
11. Plagiarism in the speaking industry and why it happens
12. Podcast guesting as visibility and as training for concise communication

1. Relevance is the filter. If the market doesn’t care, your passion won’t save you.
2. Proof beats claims. Testimonials, outcomes and case studies do the heavy lifting.
3. Bookability is business. Relationships, follow-up and sales habits matter more than most speakers want to admit.
4. Assets signal quality. A weak demo video can quietly kill deals before you’re even considered.
5. Great speakers are often not the highest paid. The most bookable speakers usually run the best business.

Maria Franzoni

1. LinkedIn: Maria Franzoni
2. Website: mariafranzoni.me
3. Book: The Bookability Formula (Great read)

1. Speaker bureau newsletters and topic forecasts (example: Chartwell)
2. The Dip (Seth Godin), referenced by John in the wider show context
3. Judy Carter (comedy writing advice mentioned), The New Comedy Bible, and see previous guest appearance.

00:00 The bookability...

Why do so many capable speakers never gain momentum or consistent bookings?

In this short solo episode, John Ball breaks down the single biggest block that stops speakers from becoming successful professionals. It is not talent, confidence, or credibility. It is the habit of overthinking and under-acting.

Drawing on years of coaching speakers and working inside the speaking industry, John explains how planning becomes a comfort zone, why “being ready” is often procrastination in disguise, and how real progress only starts when action meets reality. If you want to treat speaking like a business rather than a hobby, this episode will give you a sharp reset.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

02:09 The Main Obstacle for Speakers

03:05 The Importance of Taking Action

06:30 Navigating Challenges and Imperfections

11:30 Building a Speaking Business

17:54 Conclusion and Call to Action

Visit https://strategic-speaker.scoreapp.com to take the 2-minute Strategic Speaking Business Audit and find out what's blocking you from getting more bookings, re-bookings, referrals and bigger fees. There's a special surprise gift for everyone who completes the quiz.

Want to get coached for free on the show? Fill in the form https://forms.gle/mo4xYkEiCjqtz9yP6, and if we think your challenge could help others, we'll invite you on.

For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email john@presentinfluence.com or find me on LinkedIn

You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence

Thanks for listening. Rating the show 5* on Spotify helps their algo recommend the show, so please take a moment to follow the show and leave a rating.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Strategic Speaking Business Audit

Take this quick quiz to find out where and why your speaking business is leaking opportunities.

A hot market does not guarantee hot bookings. In this coaching session, John works with tech and emerging-tech speaker Cortney Harding to diagnose the real reasons her calendar is not matching her credibility. They unpack why prestige signals and “busy content” do not automatically create demand, how to position around an expensive problem, and why simplifying outreach beats “post and pray” when you want reliable bookings.

You will also hear a strong warning for speakers who chase whatever topic is trending. It looks strategic until you realise you are rebuilding your positioning every six months and still not becoming the obvious choice.

1. Why high-demand topics can still leave you with a cold inbox
2. The difference between credibility signals and buyer demand
3. How to turn a framework into a clear “we need this” message
4. Why your prospecting should start with a simple response-getting question
5. What to prioritise if you feel permanently stuck in launch mode
6. Why social media is often a nice-to-have, not the main lever for bookings
7. How to reframe sales as relationships so it stops feeling grim

Professional speakers who want more paid bookings, clearer positioning, and a simpler plan that does not rely on going viral.

00:00 Hot market, cold inbox

00:52 Why chasing hot topics is a terrible long-term strategy

01:35 What this coaching session will help you fix

01:57 Cortney’s goal: speaking as real revenue, not “biz dev”

03:05 Fee goals and gig targets

04:05 The “last mile” problem: credibility without a flywheel

05:00 The crowded hot-topic trap and the pivot to differentiation

07:00 The key diagnostic: what expensive problem do you solve?

07:30 Tech last, problem first: Cortney’s framework

09:05 Why this matters: wasted spend, weak ROI, failed projects

10:05 Sharpening the one-sentence positioning

12:55 Why the “how” matters less than the “what” at first

13:20 Content output vs conversion, and the danger of mimicry

14:10 Permanently in launch mode and “throwing Italy at the wall”

16:00 What is actually driving bookings right now?

16:25 Strategic pitching and why it is not converting

17:05 Simplifying outreach to one question that gets responses

18:00 Why conferences rarely pay non-celebrity speakers

19:05 The CRM follow-up game: not one-and-done

21:55 The numbers game and finding a different hunting niche

23:35 Calling people who respond: become a voice, not an email

24:55 Targeting the right company bracket and event reality

26:20 Book orders as a fee lever

27:15 The Power Hour strategy: prospecting over busywork

28:05 Do prestige names matter? Less than you think

29:05 Big idea vs problem solving and what buyers actually purchase

30:20 The Brene Brown example and becoming known for one thing

32:40 Networking and feedback loops to improve the “buzz”

37:05 Social media as a slower, less reliable path to bookings

38:05 The relief of simplification: one hour a day

39:10 Hope is not a business strategy

40:05 Sales is relationships

41:05 Spotify rating, free coaching application, and the audit quiz

42:00 Closing line