Listed and Thrilled: My Road to Two Speaker Bureaus

Hi Speaker Insight and Giraffe Community,

I’m so excited to share some big news with you—not just as a milestone moment, but as a story packed with lessons I learned along the way. Recently, I had the privilege of being listed on two incredible speaker bureaus: the London Speaker Bureau and the Champions Speakers Bureau.

While this is a huge step in my speaking career, what really stands out to me is how much the journey reflects the principles we all talk about in this community: clarity, feedback, action, and authenticity. If you’re building your speaker business, crafting your message, or just working toward your next big goal, I hope what I learned helps spark some inspiration or a few “aha!” moments for you.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I made it happen—and what I think you can take from it:

1. Clarity Is Your Foundation

Getting listed on a bureau isn’t just about wanting to be a speaker—it’s about knowing exactly what you stand for and what makes you unique.

For me, that clarity came from leaning into Impactful Leadership Communication and my 12 Leadership Archetypes. This is a framework I’ve developed to help leaders lead authentically, communicate with purpose, and create meaningful impact. It’s at the heart of everything I do, and it became the cornerstone of my pitch to both bureaus.

Clarity isn’t just about what you offer—it’s about being able to clearly show why it matters and who it serves.

?? Takeaway for you: What’s the core of your message? Why is it important, and who needs to hear it? The more specific and aligned you are, the easier it will be for others to say “yes” to you.

2. Feedback Is Everything

I didn’t get here on my own. The feedback I received from people within the bureaus was absolutely invaluable.

I had brilliant conversations with Dom at the London Speaker Bureau, and Jamie McAnsh and Jack at Champions, who all asked thought-provoking questions that forced me to sharpen my positioning. They offered honest, actionable feedback, and their advice helped me refine how I communicated my value in a way that resonated.

Sometimes, we think we need to have it all figured out before we approach someone—but feedback is part of the process. Those conversations didn’t just help me improve—they built my confidence.

?? Takeaway for you: Surround yourself with people who will give you constructive feedback. Whether it’s on your pitch, your positioning, or your delivery, fresh eyes and ears can make all the difference.

3. Take the First Step, Even If It’s Imperfect

Here’s the truth: Nothing happens until you take action. And sometimes, the hardest part is simply starting.

Whether it was sending an email, tweaking my speaker materials, or pitching myself for the first time, every step I took brought me closer to this moment. It wasn’t perfect, and I didn’t always feel “ready”—but the momentum I built by showing up, even imperfectly, is what made the difference.

?? Takeaway for you: Don’t let the pursuit of perfection hold you back. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that the process will refine you as you go.

4. Tailor Your Message

One of the best pieces of advice I received was this: Speak to what your audience—or the bureau—needs.

It’s not about trying to be everything to everyone. It’s about showing where you naturally fit. For me, that meant highlighting the flexibility of my 12 Leadership Archetypes while staying true to their purpose: helping leaders lead and communicate authentically.

?? Golden Nugget: When pitching yourself, focus on the problem you solve and how your expertise aligns with the goals of the organization you’re approaching. What makes you the right person for them, right now?

What’s Next

Being listed on two bureaus feels like the start of something exciting, but it’s also a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:

• Clarity will open doors.
• Feedback will sharpen your edge.
• Action will move you forward.
• Authenticity will always win.

Whether you’re aiming to join a bureau, book your next big gig, or refine your speaker message, remember that it’s all possible with focus, collaboration, and courage.

Here’s to building the stages, sharing the stories, and making an impact—one step at a time.

Warmly as always, Elliot

P.S. Curious about my 12 Leadership Archetypes or how I approached positioning myself for this milestone? Let’s connect—I’d love to share more!