Your book gets you noticed, but speaking gets you remembered
Steven Sonsino
Turn Your Expertise into Authority with a Book | For Owners, Founders and CEOs in expert businesses | DM AUTHORITY to Start | Business School Professor, Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author and Business Publisher
Books build authority, but speaking builds trust. Let me tell you how to do both.
Gotta say, there’s something surreal about looking back at yourself on stage at 14 and then standing there again, more than 40 years later, at the QSP Summit in Portugal.
It was Shakespeare’s Malvolio next to me at 14, but at QSP it was David Aaker, professor emeritus at the University of California, and one of the biggest names in branding.
It’s a reminder that the journey to sharing your ideas, your insights, and your stories isn’t just about stepping onto a stage – it’s about stepping up in life.
So what does it take to share your story? More importantly, do you even realize that you have stories worth telling?
What’s Your Story?
Everyone has stories. The real question is: what are yours? And are you willing to own them, shape them, and share them in a way that makes an impact?
The most compelling speakers are the ones who don’t just recite information in bullet-point form. They bring it to life with experiences, lessons, and perspectives that move and teach their audience.
But here’s where many people get stuck: they assume that standing on stage is about them. It isn't. It’s about serving others.
Why Authors Get Paid to Speak
Which leads me to ask this.
Have you ever wondered why so many authors get invited to speak – and get paid well for it, too? It’s not just because they’ve written a book. It’s because writing a book forces you to refine your thinking. It distills your key stories. It gives you a framework that others can latch onto.
So when you write a book, you don’t just have content –?you have clarity. And that clarity makes you a more valuable speaker.
Plus, books create a natural cycle in the speaking ecosystem. You get invited to speak because you’ve demonstrated authority. You get paid because you’ve got structured insights to share.
And afterward? Well, there’s often a line of people waiting to have their books signed, deepening the impact and connection even further.
Why Event Organizers Will Want You
Speaking isn’t just about putting yourself out there – it’s about making the person who books you look good. Meeting planners, event organizers, and business leaders don’t just want a speaker; they want someone who makes their event better. Someone who brings real, valuable, actionable insights. Someone who makes the audience walk away thinking, ‘That was exactly what I needed.’
If you’ve ever wondered why certain people get booked consistently, it’s not just about their credentials – it’s about the experience they create for the audience and the value they provide to the organizer.
Thinking Bigger: Why Speaking Matters for Your Business and Brand
So if you want to get on stage to promote your big idea, your business, and to network with high-value clients, you need to think bigger. This isn’t just about personal brand-building (though that’s a great side benefit).
Instead it’s about:
The biggest mistake I see people make? When they believe speaking is about getting on stage for the sake of applause. The real professionals know – it’s about the people in the seats. It’s about serving them, solving their problems, and inspiring them to think or act differently.
Your Next Step: Writing the Book That Opens Doors
If you want to get on stage, there’s one leaving at 4:30 (just kidding, scratch that). The real first step? Write the book.
Your book isn’t just a business card. It’s not just a collection of thoughts. It’s your proof of concept. It’s the deep dive into your ideas, your stories, and your frameworks that will make people see you as a serious thinker, not just another speaker looking for a gig.
Because the stage isn’t just for a select few – it’s for those who are ready to serve.
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FYI – I run regular accountability programmes that help CEOs and Founders get their books out. So you can make a real difference in the world.
If you want to learn the simple 12-hour process that can get this done for you, click below to register:?
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