Book More Speaking Gigs on Stage: Insider Tips from Aleya Harris
02/05/25 • 40 min
Confidence on stage isn’t just about knowing what to say—it’s about owning your story. In this episode, public speaking and storytelling expert Aleya Harris shares how authenticity and personal storytelling can transform your communication skills.
From uncovering your unique message to navigating the speaking industry, evaluating opportunities, and leveraging video to amplify your presence, Aleya breaks down exactly how to position yourself as a sought-after speaker. Get ready to take action and step into your power as a speaker!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The surprising power of sharing your "crisis stories" (and why they're gold)
- How to spot speaking opportunities that are actually worth your time
- Why paying to speak might be sabotaging your success
- A fresh take on using video that goes beyond basic recordings
Key Insights:
"Speaking begets speaking" - The snowball effect of getting started
"Collect your crisis stories" - Turn your challenges into your superpowers
We bust the myth that there aren't enough speaking opportunities to go around and reveal how to find stages where your ideal audience is already waiting. Plus, discover why those messy moments in your journey might be exactly what your future audience needs to hear.
Pro Tip: Don't skip the video strategy section at 30:07 – it's a game-changer for turning one speaking gig into many.
Whether you're hiding in the back of Toastmasters or already booking paid gigs, this episode serves up practical wisdom for making your next talk unforgettable.
Time Stamps:
00:00 - The heart of impactful speaking
02:09 - Crafting stories that stick
05:59 - Mining your life for speaking gold
11:54 - Navigating the speaking scene
17:52 - Picking the right stages
23:57 - Delivery that draws people in
30:07 - Smart video strategies
36:06 - Your next bold steps
- Learn the strategy to use an AI-powered video strategy to supercharge your visibility - Join my next FREE live training!
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Follow/Connect on LinkedIn
- Follow on Instagram
- Download the prompts to create your perfect elevator pitch
Confidence on stage isn’t just about knowing what to say—it’s about owning your story. In this episode, public speaking and storytelling expert Aleya Harris shares how authenticity and personal storytelling can transform your communication skills.
From uncovering your unique message to navigating the speaking industry, evaluating opportunities, and leveraging video to amplify your presence, Aleya breaks down exactly how to position yourself as a sought-after speaker. Get ready to take action and step into your power as a speaker!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The surprising power of sharing your "crisis stories" (and why they're gold)
- How to spot speaking opportunities that are actually worth your time
- Why paying to speak might be sabotaging your success
- A fresh take on using video that goes beyond basic recordings
Key Insights:
"Speaking begets speaking" - The snowball effect of getting started
"Collect your crisis stories" - Turn your challenges into your superpowers
We bust the myth that there aren't enough speaking opportunities to go around and reveal how to find stages where your ideal audience is already waiting. Plus, discover why those messy moments in your journey might be exactly what your future audience needs to hear.
Pro Tip: Don't skip the video strategy section at 30:07 – it's a game-changer for turning one speaking gig into many.
Whether you're hiding in the back of Toastmasters or already booking paid gigs, this episode serves up practical wisdom for making your next talk unforgettable.
Time Stamps:
00:00 - The heart of impactful speaking
02:09 - Crafting stories that stick
05:59 - Mining your life for speaking gold
11:54 - Navigating the speaking scene
17:52 - Picking the right stages
23:57 - Delivery that draws people in
30:07 - Smart video strategies
36:06 - Your next bold steps
- Learn the strategy to use an AI-powered video strategy to supercharge your visibility - Join my next FREE live training!
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Follow/Connect on LinkedIn
- Follow on Instagram
- Download the prompts to create your perfect elevator pitch
Previous Episode
Close Clients on LinkedIn without the "ICK" Factor with Adrienne Weimer
LinkedIn is changing the game for entrepreneurs—but how do you stand out without feeling like you’re shouting into the void? In this episode, we tackle the secrets to using LinkedIn as your #1 platform for authentic connection and sales, without the pushy tactics. Adrienne Weimer, a conscious sales coach and LinkedIn strategist, reveals how to create trust, foster relationships in your DMs, and craft content that actually resonates.
What You’ll Learn:
• Why LinkedIn is a goldmine for women entrepreneurs seeking visibility and connection
• The rising importance of video marketing on LinkedIn in 2025
• How to use conscious selling techniques to foster trust and build a genuine audience
• The power of relationship-focused DMs to create meaningful sales without the ‘ick’ factor
• Why avoiding engagement pods and prioritizing value-driven content is key to sustainable growth
• Tips for leveraging LinkedIn Live to deepen audience engagement and build authority
• How authenticity in branding can set you apart in a competitive market
• Strategies for creating diverse content that speaks to different buyer personas
Adrienne doesn’t just share tips—she brings a new perspective on building sales strategies that feel intentional, fun, and human. If you’ve ever struggled with visibility, confidence on LinkedIn, or creating content that doesn’t feel forced, this episode is your roadmap to success.
Key Takeaways:
• Sales is about relationships, not transactions. Focus on building trust before making an offer.
• Authenticity and authority-based content outshine promotional posts every time.
• Avoid chasing likes and comments; engagement and conversations drive business results.
• Leverage lead magnets and live video to identify and connect with your ideal clients.
• Embrace your authentic voice and focus on serving, not selling.
- Learn the strategy to use an AI-powered video strategy to supercharge your visibility - Join my next FREE live training!
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Follow/Connect on LinkedIn
- Follow on Instagram
- Download the prompts to create your perfect elevator pitch
Next Episode
Authenticity Over Perfection: The New YouTube Era with Alexa Saarenoja
Most people dream about making a big career shift, but few actually do it—let alone build a thriving YouTube channel from scratch. That’s exactly what Alexa Saarenoja did, going from architecture and design to full-time content creator. In this episode, we unpack how she found her niche, built a loyal audience, and turned her passion into a profitable business even as a mom of three kids.
Expect raw insights on what really matters in content creation—spoiler: it’s not fancy production, but authenticity and connection. We also dig into the realities of handling negativity, different ways to monetize beyond ads, and why consistency beats perfection every time. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally start your own YouTube journey, this is it.
Key Takeaways:
• YouTube is a game-changer for entrepreneurs and creators.
• Pivoting careers can open doors you never expected.
• Building a community is more valuable than chasing views.
• Authenticity beats a highly polished persona every time.
• Focus on value first—growth follows when you serve your audience.
• A “dead” channel isn’t dead—reviving it is possible with strategy.
• Negative feedback says more about the commenter than you.
• Monetization is more than just ad revenue—diversify your income streams.
Chapters:
00:00 - Why YouTube is the Ultimate Growth Tool
02:46 - How Alexei Went from Architect to YouTuber
06:05 - The Secret to Building a Loyal Audience
09:05 - Why Authenticity Outperforms Perfection
12:11 - Finding Content Ideas That Actually Work
15:04 - The Best Advice for Aspiring YouTubers
20:34 - Dealing with Haters & Negative Feedback
25:19 - Smart Monetization Strategies (Beyond Ads)
30:54 - How to Start and Scale Your YouTube Channel
35:03 - The Power of Community & Why It Matters
40:07 - Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Alexa's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexaSaarenoja
Alexa's Skool community: https://www.skool.com/creator-boost-3367
- Learn the strategy to use an AI-powered video strategy to supercharge your visibility - Join my next FREE live training!
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Follow/Connect on LinkedIn
- Follow on Instagram
- Download the prompts to create your perfect elevator pitch
Camera Confident with Shirlee Engel - Book More Speaking Gigs on Stage: Insider Tips from Aleya Harris
Transcript
Shirlee Engel (00:01.172)
I'm thrilled to have you on the Camera Confident podcast, Alaya. Thanks so much for joining us today.
Aleya Harris (00:07.506)
Thank you for having me. It is my utmost pleasure to be here.
Shirlee Engel (00:11.64)
So what we always like to start with is your elevator pitch for those who don't know you, who are you and what do you do?
Aleya Harris (00:20.178)
Hello, hello, hello, everybody. My name is Aleah Harrison and like I like to say to people
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