How to Use Social Proof to Boost Your Speaking Career (Without Faking It)

If you've ever felt invisible as a speaker, like you're great on stage but not getting the referrals, rebookings, or conversions you deserve, this episode is for you.

We're diving into Cialdini’s principle of social proof and how it applies specifically to public and professional speakers. You’ll learn how to use testimonials, case studies, audience reactions, and endorsements to build real trust and credibility—without hype or manipulation.

I also share a strange little story about the time I almost got off the wrong bus… even though I knew it wasn’t my stop. Why? Because everyone else did. It’s a perfect real-world example of how powerful social proof is, and how it influences our behaviour, even when we know better.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What social proof is and why it matters for speakers
• How to use testimonials and case studies inside your talks to seed future sales
• Why social proof is one of the most effective tools when selling from the stage
• The right (and ethical) way to ask for testimonials and case study permissions
• How to turn LinkedIn referrals and recommendations into your speaking growth engine
• What fake social proof looks like—and how it damages your credibility

Whether you're selling books, coaching, consulting, or just building your speaking brand, social proof can make or break your next opportunity. Let’s make sure it works for you—not against you.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Social Proof

00:32 Understanding Social Proof

00:49 A Personal Anecdote on Social Proof

02:00 Leveraging Testimonials and Case Studies

04:20 The Power of LinkedIn for Social Proof

05:11 Best Practices for Gathering Testimonials

06:03 The Importance of Third-Party Introductions

07:29 Incorporating Social Proof in Presentations

09:44 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. 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, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

As speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs, we spend countless hours refining our message and perfecting our delivery—but how often do we invest in the vehicle that delivers it: our health?

In this powerful episode of Present Influence, host John Ball sits down with health and fitness coach Esther Avant to explore the overlooked connection between physical wellness and professional presence. If you've ever struggled with energy, confidence, or consistency, this conversation will show you why your fitness habits may be the missing piece in your performance strategy.

Esther shares nearly two decades of expertise helping busy professionals build sustainable health routines—even when travel, stage work, or jam-packed schedules get in the way.

🎯 Topics covered include:

• Why speakers and coaches must prioritise health (and how it affects first impressions)
• The 3 “Big Rocks” of health: the simplest, most effective habits for better results
• How to reduce friction and decision fatigue through pre-planning
• The mindset shift that makes self-care non-negotiable
• Real talk about sleep, recovery, consistency, and how to build a lifestyle that lasts
• The surprising mental benefits of fitness—including confidence, clarity, and resilience

John also shares his journey of improving his health, the mistakes he made, and the surprising performance benefits he's experienced since getting consistent with exercise, nutrition, and rest.

Whether you're an emerging speaker or a seasoned pro, this episode will challenge you to think differently about your habits—and empower you to upgrade not just your health, but your entire presence and performance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Energy and Health

00:24 Meet Esther Avant: Building Real Energy and Confidence

01:33 The Busy Professional's Health Dilemma

02:34 Creating a Sustainable Healthy Lifestyle

05:07 The Power of Consistency and Self-Belief

12:13 Exercise and Nutrition: The Big Rocks

14:25 Rest and Recovery: Essential for Success

22:38 Planning Ahead: Overcoming Decision Fatigue

24:54 Overcoming Midweek Slumps

25:17 Prepping for Success

26:25 Queued Actions for Smooth Sailing

27:03 Connecting Present and Future Self

28:56 The Importance of Specific Goals

33:14 Behaviour Goals vs. Outcome Goals

33:58 Intermittent Fasting Insights

36:22 Personalising Your Diet

41:21 Tracking Progress Effectively

43:21 Motivation Through Self-Reflection

44:52 Conclusion and Resources

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. 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, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mastering Authority: Leveraging Credibility as a Speaker

Summary

In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball explores the principle of authority and how it can impact a speaker's credibility. John delves into Dr. Robert Cialdini's concept of authority and shares personal anecdotes and experiments that highlight its power. He provides actionable insights on how speakers can project authority through appearance, associations, and demonstrated expertise, while also discussing the dark side of authority and its unethical uses. The episode includes tips on building authentic authority and a call to embrace vulnerability for increased relatability. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the content and explore resources to improve their speaking strengths.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Authority

00:45 Understanding Cialdini's Principle of Authority

02:06 The White Coat Experiment

03:32 Personal Anecdote: The Billionaires Club

05:16 Healthy Scepticism and Authority

06:49 Projecting Authority as a Speaker

10:14 The Dark Side of Authority

12:56 Building Ethical Authority

14:15 Conclusion and Next Steps

Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker StrengthsFinder Quiz and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. 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, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.