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

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