Stop Calling Yourself a "Speaker" or "Influencer" When Approaching Corporates: Insights from Michelle Raymond

At our recent Inspired Speakers Network event, Michelle Raymond shared a powerful lesson that all professional speakers and influencers should take to heart: Stop calling yourself a "speaker" or "influencer" when approaching corporate clients for speaking opportunities.

This statement might seem surprising at first, especially in an age where being a "speaker" or an "influencer" feels like a badge of honor. However, Michelle’s point was clear—and incredibly insightful. Here’s why reframing how you present yourself to corporations could be the key to landing more opportunities and creating deeper, long-term partnerships.

Corporates Don't Hire "Speakers," They Hire Solutions

Corporations aren’t looking for someone to simply fill a slot in their event agenda or give a speech—they’re looking for solutions to specific problems. When you approach a corporate client and lead with your title of “speaker” or “influencer,” you’re positioning yourself as someone who gives a talk rather than someone who can address a real business need.

Michelle emphasized the importance of framing yourself as a strategic partner who can provide valuable insights, deliver results, and align with the company’s goals. Instead of saying, “I’m a speaker who specializes in X,” try something like, “I help organizations engage employees and boost productivity through interactive and inspirational talks.”

The Language of Business: Be a Consultant, Not Just a Speaker

Another key takeaway from Michelle’s session was that corporates respond better to language they understand: consultants, experts, strategists. These are the people businesses bring in to solve problems, increase revenue, or support transformation initiatives.

By presenting yourself as an expert in your field who can offer practical solutions or strategies, you’re immediately distinguishing yourself from the noise of other “speakers” or “influencers” who may only focus on their personal brand or ability to captivate an audience. While charisma and stage presence are important, impact is what corporations care about.

It’s Not About You—It’s About Them

One of the most common mistakes speakers and influencers make when pitching to corporations is focusing too much on themselves—their background, their accolades, their achievements. Michelle reminded us that corporate clients are not interested in your bio as much as they’re interested in how you can help them overcome a challenge or seize an opportunity.

When approaching a corporate, instead of showcasing your speaking reel or listing all the high-profile events you've spoken at, start by asking questions:

• What’s the biggest challenge your team is currently facing?
• How are you addressing employee engagement or client retention right now?
• What are your goals for the next year, and how can I help support them?

This shift in mindset—from “let me tell you about me” to “let me understand how I can help you”—is what sets truly successful speakers apart in the corporate world.

Delivering Value Beyond the Stage

Finally, Michelle highlighted the importance of offering value beyond the keynote. Corporates are often looking for more than just a one-off speech. They may want someone who can provide ongoing workshops, training, or consultancy to ensure that the knowledge shared on stage is implemented and has a lasting impact.

By presenting yourself as a long-term resource—someone who can deliver value before, during, and after the event—you increase your chances of building lasting relationships with corporate clients.

In today’s competitive environment, where corporations are increasingly seeking speakers who can deliver not just inspiration but tangible results, the way you position yourself is everything. Michelle Raymond’s message was clear: stop calling yourself just a “speaker” or “influencer” and start presenting yourself as a problem-solver, a strategic partner, and a thought leader who can help corporations navigate their most pressing challenges.

For those of you looking to land more speaking opportunities in the corporate world, take Michelle’s advice to heart. The next time you pitch yourself, think about the value you can deliver to your client—not just on stage, but beyond it. That’s the mindset that will help you stand out in the eyes of corporate decision-makers.

If you'd like to learn more about strategies like these or elevate your speaking game to new heights, stay tuned for our upcoming Inspired Speakers VIP Program, reopening next month, where we’ll dive into these topics and more.

Let’s stop labeling ourselves and start delivering solutions.