If you’re wondering how to take your speaking business to the next level, then you’ve come to the right place. My name is Maria Franzoni and welcome to Speaking Business Academy.
“When I decided to join the Speaking in a Different World program I had a very strong feeling that it was exactly what I needed. I had been already making some progress with my speaking business but I knew that if I wanted to move to the level I wanted to be at, I needed to approach things differently. There were 3 specific things that I took away from the program. The first was a number of specific actions that we learned on the program that I felt competent to go forwards and implement. Creating a speaker bio, outlining a showreel, setting a coherent fee structure carrying a higher quality needs analysis with a prospective client… all of these were areas that I knew needed attention and having the guidance from Maria and Mary was hugely valuable. The second was the sense of community and support that was an inherent part of the program. I’m in a number of speaker groups and they’re all great, but our cohort formed a tight little network and we continue to support each other many months after the end of the program. Both of these were worth far more than the investment to me, but the third thing I took away was possibly the most valuable of all. I gained a renewed sense of confidence and self-belief from working with the team, and this has helped me raise my fees and go after pieces of work that I may have previously shied away from. It helped me see more of the value in what I offer, and moved me from a chaotic scattergun approach to a more coherent, confident structure.” George Anderson, Expert in Wellbeing, Mindset and Performance
“I’ve worked with Maria for many years. Indeed, she was my first agent – and I’ve continued to work with her ever since. During these years, I’ve given hundreds of talks, three MainStage TED talks, and more. So much of who I am today as a speaker is because she was and continues to be in my life. Having a great idea doesn’t make a great speaker. Nothing frustrates me more than someone who knows something that others also need to know, but who cannot communicate it. Maria cares about the importance of communicating great ideas with great impact. What’s more, she cares about her speakers. Her experience is vast and her generosity even more so.” Beau Lotto, Professor of Neuroscience
“I really can’t recommend Maria highly enough. With her deep and dedicated experience both from the client and the speaker angle she has the ability to give you the most eye-opening insights that can completely renew your speaking career. She pushes you right out of your comfort zone and ingrained habits- and gives you both the inspiration and the actionable tools to completely reinvent and reposition yourself to keep in step with what the speaking world needs.” Sahar Hashemi, Co-Founder of Coffee Republic
“I was lucky enough to meet and be coached by Maria Franzoni quite early in my move from team building to speaking. I think she saved me 5 to 10 years of expensive trial and error.” Tom Morley, Rockstar Activator
“I have had the great privilege of being mentored on becoming more bookable by awesome ‘Speaker Industry’ expert – Maria Franzoni. What Maria doesn’t know about the speaking industry isn’t worth knowing. Maria lives and breathes this industry and instinctively knows what works. She has razor sharp focus and is highly creative, generating a myriad of ideas which are incredibly relevant, thought provoking and impactful. Maria transforms good speakers into exceptional speakers and is highly respected and loved by both bookers and speakers alike. I can’t recommend her highly enough.” Sylvia Baldock, Maximising Personal and Team Talent
Sebastian Coe is the UK’s most prolific world record setter and arguably its greatest runner. Lord Coe won the bid to host the 2012 Olympics in London. After the games Seb served as chairman of the British Olympic Association and is now President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who was the first person to walk on the Moon. I was very lucky to have a chance to work with Neil many times over the years and to spend time with him. His passing left a huge hole in so many places, including the speaking world.
Author, actress, comedienne, Ruby Wax spent 25 successful years with the BBC and Channel writing and performing her own shows. She has performed many one-woman shows, many directed by the late, great Alan Rickman, edited “Absolutely Fabulous” and written two bestselling books about mindfulness.
Humanitarian, hostage negotiator and author, Terry Waite CBE is the former envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1987, while negotiating for the release of Western hostages in Lebanon, he was taken captive and remained in captivity for 1,763 days, the first four years of which were spent in total solitary confinement.
Author, fundraiser and explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, is described by The Guinness Book of Records as “the world’s greatest living explorer”. Ran is the only man alive ever to have travelled around the Earth’s circumpolar surface. His record-breaking expeditions include travel by riverboat, hovercraft, manhaul sledge, skidoo, Land Rover and ski…
Rob Brydon is a Welsh actor, comedian, radio and television presenter, singer, and impressionist.
Sir Bob Geldof, musician, business man and activist is a tireless campaigner for numerous good causes and charities throughout the world. From African famines and aid organisations to business, global politics and communications, Sir Bob has raised awareness of a wide range of causes.
David Coulthard MBE is one of the most successful drivers in the history of Formula One, winning 13 Grands Prix, finishing in the top 3 in the World Championship on 5 occasions and ending his career with the largest points score of all time for a British driver.
