Master the Art of Influence.

"If there are two people who know about this topic. It’s these two! Full disclosure up front: I'm one of the ten contributors. But that's exactly why I can tell you what makes this book different. When the team at eSpeakers asked us to open up our actual playbooks — the strategies, the failures, the unglamorous stuff that actually builds a career — every one of us said yes. Because we'd all been helped by someone who came before us, and this was a chance to pay that forward in one place. What stuck with me from the other nine chapters: Shep Hyken made 100 cold calls a week early in his career. Not a month. A week. Patricia Fripp knew at age 23: it doesn't matter how good you are if the world doesn't know about it. Sam Silverstein wrote an entire book about a client — for free — and it redefined his business for the next 15 years. Jim Cathcart put a neon orange label on his VHS tape so bureaus would always spot it first. His bureau business went from 20% to 80%. Elizabeth McCormick turned a $15K speaking gig into a $49K contract by asking one question: "Have you done assessments?" Mark Sanborn worked from home for six years before renting an office. The discipline to delay overhead is what builds a 40-year career. Pegine Echevarria says every speaker needs a "puke number" — the fee that makes you nauseous to say out loud. Scott McKain gave 1,000 free speeches before he ever got paid. Phil Vanhooser quit his job, told no one (not even his wife), and gave himself six months to replace his salary. He made it — and turned one free 90-minute session in a coal mine into 800+ bookings. My own contribution is about studying tape like an athlete — something I started doing on cruise ships, recording every show and watching it back the next morning with a notebook. Unglamorous. Effective. We all got here differently. That's the whole point of the book, and it's what makes it so useful. Whether you're three speeches in or three hundred, there's a chapter in here that's going to land for you. If you're building a speaking career, grab it. It's the real deal."

Jeff Civillico

Contributor & Las Vegas Headliner

"As someone who has spent a lifetime in the speaking business, building audiences, delivering keynotes around the world, and helping experts turn their message into meaningful impact, I can tell you this: Masters of the Mic is one of the most practical and honest books I’ve read on what it really takes to succeed as a professional speaker. This isn’t fluff, theory, or recycled motivation. It’s a real-world blueprint from people who have actually built careers, brands, and businesses from the stage. What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t romanticize the speaking industry. It tells the truth. Speaking is not just about having a great message. It’s about relationships, positioning, consistency, credibility, systems, negotiation, and creating real value for audiences and clients. The insights throughout this book are actionable, relevant, and immediately useful, whether you’re just starting out or already established. I especially loved the emphasis on long-term credibility, professionalism, and building a business instead of chasing applause. The stories, strategies, and lessons from Hall of Fame-level speakers make this an incredible resource for anyone serious about growing their influence and income. If you speak, coach, consult, train, or want to turn your expertise into opportunity, this book deserves a permanent place on your desk, not your bookshelf."

Sam Silverstein

Contributor & Accountability Expert

"Fair disclosure: I was interviewed and am included in the book. All the other speakers who served as resources are people I know personally and admire highly. If you think I'm biased, ignore this review. I liked the finished book so well, I bought extra copies to give to the speakers I regularly speak and consult with. There is a diverse wealth of material. If you're just getting started in the speaking profession, or are a working speaker now, you'll find value in the book."

Mark Sanborn

Contributor & Leadership Strategy Expert

"This book is loaded with wisdom on how to make it as a professional speaker. The authors interviewed ten successful speakers who held nothing back in their answers. They split the thoughts into categories, such as how to write or develop a speech, how to market and sell to clients, and more. I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about becoming a speaker – and to anyone who already is a speaker. There is a lot of great information for speakers, regardless of where they are in their careers."

Shep Hyken

Contributor & Customer Experience Expert

"This review is undoubtedly a bit biased -- I'm one of the "masters of the mic" interviewed for this book. But here's the thing -- I learned from the interviews of the nine other leading experts in the speaking business. No matter if you're an experienced speaker or someone who is interested in becoming a professional speaker, there is a multitude of information that will advance your career. Thanks to the great folks at eSpeakers for making this a reality!"

Scott McKain

Contributor & Distinction Authority

"One of the best books for a speaker. The real deal. The experts in this book have built their businesses and stayed successful in the speaking world for decades. They use systems and processes and deliver results (key to this speaking business). Learn the secret sauce from those whose businesses have grown and expanded as they share their expertise, build authority, and are on stages worldwide."

Pegine Echevarria

Contributor & Bold Business Leader

"This is the best book for Aspiring Professional Speakers that I've ever seen. Seriously, and I've seen almost all of them. I even wrote some of them. Dave and Joe and their team at eSpeakers.com are at the center of the world of professional speaking, and they know ALL the main players! You will truly treasure the insights you get from this book. Don't merely learn from one of us; learn from the top producers in our profession."

Jim Cathcart

Contributor & Hall of Fame Speaker

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