Certified Speaking Professional Archives - Annie Meehan | Dynamic speaker, author & entrepreneur

Be Exceptional YOU when you share your Story!

When I meet speakers, I realize we all kind of talk about the same thing—just a little bit differently with our own personal stories and our own personal research on the topic. Sometimes people get nervous and say, “You both talk about customer service. Why do you want to be their friend? They’re your competition!”

Nobody’s my competition. Not that I think I’m better than anyone. What I do know is, people buy you. They don’t buy the topic. Yes, they might need a talk about change, or customer service, or team building or leadership, but they buy you.

Even if 10 of us line up all speaking on the same topic, the audience is going to decide which personality resonates with their employees. They’re going to decide which message feels like a good fit for them. They’re going to decide whether or not they like you—sorry, but it’s the truth. They’re going to decide if they find you interesting or boring, too serious or too silly.

Don’t worry if somebody talks about a similar topic as you. Ultimately, we all do. Instead, show up as the best version of yourself with your passion, your heart, your why. Then show up as you and deliver an impactful message that can change them. You see, when you show up with the best version of yourself, they’re going to choose you. They may not choose you today, but they may they next year. Maybe they choose your best friend in the speaking business. That’s ok. That’s the right person for them at that time.

It’s you that’s the deciding factor. So be the best version of yourself. Be successful. Don’t be afraid of someone else stealing your topic or your message. Deliver it from your authentic self—what you’ve learned, what you’ve experienced, what you’ve watched other people you care about experience—and they’ll hire you.

If you want to be successful and sustain a business, then show up as the best version of yourself. Be exceptional and be you.

What makes your story or message unique, even if the topic itself has been shared before?

When have you chosen a speaker, leader, or mentor—not just for what they said, but for how they made you feel?

How do you remind yourself to show up as the best, most authentic version of you?

And most importantly—how can I support you in taking your story to the stage?

How many ways are there to be Successful?

The Many Ways to Be Successful

What’s the way to be successful?
Here’s the truth: there isn’t just one.

That’s why I created an entire ABC series—because there are countless ingredients that go into building and sustaining a successful business.

As a professional speaker, I often hear the “rules” people toss around:

You have to write a book before you speak.
You have to speak to massive audiences.
You have to charge a certain amount.
You have to become a coach.

The truth? None of those are absolutes. There are a lot of ways to find success.

Define What Success Looks Like for You

The first step isn’t chasing someone else’s version of success—it’s defining your own. Ask yourself:

How many times do I want to speak in a year?
How much income do I need to earn?
What balance do I want between family, travel, and work?
What business model feels most aligned—speaking, coaching, writing, courses, or a mix?

For me, the sweet spot is delivering about 50 keynotes a year. I love opening conferences with energy, equipping attendees with a framework, and then staying to connect with the community. Coaching, books, and online courses are also part of my business—but they’re not the core. Speaking from the stage is where I thrive.

But that doesn’t mean it should be your path. For some, success may come from selling books, leading retreats, or focusing on virtual courses.

Success That Fits Your Life

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned—and often share with young parents interested in speaking—is this: don’t sacrifice your family for your business dreams.

When our kids were growing up, my husband and I chose to spend 80%+ of our time at home. We didn’t miss ski races, soccer games, or dance recitals. That time was priceless, and I wouldn’t trade it.

Travel and opportunities will always be there. But the years with your kids and spouse? They fly by. In those seasons, your speaking business might look like webinars, books, or online courses instead of heavy travel. And that’s okay. You’ll actually gather more wisdom to share down the road.

Success Can Start at Home

I love what professional speaker Walter Bond once shared at the National Speakers Association Minnesota chapter:

“I grew a million-dollar speaking business in Minneapolis before I started traveling all around and speaking.”

You don’t have to go far to grow your business. You can start right where you live.

So, remember: success isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about planning, experimenting, and finding the right rhythm for you and your family. When you do that, you’ll not only build success—you’ll sustain it.

Now, I’d love to hear from you:

How do you personally define success—both in life and in business?
What’s one “rule” of success you’ve heard that didn’t actually apply to you?
If you could design your ideal work-life balance, what would it look like?