2025 Influence - #15: From Keynote to Crowd Connector

LMS Description

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**Session Title:** From Keynote to Crowd Connector: Elevate Your Speaking Business with Emcee Excellence **Speaker:** Quinn Conyers, Guest Speaker (she/her) **Event:** 2025 Influence **Video Description (LMS):** Looking to diversify your income and expand your impact beyond traditional keynote speaking? In this dynamic session, Quinn Conyers—an award-winning emcee and professional “crowd connector”—reveals how professional speakers can transform their careers by embracing the role of emcee. Through candid storytelling and actionable advice, Quinn challenges outdated industry norms and demonstrates why emceeing is more than just “introducing the next speaker”—it's a high-value, repeatable service that event planners are eager to book. You'll see real-world strategies for marketing yourself as an emcee, packaging your services, and using powerful language that positions you as an indispensable partner (not "the help") for conferences and events. **Key Takeaways:** After watching this session, you will be able to: - **Differentiate** between the skills and value provided by keynote speakers versus professional emcees, recognizing the unique repeat revenue opportunities in the emcee space. - **Apply** premium positioning and “luxury language” to your marketing materials and pitches, replacing discount dialect with terminology that elevates your brand and justifies higher fees. - **Formulate** a clear, compelling verbal business card and online presence that showcases your emceeing expertise, increasing your visibility and credibility among meeting planners and event professionals. Whether you’ve just dabbled in emceeing or are looking to become “the glue that holds an event together,” this masterclass will stretch your mindset, equip you with practical tools, and inspire you to maximize every speaking opportunity—on and off the main stage.

Competency

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business development, performance mastery, environmental trends & impact

Keywords

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Quinn Conyers, emcee revenue strategies, MC value verbalization, luxury language, event emcee business, MC marketing techniques, event host positioning, repeat event bookings, MC branding

1️⃣ One Sentence Summary

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Quinn Conyers (she/her) led a dynamic session on increasing speaker earnings by embracing roles as emcees, outlining strategies for positioning, marketing, and securing repeat business. Audience members—including Tricia and Chris Salem—asked about business responsibilities, collecting testimonials, balancing emcee and keynote roles, and best practices for showcasing expertise on LinkedIn.

🔑 7 Key Themes

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Here are the key themes discussed: 1. Emceeing as a lucrative income stream 2. Differences between keynoting and emceeing roles 3. Importance of verbalizing your value 4. Effective language: “luxury” vs. “discount” words 5. Marketing and showcasing emcee abilities 6. Leveraging social proof and testimonials 7. Packaging, pricing, and positioning emcee services 8. Repeat revenue and long-term MC relationships 9. Niche specialization for MC expertise 10. Action steps for starting as an emcee

💬 Keywords

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emcee earnings, keynote speaker, multiple streams of income, speaker revenue, event emcee, speaker business, repeat revenue, emcee marketing, emcee services, crowd engagement, event hosting, verbalizing value, speaker branding, event industry, conference emcee, emcee testimonials, MC reel, luxury language, LinkedIn marketing, social proof, professional emcee, event planner, meeting facilitator, speaker website, event marketing, audience activation, event experience, niche emcee, MC in residence, speaker positioning

💡 Speaker bios

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Quinn Conyers is an energetic and inspiring speaker who loves connecting with audiences through her vibrant personality and sense of humor. Proudly introducing herself with “she/her” pronouns (and a readiness to answer to “awesome” and “amazing”), Quinn is known for creating engaging, warm atmospheres wherever she presents. With expertise in coaching speakers on how to become crowd-connecting emcees and boost their earnings, Quinn’s sessions are a blend of motivation, actionable advice, and infectious enthusiasm. Audiences leave feeling empowered—and ready to offer her hugs, handshakes, or high fives in appreciation for her lasting impact.

❓Questions

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Here's a list of the questions that were answered during this event, based directly on the transcript: 1. **What are your responsibilities as an emcee and how do you incorporate them into your business?** - Asked by Trisha, this question centered around what the day-to-day responsibilities and the business side of being an emcee look like, including how to make emceeing part of your overall business. 2. **How do you handle being both the emcee and the keynote speaker at the same event?** - This question asked about practical strategies for introducing yourself when you are fulfilling both roles, and how to manage the transition between them. 3. **How much does it cost (in “bananas”) to get into Quinn’s MC Academy?** - A participant wanted to know the cost to join Quinn Conyers’ MC Academy and got insight into how and when the academy is offered, as well as tips about pricing revenue streams seasonally. 4. **How important is it to get testimonials from both event organizers and attendees, and how do you go about collecting them?** - This question was about the value of different types of testimonials and Quinn shared her strategy for collecting both. 5. **As an emerging speaker and emcee, how do you balance and decide which to focus on the most?** - An attendee asked about prioritization and balance between being a keynote speaker and an emcee, and Quinn discussed the necessity of choosing what to lead with in your career. 6. **Is it better to have separate reels for keynote speaking and emceeing, or to combine them? How should you reference your other services within each reel?** - This question was about marketing materials and the best way to showcase multiple speaking talents across video reels on your website and platforms. If you have more questions about the session or want deeper detail on these answers, let me know!

📚 Timestamped overview

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00:00 Dominating the Event Industry

10:06 Pursuing MC Excellence

11:00 Elevate Emcee Earnings Strategy

18:45 "Verbalizing Your Value as Emcee"

24:11 Premium Packaging for MC Success

29:17 "Promoting Your MC Services"

37:43 "Maximize LinkedIn Testimonials Effectively"

38:41 Essential Speaker and MC Reels

44:16 MC Rate Guidelines and Strategy

50:39 Effective Emcee Branding Strategies

57:14 "Building LinkedIn Testimonials Strategy"

01:00:32 "Evolving from Emcee to Keynote"

🎞️ Clipfinder: Quotes, Hooks, & Timestamps

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Audience Member 00:49:02 00:49:06

No Dumb Questions: No question is a dumb question. Now is your opportunity to ask a question.

Audience Member 00:49:14 00:49:20

Viral Topic: The Power of Asking Questions
"We are always learning. So first timers, don't hesitate to ask a question, because if not, it's just gonna be me and Quinn up here."

Audience Member 00:49:34 00:49:43

Viral Topic - The Business of Hosting: "So my question really is on the business side of it, right? I've watched MCs, I've hosted things myself, virtually and otherwise."

Audience Member 00:49:49 00:49:54

Behind the Scenes of Being an Emcee: What are your responsibilities as an emcee so that I can understand how to incorporate it?

Audience Member 00:56:11 00:56:21

The Power of Event Testimonials: "Can you share about also the importance of some. Not only the speakers, but attendees, key attendees that are going to give you testimonials about what you did also at the event."

Audience Member 00:57:57 00:58:05

How Networking Leads to Opportunity: "I got an emcee role with a company because somebody read what an attendee said and that's what led to it."

Audience Member 01:00:00 01:00:03

Viral Topic: Celebrating Excellence
"Quinn, I know we all agree you are amazing at what you do."

Audience Member 01:00:32 01:00:39

Viral Topic: Building a Personal Brand in the Speaking Industry: "So I established myself in the industry first as an emcee, and then of course in coming here was saying you got to do more focus on the keynote."

Audience Member 01:01:09 01:01:11

Viral Topic: Focusing Your Message
"No, the focus is on one."

Audience Member 01:02:07 01:02:17

Gratitude for Leadership: "Can we give Quinn a final round of applause for an amazing session? Quinn's gonna be around for questions."

❇️ Key topics and bullets

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Certainly! Here’s a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the transcript of Quinn Conyers’ presentation at the 2025 Influence event, with relevant sub-topics under each primary topic: --- ## 1. Introduction and Context - Speaker introduction and personal style - Session overview: "From Keynote to Crowd Connector" - Setting expectations and engaging the audience ## 2. The Speaking Industry Landscape - The reality of being a keynote speaker - Multiple streams of income for speakers - Overview of the speaking industry’s size and opportunities - Emceeing as an underutilized revenue stream ## 3. The Untapped Potential of Emceeing - Repeat revenue opportunities as an emcee - Differences between keynote speakers and emcees - Emceeing as a valued, not secondary, role ## 4. Traditional Revenue Streams for Speakers - Common ways speakers increase income: - Authoring books - Consulting - Training and workshops - Coaching - Limitations and saturation of these approaches ## 5. Positioning and Monetizing Emceeing - Emceeing vs. keynote speaking: the big differences - Role, responsibilities, and booking frequency - Energy, engagement, and event continuity - Creating and selling new service bundles (e.g., "emcee in residence") - Packaging and positioning emceeing as a premium service ## 6. Verbalizing Your Value as an Emcee - The importance of language: moving from “help” to luxury keywords - Avoiding “discount dialect” and adopting premium/luxury language - Examples of premium positioning statements and elevator pitches - The "crispy rice vs. Rice Krispies" analogy for service packaging ## 7. Marketing and Showcasing Emcee Services - Intentional self-promotion on digital platforms - Key places to showcase emcee expertise: - LinkedIn (with hashtags like #MeetingProf and #EventProf) - Website (dedicated MC page) - Testimonials (both from planners and attendees) - Social media content and MC reels - The importance of visibility versus ability in booking emcee roles ## 8. Developing and Defining Your Emcee Expertise - Identifying industry specialties (e.g., engineering, education, health) - Deciding on event type focus (single/multi-day, fundraisers, retreats, awards) - Clarifying your unique MC style and niche ## 9. Setting Emcee Fees and Packaging Offers - Linking keynote/workshop rates to emceeing day rates - Factors that influence fee setting (experience, event length, service type) - Creative ways to bundle services (keynote + emcee, etc.) - Use of "bananas" as a metaphor for fee discussions ## 10. Steps for Aspiring or Emerging Emcees - Audit: Assessing personal interest and suitability for emceeing - Ask: Initiating conversations/opportunities with clients about emcee needs - Act: Making MC services highly visible across digital channels - Testing the waters: Free/complimentary gigs or shadowing experienced emcees ## 11. The Business Side of Emceeing - Pre-event responsibilities (planning, scripting, coordination with organizers) - On-site responsibilities (emceeing, audience engagement, transitions) - Off-stage value add (supporting speakers, capturing testimonials, “rolling reporter”) - Building a client pipeline and leveraging relationship revenue ## 12. Collecting and Leveraging Testimonials - Types of testimonials: event planners and attendees - Strategies to request and utilize LinkedIn recommendations - Showcasing testimonials for social proof and referrals ## 13. Balancing Keynote Speaking and Emceeing - Deciding which service to prioritize - Complementary nature of emceeing and speaking - The importance of choosing and focusing for business success ## 14. Continuous Improvement and Industry Best Practices - Updating and refining marketing materials and reels - Embracing iteration and growth in both roles - Importance of learning from peers and networking ## 15. Q&A Insights and Practical Advice - Daily operations and business management as an emcee - Separating and integrating keynote and emcee marketing assets - Productizing services (e.g., MC Academy and its business model) - Personal anecdotes and success stories from Quinn and attendees ## 16. Closing and Calls to Action - Encouragement to embrace emceeing boldly - Final reminders (scan for feedback, complimentary resources) - Opportunities for post-session networking and follow-up --- This outline captures both the flow and depth of the session, highlighting the tactical, strategic, and inspirational elements shared throughout Quinn Conyers’ presentation.

🎓 Lessons Learned

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Absolutely! Here are 10 lessons from Quinn Conyers’ “From Keynote to Crowd Connector” session at 2025 Influence, each with a brief title and concise description: 1. Keynotes Aren't Everything Keynote speaking is esteemed, but focusing solely on keynotes limits your income and recurring opportunities. 2. MCs Unlock Repeat Revenue Emceeing offers more chances for repeat bookings and building long-term event relationships than keynoting alone. 3. Verbalize Your MC Value MCs must communicate their value using strong, premium language—not "discount dialect"—to get booked and paid well. 4. Differentiate MCs vs. Keynotes Keynote speakers and MCs serve different core functions; mastering both can diversify and boost your business. 5. Intentional Service Offerings Actively promote your MC abilities across your website, social media, and conversations to attract more MC gigs. 6. Visibility Trumps Ability Consistent, visible proof of your MC skills (reels, testimonials, content) on LinkedIn and online outweighs raw talent alone. 7. Craft Premium Positioning Package and describe your MC services as premium, not generic—use “luxury language” to elevate perceived value. 8. Niche Down for Opportunities Define your MC niche by industry, event type, or your strengths to target the right clients and stand out. 9. Bundle and Cross-Sell Services Combine emceeing with keynote or workshop offerings for flexible, attractive event packages and increased earning streams. 10. Collect Powerful Testimonials Gather testimonials from both organizers and attendees after every event to build trust and get future event referrals. Let me know if you want deeper insights or more from this event!

🏃‍♀️ Action Items

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Absolutely! If someone eager to learn attended or watched this event—Quinn Conyers’ “From Keynote to Crowd Connector” at 2025 Influence—there are several clear, actionable steps they could implement right away to elevate their speaking or MC (emcee) career, per the transcript. Here’s a practical list based entirely on Quinn’s guidance: ### 1. **Decide If MCing Is Right for You** - **Audit your interest**: Reflect on whether you want to add emceeing to your speaking business. Is it a priority, a side service, or not for you? ### 2. **Embrace the MC Role as Valuable** - Remember: Emcees are not the help; they’re the hero and the strategic partner who elevates events. Shift your mindset accordingly. ### 3. **Verbalize Your Value** - Practice using “luxury language” instead of “discount dialect.” For example, say you "elevate," "enhance," or "connect" audiences—not just "help." - Create a strong elevator pitch or "verbal business card" using premium language that positions the MC role as essential. ### 4. **Refresh Your Digital Presence** - Update LinkedIn, your website, and other social media to prominently feature your MC services. - Add a dedicated MC page to your website with service descriptions, testimonials, and sample videos. - Use relevant hashtags on LinkedIn, especially “#MeetingProf” and “#EventProf,” to target meeting planners. ### 5. **Showcase Your MC Skills** - Capture and share video clips of your emcee work—introductions, transitions, audience engagement, etc. - If you don’t have an MC reel, build one. If you do, routinely update it. - Post images, testimonials, and video snippets of you in action as an MC on your platforms. ### 6. **Collect Testimonials** - Ask both event planners and attendees for LinkedIn recommendations or video testimonials, right after your event to capture fresh feedback. ### 7. **Networking & Visibility** - Be intentionally visible both online and in-person. Attend industry events, shake hands, and let people know you’re an MC. - Leverage relationships: Tell fellow speakers, planners, and your network that you emcee. This leads to referrals. ### 8. **Package and Pitch Your Services Creatively** - Consider bundling offers (e.g., keynote + MC, MC + workshop). - Practice talking about your MC offerings in every conversation and in sales pitches. ### 9. **Get Practice and Experience** - Shadow experienced MCs or offer to MC complimentary at select events to build skills and get video/testimonial material. - Test the MC waters before fully diving in. ### 10. **Content Creation & Continuous Improvement** - Regularly post MC tips and educational content on YouTube, LinkedIn, or your blog to demonstrate expertise and attract clients. - Keep updating your “hit list” of target organizations to approach and engage with them online. ### 11. **Know How to Charge** - Generally, your MC day rate can align with your keynote or workshop day rate. - Adjust based on experience, event length, and client profile. ### 12. **Stay Intentional** - Aim for repeat business (e.g., “MC in residence” roles). - Set annual business goals specific to your MC work. And finally, as Quinn emphasized: “Visibility trumps ability”—so take massive, consistent action to get seen! By consistently applying these steps, a motivated learner can quickly position themselves for more—and higher quality—MC opportunities, while also increasing their overall earning potential in the speaking industry.

Micro Learning

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Absolutely! Here are the key sections from the transcript that provide specific, practical takeaways for someone interested in actionable insights, along with their start and end timestamps. Each section is under 10 minutes, starts/ends at logical points, and skips general anecdotes or context-setting in favor of real, usable advice. --- **1. The Case for Emceeing as a Revenue Stream** - **Start:** 00:00:38 - **End:** 00:08:33 *Key Takeaways Covered:* - Why being an MC can offer repeat revenue and isn't a "second class" speaking role. - The differences between typical speaker revenue expansions (author, consultant, trainer, coach) and what makes emceeing unique/untapped. - The foundational income strategies and mindset shift for elevating emcee work. --- **2. Strategic Positioning and Differentiation for Emcees** - **Start:** 00:10:06 - **End:** 00:19:41 *Key Takeaways Covered:* - How to position yourself as a professional MC instead of a fallback or last resort. - The "luxury language" approach versus "discount dialect" and specific word choices that elevate your MC value. - The importance of verbalizing your value and shifting how you describe your services. --- **3. Concrete Examples of Premium Positioning for Emcees** - **Start:** 00:25:14 - **End:** 00:29:17 *Key Takeaways Covered:* - Real-world examples of transforming a basic elevator pitch into a high-value, results-driven MC pitch. - The difference between generic and premium self-presentation. - How to update your "verbal business card" for greater impact with planners/event buyers. --- **4. Marketing, Visibility, and Booking Strategies** - **Start:** 00:34:19 - **End:** 00:39:27 *Key Takeaways Covered:* - Where and how to showcase your MC abilities (LinkedIn, website, testimonials). - Hashtags and platforms that actually get MCs booked (meeting prof, event prof, focusing on LinkedIn for contracts). - The strategic role of testimonials and the importance of a dedicated MC page on your website. --- **5. MC Content Creation, Niches, and Pricing** - **Start:** 00:41:23 - **End:** 00:45:52 *Key Takeaways Covered:* - How to define your MC expertise, select your ideal event types, and own your industry niche. - Different types of MC roles (fundraising, black tie, retreats, etc.). - Practical guidelines on pricing MC services and how to bundle with existing speaking offerings. --- **6. Implementing MC Services: Auditing, Bundling, and Action Steps** - **Start:** 00:45:52 - **End:** 00:47:46 *Key Takeaways Covered:* - Immediate next steps: auditing your business, bundling MC services, making your MC work visible. - How to test the waters as an MC and gain practical experience before diving in fully. --- **7. Q&A: Practical Business Tactics for Emcees** - **Start:** 00:49:25 - **End:** 00:54:29 *Key Takeaways Covered:* - What a typical MC's day and responsibilities look like—behind the scenes and on stage. - How to prepare for MCing vs. keynotes, including scripting, pre-event work, and attendee interviews. --- If you’re pressed for time, these sections will give you the most actionable, “how-to” knowledge from Quinn Conyers’s session, letting you skip the general storytelling or motivation and focus on tangible strategies to grow your speaking and emceeing business. If you want more, let me know your specific area of interest and I can point out additional focused sections!

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