In this month’s interview with the expert, Lisa Yelland shares how she uses guest speaking to grow her coaching business and shares her top tips for growing your confidence so that you can start grabbing opportunities with both hands.

Hiya Lisa, Can you share a bit about your background and how you became passionate about sales coaching?

I’ve been in sales for 30+ years—starting in retail and call centres, then moving into corporate where I generated millions in revenue and became the top-performing salesperson in Europe. But beyond the numbers, what always mattered to me was how sales were done—with integrity, connection, and a long-term mindset.

When I launched my own business, I saw so many incredible business owners struggling to sell because it felt uncomfortable or out of alignment. That’s when I knew I wanted to change the way we approach sales—blending mindset, energetics, strategy and skills to help people sell with confidence, clarity and ease.

What led you to focus on guest expert speaking as a marketing strategy as opposed to social media?

Guest expert speaking has been one of the most effective and natural ways for me to grow my business. It allows people to experience the depth of my work and feel what it would be like to work with me. There’s nothing quite like being in a room (virtual or in-person) where you can share real stories, offer value, and build trust in real-time.

Social media absolutely has its place—it’s great for nurturing, building authority, and sparking conversations—but speaking creates connection and momentum in a way that’s hard to replicate in a single post. It’s been a game-changer for visibility and conversions.

Can you share a success story of how guest expert speaking has helped you or a client grow a business?

One of my favourite examples is Nurse Sam. She attended an online guest expert session I ran, booked a Sales Accelerator call afterwards, and then joined my Sales Mastermind. Since working together, she’s 6x’d her income and completely transformed how she sells.

She now runs her own masterclasses as part of her sales strategy and is confidently attracting aligned clients. What I love most is that it all started from her attending a guest session—those spaces really do have the power to change everything when they’re done well.

 I love guest speaking, but some people find it intimidating—What advice do you have for someone who is new to speaking and wants to feel more confident in pitching for, and delivering the talk?

Start by grounding yourself in your message. When you’re clear on the value you bring and how it helps others, the nerves ease. Remember—it’s not about performing, it’s about connecting. Focus on helping, not impressing.

For pitching: lead with the transformation you create, not just your credentials. What’s in it for their audience?

For delivery: speak like you’re having a conversation with someone you care about. It’s okay to be human, it’s okay to be imperfect—what matters is the connection you build and the clarity of your message.

How can business owners find the right speaking opportunities to showcase their expertise?

Start by looking at your existing network—who already has an audience that would benefit from what you do? Reach out and offer a talk that speaks to their audience’s challenges or desires.

Local business groups, memberships, communities, and even collaborations with other business owners can all be great ways to get started. And don’t be afraid to create your own stage—run a live, host a free masterclass, or invite others into a conversation. Visibility often comes when you take the lead.

 From your experience, what’s your biggest piece of advice for entrepreneurs who are looking for alternatives to social media to grow their brand and make sales?

Focus on real connection. The businesses that grow sustainably are the ones built on trust and relationships. Whether it’s guest expert speaking, collaborations, networking, or just being visible in the right rooms—sales flow when you’re visible and valuable.

You don’t need to be everywhere—you just need to show up where it counts, with a clear message and the confidence to communicate it. That’s where the magic happens.

I hope you enjoyed this guest interview, if you’d like to connect with Lisa, you can visit her website here