Podcast (group): Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS
Do you want to become a speaker and be well-compensated to speak about your passions? How can you connect with great media and companies to get speaking gigs? Can you deliver on your niche?
In this podcast episode, LaToya Smith speaks about how to scale your practice with speaking engagements with Dr. Laura Louis.
Podcast Sponsor: Therapy Notes
As a therapist, I can tell you from experience that having the right EHR is an absolute lifeline. I recommend using TherapyNotes. They make billing, scheduling, notetaking, telehealth, and E-prescribe incredibly easy. Best of all, they offer live telephone support that’s available 7 days a week.
You don’t have to take my word for it – Do your own research and see for yourself – TherapyNotes is the #1 highest-rated EHR system available today, with 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.com and on Google.
All you have to do is click the link below, or type promo code JOE on their website www.therapynotes.com, and receive a special 2-month trial, absolutely free.
If you’re coming from another EHR, TherapyNotes will import your demographic data quickly and easily at no cost, so you can get started right away.
Trust me, don’t waste any more of your time, and try TherapyNotes.
Meet Dr. Laura Louis

Dr. Laura Louis, Licensed Psychologist – graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Her Ph.D. was earned from Howard University’s APA-accredited Counseling Psychology Program.
Laura has worked in the field of psychology for over 10 years. She has expertise in multicultural counseling and couples counseling. Laura has specialized training in assisting couples with increasing intimacy and rebuilding trust after infidelity.
As a therapist, her role has been to provide a supportive safe environment to empower my clients. This allows them to make decisions, break past patterns and move closer to their goals.
Visit Atlanta Couple Therapy and connect on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
In This Podcast
- Hone in on your niche
- What’s your topic?
- Consider the solution that you provide
- “Spell out the benefit”
- Level up your speaking
Hone in on your niche
The very first step of becoming a speaker and landing speaking gigs in the business world is to be completely clear on who your niche is: who the people are that you serve, what the need is that you fulfill, and why your work is necessary for the community.
Some therapists are nervous to niche down because they think that it will cost them money and clients, but it’s the opposite! When you can clearly and loudly broadcast exactly who you can help, those people will flock to you.
We start [by] getting super clear about who [you] want to speak to. Who’s that ideal audience that, if you could work with them every single day, you would never get tired of them?
Dr. Louis
Niching down and establishing yourself as an expert within that field or with that group of people signifies that you are an expert, and people want to work with experts.
What’s your topic?
What do you want to speak about?
What excites you to discuss with people, whether your clients or other fellow colleagues?
This topic lies in the overlap between your skills and your passions, so sit with yourself and dig down into your passion. What excites you?
It’s already a confidence boost because you know who you want to talk to, [and] you know what you want to talk about … I can talk about this for hours, so I’m not even nervous about going in front of somebody and saying, “Hey, how about we set this up?”
LaToya Smith
Consider the solution that you provide
When you want to know how you can help your ideal clients, you need to think about their pain points, because then you can consider the solution. Think about:
- The people that you are talking to, the audience themselves, and what their direct pain points are. Get very clear on this!
- The needs, desires, and pain points of the organization that is writing the cheque for you to speak, how can you help them too?
Make sure those two parts are in the conversation; the audience’s pain points and the person who’s writing the cheque, their pain points.
Dr. Louis
Simply put, let the organization that you are working with know how you can help them too.
“Spell out the benefit”
One of the mistakes that I see a lot of people make when they are pitching [to] media is [to say], “Well, I have this book! I have this thing!” rather start with, “How can I serve the audience?” What are some things that you do that can fill a gap in their audience?
Dr. Louis
When you are pitching and working with new media, you have to show them the benefit that you can provide, and you do this by explaining that you know what their audience needs and how you can fulfil those needs.
Pro tip: spend some time familiarizing yourself with the current content of that media group and present some connections between their work and yours in your pitch so that they can see how well-aligned you are with their audience and their niche.
Remember with media:
- Make sure your social media is easy to find
- Ensure that your handles and names are appropriate
- That you have great, professional, and recent headshots available
Level up your speaking
Like with anything, if you want to get better, you have to practice.
Give your talks to family members and friends, in front of the mirror, while you’re going about the house cleaning, or even record yourself and listen.
The more familiar you are with your content, the easier it will flow.
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
- Don’t waste any more of your time, and try TherapyNotes and use the promo code JOE to receive your first two months for free!
- Visit Atlanta Couple Therapy and connect on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Check out these additional resources:
- The Power of A Counseling Collective with Avery Rosser and Nafis Ricks | GP 166
- Practice of the Practice Network
- Group Practice Launch
- Group Practice Boss: www.practiceofthepractice.com/grouppracticeboss $149 a month
- PoP Group Practice Owners Facebook Group
- Free resources to help you start, grow, and scale
- Work with us
- Practice of the Practice Network
Meet LaToya Smith

LaToya is a consultant with Practice of the Practice and the owner of LCS Counseling and Consulting Agency in Fortworth Texas. She firmly believes that people don’t have to remain stuck in their pain or the place they became wounded. In addition to this, LaToya encourages her clients to be active in their treatment and work towards their desired outcomes.
She has also launched Strong Witness which is a platform designed to connect, transform, and heal communities through the power of storytelling.
Visit LaToya’s website. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Strong Witness Instagram, and Twitter.
Email her at [email protected]