Which of the 5 Speaker Types are you?


Reader,

Have you ever watched another speaker and thought, "I need to be more like THEM"?

Maybe they were hilarious and you thought, "I'm not funny enough."
Or they had this massive transformation story and you thought, "My story isn't dramatic enough."
Or they were polished and perfect and you thought, "I'll never be that smooth."

Here's what I've learned after 15+ years of speaking: The most powerful speakers aren't the ones trying to be everything. They're the ones who know exactly what type of speaker they are and own it fully.

That's why I created the 5 Types of Speakers framework—and I just dropped a full episode breaking it down on the Your Next Move Podcast (Episode 115).

Listen on Apple | Spotify

Quick Preview of the 5 Types of Speakers:

1. The Motivational Speaker
You have a personal transformation story and you use it to inspire others to believe they can overcome too. (Think: Lisa Nichols, Eric Thomas)

2. The Thought Leader
You have ONE big idea or methodology that you're known for. You're shifting mindsets, not just sharing stories. (Think: Brené Brown, James Clear, Mel Robbins)

3. The Entertainer
You infuse performance, humor, props, or theatrical elements into your talks. You make learning an experience. (Think: Comedians, speakers who use multimedia creatively)

4. The Subject Matter Expert
You have deep, specialized knowledge in a narrow field. Your power comes from your credentials and expertise. (Think: Scientists at TED, technical experts)

5. The Educator
You teach practical frameworks and processes. You make complex things simple and give people a roadmap. (This is the most accessible type—and where many of my Visibility Shift clients will start!)

Here's the thing:

You don't have to be just ONE type. Most speakers are a blend.

I'm an Educator + Thought Leader. You might be Motivational + Entertainer. Or Subject Matter Expert + Educator.

Listen on Apple | Spotify

The goal isn't to limit yourself—it's to give yourself a starting point so you can stop comparing yourself to speakers who are in a completely different lane.

Talk soon!

Kimberly

Kimberly Brown, @kimberlybonline

Welcome to my Insider Notes where I'm sharing weekly career and leadership insights and the most up to date information on the Your Next Move Podcast and Brown Leadership™.

Read more from Kimberly Brown, @kimberlybonline

Reader, Let me guess: you've sat through at least one virtual presentation where the speaker was framed like they were in witness protection. Camera pointing up their nose. Terrible lighting. Background that looked like a crime scene. You could barely see their face, let alone connect with what they were saying. And here's what kills me: that speaker probably had brilliant content. They might have spent hours preparing. But because they treated the technical setup as an afterthought, their...

Reader, I need to tell you something that might surprise you. When I first started developing my public speaking skills over a decade ago, I thought the benefit would be simple: I'd be less nervous when presenting. Maybe I'd sound more confident in meetings. That's it. That was the extent of my expectations. But what actually happened? The ripple effects went so far beyond what I imagined. I'm talking about: Getting pulled aside by a provost who said "you sound like a leader" when I wasn't...

Reader, Quick question: When was the last time you avoided an opportunity because it required you to speak? Maybe you stayed quiet in a meeting. Declined to present your idea. Said no to a panel. Turned down a promotion that required more visibility. If so, you're not alone. Research shows that 75% of people experience public speaking fear—and it's costing them career-defining opportunities. Here's the truth: You don't overcome fear by waiting for confidence to show up. You overcome it by...