Getting Speakers Booked

How Speakers Can Use Events to Build Authority — Lessons from a Theater Insider w/ Tom Puketza

Episode Summary

Welcome back to Getting Speakers Booked — the podcast by speakers, for speakers. Every episode brings you real stories, real strategies, and real experiences from speakers who are actively building their impact, influence, and income. In today’s episode, Macy Baxi sits down with Tom Puketza — a theater-trained event producer, speaker coach, and founder of Finale Events — to unpack how speakers can use events as a powerful tool to build authority, credibility, and momentum without waiting for permission or massive budgets. With a background in theater, stage management, and production, Tom brings a rare behind-the-scenes perspective that helps speakers understand how events really work, how organizers think, and how speakers can position themselves to stand out both onstage and offstage. ⭐ Join the community → Global Speakers Circle (Free Facebook Group): Connect with speakers, network, and get weekly tips. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalspeakercircle ⭐ Connect with Macy → Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn: @MacyBaxi → Coaching, TEDx support, and speaker resources: https://linktr.ee/macybaxi ⭐ Connect with Tom → LinkedIn: Connect and ask questions about events, speaking, and production → Finale Events: https://finaleevents.com (Event production, speaker support, and creating proof-of-concept stages) If you're a speaker who wants more stages, more confidence, and more opportunities — you’re in the right place. Hit Subscribe, and let’s get you booked.

Episode Notes

You’ll hear how Tom:

• Transitioned from theater and stage management into producing high-impact events
• Uses resourcefulness (not big budgets) to make events look polished and professional
• Helps speakers understand what happens backstage so they can show up more confidently onstage
• Teaches speakers how to distill complex ideas into clear, compelling messages
• Encourages speakers to produce themselves instead of waiting for opportunities
• Helps speakers create reels, proof, and assets that act as a true calling card
• If you’re a speaker who wants to get booked more often, communicate your message more clearly, and understand how to leverage events strategically — this episode will give you practical insight you can use immediately.