By Marcey Rader, CSP |

Want to be sexier in your speaking business? You already rock the stage. But what about backstage — the messy, unsexy side, where the sausage gets made?

Let’s talk about building systems that keep you in your zone of genius and off the hamster wheel.

Why bother?

• Systems = freedom.
  • Systems keep your business alive if you get hit by a bike (yes, it’s happened).
  • Systems let you actually unplug on vacation (and not just say you did while checking email at breakfast).

If your business can’t survive two weeks without you, it’s time to get serious.

Buffet, not a buffet attack

Think of systems like a buffet. You don’t pile everything on one plate (unless you’re at an all-inclusive in Vegas). You take what works for you. Skip what you’re allergic to. Spice up what you’re already doing.

Where to start

Pick one area: keynote, training, podcast episode — doesn’t matter. Write down every single step you take.

Yes, every single one.

• In-person keynote? Different than virtual.
  • Paid keynote? Different than marketing or “speak-to-sell.”
  • Company training? Different beast entirely.

Get granular. You’ll be shocked how many micro-steps are lurking (spoiler: I have 37 tasks for one company in-person training).

Event management: your pre-show backbone

If you don’t have a detailed task list for each type of event, start there.

Whether you use eSpeakers, Google Sheets, or a piece of paper taped to your desk — it needs to live somewhere.

• Map tasks.
  • Assign dates relative to the event.
  • Note who’s responsible (hint: if it’s always you, this is your future bottleneck).

This exercise isn’t just for today. It future-proofs you when you finally bring on help — no more training from scratch.

CRM: the relationship keeper

Client Relationship Management (CRM) systems aren’t just for big dogs. You need a place to track:

• Prospects.
  • Pitched opportunities.
  • Pre-event logistics.
  • In-progress gigs.
  • Post-event follow-ups.
  • Future leads.

If a pricey CRM makes you break out in hives, a simple spreadsheet works. Just commit to using it consistently.

My categories? Prospect ? Pitched ? Pre-event ? In progress ? Post-event ? Done. I also have a Future category for prospects to reach out to in the future. Move clients like chess pieces.

Project management: more than sticky notes

If speaking is your main hustle, a speaker-focused platform like eSpeakers might be enough.

But if you juggle coaching, books, consulting, workshops (welcome to my world), a project management tool (I use ClickUp) can be your best friend.

Bonus move: track all your press mentions. You’ll thank yourself when a big client asks for media proof, and you’re not stuck digging through Gmail circa 2016.

Surveys and forms: your secret feedback weapon

Don’t rely on event organizers to collect the info you need.

Have your own pre-event questionnaire:

• Who’s the day of contact?
  • Emergency numbers (Uber flat tire stories are real).
  • Hotel details.
  • Audience vibe.

Post-event? Keep it simple. Audience surveys, buyer surveys, even a quick pulse on what topics they want next.

Scheduling tools: kill the back-and-forth

We’ve all suffered the “I’m free on Tuesday at 3. You? No? Thursday at 5?” nightmare.

Tools like Calendly, Acuity, or Breely (my new favorite), let you take back your time and sanity.

Added bonus: you can sneak in questions on event dates, budgets, and anything you need to prep — so you’re not flying blind on the call.

Systematizing = sex appeal

When you have systems, you’re not winging it. You’re not stuck in reactive mode. You’re not stuck working in your business instead of on it.

And if you ever need to step away unexpectedly (bike crash, family emergency, actual vacation), your business won’t collapse.

One thing. Just one.

Here’s my challenge: choose one system to tackle in the next 30 days.

• Document your pre-event steps.
  • Build or refine your CRM pipeline.
  • Create a pre-event questionnaire.
  • Review your emails and make them into templates.
  • Automate your scheduling.

Pick one. Commit. Execute.

Power tip

Don’t overcomplicate it. You don’t need a Rolls-Royce system when a bicycle will do.

The real power? Actually using it.

Ready to go from back-end chaos to super sexy systems? Your stage persona deserves it — and so do you.

If you’re interested in a Super Sexy Speaker Systems presentation for your NSA Chapter, reach out today!

Marcey Rader is a Certified Speaking Professional™ and productivity strategist who helps speakers and business leaders build systems to stay in their genius zone and off the hamster wheel. Founder of RaderCo and author of Reclaim Your Workday, she shows high performers how to work well, play more, and never miss a beat on stage or off.