What if your brand is holding you back from the main stage—and you don’t even know it?

In this episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes teams up with branding powerhouse Ramon Ray, author of “Celebrity CEO,” for a deep (and sometimes hilarious) masterclass on what really makes a speaker's brand stand out—and sell out. They bust the biggest myths about branding (spoiler: your color palette isn’t your brand), reveal why “celebrity” is key—no matter how big your stage—and get brutally honest about branding fails and how to fix them. Expect unexpected analogies (speakers as burgers and pop rocks!), tactical advice for building credibility and engagement, and real talk about what event planners are actually looking for when they book speakers.

Key highlights include:

• The shocking truth about overexposure—why almost no speaker really needs to worry, and how to maximize your visibility the smart way
• Practical advice for turning your LinkedIn and website into client magnets (and the headshot mistake that could kill your bookings)
• Ramon’s networking hacks to build “celebrity” in your space—even if you’ve never been on TV
• Why your brand should excite your clients first (not just express yourself)
• How to create authentic engagement that actually leads to paid gigs—and why follower counts aren’t the real metric
• Strategies for leveraging media mentions, podcasts, and social content so meeting planners say “yes!” before even meeting you

Join Li and Ramon for this fun, fast-paced episode packed with actionable ideas, personal stories, and memorable moments—whether you’re just stepping into the spotlight or working your way to the main stage.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00 — Introduction: The Speaker’s Branding Journey

00:42 — Meet Ramon Ray: Branding Credentials and Stories

02:06 — What Is Branding, Really? Li & Ramon’s Favorite Examples

05:40 — Branding as Food: A Tasty Exercise for Speakers

07:54 — Color vs. Brand: How to Build Authenticity and Impact

12:33 — The Elements of Brand: Beyond Logos and Color

15:20 — The Power (and Risk) of Imagery in Branding

19:39 — Headshots, Photography, and the “Money Shot”

24:30 — Celebrity and Credibility: What Meeting Planners Want

28:22 — Action Steps: Getting Your Name in the Right Places

32:26 — The Grind: Building Celebrity, Media Placement & Relationship Capital

35:01 — Overexposure: Myth or Real Concern?

38:21 — Engagement vs. Numbers: Why Authentic Fans Matter

40:54 — Content Strategy that Attracts Bookings

44:09 — Platform Choice: Where Your Brand Should Live

45:10 — Ramon’s Branding Failures and Lessons Learned

49:50 — What Ramon Wishes He’d Known As a New Speaker

51:06 — Outro and Where to Get More Help

Ready to upgrade your brand—and your bookings? Hit play and discover your path to the main stage!