What if we told you that your lack of social media presence could be the one thing keeping you off the stage of your dreams?

On this episode of Path to the Main Stage, Li Hayes teams up with social media authority Amber Vilhauer for a revealing and actionable conversation that every aspiring (and seasoned) speaker needs to hear. Find out why event planners are secretly researching your social profiles—and how your social numbers (or the lack thereof) might cause you to lose a keynote slot to a pop artist with a million followers, regardless of your expertise.

Amber shares her no-nonsense strategies for building an authentic and powerful digital presence, even if you think you “hate” social media. You’ll get step-by-step advice for setting up your profiles from scratch, discover why posting matters more than perfection, and learn how to pick the best platform for your brand (spoiler: LinkedIn and YouTube are non-negotiables!). Li and Amber tackle the rampant myths about buying followers, reveal what social numbers truly matter to event planners and publishers, and even debate if (and when) it’s smart to hire help for your social accounts.

Key highlights you won’t want to miss:

• [00:03:09] A real-life story of losing a prime keynote spot to a pop artist—just because of follower count
• [00:09:59] Why social media is your “everyday stage” and the #1 method for getting booked consistently
• [00:13:03] How to create high-impact social profiles (and the one mistake speakers make that sabotages opportunity)
• [00:23:45] Amber’s secret for creating content with a clear through-line that captivates and grows your audience
• [00:37:28] The ideal number of posts to grow your following (and why consistency always wins)
• [00:39:43] The great debate: Big numbers vs. targeted, engaged followers—which actually gets you hired?
• [00:46:56] Should you “boost” posts? And how to avoid wasting money and growing fake followers
• [00:49:05] Is it okay to hire a social media assistant? (The real answer, straight from two industry pros)
• [00:52:42] Amber’s #1 piece of advice she wishes she knew at the start: Fully be yourself—online and off

This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to take their speaking business (and personal brand) to the next level—without burning out or losing your sanity to the algorithms.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00:00 – Introduction: Why social media matters for speakers

00:02:12 – Real-world examples of how social presence affects speaker bookings

00:06:36 – Event planners’ obsession with follower counts

00:07:35 – Meet guest expert Amber Vilhauer

00:09:59 – The role of social as your “everyday stage”

00:11:06 – The importance of engagement (not just follower numbers)

00:13:03 – Step-by-step: Creating and optimizing your profiles

00:16:40 – Which platforms matter most? (LinkedIn, YouTube & more)

00:23:07 – Beginners, posting schedules, and fighting “productive procrastination”

00:23:45 – How to create a content through-line and avatar for your social strategy

00:28:35 – The “family tree” approach to content planning & batching videos

00:37:13 – Posting frequency & the power of consistency

00:39:43 – Follower numbers vs. engagement: What truly matters

00:44:12 – Buying followers, boosting posts, and advanced tips

00:49:05 – Hiring help: Smart or risky?

00:52:42 – Amber’s #1 advice for her younger self (and for all speakers)

00:55:15 – Li’s wrap up and how to take your path to the main stage

Ready to stand out, get booked, and show up as your best self—online and off? Press play now.