"Don't be a speaker, be an expert who speaks"

“Don’t be a speaker, be an expert who speaks” is one bit of advice in the speaking business. The saying has been popularized by Scott Stratten of UnMarketing.com since at least 2009.

In July 2003, this was described as something “my mentor in the professional speaking business once told me.” In May 2012, this was described as an “old adage.” It’s not known where the line originated.

UnMarketing.com
Scott Stratten is the president of UnMarketing. Between being ranked one of the top influencers of the world on Twitter and getting over 60 million views of client videos, he’s spent way too much time online.

WebProNews
Publish Now or Perish Later
By Michel Fortin · July 25, 2003
(...)
As my mentor in the professional speaking business once told me, “Don’t be a speaker, be an expert who speaks. Don’t be a consultant, be an expert who consults. Don’t be a writer, be an expert who writes.” I would add: “Don’t be a online merchant, be an expert in the field (or on the product) one merchandises.” Essentially, be an expert or a consultant, not a retailer.

Twitter
Elizabeth Weinstein‏
@ElizabethPW
“Instead of wanting to be a speaker, you should be an expert who speaks.” @unmarketing #lytp http://epw.me/lytp
7:08 PM - 19 Aug 09

30 Quick Tips For Speakers
Posted on May 4th, 2010.
Great tips from Scott Stratten
I’ve done the “speak for free to five people in a room that holds 100″ thing (proof), I’ve been paid keynote fee’s and everything in between, I figured it was time to share what I’ve learned.

1. Don’t be a “speaker”. Be an expert who speaks. Speakers are a “nice to have” but experts are a necessity

Google Books
The Book of Business Awesome/
The Book of Business UnAwesome
By Scott Stratten
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2012
Pg. 82:
Don’t be a ‘‘speaker.’’ Be an expert who speaks. Speakers are a ‘‘nice to have,’’ but experts are a necessity. There is a high demand for people who can both provide content and deliver it effectively from the stage. Some can do one of the two, most don’t do wither, and a select few do both. Aim to be great.

Steve Lowell’s “From Stage Fright to Spotlight” Blog
Be an Expert Who Speaks
Posted on May 2, 2012 by Steve
There’s an old adage in the speaking business that says “Don’t be a speaker, be an expert who speaks.” An expert is someone who speaks from wisdom. Wisdom is simply knowledge gained from experience. If you have personally experienced something in your life, you have earned the right to speak about it.

Twitter
Timothy B. Corcoran‏
@tcorcoran
Great tips for speakers and presenters from @unmarketing. Love “Don’t be a speaker, be an expert who speaks.” http://bit.ly/OBaanp
11:03 AM - 16 Aug 12