Carol Cox: How can you get selected as a speaker or a
panelist by event organizers?
That's what I talk about with my guest, Jo
Murillo, on this episode of the Speaking
Your Brand podcast.
More and more women are making an impact by
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With my background as a TV political
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and become recognized as influencers in
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Hi there and welcome to the Speaking Your
Brand podcast. I'm your host, Carol Cox.
Today we are talking about how to get
selected as a speaker and as a panelist by
event producers and event organizers.
I know that so many of you are out there.
You are involved in your local community,
your networking locally as well as online,
and perhaps you're going to events and
conferences and you're wondering how do they
select their speakers? How do those speakers
get the opportunity to talk to that
membership or to that audience?
Well, I'm very happy to have with us as a
guest today, Jo Johanna Murillo, who is here
in Orlando, Florida, where I live, we met
out locally in person at an event probably
sometime last year, and since then I've
attended a couple of her events and she does
an amazing job putting on events.
So many of the nice touches that really wow
you, plus the venues, the locations that she
chooses, and of course the quality of the
speakers and the panelists.
So after I attended a recent event, I knew I
had to have Jo on the podcast to share with
us all those inside secrets of what she
looks for when she's putting on events as
far as who to bring on with her.
Jo, welcome to the podcast.
Jo Johanna Murillo: Thank you. Carol, I'm so glad to finally be
here. It's my pleasure.
Carol Cox: Well, let's dive into a little bit about the
kinds of events that you put on and how they
relate to your business.
So tell us about Wow Brand Studios, your
business and how you got started putting on
events and why.
Jo Johanna Murillo: Thank you. That's a great question actually,
because I think events oftentimes it's one
thing when we attend to them because we are
from that perspective that we're enjoying
them. Correct.
You can relate to this, but when you have to
organize events, oh my, how different it is.
It's a whole other beast.
So for those people that said, oh, I should
organize an event, yes, I encourage you, but
take in mind that it's tough.
But also what I can identify is that events,
especially when you organize and organize
them and bring that value to the world, it's
a perfect way to create brand awareness of
your brand and speaking your brand.
It's a great way for your audience to see,
okay, what do you bring to the table?
What is? How can I connect with you that
that was our first and pretty much the
reason why we started creating events,
especially in the category of helping other
entrepreneurs, women, not only, but it's our
main focus. Men are always invited because
we believe that they're agents of change,
and we have to bring them on as allies.
So that's the way that we started in the
entrepreneurship, business ownership, brand
marketing, finance, sales, all those things
that nobody talks about when you have your
business up and running.
So that's how we started.
And through Wildbrain Studios, which is a
full on agency that takes care of event
production, social media and everything that
has to do with AV production.
That's where we started because we wanted to
be able to provide that value to other
business owners that oftentimes don't even
know which questions to ask, right?
I mean, we've all been there.
So that's that was how we started all this
crazy race. And we are loving it.
Carol Cox: I agree, Jo, that putting on events
definitely gives you a lot of visibility and
exposure in the community because obviously
you're promoting the event so people see it,
people come and attend or they hear about it
from other people who've attended the the
event that I attended that you ran a few
months ago was actually at a TV studio,
which was really cool because we got to be
on kind of the set, you know, the soundstage
where they film news.
And so can you tell us a little bit about
what inspired you to have it at that
location? And tell us a little bit about
kind of like how you go about thinking about
the set and setting for your events.
Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, that event was fire, right?
And not because we organized it, because it
really was. It's to create that unique
element. Now that we talk about events and
me also as an attendee, I can see like, oh,
it's more of the same.
We want something different.
And that's why we always aim for to every
single event that we do, the one that was
prior to the one that you attended was in a
theater full on big LED screen theater
style, and we had two series of panelists.
The one that you attended had that TV studio
flow, and also allows people to be in spaces
where they can be relaxed, because sometimes
to break that barrier like, okay, I'm an
event and I don't know anyone know it allows
you to connect a little more.
So you have to talk to the person that you
are next to you, kind of when you get into a
plane sort of thing, because, okay, you're
stuck with this person next to you for the
next three hours. I better start a
conversation and makes the whole event flow
and also provides a different atmosphere
which is more conducive to learning.
So those are the little details and nuances
that we always take in consideration when
organizing any type of event, or planning
them or even producing them.
So how can it be different from all that
I've done or seen or attended out there for
our anniversary night, which was last year.
We, for instance, brought an opera singer,
which that was like, what?
What is that? Where is that coming from?
And it made such a great impact because we
were able to bridge that gap between culture
and the concept that we were producing out
there. So that's how we think of it.
Let's find a way to make it different that
it's not the same old event that I attend,
the same old networking event.
When I see the same people over and over,
how can we make it different?
And that's what inspires us every single
time to push it a little further.
Carol Cox: Well, you definitely do make them unique and
different and that's why they're so
memorable to me. So, Jo, let's talk about
how you go about selecting the speakers in
the panelists for your various events.
So I imagine you decide this is going to be
the topic of the event, the content that you
want to put on, and then you start thinking
about speakers, panels and so on.
So then how who comes up for you as speakers
and panelists, and what are the qualities
that you're looking for?
Jo Johanna Murillo: I am looking for people that have visibility
that are out there.
Not necessarily 100% social media, but the
people that are in the field.
I believe that you can learn more from
someone that has been doing what they're
doing with excellence for a while, that
someone that just, you know, do this in a
camera. This this helps.
Of course, I'm not taking that away, but
what other people think or say about the
speaker as well.
I look for inspiration for someone that can
give you a message that is going to leave
you better than when you get there.
Someone that is also willing to share
knowledge. That's really important because
God forbid for you to know something and
hold the keys to unlock someone else's
future, and you just do not do it or open
it. Especially as women, we are not allowed
to do that. We need to be able to share that
knowledge, and also that it's humble enough
to say, I know all of this, but I also do
not know what I do not know.
That's I think it's really toughest one,
because once you're there at the top and you
think, oh, okay, I know it all, that's when
you stop growing and learning.
So I believe those three are really
important people that are in the field doing
the work and showing and leading by example,
not by preach.
Second of all, that are willing to share
knowledge. And third, it's that they are
humble enough to be able to keep growing and
evolving. I always love to see the journey
of maybe one year we invited a speaker, and
then we bring him back the next year and to
see, oh my God, I've achieved all of these
things because we all keep changing and
evolving.
Carol Cox: Oh, I love those. And so think, thinking
about these speakers and panelists are these
people you already know, so people you've
already met at other events that you go to
in the community, are you asking for
recommendations and referrals from other
event people that you know?
Are you? Do people do speakers ever pitch
you like send you emails or LinkedIn
messages? Like how?
Where do these speakers come from?
A little bit.
Jo Johanna Murillo: Of everything, actually.
I guess the first is like people that I
admire, people that I look up and say like,
oh my God, I want to be like them when I
grow up. And then I kind of like, get rid of
the imposter syndrome.
I was like, what would happen if I would
just reach out to them via LinkedIn or send
them an Instagram message and and tell them,
hey, I love what you do.
I would love to pick on your brain because I
believe in and I and I am honest about it.
It's not me just being like, oh, that's nice
and sugar coating. No, it's that sometimes
have have been successful.
Others I have got crickets but but it
happens like that.
Also people that I see that are out there
spreading a positive message or something
that can uplift.
And I think that the main it's also word of
mouth when I share like, hey, I am thinking
of doing and putting this event together.
Who do you think would be a person that can
provide value that could be perfect for this
gig, for a lack of a better word?
And of course you get recommendations.
That's the first stage.
Then we go to sitting down and have that one
on one. It can even be virtually on or
onsite and see if there's there's a match,
because sometimes depending on the audience
that will attend the events, this might be
like to pro or it could be like a little
okay, you need to be a little bit more
seasoned. And that happens.
And when you get to meet that person, funny
story in the Impact Summit that we did in
February to kickstart Women's History Month,
I was suggested as a host on Kia malone.
Hi, Kia.
Yes, she's amazing and you know her to for
her to be the host of the event, given her
experience in TV and.
Et cetera, et cetera.
And then when I started to talk to her, I
was like, Kia, you are amazing, which you
already knew. But all those nuggets and
pearls of wisdom, you need to be in the
panel. And it was great and amazing because
people left so inspired by her, which I
think probably she would have done a
phenomenal job as a host, by the way, but as
a panelist, it just brought that extra
layer. So that's something that you also
have to give yourself some room to maybe
pivot or change some things, depending on
the concept that you have of of your event.
That's in our experience.
What has worked so far?
Carol Cox: Oh well, I'm such a big fan of Kia's.
We actually met in January of this year at
an event, of course, because that was my
commitment at the beginning of this year was
to make sure that I went to many, many more
events. I went to so many before the
pandemic started and then obviously stopped
right, like a cold stop.
Like we all did. And then it took me a while
to kind of get back into it, but I I've been
doing it all of this year, and I have met so
many amazing women like Kia and like you.
So for all of you who are listening, get
involved in your local community, your city.
Find those events, show up, go to them.
Make a commitment to do that because you're
going to meet amazing people.
And that's how then more opportunities will
come to you, like being a speaker or being a
panelist. So, Jo, when you think about
putting together your panels and the
speakers for an event, how what role does
diversity and inclusion play when you're
thinking about the curating the speakers and
the panelists?
Jo Johanna Murillo: It's the main goal, to be honest.
It's that's something that I would I'm not
thinking of changing anytime soon.
It's something that I go headfirst with
because I believe that when we have
diversity, equity and inclusion in all the
activities that we perform, the conversation
becomes richer because we have different
avenues and different perspectives and
points of views that we probably didn't
invite or even considered prior.
We were exposed to this, and that's for me.
It's it's key.
I and I will not stop doing that, because I
also am very confident that that brings an
extra added layer of value, hence why the
events are successful, because it invites
people to reflect and to change some
perspectives. And even if you don't change
it, okay, at least now you know and you
understand a different perspective that
prior you didn't even think that existed.
So yes, that's that's my, my my goal.
Carol Cox: And I do see that reflected in your events,
which is why I wanted to bring this up.
And I agree, every we all have such
different lived experiences.
And if we're only going to events or we're
only seeing speakers and panelists that look
like us or have very similar backgrounds to
what we have, we're really shortchanging
ourselves because we're not learning as
much. I know that my policy now is if I get
invited to be on a panel, I will ask who the
other panelists are and if they're all
white. If they're all white women like me, I
will very kindly suggest to the person
putting the panel together like, I would
love to see more diversity if I have to give
up my spot to someone else.
Like, here are some other women that I know
who I think would be a great fit.
I'm happy to do that because I just I don't
want to sit on a panel that is not diverse
because it just it doesn't make me feel
good. And it's not going to be a great
experience either for the audience.
Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, yes. And there's only tangibility in the
representation if you don't see it.
How do you think it's possible?
How can you believe it?
And you never know how other personal
experiences that probably do not look like
you do not talk like you can help you shape
and make it think like, oh my God, you know
what? If this person can do it with all the
limitations and also with all the
advantages, why can I not do it as well?
So I believe it just enriches the
conversation. It doesn't limit it.
It makes you expand your knowledge and it's
just a no brainer for me.
Carol Cox: Absolutely. So, Jo, can you share?
Do you have a memorable story of a speaker
or a panelist who exceeded your
expectations? You knew they were going to be
great, but something that they did at the
event just really made them stand out.
You already mentioned Kia, so we're gonna
we're gonna put her aside as that.
But is there anyone else who comes to mind?
Jo Johanna Murillo: Sorry, Kia.
Sorry, Kia. You're out.
Well, all the panelists were phenomenal, but
one of them that stand out.
And maybe because it was on the recent event
actually two one of the recent and one of
the other ones. So that way I can have a
little bit of both was Brianna Anderson,
which I believe you were at that event where
she she spoke.
It was that when you see her, she since
she's so put together like she has all her
ducks in a row, successful, Uber brilliant.
You would not imagine that she went through
all the struggles that she did to become the
woman that she is right now.
And I believe her testimony was the the
proof that there's a test in the testimony.
And once you are willing to expand yourself
and put yourself out of your comfort zone
and go through the mess, and after that, the
message that you can help spread, it's it's
amazing. So I believe that that was one of
the key moments that when we had the
speakers, because people.
Know that she has everything put together.
But no, when she started sharing her story,
she was going to kill it anyway.
But I don't think people knew as much until
they saw it.
People saw taking out their notebooks and,
you know, they were just writing, you know,
Pearl after Pearl after Pearl.
And it was a mic drop moment.
So Briana, thank you so much for sharing all
those things you did.
And second, but not because it's the last
one. It's Kay Rollins, the founder of
Orlando City Soccer and Orlando Pride when
she was in the panel.
She's very seasoned.
She knows what she's doing.
I mean, but the part that made everyone wow
was when she shared that when us as women
want to excel in a male dominated world, we
need to befriend and make men our allies as
well, because no war has been won if the
allies are not a part of it.
So that was also one of those micro moments
where I think that that at that time
everybody went like, whoa, like crazy.
So yes, those are the few little moments
that have lit up my heart and made me okay,
this is great. This is speakers.
Yeah. Can can take it and make it fire.
Carol Cox: I love those examples.
And we are very fortunate here in the
Orlando, Central Florida area to have
amazing women like Brianna and Kay Rollins
to for these events.
Jo, let me ask you this.
So we talked about kind of what what great
speakers and panelists do.
Now. What are some red flags that make you
hesitant to choose a speaker or panelist,
either beforehand or after you've had an
initial conversation with them, some red
flags? And also, what are things that you
wish more speakers or panelists understood
about working with event producers like, you
know, red flags? Plus, what do you wish we
all knew to make your life as an event
producer easier?
Jo Johanna Murillo: Oh, how many times?
How much time do we have?
Well, a big, big, big red flag.
It's when they show up late to conversations
to interviews, unprepared guys.
That's a red flag.
And I know that life can happen.
We've all been there when we have had to
arrive a minute or two late, but when you
already see that, there's a bigger chance
it's a 99.999%.
And I tell you this from experience, that
they're going to do that to you at your
event, which is going to add an extra layer
of stress to an already stressful situation,
which is producing and putting an event
together. Another one, it's when,
unfortunately, you don't see a flow in the
way that they present that there's not a
structure which can also bring a little bit
of complication when you come to your event.
Because when it comes to speaking and you
know this better than anyone, preparation is
key. It's gold.
You need to be prepared.
You don't get ready.
You stay ready.
So even if you get a phone call, which has
happened to me and I'm sure that has
happened to you, like, hey, Joe, I had a
speaker that cancelled. Can you please help
me? Okay, good. When is the event?
In an hour. Whoa.
Okay. Don't worry.
I got you because I already have my speech
ready. If you. I can put a presentation.
I already have it ready, so I'm game.
I'm ready to go. So that's why it's
important for you to see how prepared and
ready the person is.
Because there will be moments that you will
have to pivot. Then, okay, you know that you
can count on that person.
Um, another red flag and not I don't want to
just go with red flags. I'll go with the
good stuff later.
Um, it's when you see that the speaker is not
as engaged into getting to know the event as
well. You know, it's just like, hey, I can
speak at your event.
I mean, like, okay, so what do you think?
No, whatever. Wherever you put me, that can
also be another thing.
Okay. Are you really willing to share
knowledge, make some improvement?
Leave people better than they arrive, or you
just want to be there for exposure, which is
okay. It's fair.
It's fair for you to try to put yourself out
there, but also what's the value?
Where is those things that reach to a
people's heart?
Yeah, because we're in the business of doing
business with people.
So we need to connect at some different
level. Those are the little red flags that I
will encourage to event organizers to take
into consideration before bringing someone
in. Because and also understand this is a
commitment, a two way street.
Also, as an event organizer, I do not
encourage those organizers that only reach
out to book the person and then okay, the
day before, yes.
Like no, stay in contact, let them know what
you're doing, share with them the post the
social media tag them.
So that way you can also warm up leading
towards the event.
Ask them, hey, will you be willing to share
this on social media so you can help
amplify, of course.
You know, share all the information that as
much as you can. So that way you can also
prepare them and you help edify them as a
speaker. I think that's also very important
as event producers showcase the speakers in
such a way that they also feel pleased to be
part of the events that you are organizing.
What are your thoughts on that?
Carol Cox: Oh, these are excellent.
Excellent points here, Jo.
I agree, as a speaker, I always want to make
sure that whatever the event organizer
needs, it is there on time, if not early, if
they need slide decks, if they need my bio,
they need my photo, whatever it is.
I mean, I send all that to them right away,
and I also make sure I stay in regular
contact with them. And I'm promoting the
event as well because I want it to be a
successful event. And to your point, I want
to show that I'm invested in the success of
that event along with the event team.
And but I love your point also about the the
people who are putting on the event.
Yes. Keep in touch with us speakers because
we want to know how can we help you?
Is everything going smoothly?
You know a request.
Do you need us to bring our laptop?
What kind of laptop do you have?
What format do you need the slides in?
Like, we'll ask those questions as speakers,
but it's helpful for you all to have all
that ready to go.
Because if you all are organized as the
event team, then we feel confident as a
speaker walking into that event that is
going to be as smooth as an experience as it
possibly can be.
Setting aside the AV gremlins that no one
has any control over and who knows when
they're going to rear their ugly head. But
that's okay. We know that happens.
Jo Johanna Murillo: I think that I always tries to pamper them
while they're there, you know, have a green
room ready for them so they can unwind and
see the event before it's their turn.
Get them some water.
If they have teeth like something,
appetizers so they feel comfortable because
getting on stage as soon as you could be,
it's always like a challenge, you know?
Okay. Let's go.
So there is the inevitable to say like, ah,
I'm not nervous.
Then if you're not nervous, you have a
problem. You have to be nervous, because
that means that and shows that you care.
So to try to make them as comfortable once
they are at the at the place of the venue so
they can give their best as well when
they're in front of their audience.
Carol Cox: Yes, I love those extra touches that you do.
And again, that's why your events get raved
about so much by everyone that I talked to
here in the community. So let me share a
little bit more about your background with
the listeners. So you are originally from
Ecuador and you also you've lived in
Argentina as well as the Netherlands.
So you really do have this multicultural
perspective. And that's why I love living in
Orlando. I've lived here for 20 years, is
because I feel like it is such a diverse
community of so people from so many
different parts of the world, and kind of, I
don't know if it's because of Walt Disney
World, even though we don't live anywhere
near that, and I never go there, but I feel
like it attracts people from everywhere.
And so I think that so can you tell us a
little bit more, Jo, about your background,
you know, living in these different
countries and having these different
experiences, then what how that has led to
some of the the work that you do in your
business.
Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, I understand, and I love Orlando because
of that too.
I'm going to make like a little story.
Long story short, I would if you would have
asked me five years ago, are you going to
live in Orlando? It was like, hell no.
Why can we say that?
Yeah. Can we say, hell? You're not going to
get rated. Okay.
Um, why would I go there?
It's just Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse.
But after a while, when I got stuck here
during the pandemic because we couldn't
leave, I started to get to know the
communities. I realized that Downtown Disney
is not downtown Orlando.
I realized that there's a mills district,
there's a Winter park, Baldwin Park.
There's, um, Bambi.
Et cetera. All those smaller neck of the
woods that made the community amazing.
And I fell in love with the people, to be
honest, people in Orlando, since I believe
they have that different multicultural
perspective and access, are more open to
integrate other people into the culture.
So that's the great thing about our
beautiful city.
So with that being said, yes, I'm originally
from Ecuador, born and raised this little
country just to test the geography between
Colombia and Peru, which it's it's
beautiful. We have all different zones.
We have the beaches, we have the islands, we
have the Andes and the Amazons.
And for me, it was a gift to be able to to
be born and raised there, because it allows
us to have some extra layer of resilience,
of enduring difficulties and still be able
to offer kindness to people because we are
all in the struggle. Bus, like I say.
So after a while, you know, studying,
growing, working, being a teacher.
Yes, I was a university teacher back in the
day. I decided to move to Argentina to
pursue my master's studies, and it was a
place that I also fell in love with.
It was supposed to be just a year and a half
deal. It turned into a five year long five
seasons episode.
And I loved it too, especially because it
was so different, even if it's in South
America. Argentina is considered the Europe
of South America and also a hub as well,
where a lot of people from different parts
of the world, you know, Australia, England,
the US, even within South America will come
and have experiences there.
And it was a great learning process as well,
because that allowed me and enabled me to
see that, not because we come from different
backgrounds. We all are different.
There are things that are similar regardless
of your language or where you're born or
where you were brought up.
I never met anyone that doesn't want to feel
good, that doesn't want to learn, that
doesn't want to expand, that doesn't want to
be loved. So I believe those are things that
regardless of where you come from, stay.
And of course, the cherry on top.
Netherlands. It was less than a year, but I
count it. I mean, it's still good, but it
allowed me also to see it from the other
side of the pond. How it is, you know.
And what I loved is that Netherlands is
actually the beacon of diversity, equity and
inclusion. You see everything and
everywhere, and it's kind of like Orlando in
a country, pretty much.
I think it's the same size the country, like
with Florida. But you, you get to see that.
And that also brought me so much
inspiration. So but when I made the decision
of staying in Orlando, it's like, okay, this
this is also I can see it.
I can see that this is a city, that it's
evolving. It's growing towards the right
side. It's and it's not going to stop.
I mean, the growth that our city has had in
the last years has been exponential, and
it's because of its people.
Carol Cox: Oh, I love that. Thank you for sharing that,
Jo. And tell us about your company.
Wow Brand Studios, who are your typical
clients and what do you do with them?
Jo Johanna Murillo: Well, Wow Brand Studios, like I was
mentioning earlier, is a full on production
agency that we help entrepreneurs and
business owners become the rock stars that
they already are, with a beautiful visuals
and brands. I learned the tagline finally.
So what? We help them by offering them the
possibility of showing themselves as they
are. Because when you start a business, of
course, sometimes the budget can be a
limitation, but not with us because we have
different standards or packages that can go
along with whatever you are in your road.
We have the smaller package when you're
starting, and the whole idea is to take you
to the bigger one once you are successful,
because success is just what you define from
it. So we are a full on team of marketers,
designers, photographers, videographers,
even stylists.
Because why not?
You can get styled and and help you present
yourself in the best way possible.
Not because you don't have a budget.
It doesn't mean that you cannot present
yourself as the rock star as you are.
So that's what we do.
Of course, now we are here.
But when we started, we just hit a lot of
roadblocks because of course, coming from
another country, you think that you know
what you know and when you come here okay,
games and the rules are different.
So instead of getting better, uh, in my
case, I decided to learn how to play.
And that was what we've been doing ever
since. You know, try to help as much as we
can be of service.
Sometimes it's been good.
Sometimes it's just a lesson to be learned.
But like I said, it's a matter of how open
you are to learn, to grow, to learn from
your mistakes and take them as lessons and
put yourself out there as an agent of
service. Because once you put yourself out
there as an agent of service, only good
things will come.
Carol Cox: Well, absolutely. And I business is
definitely a roller coaster for sure.
Anyone who's been an entrepreneur knows that
there is the high highs where like if things
are amazing, you get to do this amazing work
that you choose to do with the clients that
you choose to. And then there's definitely
the down parts of the roller coaster where
you're like, okay, I tried that, that did
that totally failed, or I really wanted to
do this and that didn't work out.
But I just feel like so much of it is just a
learning lesson. And when you get to meet
amazing people along the way.
Jo, let me, uh, as we wrap up here.
So for everyone listening, check out Jo's
website. It's at Wow Brands Studios.com.
The link is also in the show notes for this
podcast episode.
Also, make sure to connect with her on
LinkedIn her.
The link to her profile is also in the show.
Notes, so make sure to connect with her
there and say hi. Let her know that you
heard her here on the Speaking Your Brand
podcast. Jo, thank you so much for coming on
and sharing your insights and your
experiences to help our listeners land more
speaking opportunities and more panels for
them. I really appreciate your time.
Jo Johanna Murillo: No, thank you so much for having me.
This has been in the works for a long time,
and I'm so happy that we're finally able to
make it. Thank you so much, Carol, and for
all that you do, it doesn't go unnoticed.
Carol Cox: And for everyone listening.
If you would like to develop your signature
talk so that you are ready in a moment's
notice, if someone calls you and they need a
speaker, whether it's in a week, a day, or
even an hour, you can work with us on your
thought leadership, your signature talk, and
learn the business of speaking in our
Thought Leader Academy.
You can get all the details and join us at
speaking your brand.com/academy.
Until next time, thanks for listening.