415: What Event Producers Look for When Selecting Speakers with Johanna (Jo) Murillo

If you’ve ever wondered how to land those coveted speaking and panel spots at events, this episode is for you!

I’m thrilled to have Johanna (Jo) Murillo join me to share her insider knowledge on how event organizers and producers choose speakers and panelists.

Jo is an event producer extraordinaire based in Orlando, Florida, where I live. She runs Wow Brand Studios, a full-service agency specializing in event production, brand strategy, and helping business owners stand out through powerful visual branding.

I’ve had the pleasure of attending several of Jo’s events, and they are truly one-of-a-kind!

In our conversation, Jo reveals the secrets of what she looks for when selecting speakers and panelists.

It’s not just about who has the biggest social media following, but about who can bring genuine value, inspire the audience, and share knowledge in a way that makes everyone in the room feel uplifted and enriched.

We dive into:

• The importance of attending local in-person events to build your visibility and network

• The qualities Jo looks for in speakers (hint: it’s more than just being an expert!)

• How diversity and inclusion play a central role in curating impactful events

• Memorable stories of speakers who wowed the audience and exceeded expectations

• Red flags that make event organizers hesitate to book a speaker

• How to make sure you are meeting expectations as a speaker and how event organizers can ensure a successful event for speakers

Ready to develop your signature talk and land more speaking opportunities?

Join our Thought Leader Academy where you’ll work on creating your signature talk, developing your thought leadership, and learning the business of speaking. Get all the details and sign up at speakingyourbrand.com/academy.

About My Guest: With over 25 years of experience in visual design, brand development, and marketing, Johanna (Jo) Murillo stands as a dynamic and accomplished professional in the industry. She is the proud owner of WOW Brand Studios, a full-service branding and public relations agency renowned for its creative and strategic excellence. A trailblazer for Hispanics in our community, Johanna was unanimously elected to join the Board of Directors for Opera Orlando. Further amplifying her impact, Johanna recently founded The WOW PWR, a nonprofit organization that empowers women in business by providing them with essential resources and a supportive network to thrive in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/415/

Jo’s website: https://wowbrandstudios.com/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

• Jo Murillo (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamurillo/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 401: Strategies for Getting Momentum on the Speaking Circuit

• Episode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities

• Episode 367: Steps for Creating Your Speaking and Visibility Plan

Become Bookable Live Online Workshop - April 15, 2026
If you want to speak more but you’re not sure where to start or your efforts haven’t produced the results you want, I’m hosting a live online workshop called “Become Bookable: How to Get Speaking Invitations” on Wednesday, April 15th.

A lot of brilliant women assume they just need to pitch themselves more. But the real reason speakers get invited isn’t because they pitch harder — it’s because they’re positioned as bookable.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop live on Zoom, I’ll show you how speakers actually get invited — and help you clarify the positioning that makes event organizers say yes.

As a podcast listener, use the coupon code “Podcast100” to save $100 on your registration.

Learn more and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable