John Livesay

John Livesay

Keynote Speaker: Sales Through Storytelling Expert; Author & Host of "The Successful Pitch" Podcast

John Livesay Biography

John Livesay, aka The Pitch Whisperer, is a sales keynote speaker who shows companies’ sales teams how to turn mundane case studies into compelling case stories so they win more new business. From his award-winning career at Conde Nast, Livesay shares the lessons he learned that turn sales teams into revenue rockstars. His TEDx talk, "Be The Lifeguard of Your Own Life," has over 1,000,000 views.

Clients love working with Livesay because of his ongoing support after his talk, which includes implementing the storytelling skills from his best-selling book Better Selling Through Storytelling and the online course "Revenue Rockstar Mastery."

His new book, "The Sale Is in the Tale," is a business fable set in Austin, TX. It is about a sales representative whose old ways of selling are not working anymore. The reader accompanies the rep on his journey and learns how to use storytelling and strengthen soft skills to improve their professional and personal relationships.

Livesay is a guest lecturer on how to leverage the power of storytelling in sales at multiple universities, including the University of Texas at Austin (UTLA), Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His book is now required reading for the UTLA course on Entertainment and Media studies.

He is also the host of “The Successful Pitch” podcast, which is heard in over 60 countries. These interviews make him a sales keynote speaker with fresh and relevant content.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on John Livesay and other top speakers and celebrities.

John Livesay Speaking Topics

Tell Stories, Win Sales

Today, whoever tells the best story wins the sale. Salespeople struggle to win new business and get frustrated when they come in second place. They find their prospective buyers forget almost everything they said and the time to close the sale gets longer and longer. Enter John Livesay, aka "The Pitch Whisperer," who shows sales teams how to turn boring case studies into compelling case stories. They learn the exact steps to become black belts in storytelling. Once that happens they become irresistible and their revenue soars.

The stories get shared across divisions which breaks down silos and cause existing clients to buy more products and services. The storytelling skills impact the culture as the sales team learn to develop both their personal story of origin and the company’s cultural story which creates a new level of bonding and shared goals.

The salespeople will no longer feel like they are drowning in a sea of sameness because they will know how to tell stories that make them magnetic and memorable.

After John’s keynote the audience will:

  • Have an emotional connection with buyers
  • Go from invisible to irresistible
  • Be a co-pilot with your buyer
  • Become more resilient

Tell Stories, Recruit Top Talent

Today's leaders need to work hand-in-hand with HR to recruit and keep the top talent needed to grow their business. Whether it is a new graduate or recruiting someone from a competitor, the stakes are high to get the right person in the right job and to do it quickly.

There are three stories leaders need to have in their toolbox to make their offer irresistible.

Personal Story of Origin: This is where a leader describes his or her own journey and stories that show why people love working with him or her. Painting a picture of the first 90 days for a new hire gives that individual a roadmap to success. Creating a repository of fellow employees' stories helps onboard new hires and develop connections through shared stories.

The Company's Story: This story shows values and culture in action. Many employees want to work for a company that reflects their personal values, such as sustainability or diversity. Telling stories rather than just listing values is a game changer.

Case Stories: Case stories from other employees who have joined the company are important to showcase those who have not only had success in their careers, but also developed friendships that exist outside of work. Research shows that people stay in a job longer and increase productivity.

How to Make the Perfect Elevator Pitch

Everyone needs a great elevator pitch and few people have one. Plato said “Storytellers rule the world.” That is still true today. People remember your stories, not your numbers. Do you wish you could tell people who you are, what you do, and why you do it in a way that has them say “That’s interesting … tell me more?” Can you pitch your vision for your company so you can attract the best players for your team? What is the secret to pitching new customers to hire you and get referrals?

Pitching with a clear, concise, and compelling story is the key to breaking through all the noise in today’s digital environment. When you tell great stories, you pull people in vs. the old school way of pushing your message out to people. According to John Livesay, “When you tug on the heartstrings, people open their purse strings.”

Before John leaves the stage, your people learn:

  • Be conversational, not robotic
  • 3 magic questions to ask
  • Intrigue people to start a conversation

John, aka “The Pitch Whisperer,” helps sales forces connect with today’s crazy-busy, ultra-savvy buyers by becoming master storytellers with magnetic pitches.

Whoever tells the best story gets the sale.

After John speaks, your people will know exactly how to turn case studies into case stories that are irresistible.

What is Your POV?

Without a unique point of view, you risk blending into the background as just another commodity. This workshop guides you in discovering and articulating your distinctive POV, making you unforgettable in your field.

EQ—Listening, Empathy, and Resilience

Enhance your emotional intelligence by refining your listening abilities, showing genuine empathy for client challenges, and building resilience to overcome rejection and thrive in adversity.

John Livesay Videos

Reasons to Hire John Livesay: Sales and Storytelling Keynote Speaker
Virtual Sales Keynote Speaker and Storytelling Expert John Livesay

How do I book John Livesay to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like John Livesay for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for John Livesay, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for John Livesay or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book John Livesay for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for John Livesay, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book John Livesay are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire John Livesay, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does John Livesay speak about?

John Livesay is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Sales, Marketing, Customer Experience, Storytelling, Author, TED, Family & Parenting, Communication, Podcast Host, Business, Human Resources and Workshop.

Where does John Livesay travel from?

John Livesay generally travels from Austin, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for John Livesay?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like John Livesay for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book John Livesay for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host John Livesay or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


John Livesay is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Sales, Marketing and Customer Experience. The estimated speaking fee range to book John Livesay for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. John Livesay generally travels from Austin, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Larry Long Jr., Libby Gill and Dr. Colleen Hacker. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John Livesay for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 22/01/2026.

John Livesay Speaking Topics

  • Tell Stories, Win Sales

    Today, whoever tells the best story wins the sale. Salespeople struggle to win new business and get frustrated when they come in second place. They find their prospective buyers forget almost everything they said and the time to close the sale gets longer and longer. Enter John Livesay, aka "The Pitch Whisperer," who shows sales teams how to turn boring case studies into compelling case stories. They learn the exact steps to become black belts in storytelling. Once that happens they become irresistible and their revenue soars.

    The stories get shared across divisions which breaks down silos and cause existing clients to buy more products and services. The storytelling skills impact the culture as the sales team learn to develop both their personal story of origin and the company’s cultural story which creates a new level of bonding and shared goals.

    The salespeople will no longer feel like they are drowning in a sea of sameness because they will know how to tell stories that make them magnetic and memorable.

    After John’s keynote the audience will:

    • Have an emotional connection with buyers
    • Go from invisible to irresistible
    • Be a co-pilot with your buyer
    • Become more resilient

  • Tell Stories, Recruit Top Talent

    Today's leaders need to work hand-in-hand with HR to recruit and keep the top talent needed to grow their business. Whether it is a new graduate or recruiting someone from a competitor, the stakes are high to get the right person in the right job and to do it quickly.

    There are three stories leaders need to have in their toolbox to make their offer irresistible.

    Personal Story of Origin: This is where a leader describes his or her own journey and stories that show why people love working with him or her. Painting a picture of the first 90 days for a new hire gives that individual a roadmap to success. Creating a repository of fellow employees' stories helps onboard new hires and develop connections through shared stories.

    The Company's Story: This story shows values and culture in action. Many employees want to work for a company that reflects their personal values, such as sustainability or diversity. Telling stories rather than just listing values is a game changer.

    Case Stories: Case stories from other employees who have joined the company are important to showcase those who have not only had success in their careers, but also developed friendships that exist outside of work. Research shows that people stay in a job longer and increase productivity.

  • How to Make the Perfect Elevator Pitch

    Everyone needs a great elevator pitch and few people have one. Plato said “Storytellers rule the world.” That is still true today. People remember your stories, not your numbers. Do you wish you could tell people who you are, what you do, and why you do it in a way that has them say “That’s interesting … tell me more?” Can you pitch your vision for your company so you can attract the best players for your team? What is the secret to pitching new customers to hire you and get referrals?

    Pitching with a clear, concise, and compelling story is the key to breaking through all the noise in today’s digital environment. When you tell great stories, you pull people in vs. the old school way of pushing your message out to people. According to John Livesay, “When you tug on the heartstrings, people open their purse strings.”

    Before John leaves the stage, your people learn:

    • Be conversational, not robotic
    • 3 magic questions to ask
    • Intrigue people to start a conversation

    John, aka “The Pitch Whisperer,” helps sales forces connect with today’s crazy-busy, ultra-savvy buyers by becoming master storytellers with magnetic pitches.

    Whoever tells the best story gets the sale.

    After John speaks, your people will know exactly how to turn case studies into case stories that are irresistible.

  • What is Your POV?

    Without a unique point of view, you risk blending into the background as just another commodity. This workshop guides you in discovering and articulating your distinctive POV, making you unforgettable in your field.

  • EQ—Listening, Empathy, and Resilience

    Enhance your emotional intelligence by refining your listening abilities, showing genuine empathy for client challenges, and building resilience to overcome rejection and thrive in adversity.

John Livesay Videos

Reasons to Hire John Livesay: Sales and Storytelling Keynote Speaker
Virtual Sales Keynote Speaker and Storytelling Expert John Livesay
  • How do I book John Livesay to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like John Livesay for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for John Livesay, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for John Livesay or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book John Livesay for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for John Livesay, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book John Livesay are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire John Livesay, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does John Livesay speak about?

    John Livesay is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Sales, Marketing, Customer Experience, Storytelling, Author, TED, Family & Parenting, Communication, Podcast Host, Business, Human Resources and Workshop.
  • Where does John Livesay travel from?

    John Livesay generally travels from Austin, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for John Livesay?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like John Livesay for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book John Livesay for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host John Livesay or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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