Jay Acunzo
@jayacunzo.com
Speaking & messaging coach helping clients differentiate and resonate: jayacunzo.com
🎤 Host, How Stories Happen: https://episodes.fm/1736586770
💌 My love letter to communicators with expertise and heart: https://jayacunzo.com/newsletter
🎤 Host, How Stories Happen: https://episodes.fm/1736586770
💌 My love letter to communicators with expertise and heart: https://jayacunzo.com/newsletter
Pinned
Jay Acunzo
@jayacunzo.com
· Nov 18
Jay Acunzo | Author, Speaker, Showrunner
Jay's on a mission to help creative people make what matters most -- to their careers, companies, and communities alike.
jayacunzo.com
Hey, I'm Jay 👋
I help experts become stronger speakers + storytellers, and I believe in resonance over reach.
I consult 1:1, plus run bootcamps and a membership.
I write a free newsletter + host How Stories Happen where guests like Seth Godin & Ann Handley dissect 1 story piece by piece.
Say hi!
I help experts become stronger speakers + storytellers, and I believe in resonance over reach.
I consult 1:1, plus run bootcamps and a membership.
I write a free newsletter + host How Stories Happen where guests like Seth Godin & Ann Handley dissect 1 story piece by piece.
Say hi!
If you want to be a great public speaker, the difference is really rehearsal time.
Rehearse.
Full speed.
Full volume.
Multiple times.
Alone in your home.
Until you've internalized the material.
And can show up to the speech and just... be.
Rehearse.
Full speed.
Full volume.
Multiple times.
Alone in your home.
Until you've internalized the material.
And can show up to the speech and just... be.
September 25, 2025 at 8:10 PM
If you want to be a great public speaker, the difference is really rehearsal time.
Rehearse.
Full speed.
Full volume.
Multiple times.
Alone in your home.
Until you've internalized the material.
And can show up to the speech and just... be.
Rehearse.
Full speed.
Full volume.
Multiple times.
Alone in your home.
Until you've internalized the material.
And can show up to the speech and just... be.
Spoke to English majors at my alma mater this week.
They have no idea just how badly the workforce and world need their precise skills and perspectives.
So I addressed the cliche question they always get, out loud:
“What the hell can you do with an English degree?”
Whatever the fuck you want.
They have no idea just how badly the workforce and world need their precise skills and perspectives.
So I addressed the cliche question they always get, out loud:
“What the hell can you do with an English degree?”
Whatever the fuck you want.
September 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Spoke to English majors at my alma mater this week.
They have no idea just how badly the workforce and world need their precise skills and perspectives.
So I addressed the cliche question they always get, out loud:
“What the hell can you do with an English degree?”
Whatever the fuck you want.
They have no idea just how badly the workforce and world need their precise skills and perspectives.
So I addressed the cliche question they always get, out loud:
“What the hell can you do with an English degree?”
Whatever the fuck you want.
[NEW] How I'd Improve the Premise of a Marketing Legend: Reworking Joe Pulizzi's 3 Signature Projects
Last week, Joe emailed me a few of his projects' premises and asked, "Am I doing this right?"
I thought I'd share my reply to him publicly...
jayacunzo.com/blog/how-id-...
Last week, Joe emailed me a few of his projects' premises and asked, "Am I doing this right?"
I thought I'd share my reply to him publicly...
jayacunzo.com/blog/how-id-...
How I'd Improve the Premise of a Marketing Legend: Reworking Joe Pulizzi's 3 Signature Projects
Last week, my friend Joe Pulizzi was kind enough to cite my premise development methods and frameworks in his wonderful newsletter. Here's the full article on LinkedIn. Joe forwarded me the email ...
jayacunzo.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
[NEW] How I'd Improve the Premise of a Marketing Legend: Reworking Joe Pulizzi's 3 Signature Projects
Last week, Joe emailed me a few of his projects' premises and asked, "Am I doing this right?"
I thought I'd share my reply to him publicly...
jayacunzo.com/blog/how-id-...
Last week, Joe emailed me a few of his projects' premises and asked, "Am I doing this right?"
I thought I'd share my reply to him publicly...
jayacunzo.com/blog/how-id-...
Just saying hey and hope you are well despite (waves hand).
Keep making things that matter to you!
Keep making things that matter to you!
August 15, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Just saying hey and hope you are well despite (waves hand).
Keep making things that matter to you!
Keep making things that matter to you!
Now open! Fall cohort of my Public Speaking Accelerator. Make speaking a superpower.
This is tailor made for busy professionals who sell services (whether you get paid to speak or not — and I do share my details and advice on that too).
Next cohort begins Sept 8.
jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk
This is tailor made for busy professionals who sell services (whether you get paid to speak or not — and I do share my details and advice on that too).
Next cohort begins Sept 8.
jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk
Public Speaking Accelerator for Marketers and Leaders — Jay Acunzo
With coaching and lessons from Jay, you’ll develop, practice, and deliver the 3 most important parts of a talk which instantly transform any presentation from meh to memorable. This is built for extre...
jayacunzo.com
July 27, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Now open! Fall cohort of my Public Speaking Accelerator. Make speaking a superpower.
This is tailor made for busy professionals who sell services (whether you get paid to speak or not — and I do share my details and advice on that too).
Next cohort begins Sept 8.
jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk
This is tailor made for busy professionals who sell services (whether you get paid to speak or not — and I do share my details and advice on that too).
Next cohort begins Sept 8.
jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk
Hi friends. I have a small request. If you follow me on here, or anywhere, and have gotten value from what I do, would you kindly rate and review my podcast, How Stories Happen?
It takes about 20 seconds.
Apple Podcasts is ideal! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
TY!
It takes about 20 seconds.
Apple Podcasts is ideal! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
TY!
How Stories Happen with Jay Acunzo
Marketing Podcast · Updated Biweekly · Learn to package and communicate your expertise to resonate. Every episode, hear from exceptional entrepreneurs and marketers as they share and analyze real work...
podcasts.apple.com
July 25, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Hi friends. I have a small request. If you follow me on here, or anywhere, and have gotten value from what I do, would you kindly rate and review my podcast, How Stories Happen?
It takes about 20 seconds.
Apple Podcasts is ideal! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
TY!
It takes about 20 seconds.
Apple Podcasts is ideal! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
TY!
Rewatching Parks & Rec and man, I did NOT realize just how much the GOP looked at Jamm and said, "That."
Excited for when Chuck Schumer starts prancing around going, "Democracy BORING, guys! Boo! Welcome to TDazzle. It's not policy. It's a freedom-based social media voting experience."
Excited for when Chuck Schumer starts prancing around going, "Democracy BORING, guys! Boo! Welcome to TDazzle. It's not policy. It's a freedom-based social media voting experience."
July 8, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Rewatching Parks & Rec and man, I did NOT realize just how much the GOP looked at Jamm and said, "That."
Excited for when Chuck Schumer starts prancing around going, "Democracy BORING, guys! Boo! Welcome to TDazzle. It's not policy. It's a freedom-based social media voting experience."
Excited for when Chuck Schumer starts prancing around going, "Democracy BORING, guys! Boo! Welcome to TDazzle. It's not policy. It's a freedom-based social media voting experience."
Reposted by Jay Acunzo
Today proves that Republicans were serious about one promise: to cut taxes for the wealthy. All the rest was bullshit.
July 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Today proves that Republicans were serious about one promise: to cut taxes for the wealthy. All the rest was bullshit.
It's really nice that Bluesky's default setting isn't to thrust you into a doomscroll-inducing feed the moment you log in.
These algorithms are no longer smart, if they ever were. You click 1 post about 1 topic, and they just open a firehose about that topic at you. It's relentless. It's awful.
These algorithms are no longer smart, if they ever were. You click 1 post about 1 topic, and they just open a firehose about that topic at you. It's relentless. It's awful.
July 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
It's really nice that Bluesky's default setting isn't to thrust you into a doomscroll-inducing feed the moment you log in.
These algorithms are no longer smart, if they ever were. You click 1 post about 1 topic, and they just open a firehose about that topic at you. It's relentless. It's awful.
These algorithms are no longer smart, if they ever were. You click 1 post about 1 topic, and they just open a firehose about that topic at you. It's relentless. It's awful.
Just posted: a new coaching call, edited and shared publicly.
Watch me rework a real talk in realtime.
This is with the great Susan Boles. We talk about how to teach others your proprietary framework (in a way they actually absorb) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok_...
Watch me rework a real talk in realtime.
This is with the great Susan Boles. We talk about how to teach others your proprietary framework (in a way they actually absorb) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok_...
The Most Effective Way to Share Advice in a Speech | Reworking a Real Talk in Real Time
YouTube video by Jay Acunzo
www.youtube.com
June 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Just posted: a new coaching call, edited and shared publicly.
Watch me rework a real talk in realtime.
This is with the great Susan Boles. We talk about how to teach others your proprietary framework (in a way they actually absorb) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok_...
Watch me rework a real talk in realtime.
This is with the great Susan Boles. We talk about how to teach others your proprietary framework (in a way they actually absorb) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok_...
Big ideas, well-developed. Personal stories, well-told. Perspective, style, and voice.
These have always been advantages to invest in.
Now, they're urgent.
These have always been advantages to invest in.
Now, they're urgent.
June 17, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Big ideas, well-developed. Personal stories, well-told. Perspective, style, and voice.
These have always been advantages to invest in.
Now, they're urgent.
These have always been advantages to invest in.
Now, they're urgent.
Reposted by Jay Acunzo
I wish them both the worst.
June 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I wish them both the worst.
Last week's newsletter struck such a chord, I turned it into a podcast episode for this week:
"How to resonate with experienced pros (stop being tricked by the internet)"
Find and listen to the episode in your favorite app here: episodes.fm/1736586770/e...
"How to resonate with experienced pros (stop being tricked by the internet)"
Find and listen to the episode in your favorite app here: episodes.fm/1736586770/e...
How to resonate with experienced pros (stop being tricked by the internet)
Listen to How to resonate with experienced pros (stop being tricked by the internet) from How Stories Happen with Jay Acunzo wherever you get your podcasts!
episodes.fm
June 4, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Last week's newsletter struck such a chord, I turned it into a podcast episode for this week:
"How to resonate with experienced pros (stop being tricked by the internet)"
Find and listen to the episode in your favorite app here: episodes.fm/1736586770/e...
"How to resonate with experienced pros (stop being tricked by the internet)"
Find and listen to the episode in your favorite app here: episodes.fm/1736586770/e...
Here's how to create stronger openers, whether you write, speak, podcast, shoot video, or post to social media.
Disclaimer: you don't need clickbait or sensationalism to do this well.
jayacunzo.com/blog/stronge...
Disclaimer: you don't need clickbait or sensationalism to do this well.
jayacunzo.com/blog/stronge...
How to Create Stronger Openers: The 3 Choices You're Making Every Time
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Ever hear that phrase? I love it so much. It’s full of hope. It lets us know we should remain resilient despite any initial moments of friction or failu...
jayacunzo.com
May 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Here's how to create stronger openers, whether you write, speak, podcast, shoot video, or post to social media.
Disclaimer: you don't need clickbait or sensationalism to do this well.
jayacunzo.com/blog/stronge...
Disclaimer: you don't need clickbait or sensationalism to do this well.
jayacunzo.com/blog/stronge...
I've given keynotes in 25 states, 3 countries. The best advice I was given + give others to get booked more:
The speech does the work.
The speech is what you pitch (not yourself).
The speech is what you share (not "my story").
The speech is what drives invites to speak.
1 gig should = more gigs.
The speech does the work.
The speech is what you pitch (not yourself).
The speech is what you share (not "my story").
The speech is what drives invites to speak.
1 gig should = more gigs.
May 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I've given keynotes in 25 states, 3 countries. The best advice I was given + give others to get booked more:
The speech does the work.
The speech is what you pitch (not yourself).
The speech is what you share (not "my story").
The speech is what drives invites to speak.
1 gig should = more gigs.
The speech does the work.
The speech is what you pitch (not yourself).
The speech is what you share (not "my story").
The speech is what drives invites to speak.
1 gig should = more gigs.
It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
But also? It's how you start.
Your opener is crucial to get right (and NOT via sensationalized "hooks").
When you open, you're making 3 choices. Knowing them helps you navigate them and create a better experience: jayacunzo.com/blog/stronge...
But also? It's how you start.
Your opener is crucial to get right (and NOT via sensationalized "hooks").
When you open, you're making 3 choices. Knowing them helps you navigate them and create a better experience: jayacunzo.com/blog/stronge...
How to Create Stronger Openers: The 3 Choices You're Making Every Time
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Ever hear that phrase? I love it so much. It’s full of hope. It lets us know we should remain resilient despite any initial moments of friction or failu...
jayacunzo.com
May 19, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
But also? It's how you start.
Your opener is crucial to get right (and NOT via sensationalized "hooks").
When you open, you're making 3 choices. Knowing them helps you navigate them and create a better experience: jayacunzo.com/blog/stronge...
But also? It's how you start.
Your opener is crucial to get right (and NOT via sensationalized "hooks").
When you open, you're making 3 choices. Knowing them helps you navigate them and create a better experience: jayacunzo.com/blog/stronge...
Entrepreneurs should invest more per year on being better storytellers than they do on technology.
I believe this in my bones.
I believe this in my bones.
May 18, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Entrepreneurs should invest more per year on being better storytellers than they do on technology.
I believe this in my bones.
I believe this in my bones.
It was the best of times, it was the birthday party goodie bag contains a kazoo of times.
May 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM
It was the best of times, it was the birthday party goodie bag contains a kazoo of times.
I'm not naturally competitive in most things, but there is 1 place where my competitive spirit flares up in a big way:
Public speaking.
Like if I'm at an event, especially a single-track event where everyone sees every speaker?
I want to win. I want to leap over the bar set by any other speaker.
Public speaking.
Like if I'm at an event, especially a single-track event where everyone sees every speaker?
I want to win. I want to leap over the bar set by any other speaker.
May 16, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I'm not naturally competitive in most things, but there is 1 place where my competitive spirit flares up in a big way:
Public speaking.
Like if I'm at an event, especially a single-track event where everyone sees every speaker?
I want to win. I want to leap over the bar set by any other speaker.
Public speaking.
Like if I'm at an event, especially a single-track event where everyone sees every speaker?
I want to win. I want to leap over the bar set by any other speaker.
One of the trickiest things to navigate as a public voice is how much to remind folks, "I have a business and sell this kinda thing" vs. "I'm helpful, inspiring, and worth following."
In my experience, there's a BIG gap b/w "they like my content" and "they know how to pay me, and why they would"
In my experience, there's a BIG gap b/w "they like my content" and "they know how to pay me, and why they would"
May 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
One of the trickiest things to navigate as a public voice is how much to remind folks, "I have a business and sell this kinda thing" vs. "I'm helpful, inspiring, and worth following."
In my experience, there's a BIG gap b/w "they like my content" and "they know how to pay me, and why they would"
In my experience, there's a BIG gap b/w "they like my content" and "they know how to pay me, and why they would"
Most people who know me consider me perhaps to be a B2B marketer.
But really? Marketing has always been the excuse for me to tell stories both written and spoken.
But really? Marketing has always been the excuse for me to tell stories both written and spoken.
May 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Most people who know me consider me perhaps to be a B2B marketer.
But really? Marketing has always been the excuse for me to tell stories both written and spoken.
But really? Marketing has always been the excuse for me to tell stories both written and spoken.
My wife and I raised a 1-yr-old into a 3-yr-old AND welcomed a baby during a global pandemic.
All while my wife landed the most competitive job opening in her field in our area, and I kept my own business going.
So nah, bro, your cold plunge-selfie IG reel-"hustle and grind" isn't impressive to me
All while my wife landed the most competitive job opening in her field in our area, and I kept my own business going.
So nah, bro, your cold plunge-selfie IG reel-"hustle and grind" isn't impressive to me
May 14, 2025 at 2:22 AM
My wife and I raised a 1-yr-old into a 3-yr-old AND welcomed a baby during a global pandemic.
All while my wife landed the most competitive job opening in her field in our area, and I kept my own business going.
So nah, bro, your cold plunge-selfie IG reel-"hustle and grind" isn't impressive to me
All while my wife landed the most competitive job opening in her field in our area, and I kept my own business going.
So nah, bro, your cold plunge-selfie IG reel-"hustle and grind" isn't impressive to me