Non-binding request for John Livesay
John Livesay
John Livesay, known as The Pitch Whisperer, helps sales teams turn everyday stories into powerful pitches that build trust and win business.
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Why you should book John Livesay for your next event
- Learn how to transform ordinary sales pitches and case studies into compelling stories that build trust and win more business.
- Gain practical sales storytelling techniques from an award-winning salesperson, bestselling author and experienced keynote speaker.
- Benefit from continued learning through John's bestselling book and Revenue Rockstar Mastery course to put storytelling into practice.
Non-binding request for John Livesay
Sales keynote speaker, bestselling author and storytelling expert helping teams turn compelling stories into sales success.
John Livesay, widely known as "The Pitch Whisperer," is a sales keynote speaker, bestselling author and storytelling expert who helps businesses turn everyday sales conversations into opportunities for growth. Drawing on his award-winning career at Condé Nast, where he earned Salesperson of the Year, John teaches sales teams how to replace forgettable pitches with compelling stories that build trust and win business. With a TEDx talk viewed over one million times and guest lectures at respected universities, John brings practical expertise and engaging insights to every stage. His approach helps professionals strengthen relationships, communicate their value and become what he calls "revenue rockstars."
John Livesay – The Pitch Whisperer Who Turns Stories into Sales
What makes a sales pitch memorable? According to John Livesay, the answer lies in the power of storytelling. Known as "The Pitch Whisperer," John is a sales keynote speaker, bestselling author and storytelling expert who helps companies transform the way their teams communicate, connect with customers and win new business.
John believes that the most successful sales conversations begin with a story worth listening to. Instead of relying on facts, figures and traditional sales presentations, he teaches professionals how to turn ordinary case studies into compelling case stories that capture attention and demonstrate real value.
His approach makes storytelling a practical sales skill that teams can apply in everyday conversations, presentations and client meetings. Through engaging keynotes and relatable examples, John shows audiences how to communicate with greater confidence, build meaningful relationships and turn their sales teams into revenue rockstars.
From Award-Winning Salesperson to Keynote Speaker
John Livesay brings firsthand sales experience to the stage. During his successful career at Condé Nast, he was named Salesperson of the Year, an achievement that reflects his understanding of what it takes to stand out in a competitive sales environment.
The lessons he learned throughout his career now form the foundation of his keynote presentations. John shares how storytelling can help sales professionals communicate their ideas more effectively, create stronger connections with potential customers and make their pitches more persuasive.
His presentations combine professional experience with actionable strategies that audiences can put into practice. Whether addressing experienced sales executives or teams looking to improve their performance, John offers a fresh perspective on how people make decisions and why memorable stories can make a difference.
Better Selling Through Storytelling
At the heart of John's work is a straightforward idea: people connect with stories. His bestselling book, Better Selling Through Storytelling, explores how sales professionals can use this connection to improve their communication and sales results.
John teaches businesses how to move beyond conventional presentations and develop stories that resonate with their customers. By turning complex information and routine case studies into relatable narratives, sales teams can make their messages easier to understand and remember.
His expertise also extends to the classroom. John has served as a guest lecturer on storytelling in sales at several universities, including the University of Texas at Austin (UTLA), Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
His book has also become required reading for UTLA's Entertainment and Media Studies course, demonstrating the relevance of his storytelling approach beyond traditional sales environments.
The Sale Is in the Tale – Strengthening Relationships Through Stories
In his book The Sale Is in the Tale, John Livesay explores the importance of adapting to changing sales expectations. Set in Austin, Texas, this business fable follows a sales representative who discovers that traditional selling methods are no longer producing the desired results.
As the character learns to approach sales differently, readers discover how storytelling and stronger interpersonal skills can transform professional interactions. The book illustrates how effective communication, empathy and relationship-building can contribute to greater success in business and everyday life.
John also brings this message to a wider audience through his TEDx talk, Be The Lifeguard of Your Own Life, which has received more than one million views. His inspiring message encourages people to recognize the role they play in shaping their own experiences and relationships.
By connecting personal development with professional communication, John helps audiences understand how storytelling can influence the way they connect with others.
Practical Tools That Continue Beyond the Keynote
One of the reasons organizations value working with John Livesay is his commitment to helping audiences apply what they learn long after the event ends.
His presentations introduce practical storytelling techniques that sales professionals can incorporate into their daily work. To support continued development, John also offers access to his online course, Revenue Rockstar Mastery, and the strategies presented in his bestselling book, Better Selling Through Storytelling.
These resources help teams reinforce the lessons from his keynote and develop the confidence to use storytelling in real sales situations.
From improving pitches to building stronger client relationships, John's approach gives businesses a framework for making communication more engaging, memorable and effective.
Book John Livesay for Your Next Event
Book John Livesay for a keynote that challenges conventional thinking about sales and shows audiences how to communicate in ways that inspire action.
With his award-winning sales background, bestselling books, university teaching experience and engaging presentation style, John brings valuable insights to sales conferences, corporate events, leadership gatherings and professional development programs.
Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of how storytelling can strengthen relationships, make sales messages stand out and create opportunities for new business.
For organizations looking to inspire their sales teams and improve the way they connect with customers, John Livesay delivers a practical and memorable message: the right story can change the conversation and help turn opportunities into results.
Customer Reviews
5 of 5
I have a chance to hear many professional speakers, as a professional speaker myself and as co-chair of the Los Angeles D1 Toastmasters Speakers Bureau. I've heard great things about John Livesay and invited him to present at our last program. I can now say from first hand experience he is one of the best. His fun, insightful and really engaging presentation had our audience captivated during his "Getting to Yes" keynote. The anecdotes land, he's surprisingly funny and it left the audience on their feet clapping. Thank you, John!
Sterling HawkinsGrowth Keynote Speaker | Best-Selling Author | Founder of the No Matter What Movement (1M+)
5 of 5
John Livesay was the keynote speaker at our 2026 Commercial Sales Meeting and also led three follow-up workshops for our team. His preparation and customization were outstanding, delivering practical and actionable insights on how to use storytelling to become more compelling communicators and sellers. I highly recommend John. He not only energized our team, but his message resonated throughout the entire meeting. In fact, we continued referencing his keynote and applying his frameworks long after he left the stage. If you're looking for a speaker who can engage an audience while leaving them with tools they can put to work immediately, John delivers.
Bill WhiteheadSVP North America at Link Snacks
5 of 5
John delivered during our 2023 Sales Kick-Off an energetic, inspired and thoughtful presentation to the Assent Sales team of the why/where/how to create/leverage real memorable narratives in telling the story of value that Assent brings to our Sustainability value premise.
John's warmth, authenticity, and attention to detail (he had really done his homework) made his presentation one of the bright highlights of our sales kick-off.
I really enjoyed meeting John and he has continued to invest time to help team Assent make valuable connections. Having John come present for your team will really add to any company event, in particular a Sales kick-off.
Andrew WaitmanCEO Assent
Rated 5.00/5 based on 3 customer reviews
Keynotes
Keynote by John Livesay:
Revenue Rockstar: Be Memorable, Sell More
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
- Be a co-pilot with your buyer
- Go from invisible to irresistible
- Become more resilient
Keynote by John Livesay:
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.
1) 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.
2) 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.
3) 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.
After John’s keynote the audience will:
- Become the irresistible choice for top talent
- Become magnetic and memorable
- Tell stories that employees see themselves in
- Paint the picture that pulls in your ideal candidate
Keynote by John Livesay:
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…
- 3 Magic questions to ask
- Be conversational not robotic
- Intrigue people to start a conversation
John Livesay | Storytelling Keynote Speaker for Sales Kickoffs | Revenue Rockstar
“The Picasso Of Pitches”
Watch John Livesay in action
Be The Lifeguard of Your Own Life! | John Livesay | TEDxWilmingtonLive
Watch John Livesay in action
