Welcome to Trainer Talk
The #1 place for freelance trainers
to grow their business
and feel connected to each other.
Hi I’m Sharon Gaskin
I’ve spent the last 10 years working with freelance trainers to help them build successful and profitable training businesses.
Following a career as a corporate L&D professional, I spent years working as a lone freelancer and business owner, so I understand how incredibly lonely it can be.
When you’re in the training room it’s fine, but when you’re not it’s not always that easy to get that buzz that comes from talking and interacting with others — the buzz that you need to keep you in flow, keep you motivated and moving towards achieving your goals and getting things done.
For all of these reasons – and more – I created Trainer Talk which has grown and evolved into a vibrant community.
Trainer Talk grows your business
The Trainer Talk community is like having all your favourite colleagues in one place. They invariably build my – sometimes wavering – belief in my own business up to great heights and share my successes. I now love working on my business as much as working in my business and as a result have a much more constant stream of clients.
Trainer Talk has helped transform my approach to marketing. I’ve just got my single biggest booking ever – almost five figures! Not only have I got business through a contact within the network, I have also got business by applying the marketing mind-set and techniques that is a thread throughout Trainer Talk.
Trainer Talk is one of the key reasons I am still in business! The support, generosity of spirit (and advice), plus the feeling of being part of a like-minded community, is of course incredibly important to me. But the collaboration opportunities and direct business I have seen through my membership was a huge surprise!
I’ve also met some great folks who I’ve turned to in absolute confidence & sincerity for advice. Over the last few years since I’ve been benefiting from being a member of the community, I’ve had more money in the bank and been able to take Elaine my wife out for more meals than ever!
What’s Included?
Direct access to Sharon through the community and 4 fantastic Trainer Talk Live events a year*
Learn strategies and skills to develop and improve your training business
You can openly and honestly share your greatest challenges — as well as your successes!
People are genuinely supportive, generous with their knowledge and experience
There are opportunities to collaborate rather than compete
Opportunities to promote your business through Top Trainer Profiles and other initiatives
Super Support
I’ve done a huge amount of networking over the years. One thing I’ve noticed is that there can often be a big pressure to not be yourself, to put a bit of a front on and say everything is fantastic in your business, when it’s not. Sometimes you just want to say “You know what, I’m finding it tough right now and I’d like some help.” Do you ever feel like that?
And then there’s the issue of where to go for business advice. In today’s digital age there’s no shortage of information, but you can easily waste a whole day surfing for stuff only to find it doesn’t really apply to you as a freelance trainer… I am a great believer in leveraging others’ success, and this is why I created Trainer Talk.
I am passionate about bringing freelance trainers together to learn, share, connect and collaborate. It is important to have a safe and supportive network of people who get what you do, and are prepared to help celebrate your successes and share your challenges.
Our members love the Trainer Talk Community
The Trainers Training company set up by the wonderful Sharon Gaskin is simply brilliant! Despite being on Sharon’s Associate Alert Service for 4 years I hadn’t taken the opportunity to be part of the Trainer Talk community available through Sharon’s company and thank goodness I did! Whilst there are MANY pros for being self employed what people don’t always tell you is it can be isolating/lonely at times. Trainer Talk helps so much with that – through Sharon’s creative, facilitative and extremely generous approach and business model I feel part of a professional training group that offers support, advice and expertise without question or judgement. I highly recommend Sharon Gaskin and the Trainer Talk community and only wish I had joined from the start of my self employment journey!
I am a member of the Trainer Talk Online community and it’s not exaggerating to say that it’s the single biggest reason why my business remains successful. The group is phenomenally supportive and open. Not competitors, but collaborators in every sense. They are there for the good times and the bad. they share information and ideas, they give you feedback and no matter the query, someone offers something useful. They have opened my eyes to new things, been there when times were tough, shared joy in my successes, and offer a sense-check to ideas before I share them publicly. Sharon provides lots of value directly via her webinars and business development clinics, but also through the knowledge of her network which means she can connect people directly. In summary, Trainer Talk is the one thing I simply couldn’t run my business without.
Knowing that I always have a community of like-minded sympathetic colleagues who understand and empathise with my successes, failures, good days and bad days… Helps me see the wood for the trees if I’m bogged down by my thinking. Allows me to pose idle questions – sort of the “I wonder..” or “Has anyone else…” Knowing the answers will come from a real-life training background.
I joined Trainer Talk a few years ago now. It is one of the friendliest most supportive groups of people that I know.
We all help each other, no competition just sharing best practice, thoughts and help wherever we can.
Since being a member, I have made great relationships with other trainers who have introduced me to their clients when I have skills that complement theirs. I have also found associate trainers to support a large project through this group.
At the helm is Sharon Gaskin – a superb coach and mentor who can spot what is needed a mile off. Sharon has created a fantastic community based on supportiveness, trust and shared values.
If you are thinking of joining, just do it – you won’t regret it!
Since taking the leap into the world of freelance training, I have found Sharon’s support and guidance invaluable. I’ve been a Trainer Talk member for over a year and would recommend the Trainers Training Company to all freelance trainers. It’s a great way to share your knowledge and experience with others and I guarantee you will get a lot more back in return. I recently viewed Sharon’s webinar on how to get people to come along to Open Workshops. I came away with lots of really great ideas, which I am busy putting into practise. Freelance work can be lonely, but it doesn’t feel like that with Sharon’s support. A big thank you for all those great tips you’ve share.
As an experienced trainer, the temptation to stay in the ‘safety’ of regular employment in the corporate world was almost overwhelming. However, within just a few months of finding Sharon’s wonderful website I was able to develop the confidence to bite the bullet, go freelance, and find associate and direct client work. The support network on social media and in person through Trainer Talk Live is invaluable, and I genuinely enjoy being part of a group of like-minded individuals.
Your Investment
Trainer Talk (Full Member)
Come into the Trainer Talk Online Community Hub: a private group to connect, collaborate and celebrate, ask questions and share experience
Monthly Online Business Development Clinics: bring a challenge or just come along for a virtual cuppa
Business Growth Webinars: in-depth, expert interviews
Spotlight Sessions: group meetings with an expert on key topics
Expert Interview Library: full back catalogue of all expert interviews
Resources Library: handy resources to help you with your business growth and delivery
Business Promotion through Top Trainer Profiles
Entry to 4 Trainer Talk Live events every year (worth £596 + VAT alone)
- Meet other freelance trainers to connect and collaborate
- Two guest speakers talking about aspects related to growing your business
- Afternoon business clinic – focused support and advice
- Noticeboard – ask for help with connections and introductions, make a special offer for Trainer Talk members or publicly thank another member for their support!
£47 + VAT / month
or you can save by paying annually – only £497 + VAT
Trainer Talk (Online Only)
Come into the Trainer Talk Online Community Hub: a private group to connect, collaborate and celebrate, ask questions and share experience
Monthly Online Business Development Clinics: bring a challenge or just come along for a virtual cuppa
Business Growth Webinars: in-depth, expert interviews
Spotlight Sessions: group meetings with an expert on key topics
Expert Interview Library: full back catalogue of all expert interviews
Resources Library: handy resources to help you with your business growth and delivery
Business Promotion through Top Trainer Profiles
Online members do not get entry to Trainer Talk Live automatically included – but you can still pay to come along!
£19.97 + VAT / month
or you can save by paying annually – only £197 + VAT
So what’s the difference between the memberships?
A FULL member gets FREE access to all four Trainer Talk Live events (worth £596 + VAT annually).
An ONLINE member pays to attend Trainer Talk Live (and pays more for Trainer Talk Local events too).
How joining the Trainer Talk community will benefit your business
You’ve seen above what’s included in your Trainer Talk membership but what does each of these features really mean for you and your business?
Online business development clinics
Get advice and inspiration about growing your business. Save time, prevent costly mistakes and tap into knowledge that’s 100% focused on training businesses.
Business growth webinars
Access in-depth information about topics that are relevant to training businesses so that you can target your ideal clients, charge what you’re worth and build your reputation doing what you love.
Members-only private online group
Access a professional network at any time of the day or night from anywhere in the world. Get advice and support from people who understand your business when you need it, not when a situation or opportunity has been and gone.
Resources library
Tap into the combined knowledge of the Trainer Talk community and resources that have helped other members. This is a great time saver and learning tool that will help you grow a profitable training business.
Spotlight sessions
Group online meetings on specific subjects relevant to running a freelance training business, including a Subject Matter Expert giving advice and guidance to participants and opportunities to share personal experiences.
Expert interview library
Learn from trainers who have come before you. Use their expertise and insights to find the right path sooner than if you were going it alone.
Membership options
Choose the package to suit you, whether you want to pay monthly or annually. The full Trainer Talk package includes 4 amazing live events every year dedicated to helping you grow your business.
Why Join Trainer Talk?
Trainer Talk is a fabulous community, enabled largely by Sharon’s ability to bring people together. I’ve been subscribed to the Associate Alert Service for a few years and – quite honestly – hadn’t considered becoming part of the wider Trainer Talk community until a few months ago. I realise now how much time I’d wasted! From the minute I signed up, I’ve been connected to some fantastic talent, a really lovely, informative group of like-minded people, with such diverse backgrounds yet focused on one common aim – supporting each other. I love being self employed, but what you don’t always appreciate is how lonely it can be. I’m yet to attend Trainer Talk Live but do join the online discussions (I’m based in Scotland, so they’re a fabulous way of getting involved without the need to travel!) If, like me, you’re teetering on the edge of all Sharon offers, jump in! I promise you won’t be disappointed. Thank you, Sharon, for being such a great enabler!
Jane Rennie
All this and more
Direct access to Sharon Gaskin through the forum and 4 fantastic Trainer Talk Live events a year*
Learn strategies and skills to develop and improve your training business
You can openly and honestly share your greatest challenges — as well as your successes!
People are genuinely supportive, generous with their knowledge and experience
There are opportunities to collaborate rather than compete
Opportunities to promote your business through Top Trainer Profiles and other initiatives
Be part of something brilliant
Trainer Talk (Full Member)
Come into the Trainer Talk Online Community Hub: a private group to connect, collaborate and celebrate, ask questions and share experience
Monthly Online Business Development Clinics: bring a challenge or just come along for a virtual cuppa
Business Growth Webinars: in-depth, expert interviews
Spotlight Sessions: group meetings with an expert on key topics
Expert Interview Library: full back catalogue of all expert interviews
Resources Library: handy resources to help you with your business growth and delivery
Business Promotion through Top Trainer Profiles
Entry to 4 Trainer Talk Live events every year (worth £596 + VAT alone)
- Meet other freelance trainers to connect and collaborate
- Two guest speakers talking about aspects related to growing your business
- Afternoon business clinic – focused support and advice
- Noticeboard – ask for help with connections and introductions, make a special offer for Trainer Talk members or publicly thank another member for their support!
£47 + VAT / month
or you can save by paying annually – only £497 + VAT
Trainer Talk (Online Only)
Come into the Trainer Talk Online Community Hub: a private group to connect, collaborate and celebrate, ask questions and share experience
Monthly Online Business Development Clinics: bring a challenge or just come along for a virtual cuppa
Business Growth Webinars: in-depth, expert interviews
Spotlight Sessions: group meetings with an expert on key topics
Expert Interview Library: full back catalogue of all expert interviews
Resources Library: handy resources to help you with your business growth and delivery
Business Promotion through Top Trainer Profiles
Online members do not get entry to Trainer Talk Live automatically included – but you can still pay to come along!
£19.97 + VAT / month
or you can save by paying annually – only £197 + VAT
So what’s the difference between the memberships?
A FULL member gets FREE access to all four Trainer Talk Live events (worth £596 + VAT annually).
An ONLINE member pays to attend Trainer Talk Live (and pays more for Trainer Talk Local events too).