How do I get my first speaking engagement?

Start local and small: chambers of commerce, industry associations, meetups, business schools, libraries and online webinars. Offer a clear, useful talk and ask for a short video clip you can use to land the next one.

Should I speak for free?

Agree on a speaking fee, preparation time, travel expenses and deliverables before accepting. Evaluate audience fit and how the engagement supports your business goals; exposure alone is not a substitute for a clear agreement.

What makes a good speaker proposal?

A clear, specific title, a short description focused on what attendees will learn, three takeaways, your relevant credentials, and evidence you can deliver, such as a video clip or past events.

How do I turn talks into business?

Give attendees a useful next step: a checklist, assessment or resource in exchange for their email, and follow up promptly. Connect with attendees and organizers afterwards.

How to Land Business Speaking Engagements

A single talk can put you in front of hundreds of your ideal clients, with the credibility of the stage behind you. Knowing how to get speaking engagements is one of the most effective ways to build authority and generate leads. Here's a step-by-step approach.

This guide is part of our PR strategy playbook and our personal branding guide for founders.

Step 1: Define two or three signature topics

Organizers book talks that solve their audience's problems. For each topic:

A clear title: "How Small Businesses Can Measure Billboard and Radio Ads" beats "Marketing Insights."
The audience: who benefits most?
Three takeaways they'll leave with
Your credibility: why you?

Good topics often come from your thought leadership articles, so reuse what's resonated.

Step 2: Build a speaker page

Add a page to your website with:

A short speaker bio and headshots
Your signature talks and takeaways
Video clips (even a short phone recording of a talk)
Past events and testimonials from organizers
A booking contact

See what your personal brand website needs.

Step 3: Find opportunities

Start local and accessible: - Chambers of commerce and business associations - Industry associations and their chapter events - Meetups and co-working spaces - Colleges, universities and business schools - Libraries and community programs - Webinars hosted by partners

Then level up: - Industry conferences (watch for calls for speakers, often months ahead) - Corporate events and panels - Summits and trade shows

Podcasts are a great warm-up too; see how to get booked on podcasts.

Step 4: Pitch organizers

Keep it short:

A tailored opening showing you know their event and audience
Your talk title and one-paragraph description
Three takeaways
Why you're credible (one or two lines)
A link to video and your speaker page

Follow up once. Offer to join a panel if a keynote isn't available. Panels are a great way in.

Step 5: Deliver a talk people remember

Open with a story or surprising fact, not your bio
Teach, don't sell
Use concrete examples and simple slides
End with a clear next step
Practise out loud, timed

Local radio and TV interviews sharpen the same skills. See TV interview preparation.

Step 6: Turn talks into business

Offer a useful resource (checklist, template, assessment) in exchange for an email
Connect with attendees on LinkedIn within a few days
Ask the organizer for a testimonial and recording
Share photos and clips across your channels
Pitch related events, citing the talk

Speaker one-sheet template

Name, title, company and a professional headshot
Short bio (60–80 words) plus a one-line introduction for the host to read
Signature talks: titles and three takeaways each
Formats: keynote, workshop, panel, webinar
Past events and a short organizer testimonial
Video link
Contact for bookings

Keep it to one page, and save it as a PDF you can attach to every pitch.

Measuring the value

Track leads, clients and partnership conversations that came from each talk. Add "event or talk" to your lead source tracking; see how to measure PR ROI. Speaking builds exactly the credibility investors and partners look for; see attracting investors and partners.

How to Land Speaking Engagements That Grow Your Business

Step 1: Define two or three signature topics

Step 2: Build a speaker page

Step 3: Find opportunities

Step 4: Pitch organizers

Step 5: Deliver a talk people remember

Step 6: Turn talks into business

Speaker one-sheet template

Measuring the value

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