HOW TO FIND SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES AT EVENTS

Finding speaking opportunities can be a challenging yet rewarding process for those looking to share their expertise and build their public speaking career. We consider several effective strategies to help you discover and secure speaking engagements.

1. Leverage Your Network Start by tapping into your existing professional and personal networks. Inform colleagues, friends, and acquaintances about your availability as a speaker. They may know of upcoming events or be able to recommend you to organizers.
2. Join Professional Associations Become a member of industry-specific associations and organizations related to your area of expertise. These groups often host conferences, workshops, and meetings where speakers are needed.
3. Utilize Online Platforms Take advantage of websites dedicated to connecting speakers with event organizers. Services like SpeakerHub, eSpeakers, and Speaker Match can help you find relevant opportunities.
4. Monitor Event Calendars Keep an eye on event calendars for conferences, trade shows, and seminars in your field. Many of these events actively seek speakers for breakout sessions or keynote addresses.
5. Create a Strong Online Presence Develop a professional website showcasing your expertise and speaking topics. Use social media networks like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to share valuable content and engage with potential clients.
6. Offer to Speak Locally Reach out to local businesses, schools, libraries, and community organizations. Offering free or low-cost talks can help you gain experience and build your reputation.
7. Contribute to Industry Publications Write articles or blog posts for industry publications. This exposure can lead to speaking invitations from readers or editors who recognize your expertise.
8. Attend Conferences as an Attendee Participate in relevant conferences as an attendee. Network with organizers and other speakers, and express your interest in speaking at future events.
9. Create Video Content Produce and share video content demonstrating your speaking skills and knowledge. This can serve as a portfolio for potential clients and increase your visibility online.
10. Collaborate with Other Speakers Build relationships with other speakers in your field. They may refer opportunities that aren’t a good fit for them or invite you to co-present at events.
11. Pitch to Podcast Hosts Reach out to podcast hosts in your niche and offer to be a guest. This can lead to speaking opportunities and help you build credibility.
12. Monitor Social Media Follow event hashtags and join relevant groups on social media platforms. Organizers often use these channels to announce calls for speakers.
13. Create Your Own Opportunities Consider organizing your own events, webinars, or workshops. This allows you to showcase your expertise and can attract attention from other event organizers.
14. Seek Referrals After each speaking engagement, ask satisfied clients for referrals or testimonials. Word-of-mouth recommendations can be powerful in securing future opportunities.
15. Stay Persistent and Patient Finding speaking opportunities takes time and effort. Stay persistent in your outreach and be patient as you build your reputation in the speaking circuit.

Employing these strategies consistently, you can increase your chances of finding and securing speaking opportunities that align with your expertise and career goals. Remember to continuously refine your approach based on what works best for you and your target audience.