How to Land Your First Speaking Engagement: Find & Book Opportunities
Securing a spot on the stage can open countless doors. Imagine booking one event that allows you to:
Connect with your ideal audience
Showcase your expertise
Spark new partnerships
Establish you as a leader in your industry
Earn an additional stream of income
We've worked with a great deal of entrepreneurs and professionals looking for ways to secure speaking engagements that genuinely move the needle for their businesses. We created this guide to break down the steps to spot the best opportunities and connect with the right decision-makers.
If you’re vying for a keynote spot or a more intimate session, you’ll find the insights here to propel you toward your speaking goals.
The Power of a Speaking Engagement
Public speaking is an impactful way to share your insights with people who genuinely value your perspective. Each talk showcases your expertise, highlights your background, and connects you with audiences involved in your field. You can get in front of potential clients, partners, or team members, and most importantly, establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
You might be focused on brand building, lead generation, or creating a new revenue stream. Speaking engagements can push you forward toward any of these goals.
Tips for Finding an Event Organizer
Securing a stage is intimidating when you have little to no name recognition. Still, you can book your first opportunity if you find the right organizer.
Search online: Find conferences in your industry or local events in your region.
Use referrals: Ask your peers if they know a planner or an event organizer looking for speakers.
Reach out directly: Some groups post submission forms on their website. Others expect a personalized email.
Send a speaking proposal: Your proposal can highlight your target audience and how you plan to serve them.
Include a testimonial: This can be from a past event or a client who you've helped.
You'll see better results when you focus on events that match your niche closely. You may have to search in many areas (or even countries) and sometimes a year or so in advance to book events relevant to your insights.
Some fields translate across more industries than you might expect. For instance, a psychologist’s research on personality dynamics can inform team-building, women’s leadership forums, sales techniques, consulting practices, and more.
Steps to Secure Your Booking
Once you find an event you’d like to speak at, be clear about why you’re an expert on the topic. Event planners receive many pitches, so you need to make yourself stand out. Show how your content will benefit attendees and keep them engaged.
Create a list of ideal events. Start with a broad range to cast a wide net.
Contact the organizer. Introduce your speaking topics in a short, direct message. Fill out any form submissions on the event’s site, and if possible, connect with the organizer on LinkedIn.
Include your angle. Explain the core lesson or tactic you plan to discuss. Show that you won’t repeat the same material as others.
Emphasize your experience. Even if you’re new, you have insights that an audience can learn from. Include your photo, bio, speaking topics, and if you’ve been featured in a magazine or publication, add that, too.
Provide examples. A demo video or a short recorded introduction can help the organizer gauge your style.
This outreach can turn into an invitation if you show them how you can add value. Once you secure that yes, you can move on to refining your content.
Setting a Fee and Attracting Paid Speaking Gigs
Your speaking fee depends on your reputation, your topic, and the scale of the event. Some choose a flat rate. Others charge based on travel, preparation, and length of session. If you’d like to speak for a fee, start by researching what others in your field charge.
Then, consider your experience and the potential impact you bring to the table. Keep in mind that small or non-profit events might not be able to pay you, but the exposure and networking opportunities could make it well worth it.
Evaluate your track record. If you’re new, start with a modest fee. If you have a lot of experience or following, you can raise your rate.
Check your competition. Try to find out what other professional speakers in your field charge.
Include extras. Workshops, Q&A sessions, or panel spots can increase your value.
Negotiate with flexibility. Some event planners have smaller budgets. Some have sponsors.
Paid speaking gigs boost your authority and open a steady revenue stream when you speak at multiple events each quarter.
How to Expand Your Reach
Once you gain some experience, booking more speaking engagements gets easier. A successful event brings fresh leads, every testimonial boosts credibility, and each organizer reference can open new doors. Here are tips to fill your pipeline:
Use social platforms and your website to share your speaking career updates. Show that you are open to speaking, and make it clear what you're an expert on.
Record short clips, gather quotes from attendees, and note your successes to act as social proof.
After you speak at an event, keep in touch with the organizer who may know of other gatherings that you could benefit.
Tailor your pitches to suit the needs of each event.
Booking speaking engagements is like building a portfolio. Each appearance brings more trust and awareness. Your name travels across networks, which can lead to bigger stages.
How to Boost Your Chances of Booking Paid Speaking Events
Host virtual sessions: This is a way to spread your content to remote audiences and generate buzz without booking an in-person event. This includes podcasts and livestreams.
Gather data and feedback: Track how many people attend and which segments seem to hold the crowd's interest the most. You can use attendance numbers to bolster your resume.
Clarify your brand and voice: Those who find you online should know right away what you speak about and what energy you show up with.
Use your network: Ask connections if they know an event planner searching for fresh speakers. Let your network know that you're available for bookings.
Consider the published author route: Publishing a book sets you apart by proving your expertise and commitment. When event planners see your written work, they recognize you as a credible authority with valuable insights to share.
Tying It All Together
Securing a speaking slot involves smart outreach, a clear message, and a commitment to delivering real value. By focusing on events that align with your expertise and audience, you set yourself up for new leads, bigger opportunities, and a stronger reputation in your field. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, the process remains the same—research, pitch, refine, and repeat until the right stages open up!
Book Your First Engagement with Rosarium
At Rosarium, we help entrepreneurs navigate every step of this journey from building a strong brand to booking paid speaking opportunities. Ready to take the stage and elevate your brand? Contact Rosarium and let us help you build a powerful presence in your industry.
