20 Effective Ways To Secure Speaking Gigs As A Business Leader
A business's success rarely depends solely on the products or services it offers. As consumers look to connect more with the people working within a business, online and offline speaking engagements not only offer entrepreneurs the chance to boost their reputation as a business expert but also significantly increase sales.
Regardless of an entrepreneur's longevity in the business market, finding the right-fit speaking events that align with their skills and knowledge can be difficult. To help, 20 Forbes Business Council members share effective ways business leaders can secure speaking gigs and highlight their expertise.
1. Proactively Leverage Your Existing Network
My advice is don't wait for an invitation. Instead, be proactive and leverage your existing network. Many conference organizers prioritize social proof as they evaluate potential speakers. If you're a vendor, consider joining forces with one of your client partners to pitch a case study presentation highlighting your partnership and proven ROI. - Scott Paddock, Wondr Health
2. Go Where Your Audience Is
Start by showing up where your audience already is. Contribute to panels, podcasts or industry groups, even if they're small. Build a track record of insight, not self-promotion. One tip is to make your experience relatable. Event organizers want voices that can actually teach and not just talk. - Henry Pershin, BusinessCapital.com
3. Create A Professional Speaker Kit
One effective way to secure speaking opportunities is to create a professionally designed speaker kit. A well-crafted kit showcases your expertise, audience impact, testimonials, awards and press coverage, offering event organizers a clear snapshot of your value as a speaker. It not only builds credibility but also creates a strong first impression that sets you apart in a competitive landscape. - Jason Fernandes, AdLunam Inc.
4. Personalize Your Pitch
Tailor your pitch to what the organizer and their audience care about: real-world examples and outcomes. At Legence, we don't just talk, we deliver results. For example, we bring customers and executives out on stage to share how we're cutting emissions or improving building performance through case studies. It's a chance to highlight impact, build trust, showcase our work and spark the next opportunity. - Jeff Sprau, Legence
5. Lead With Substance Over Hype
One effective way to secure speaking gigs is to lead with substance over hype, especially in industries like blockchain where trust and credibility matter. Publish clear, insightful perspectives on complex topics that impact the real world and that the general public can relate to. Event organizers are looking for thought leaders who offer real-world clarity with authenticity, not just buzzwords. - Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki, Concordium
6. Create High-Quality Content
One effective way to secure speaking gigs is to create and share high-quality, insightful content. These can be articles, videos or podcasts that showcase your expertise and unique perspective. This builds credibility and attracts event organizers seeking authentic voices. One tip is to proactively pitch tailored topics to niche events, demonstrating how your insights solve their audience's specific challenges. - Sahit Muja, Albanian Minerals
7. Share Insights On LinkedIn
One way I've consistently landed speaking gigs is by sharing insights regularly on LinkedIn. When you post with clarity and consistency, event organizers notice. One pro tip is to build relationships with conference hosts early. Comment on their posts, share their work and be clear about how your expertise aligns with their audience. - Anna Anisin, Data Science Salon
8. Interact With Online Communities And Networks
Engage with online communities and network at events to build your presence. A key tip is to reach out to event organizers with tailored proposals, demonstrating how your insights can benefit their audience. By being proactive and authentic, you'll position yourself as a thought leader ready to inspire. - Paula Ferrada, Inova Healthcare System
9. Offer To Speak For Free
Start by offering to speak at anything, anywhere for free to build your experience, your expertise (it is a craft) and your reputation. This will inevitably lead to more work, including paid work at better events. - Craig West, Capitaliz
10. Take An Account-Based Marketing Approach
Treat this like account-based marketing. This means researching each event and personalizing outreach by tailoring the offering to what the organizers are looking for. Look into what type of talks are typically selected. Then, set up personalized drips and keep following up. Deep research with AI can be a superb hack for this. - Noa Eshed, Bold Digital Architects
11. Make A Website
Create a website specifically focused on you as a speaker. Include videos of you speaking so companies can see how you are on stage. Start by targeting associations in your area of expertise, as they are always looking for speakers. - Erin Stafford, Stafford Company
12. Showcase Your Mission
At NRS, we found our voice by championing independent merchants and small retailers against the dominance of large chains. Highlight your unique mission, including how your expertise empowers the "little guy" to compete and thrive in a world designed for giants. This specific, relatable advocacy offers a compelling story that stands out to event organizers seeking fresh, actionable insights. - Elie Y. Katz, National Retail Solutions (NRS)
13. Find Podcast Guest Spots
Don't underestimate the power of podcast guesting's long-tail effect. Although it may not directly lead to landing speaking gigs, being a guest on podcasts puts you on the radar as a thought leader and often boosts your credibility among event organizers. This can ultimately result in you landing speaking opportunities at their events. It can then naturally progress and convert into future speaking opportunities on other stages! - Alex Sanfilippo, PodMatch
14. Become An Author
Authorship is a meaningful way to share one's insights and learned experiences, enabling you to help others while providing a personal understanding of yourself in the process. Though it's time-consuming in the long run, in addition to maintaining a social media presence and engaging online, others have a way to manage requests to speak at events. Being able to speak more on what was penned can be a wise path. - Paul L. Gunn, Jr., KUOG Corporation
15. Share Your Unfiltered Experiences
Sharing the real, unfiltered side of building a business consistently through video and on social media has been a game-changer for me. It builds trust, positions you as someone worth listening to and keeps you top of mind. Show up at industry events, ask good questions and build real relationships. And once momentum kicks in, keep showing up and amplifying your presence without hesitation. - Aaron Harper, Rolling Suds
16. Develop A Pitch Playbook
Treat your ideas like products with a clear promise, structure and outcomes. When I created a playbook from our cold email insights, people didn't just read it; they invited me to speak on it. If you make your expertise portable and practical, your content becomes a calling card that speaks louder than any pitch. - Samuel Darwin, Sparkle
17. Focus On Your Niche
Stick to what you know best. I run an agile digital marketing agency that offers a range of services, but when I'm invited to speak, I focus on enterprise SEO, paid search strategies and lately, how AI is reshaping search marketing. I rarely talk about topics like social media advertising, not because I don't understand them, but because I don't personally manage those campaigns. My team does. - Al Sefati, Clarity Digital, LLC
18. Prioritize Value
Lead with value, not your resume. When pitching for speaking gigs, tailor your topic to solve a real, timely problem for their audience. Include a compelling title, two to three key takeaways and why it matters now. Event organizers book solutions, not self-promotion. Show them you're there to serve, not just speak. - Miriam Groom, Mindful Career
19. Remain Authentic
Next to preparing for your audience by understanding their key pain points and expectations, I think it's crucial to stay authentic. Despite all the expertise you might have, I've seen people fail by trying to play the role of someone they aren't. Personally, I admire business experts who share what they struggle with and what they don't know. This makes them approachable and trustworthy. - Michael Wegmüller, Artifact SA
20. Network
Networking is a powerful tool for securing speaking opportunities. Attend industry events, engage with key players on social media and build relationships with event organizers. By demonstrating your expertise in conversations and offering to contribute to upcoming events, you can position yourself as a go-to speaker. - Michael Freitag, CRITCH
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