Conference Speaker Arrangements

I MISSED THE OPPORTUNITIES! There was a time when I would speak at events and not fully seize the opportunities before me. Too focused on the performance of my talk, I overlooked the chance to build my network and meet potential collaborators. I realised I needed to make the most of each speaking opportunity. So I put together a strategy to connect more effectively with my audience, ensuring every interaction could lead to deeper relationships and future collaborations. Here’s how I changed my approach to audience engagement: ONE ↳ Meet and greet networking - I started actively networking with my audience, treating it like a meet and greet. This face-to-face interaction made my presence more memorable and personal. TWO ↳ Resource kit via QR Code - I created a QR code for attendees to scan, giving them access to a resource kit related to my talk, like a parting gift that keeps giving. This could be my slides or additional content to help them take further action. THREE ↳ Business literature - I ensured that everyone could leave with my contact information through well-crafted business literature, making it easy for them to reach out later. FOUR ↳ Collaboration with organisers - I worked with event organisers to feature in their follow-up emails. This not only reinforced my message but also kept my name in circulation among the attendees. FIVE ↳ Post-talk conversations - Staying behind to answer questions or have further discussions showed my commitment to the audience beyond just delivering a talk. And guess what? It worked. These steps didn’t just enrich my speaking engagements; they turned each appearance into a networking opportunity. I started building a strong network, discovering great opportunities, and developing long-term relationships. Now, every time I step off the stage, the conversation isn’t over; it’s just beginning. Engaging with the audience post-talk has taught me that the true value of speaking engagements often comes after the applause stops. It’s all about the follow-up. To anyone looking to make the most out of their speaking opportunities: Don’t just share your knowledge, be ready to build lasting connections. It’s these relationships that will carry your message further and open new doors. To your successes, Zoe

Speakers, when you're trying to grow your keynote bookings, ask a simple question: "Who do I follow?" Speakers are SUCH a wonderful group for the most part. We're in a beautiful kind of "coopetition" with each other. After all, if I give an opening keynote at ExampleCon 2026, they'll want a new opener in 2027. Maybe that should be you. Likewise, if the budgets don't align with my fee or the dates and times don't align with my schedule, I'll still want to serve the person who reached out to me somehow, so I can refer a couple others I admire. Maybe that should be you. "Who do I follow?" Find other speakers further along and also folks at your level. This helps you on 3 dimensions: 1) You build a network of peers for connection, community, and learning. Professional speaking is a weird, wonderful profession which can also feel isolating. Combined, these factors mean we all need our merry band of fellow travelers just to feel great and keep learning. 2) You build a network of peers for referrals. Gigs, guest spots, and other opportunities—speakers help speakers. Someone is killing it on stage today at the same event where you should speak tomorrow. Someone else is priced out of a gig which should become your opportunity. Someone else is asked by a podcast host who else they should interview. YOU should be the one to get THEIR referral. It also helps if you know speakers who are (A) in your space, with (B) a similar style or feel to you, but (C) at varying stages of traction and levels of speaker fees. It's highly unlikely that someone who talks about trends in investment banking and has an aggressive, pushy vibe will refer me to a gig. We're too different in focus and style. But I'm a natural follow-on for friends like Andrew Davis or Ann Handley or Jay Baer. And for years, Melanie Deziel and I have shared opportunities with each other as two marketing speakers who came up together. Lately, I've started referring folks in my network who are just starting out too, as I try to pay it forward. 3) Finally, you can scan a speaker's site + socials for where they've spoken or will be speaking. These also contribute to your networking efforts. Speakers help speakers. It’s great. What's more, it's easy to join the community. Not only are most of us generous and helpful by default, but you can PROVE you're good. In seconds. Just think: I have no idea if my consultant friends are great consultants, but I know with 100% confidence my speaker friends are great speakers. I've seen them live + they've got proof online. It takes 5 seconds to understand, oh wow, they're great at this, work at this, and will deliver if I refer them. You don't need a single social follower or recognizable logo on your LinkedIn profile to impress another speaker. You need a few seconds of proof. Be a great speaker + befriend great speakers. It's a wonderful way to build your business. And your life.

"I'm seeking speakers for an event- are you interested?" Don't fall prey to emails or messages like this, my speaker friends. Let's take a minute to talk about the elephant in the room. If someone is approaching YOU to speak at their event, here is the most likely scenario: 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦. 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: they are using a stage opportunity as a way to sell you their program or service. Often, they will promise certain benefits, such as a large audience, future six figure earnings, or connections to big name influencers in the industry. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬: 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 (not even a Tedx). A cousin of this message may be, "Looking for speakers who have an inspiring story to share with my audience of 1 million. Comment below if interested". This often leads to a virtual stage that you share with up to 40 speakers for a general audience, may require payment to participate, and requires you to get attendees to sign up. If you are a speaker who has been burned by these types of messages, have hope. You can launch your own speaker success! The best way to find speaking opportunities is to be intentional and proactive about finding them. Here are specific ways to be intentional and proactive: 1) Create a hot list of events that your ideal clients attend 2) Identify how your signature speech topic is a fit for annual industry conferences coming up in the next 3-6 months 3) Connect with event organizers and websites that are actively posting "call for speakers", or join their mailing lists so you are notified first 4) Determine your ideal stages- travel requirements, event format, whether you get paid in a speaking fee or can sell from stage 5) Pitch to the decision-maker (not the admin or gate-keeper) Chances are good that you will find the right stages when you follow these steps. If you'd like my direct support with these practices, message me. I am accepting private coaching clients. What would you add to this list of practices?