How to Find Public Speaking Jobs and Opportunities
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Public speaking jobs can be a rewarding way to earn money while sharing your expertise and connecting with others. Public speaking can also have many benefits for your career, making it a valuable skill to practice and refine.
Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting out, this blog post will explore various ways to find new public speaking job opportunities. In the end, we’ll even offer you the chance to boost your public speaking skills.
1. Explore Online Speaking Portals and Communities
Online platforms such as SpeakerHub, The Speaker Lab, and LinkedIn are excellent resources for finding public speaking opportunities.
For instance, SpeakerHub provides a dedicated section for event organizers looking to hire speakers, making it a great starting point for connecting with potential opportunities. The Speaker Lab provides a blog with tips on landing public speaking jobs, and LinkedIn can be used to network with industry professionals who might know about upcoming events.
2. Use Social Media to Network
Social media platforms are powerful tools for networking and discovering public speaking opportunities. Along with the sites mentioned above, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) can also be great resources.
Follow event organizers, industry leaders, and companies that regularly host events. Then, engage with their content, share your insights, and don’t hesitate to reach out directly to inquire about public speaking jobs. Building a strong online presence can also attract invitations to speak at events.
3. Develop a Professional Website
A website focused primarily on a person’s public speaking skills or the subjects they can speak expertly about is called a speaker website. A well-designed site can serve as your digital business card and online portfolio. Here are some ways to make your site stand out:
- Include a professional bio highlighting your expertise and speaking experience.
- List your speaking topics and the types of events you’re available for.
- Showcase testimonials from past clients or event organizers.
- If you have them, include demo videos that show off your speaking skills.
- Make it easy for potential clients to contact you about speaking engagements by clearly displaying your contact information.
4. Attend Conferences and Corporate Events
Attending industry conferences and corporate events is another great way to network with organizers and other speakers. By participating in these events, you can gain insights into the types of topics that are currently in demand and identify potential public speaking opportunities. Many conferences also have calls for speakers, which you can apply for directly.
5. Try Cold Outreach
Don’t be afraid to reach out to organizers, companies, and industry associations directly, even if you have no prior relationship with them. Here is a strategic approach that can be used for cold outreaches:
- Research upcoming conferences and events in your industry.
- Craft personalized, concise pitch emails that clearly communicate the value you can bring as a speaker.
- Include links to your speaker website, past speaking engagements, or relevant content you’ve created.
- Follow up politely if you don’t receive a response within a week or two.
Make sure to highlight your expertise, past speaking engagements, and how your presentation can add value to their event. Personalize your outreach to increase your chances of success. Remember, persistence is key, but always maintain professionalism and respect boundaries.
6. Sign Up with Public Speaking Agencies
Public speaking agencies like Washington Speakers Bureau, Speakers Corner, and The Speaker Exchange Agency can help you find public speaking jobs. These agencies work with a wide range of clients looking for speakers and can help you find engagements that match your expertise.
Be prepared to pitch yourself and provide details about your speaking experience and the topics you cover.
7. Review Industry Calendars and Trade Publications
Industry-specific calendars and trade publications often list upcoming conferences, webinars, and events looking for speakers. By regularly checking these resources, you can stay informed about potential public speaking opportunities. Examples include calendars of top industry events and publications that cater to your specific field.
8. Host Your Own Events
If you’re struggling to find a public speaking job, consider hosting your own event. This can be done through webinars, workshops, or seminars. Being your own host allows you to show off your skills and attract future public speaking opportunities.
Recording these events and sharing them online can help build your speaking portfolio and further demonstrate your speaking abilities to potential organizers and employers.
9. Contact Regional Institutions and Universities
Regional business networks, chambers of commerce, and universities are always looking for guest speakers for their events. These institutions often host monthly meetings, conferences, and special events where you could share your expertise. Reaching out to them can lead to valuable public speaking opportunities, especially if you are looking to gain experience and build your portfolio.
10. Leverage Award Ceremonies
Award ceremonies often require speakers to present awards, give keynote speeches, or participate in panel discussions. Research local, regional, and industry-specific award events and reach out to the organizers to offer your speaking services. These events can offer high visibility and are excellent platforms to showcase your expertise and skills.
11. Utilize Your Network
Sometimes, the best opportunities can come from people you already know. After building your professional network, reach out and let them know what you’re looking for.
Attend networking events, join industry groups, and participate in online forums where event organizers might be present. Your connections can provide valuable leads and recommendations.
12. Search the Internet
Simply using a search engine such as Google to find public speaking opportunities can yield results. Use specific keywords related to your expertise and location, such as [subject] speaking opportunities or public speaking events in [location]. This method can help you find conferences, workshops, and other events that are actively looking for speakers.
Becoming A Public Speaker
By utilizing the strategies listed above, you can significantly increase your chances of finding public speaking jobs and opportunities.
If you want to get even better at public speaking, take our public speaking course. It teaches a repeatable process to sharpen your presentation skills and effectively prepare for any situation.
If you want to learn more about what this course can offer, try two lessons for free today!
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