In today’s world, everyone has a platform, a message, and a cause they believe in. And that’s amazing—passion fuels change. But here’s the truth: simply having a great message isn’t enough. If you want to be invited to speak, to share your platform on a bigger stage, people need to know who you are, what you stand for, and why your voice matters.
It’s not enough to just ask to speak somewhere. You need to demonstrate why you are the right person for that platform. Here’s why showcasing your value is crucial and how to build a reputation that will get you the speaking invitations you’re aiming for.
1. Visibility and Credibility Go Hand in Hand
Before anyone can give you a microphone, they need to know who you are and trust that you have something valuable to say. This means building visibility in your area of expertise, whether that’s through blogging, social media, videos, or public interactions. It’s not about self-promotion for the sake of it, but about sharing your knowledge, insights, and experiences in a way that adds value to others.
When you consistently show up and provide thoughtful content, you become someone people turn to when they want reliable information or guidance. That visibility translates into credibility, making it more likely that event organizers will consider you as a speaker.
2. Prove You Can Deliver What Your Audience Needs
You may have an amazing platform or story, but every event, conference, or organization has a specific audience with unique needs. When you want to be invited to speak, it’s essential to tailor your message to align with those needs.
Start by asking yourself:
What problems or challenges are relevant to this audience?
How does my platform or message solve those problems?
What unique perspective can I bring that others may not?
Demonstrating that you’ve done your homework shows organizers that you’re not just interested in the spotlight—you’re interested in adding value to their event and their audience.
3. Build Relationships Before You Ask to Speak
Cold emails or requests to speak at events are rarely successful unless you already have a reputation or a proven track record. Speaking opportunities often come through relationships and networks. Start by getting involved in the community or industry where you want to speak. Attend events, interact with other speakers, and engage with organizers online.
By building genuine relationships, you increase the chances that your name will come up when organizers are looking for new voices. They’ll already know you, trust you, and be more likely to consider you as a speaker.
4. Showcase Your Expertise
One of the best ways to get noticed is to share your expertise openly and frequently. This doesn’t mean you need to be an expert in everything, but be the go-to person in your specific area of knowledge. Whether through blog posts, podcasts, webinars, or social media, create content that showcases your insights and skills.
When people see the value of your work, they’ll be more inclined to invite you to speak on the topic. If they don’t see your expertise in action, it’s hard for them to know what you’ll bring to the table as a speaker.
5. Have a Proven Track Record
If you’ve never spoken before, it’s hard for people to gauge what you’ll be like on stage. Start by taking small opportunities to speak—whether at local events, webinars, or even live streams on social media. Record these experiences and use them as part of your portfolio.
Having a proven track record of speaking engagements, no matter the size, will give event organizers confidence in your ability to deliver. Testimonials or feedback from previous audiences can also go a long way in helping you build credibility.
6. The Power of Your Platform is in the Proof
At the end of the day, your platform needs more than just passion. It needs evidence. Do you have testimonials from people you’ve helped? Are there measurable results from your work that you can point to? Can you share stories of how your platform has impacted real lives?
The more you can showcase the impact of your platform, the more likely people will want to hear you speak about it. Proof of your platform’s power will not only get you noticed, but it will also resonate deeply with your audience.
7. Ask with Confidence, but Back it Up
When you do reach out to ask for a speaking opportunity, do so with confidence. Be clear about what you bring to the table and why you’re a good fit for the event. But most importantly, back up your request with evidence of your capabilities. Whether it’s a portfolio of content, videos of past speeches, or a proven history of successful engagements, show them why you’re the right choice.
Having a great platform and message is just the beginning. To truly make an impact and secure speaking opportunities, you need to build credibility, showcase your value, and prove that you’re more than just words. By consistently demonstrating your expertise and building genuine connections, the invitations to share your platform will follow naturally.
Remember there are a lot of Beauty Queens trying to get that speaking engagement. To prove you are the right one for the job we have listed a few ways you can prove YOU are the Best, Most Articulate, Knowledgeable and Professional. By following the tips below and showing a prospective client you are who they are looking for. Do not assume you will get the job be sure to prove you look professional and prove you speak better and deliver your information better than anyone. Let's get started.
Proving that you're a great speaker requires a combination of demonstrating your skills, building credibility, and consistently delivering value to your audience. Here are some key steps to prove you’re a great speaker:
1. Create and Share Valuable Content
Public Speaking Videos: Record your speeches, presentations, or talks, even if they are at smaller events, webinars, or virtual platforms. These videos serve as proof of your ability to engage and inspire audiences.
Content Creation: Write blog posts, articles, or social media content that showcase your expertise. By consistently sharing valuable insights, you build a reputation as an authority in your field, reinforcing your speaking skills.
2. Collect Testimonials and Feedback
Ask for Feedback: After every speaking engagement, ask event organizers, attendees, or clients for feedback or testimonials. Positive reviews from trusted sources enhance your credibility and provide social proof of your speaking abilities.
Showcase Testimonials: Display these testimonials on your website, social media profiles, and promotional materials. Testimonials from previous speaking engagements carry weight and demonstrate that you’ve made an impact.
3. Build a Speaker Portfolio
Create a Speaker Reel: Compile highlights from your best speeches into a professional speaker reel. This should include snippets that showcase your range—how you handle different topics, audience engagement, humor, storytelling, and confidence.
Speaking Resume: Build a portfolio listing your speaking experience, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and other engagements. Highlight notable events or organizations where you’ve spoken.
4. Show Expertise in Your Niche
Specialization: Be clear about your expertise and niche. Establish yourself as a thought leader in your specific area by contributing to discussions, appearing on podcasts, and authoring thought-provoking pieces.
Consistent Messaging: Consistency in your message across platforms helps solidify your reputation and makes it clear what people can expect from you as a speaker.
5. Engage in Public Speaking Events
Start Small, Build Big: If you’re just starting, speak at smaller or local events to gain experience. This helps build your confidence, and you can use these engagements to collect testimonials and videos.
Speaking Competitions or Workshops: Participating in public speaking competitions or leading workshops can showcase your abilities to a broader audience and add to your credibility.
6. Network and Get Referrals
Networking: Connect with event organizers, thought leaders, and other speakers in your industry. Word of mouth is powerful, and referrals from trusted sources can help you land speaking opportunities.
Collaborate with Other Speakers: By partnering with other established speakers or speaking at well-known events, you gain credibility by association and widen your audience.
7. Demonstrate Audience Engagement
Interactive Techniques: In your speeches, use techniques like Q&A sessions, audience polls, and interactive storytelling to demonstrate how you engage and connect with the audience.
Positive Audience Reactions: If possible, capture moments of audience engagement—whether through applause, laughter, or interactive elements—in your videos or promotional materials.
8. Get Media Coverage
Interviews and Features: Being featured in reputable media outlets, podcasts, or magazines as a speaker or subject matter expert gives you added credibility.
Guest Appearances: Appearing as a guest speaker on industry-related shows or podcasts can increase your visibility and reinforce your reputation as a speaker.
9. Earn Certifications or Join Speaking Organizations
Speaker Certifications: Obtain certifications from reputable organizations such as Toastmasters, the National Speakers Association, or other public speaking programs.
Professional Memberships: Joining speaker organizations adds a layer of professionalism to your brand and connects you to a network of peers and opportunities.
10. Track Measurable Outcomes
Audience Impact: Track metrics such as audience feedback scores, engagement levels (e.g., how many people ask questions or participate), and social media engagement related to your talks.
Key Results: Mention measurable results from your talks, such as an increase in event attendance, audience satisfaction scores, or other positive outcomes as a result of your speaking engagements.
By taking these steps, you’ll not only prove that you’re a great speaker but also continue to refine your skills and expand your audience.
Remember, it’s not about just asking to speak—it’s about showing why your voice deserves to be heard.
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