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How To Get Speaking Gigs At Business Conferences

Ever wondered how speakers at business events land a job? Want to become a speaker at a business conference? If you’ve ever been to a business conference and thought how cool it would be to be on stage as one of the speakers, you’ve found the right article. 

In this article we’ll be looking at the best ways to secure a speaking gig at business conferences so buckle up and let’s get going.

What You Need To Become A Business Conference Speaker

There are a few things that you need to have to get invited to speak at a business event which include;

• A Portfolio Of Written Articles On A Subject Relevant To The Event
  This demonstrates that you are knowledgeable in your field and worthy of speaking at such a prestigious event.
• A Proven Track Record Of Published Material
  This again shows that you are an expert in your field.
• A Large Following
  Event organisers are looking for speakers that will attract a large following to boost attendee numbers at the event.
• Contacts Within Business Events
  If you’ve already attended numerous business events, you can find the organisers and make yourself known to them. If you explain that you’re knowledgeable in that particular area, they’re more likely to ask someone like you that they already know to speak.
• A Clear & Proven Track Record
  Once again, the more well known your articles become, the more likely you are to get invited to speak at events.

How To Get Invited To Speak At Events

There are really only three ways that you can get invited to speak at business events, which are;

1. You Get Contacted By The Event Organisers
   Obviously being invited to speak at an event is way better than applying because you know you won’t get rejected and you have more in the way of power to negotiate your own terms.
2. You Apply To The Event Organisers
   Before you apply to event planners for a speaking gig make sure you’re well known in that particular field for your insightful articles etc.
3. You Host Your Own Events
   That’s a whole other ball game and unlikely to yield success when you’re first starting out.

There are technically three types of speakers found at business events which are;

1. People Who Have A Large Following
   For many business event organisers the main focus is on ticket sales. If you have a large following, you’re more than likely going to attract more ticket sales. So the more widely known you are and the larger your mailing list, the more likely you are to get invited.
2. People That Work For Large Companies Within The Industry
   If the organisers can get speakers that work for some of the larger, more impressive companies within the industry, they’re likely to sell more tickets. Which is why you often see speakers from some of the largest companies worldwide at major events.
3. People Who Are Personally Known To The Event Planner
   If the planner knows speakers that were popular at previous events and have a large portfolio, they’re most likely to invite them to speak at their event.

To achieve success at finding speaking gigs at business events, make a list of the events you’d most like to speak at in your industry. Then find out who the organisers are and follow them on social media and places like LinkedIn.

You should like their posts and content and engage via their posts. In this way you can get yourself noticed and over time you’re likely to get an invite to speak (as long as your engagement shows your knowledge).

It’s best to grow your own following first before applying to speak at events because it’s your knowledge, reputation and following that will get you noticed by event planners and organisers. 

Having said that, the more you engage with event organisers the more likely they are to check out your content and following which will eventually lead to speaking invites.

How To Apply To Speak At Events

The majority of speakers at business events get the gig because they apply to the organisers. Most events have a certain period of time where they invite people to enter formal applications to speak at their events.

You need to make a list of the events that most suit your expertise and find out when they’ll be accepting applications. To do this you should email them way in advance of the event date. 

Most speakers are finalised at least three months in advance and some as long as nine months in advance. Which means you need to apply a long time before the event.

It’s worth pointing out that most events get far too many applications for speakers than the events can cater for. In some cases ten times the amount of applicants. So a 20 speaker event can get as many as 200 applicants.

Which means the better your application sounds and the more events you apply to, the more likely you are to get a speaking gig at one of them. 

How to Make Your Application Stand Out From The Crowd

WIth so much competition from other would be speakers, it’s vitally important that your application stands out. You need to emphasise how many followers you have and how many would be likely to attend the event if you were speaking there.

You should also offer a unique selling point on what you’d bring in terms of educational value to the event. Something that’s likely to attract more attendees. And don’t forget to list all of the specific benefits attendees will get from your talk.

How To Find Networking Events Relevant To Your Industry

If you’re looking for upcoming business networking events, there are plenty of great websites which feature them. Obviously the first place to check is our website, JDM Speakers for digital marketing conferences. 

Another great place to look for networking events is Eventbrite, which is packed with all kinds of events, from casual meet ups to large scale business networking events. You can search by location, industry, or date to find something that suits you. 

Another great option is Meetup, which is perfect for connecting with local business groups. Whether you’re looking for a laid back networking night or something more structured, there’s a good chance you’ll find it there.

LinkedIn Events is another good choice. Since LinkedIn is all about professional networking, its events section is filled with industry specific gatherings, webinars, and conferences. It’s also a great way to see which of your connections are attending, making it easier to plan who to network with.

If you’re looking for something a little more exclusive, checking out your local Chamber of Commerce can be a good move. They often organise networking events aimed at bringing professionals together, whether it’s for small business owners, start-ups, or industry specialists.

A good tip is to sign up for newsletters from these platforms or follow their social media pages. That way, you’ll always be in the loop when a new event pops up. 

Pitfalls To Be Aware Of When Applying For Speaking Gigs

Before you apply to speak at an event, there are a few things you should check first. Which include;

Expected Number Of Attendees

Check out how many people attended the event last year to get an idea of how many will attend this year. If the event is brand new, do some research on social media and see how many people are talking about it.

If the event organiser says that most people sign up in the week prior to the event or you can’t find a list of this year’s attendees it could be a relatively small event and even if you get accepted to speak, you could be talking to yourself!

The Type Of Attendee

There’s no point speaking at an event if the people attending the event have no interest in the subject you’re speaking about. So unless you’re just wanting to hone your speaking craft, make sure the audience is related to your particular field.

Remember the main objective of speaking at these events is to gain a following or get better recognition for your expertise.

The Type Of Event

There is a major difference between single stage events and multi-stage events in terms of audience numbers. If you get to speak at an event with a single stage, you’re pretty much guaranteed a large audience.

At events with multiple stages, the attendees can choose any number of speakers and might not even know that you’re there. It effectively means that you could be competing with multiple other speakers who are speaking at the same time as you. And if one of those happens to be the star attraction, you’re pretty much wasting your time.

Do You Have To Pay To Speak At The Event?

At some events, particularly those with a large attendee record and those that are free for people to attend, the speakers are charged a fee to be able to speak on the stage.

The idea is that the audience is considered to be the product and in many cases the sponsors are speakers. This might suit you but we often feel that speakers shouldn’t need to pay to speak if they are worthy of speaking in the first place.

How To Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

If you’re new to speaking at business events, the idea of standing on stage in front of a large audience can be intimidating. But like anything else, public speaking is a skill that improves with practice. 

One of the best ways to get comfortable is by starting small, joining networking groups, taking part in webinars, or speaking at local meetups where the pressure isn’t as intense. The more you put yourself in front of an audience, the easier it gets.

Recording yourself is another great way to refine your delivery. It might feel awkward at first, but watching yourself speak helps you spot things you wouldn’t notice otherwise, whether it’s an overuse of filler words, lack of eye contact, or gestures that don’t quite match your message. If you’re serious about improving, consider joining a public speaking group like Toastmasters or even taking a course to polish your stage presence.

Engaging your audience is just as important as what you say. No one wants to sit through a dull lecture, so make your talk interactive. Use storytelling to make your points more memorable, throw in some humour if it fits your style, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or involve the audience. 

The more engaging and relatable you are, the more likely people are to remember you, and that’s exactly what you want when aiming to land more speaking gigs.

How To Make The Most Of Your Speaking Opportunity

Getting a speaking gig is a great result, but what you do with it is just as important. Once your talk is confirmed, start building excitement by promoting it on social media and sharing it with your network. 

If the event has a hashtag, use it to join the conversation and get people interested in what you have to say. The more buzz you create before the event, the better your chances of attracting a full audience.

During the event, don’t just show up, speak, and leave, get involved. Arrive early, introduce yourself to the organisers, and network with attendees. 

Being approachable and engaging before your talk can make a huge difference in how people receive your message. And when you’re on stage, make sure you’re not just delivering information but connecting with your audience. 

Make eye contact, tell stories, and don’t be afraid to show your personality, that’s what makes speakers memorable.

After the event, don’t lose the momentum. Post key takeaways on LinkedIn, share photos from the event, and thank the organisers for the opportunity. 

If you had meaningful conversations with attendees, follow up with them. A successful talk isn’t just about what happens on stage, it’s about how you use the experience to open doors for future opportunities.

How To Use Past Speaking Gigs

Once you’ve spoken at a business event, you can use that experience to get more speaking opportunities. Event organisers love to see a proven track record, so make sure to:

• Record your talk and upload it to platforms like YouTube or LinkedIn.
• Get testimonials from event organisers and attendees to showcase on your website or social media.
• Use previous speaking gigs as a selling point in future applications

If you’ve spoken at a well known event, other organisers are more likely to take you seriously.

Networking With Other Speakers

It’s not just event organisers you need to connect with, other speakers can be just as valuable. If you build relationships with speakers who are already well established, they might recommend you to event planners when they can’t attend an event themselves.

You can network with other speakers by:

• Attending industry events and introducing yourself.
• Engaging with them on social media, particularly LinkedIn and Twitter.
• Joining speaker networks or associations where professionals share opportunities.

How To Negotiate Speaking Fees

While many events don’t pay speakers, especially if you’re just starting out, some do offer speaker fees or at least cover travel and accommodation. If you’re invited to speak, don’t be afraid to ask:

• Whether they offer compensation or cover expenses.
• If you’re allowed to promote your services or products during your talk.
• About sponsorship opportunities, some speakers partner with brands that pay for their stage time in return for exposure.

What To Do If You Get Rejected

Rejections are part of the process, and even experienced speakers often get turned down. If you don’t get accepted:

• Ask For Feedback
  Some organisers might offer you valuable insights on how to improve your pitch.
• Keep Applying
  Every rejection brings you closer to acceptance.
• Improve Your Profile
  Build your audience, write more articles, and engage more with industry professionals.

Persistence Is The Secret To Getting Speaking Gigs

Landing a speaking gig at a business conference isn’t easy, but with persistence, the right connections, and a strong reputation, you can turn yourself into a sought after speaker. 

Keep refining your expertise, building your following, and engaging with event organisers, and soon enough, you’ll be on stage sharing your knowledge with a room full of eager listeners.

SEE ALSO: 20 Business Networking Event Tips (to sky-rocket your career)

Frequently Asked Questions