Tired of waiting for gigs to come to you?

It's time to switch from reactive to proactive. If you want paid speaking opportunities, you have to go out and grab them. Here’s exactly how you can create your own opportunities with active outreach:

1. Make a Target List of Events

Start by building a hit list of conferences, workshops, and corporate events that align with your niche.

Think beyond “big names”—focus on events that fit your expertise and have budgets for paid speakers.

Go niche and make it personal: consider local industry events, association meetups, or annual summits.

👉 Pro tip: Find last year’s speaker list and reach out to get intel on pay, audience size, and organizer info.

2. Use LinkedIn for Direct Outreach

Don’t just follow event organizers—connect and engage with them.

Search for “Event Coordinator” or “Conference Producer” + your industry on LinkedIn.

Personalize your connection request: “Hi [Name], I saw you organized the [Event Name] and I’d love to connect and learn more about your 2025 speaker lineup.”

Once connected, send a short value-driven message like: “Hi [Name], I’ve been a speaker in [your niche] for [X years]. I have a session on [specific topic] that aligns with your event’s goals. Is there a time we could chat about your needs for upcoming events?”

👉 Keep it short and let them know you understand their event.

3. Leverage Email Outreach—Strategically

Crafting cold emails is an art.

Skip the generic intros.

Start with a strong subject line like: “Looking for a Speaker on [Specific Topic] for 2025?” In the email body, show you’ve done your research:

Mention the event you’re targeting and a specific pain point it addresses.
Include one link to your demo reel (just one!).
Show how your talk delivers measurable value (e.g., “My talk on managing remote teams led to a 30% engagement increase for attendees at XYZ Conference”).
End with a clear call-to-action: “Would it be possible to discuss where my session might fit in your 2025 lineup?”

4. Create Opportunities by Offering Guest Workshops

Approach organizations and offer to host a free 30-minute workshop or webinar.

Lunch and learns are great for this.

Focus on ONE thing.

Position it as a way to provide value to their audience—and a teaser for a larger paid session.

After you’ve delivered value upfront, follow up with a proposal for a longer session or keynote.

This approach is perfect for getting your foot in the door and showcasing your expertise in action.

👉Note: This is not 'free'. In return you get testimonials, logo usage, video footage and an open door to create a paid opportunity.

5. Activate Your Current Network

Reach out to past clients and contacts who’ve attended your talks.

Ask them if they know of any upcoming events looking for speakers in your field.

Or better yet—ask them for a warm introduction to the event organizers they know.

People who’ve seen you speak are often more than willing to connect you if you ask the right way:

👉 “Hey [Name], I’m looking to fill my 2025 calendar with events focused on [specific topic]. If you know any organizers looking for speakers, I’d really appreciate a connection!”

6. Follow Up Like a Pro

Outreach doesn’t end with one email or LinkedIn message.

Event planners are busy, so you must follow up.

Send a polite reminder 5-7 days after your initial contact.

Keep it short and reiterate your value: “Hi [Name], I wanted to circle back and see if my session on [topic] might fit in your upcoming events. I’d love to connect if you’re still looking for speakers!”

Active outreach is where speakers turn cold leads into booked stages.

Put these strategies into action, and you’ll stop chasing gigs and start choosing them.

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