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Starting a podcast is one of the easiest ways to transform your professional brand from sitting on the bleachers to varsity quarterback.

In my opinion, anyone who has a podcast and an engaged professional audience is only a couple steps away from being a keynote speaker and not only a keynote speaker – a paid keynote speaker. In this episode, I’ll share my step-by-step strategies for booking speaking engagements and getting paid for them – using the groundwork you’ve already laid with your podcast.

Do Your Research

As usual, you have to start with research.

If you want to be a keynote speaker, you need to know where it makes sense for you to speak and why. Make a list of 5-10 conferences or events that align with your podcast’s topic and audience. This is the foundation for your plan and is a critical step many podcasters overlook. 

Analyze Past Speakers

Look at the past two years of speakers at your chosen events.

Identify any past speakers with a similar audience size and industry as yours. Start networking with them, ask them how they started working with the event, invite them on your podcast, and support their podcast, business or brand. Study the people who are where you want to be. 

Building Connections and Creating Value

Focus on building genuine connections. If you have the opportunity to interview a previous speaker of an event you’d like to speak at – ask thoughtful, researched questions, and provide value to them and their audience. Networking with intentionality isn’t selfish if you’re focused on bringing value to everyone. 

Create an Optimized One-Sheet

An optimized one-sheet is essential for any podcaster or speaker. This document highlights who you are, your accomplishments, and why you’re a valuable speaker. My advice to any speaker or podcaster is to have three topics you can speak on that solve a problem in your niche audience. 

For example, as someone that’s a podcast producer and podcast monetization strategist here are three topics I speak on: 

The topics you pick  should align with the events you want to speak at and showcase your expertise. Again, this is why from the beginning you need some idea of where you want to speak and the kind of audience/topics you can effectively speak to. 

Niche Down Your Topics

I know, I know we’re all afraid to niche down because we don’t want to get cut out of the deal. The truth is, people want detailed answers to specific problems and if you aren’t able to provide that – someone else will. 

When defining your speaking topics, narrow them down. 

Instead of saying, “I speak on podcasting,” I’d say, “I speak on how business owners can use podcasting to grow their business.” This specificity helps me stand out and find where I can make the most impact. 

Leverage Conference Opportunities

If you’re still unable to secure a speaking slot through networking, look for open calls for speakers at conferences. Sign up for their emails and express your interest early. If you know there’s a conference you’re interested in, follow their social media, reach out to their booking team and always subscribe for their newsletter or regular updates. 

Please note, if you’re directly pursuing the event or applying for an open speaker cast, you will likely be speaking for free for the first time at that conference or event, but you can still monetize your presentation through offers and email sequences.

Monetize Your Free Speaking Engagements

Even if you’re not paid upfront, you can still make money by offering valuable resources in exchange for email addresses, creating welcome sequences, and making special offers for the event only. This approach helps you build a connection with your audience beyond the presentation. 

Be Your Own PR

If you’re speaking, presenting or doing any kind of professional presentation you need to record and share it! Promote your speaking engagements on social media and your website. Record your presentations, share clips on social media, and position yourself as an industry leader. 

No one knows if you’re getting paid, so show up as the speaker you want to be and send a rate card when people ask you to speak at their events. 

Take Local Opportunities

Start local. Offer to speak at Rotary clubs, student groups, or other local organizations. Use these opportunities to refine your message, take photos, and create content to share. Position yourself as a leader in your industry.

Action Steps

If you’re ready to start growing both your professional brand and podcast audience, my best action item to leave you with are these five simple steps.

1. Curate and optimize your one-sheet.
2. Define at least 3 topics solving a problem for your target audience. 
3. Start networking with industry leaders and previous speakers at events you want to speak at. 
4. Pursue local speaking opportunities and practice speaking and presenting. 
5. Promote yourself on social media as the engaged and captivating speaker you are!

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