You’re a public speaker looking for work. How can you find the right temporary gig?

To land the perfect speaking gig, know thyself and know thy audience. your nation shapes your narrative, your strengths stir the crowd, your weaknesses teach humility, and your expertise commands respect. Dive deep into the market's pulse, if your topic's not trending, make it trend with confidence, craft, and a touch of psychology, turn the tides and set the stage for a discourse that resonates and captivates.

Defining a niche and making sure you are a subject matter expert in it are crucial. You only have one opportunity to make a good first impression and if you end up blowing it speaking on a topic of which you have no authority, it will show, and you will develop a bad reputation.

To secure the right temporary speaking gig, define your niche first. Identify the topics you're passionate about, your target audience, and your preferred speaking style. This clarity not only guides your search but also distinguishes you from other speakers. Whether it's leadership, motivation, or industry-specific insights, having a defined niche allows you to align with opportunities that resonate with your expertise and values. Communicate your unique value proposition confidently to attract gigs that align with your passion and expertise. This focused approach enhances your chances of landing temporary speaking engagements that are not only financially rewarding but also personally fulfilling.

Identify Your Niche and Target Audience: Determine your areas of expertise and the specific audience you want to target. Consider industries, organizations, and events where your expertise and speaking topics are most relevant and in demand. Update Your Marketing Materials: Ensure your marketing materials, including your website, resume, speaker bio, and promotional materials, accurately reflect your expertise, experience, and speaking style. Highlight your unique selling points and the value you bring to potential clients.

Remember how you had various types of professors? Someone was boring and hard to listen to, the other one was so interesting and creative that you hardly waited for his or her next class. So, choose your professor's style to coach you and lead you to your audience. The choice is all yours

A portfolio with snippets is important, but so too are the reviews from your past clients / audiences. Try to pair the two together and create trust by association.

Creating a compelling portfolio is key to securing temporary speaking gigs. Showcase your expertise through samples of speeches, presentation videos, and client testimonials. Include any awards or recognitions to bolster your credibility. Regularly update your portfolio with recent engagements and feedback. This curated collection serves as a visual resume, highlighting your skills and impact. Potential clients can gauge your speaking style, ensuring a good fit for their event. In a competitive market, a robust portfolio distinguishes you and reinforces your value, making it an indispensable tool for landing the right temporary speaking engagements.

Absolutely! Building a strong portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills and experience as a speaker. It's not just about listing your accomplishments; it's about telling a compelling story of your journey and expertise. Include a variety of samples that highlight your versatility and effectiveness as a speaker. Testimonials and feedback from clients and attendees add credibility and show the impact of your work. Regular updates to your portfolio demonstrate your commitment to growth and excellence. Remember, your portfolio is your calling card, so make it shine!

These are key elements but the biggest one is to add value and make it known what value you can add. If you are a speaker on negotiation, have pre-planned pitches together on different market sectors or groups where that might be a relevant topic and go one step further to tailoring it to that specific group.

Building a strong online presence through a professional website or social media can enhance your visibility. Attend relevant industry events and engage in conversations to expand your network. Crafting a compelling pitch that highlights your expertise and addresses potential clients' needs is crucial. Utilize freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to find short-term opportunities. Always deliver quality work to build a positive reputation and secure repeat business. Stay adaptable and open to diverse opportunities to broaden your experience. Through proactive networking and strategic pitching, you can create a steady flow of temporary speaking engagements.

Unlocking temporary gigs as a speaker requires a strategic blend of networking and self-promotion. Leverage diverse platforms—from digital forums to personal referrals—to engage potential clients authentically. Transparency about your expertise, value proposition, and schedule is key during pitches. Follow up diligently and maintain a record of interactions to nurture relationships effectively. In this symphony of connections, each note strikes a chord of opportunity.

To find work as a public speaker: 1. Build a strong personal brand. 2. Develop expertise in a niche topic. 3. Create a compelling speaker reel. 4. Network with event organizers and industry professionals. 5. Offer free talks or workshops to gain exposure. 6. Utilize online platforms like LinkedIn and speaker directories. 7. Collaborate with speakers bureaus or agencies. 8. Continuously improve your speaking skills and adapt to market trends.

Dive into the digital realm where algorithms play matchmaker between speakers and gigs. Platforms like SpeakerHub, eSpeakers, GigSalad, and Thumbtack offer tailored spaces for speakers of all stripes, from keynote mavens to workshop virtuosos. Craft your profile, set your stage, and let the virtual spotlight illuminate your talents. With each review and rating, your digital footprint expands, casting a luminescent trail through the vast landscape of opportunity.

In the realm of public speaking, visibility is key, and these online platforms served as my digital storefront, attracting prospective clients and collaborators. As my portfolio grew, so did my confidence, propelling me to pursue speaking opportunities that once seemed out of reach. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for the role that online platforms played in shaping my career as a speaker. They provided me with the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive in a competitive landscape. But perhaps more importantly, they reminded me that the power of connection knows no bounds, transcending barriers of time, space, and circumstance.

To secure temporary speaking gigs, leverage online platforms like SpeakerHub, eSpeakers, GigSalad, and Thumbtack. These platforms connect speakers with diverse opportunities, from keynotes to workshops. Create a compelling profile showcasing your expertise, set rates, and preferences. Explore and apply for gigs aligning with your interests. Reviews and ratings from clients enhance your reputation, amplifying visibility. Online platforms streamline the process, making it easier to find the right temporary speaking engagements that not only suit your skills but also contribute to building a strong professional profile.

Know Your Worth: As a speaker, your time and expertise are valuable commodities. Be confident in communicating your worth to the client. Discuss your rates upfront and be transparent about any additional expenses or requirements. Remember, negotiating your terms is not about undercutting yourself but rather ensuring fair compensation for your services. Set Clear Expectations: Establishing clear expectations is crucial for a successful collaboration. Discuss the scope of the engagement, including the deliverables, logistics, and any specific requirements. Clarify your role, the client's responsibilities, and any deadlines involved. By setting clear expectations from the outset, you can avoid misunderstandings down the line.

If you are a Public Speaker most likely all your gigs will be temporary! But don't despair, it's a great sign! As a Public Speaker, you can make an entrepreneurial career out of it. You won't be looking for a job any more. You will be looking for clients, that is people to serve with your Value. Sure a job gives you a (false) sense of security. While being an entrepreneur (of yourself) feels like being in the wild. The good news is that public Speaking is the only thing that AI will never be able to take from you. You will remain one of the few people who are able to talk to other people and Inspire them.How powerful is that?

It would be nice to create your short videos and promote them to the ones you are pitching for. Only one thing a public speaker should never stop doing is “stop speaking”. He should be on in some or the other form.

Here's how you can find the right temporary gig as a public speaker looking for work ?freely speak and keep speaking on what you have education, experience & expertise in. The more you talk about it, the more you establish yourself as a thought leader in that field and you showcase the speaking engagements and the industry you are up for. ?excellently put your profile & portfolio out there and personal pitch ready to send them to who and where looks like your preferred speaking platform. ?Once you get the gig, deliver the best of your best and don't be quick to demand a huge fee especially if you're starting out.