Thought Leadership Series: How Volunteerism Can Boost Your Brand and Speaking Opportunities

Ever wondered how some leaders seem to effortlessly land those prime speaking gigs and build a reputation that turns heads (and wins clients)? It’s not just because they’re super charming or have the “gift of gab”—nope, the secret ingredient is much simpler and more achievable than you think. Let me introduce you to the unsung hero of thought leadership: volunteerism on committees and nonprofit boards.

Yes, you read that right. Serving on nonprofit boards or volunteering for committees is more than just a nice thing to do—it’s a boss move in your own business strategy. So, if you’re eyeing more stages, media interviews, or simply want to solidify your executive presence, buckle up because we’re about to dive into how this “volunteer hustle” can pay dividends you never saw coming.

1. Leadership: Flex Those Influence Muscles

First things first: serving on a nonprofit board isn’t just about sitting at the table, nodding politely, and sipping lukewarm coffee while thinking about what’s for lunch. Nope. It’s your playground for demonstrating and honing your leadership skills. You get to make real decisions, contribute to strategic plans, and—brace yourself—deal with challenging board dynamics. If you can lead a group of volunteers with strong opinions and limited time, you can lead anywhere.

Being active in these spaces also allows people to see you in action. (And we know visibility is credibility.) When you step up with thoughtful contributions, strategic ideas, and that magical mix of poise and confidence, you’re not just showing that you’re a leader—you’re proving it. And trust me, people notice. Who doesn’t want to book a speaker who not only talks the talk but walks the walk?

2. Event Planning: Show You Can Handle the Spotlight

Want to get known as a thought leader? Prove you can handle the chaos of event planning. Nonprofit boards often need someone to organize their annual gala, fundraising events, or community outreach efforts. Step up and say, “I got this.” (And yes, there will be moments you’ll wish you didn’t, like when your caterer cancels the night before the event. It happens—cue the deep breaths.)

Why does this matter for your brand? Because nothing shows your capability, poise, and problem-solving finesse quite like running an event successfully. Whether it’s a large charity banquet or a virtual awareness campaign, leading the charge will teach you valuable lessons in managing people, timelines, and unexpected hiccups—all of which translate perfectly into professional speaking. When you can organize an event, you can certainly command a room.

3. Getting in the Newsletters and Online Presence: Subtle Yet Strategic PR

Serving on a board can be like your very own PR machine if you play it right. Most nonprofits have newsletters, blogs, or social media profiles that highlight their board members’ contributions. Raise your hand to be featured. Share stories, write articles, or be quoted as an “industry leader” speaking on the organization’s mission. Don’t be shy; this is where your storytelling chops and experience come into play. And make sure to get those pull quotes ready—you’ll need them for when you’re booked for podcasts and panels!

Pro tip: Include your speaking engagements and upcoming events in the organization’s newsletter, and boom—you’re now on the radar of their entire network. And for the love of LinkedIn, share that content on your profile! It’s all about amplifying your reach with the least amount of heavy lifting. If you don’t tell people what you’re doing, how will they know you’re the one they should book next?

4. Building Your Social Capital (Translation: Networking Without the Small Talk)

You know those social media posts where people tag everyone who’s anyone at a major event? You want to be on that list. Serving on boards gives you VIP access to a network of movers and shakers without the dreaded “cold networking” that makes us all want to crawl under the table. When you work closely with other board members, you’re not just another business card in their stack—you’re a trusted colleague. And when they hear about opportunities to speak at a conference or join a panel, guess who they’ll think of? That’s right, the person who stayed late to finalize the event plan or brought the fire with their strategic insights at the last meeting—you!

Plus, nothing beats the mutual respect that comes from seeing someone roll up their sleeves and get to work. You build rapport, and that’s priceless. It’s the kind of goodwill that turns into a recommendation to be the keynote speaker at a high-profile event or a feature in a reputable industry publication.

5. Your Executive Presence: The Bonus Points

We’ve talked about leadership, event planning, PR opportunities, and networking—but let’s not forget the intangible benefits of serving on a board. Your executive presence is your secret weapon, and it’s honed every time you contribute to a high-stakes discussion, rally others for a cause, or handle the tension when everyone’s opinions clash like cymbals at a rock concert.

This practice of showing up, listening, leading, and navigating complex conversations will translate to every room you step into. When you walk on stage or log into that Zoom keynote, you’ll exude that quiet confidence that says, “I belong here.” And that, my friends, is what makes a booker’s ears perk up and say, “This is who we need.”

Wrapping It Up: Volunteer for Visibility

So, are you ready to get your name out there and solidify your brand? Join that committee. Serve on that nonprofit board. It’s your launchpad to the thought leadership stage, literally and figuratively. And when you’re on that stage, don’t forget to share how your volunteer experiences helped shape your journey. Because nothing makes you more relatable—and memorable—than showing where you’ve put in the work.

And hey, if all else fails, at least you’ll have some good stories for the cocktail hour.

Stay tuned for the next article in this series where we’ll talk about turning your media mentions into more than just bragging rights. Because who doesn’t want to go from “oh, I saw your name somewhere” to “I need you on my stage”?

Ready to get booked? Start where you are, and watch the opportunities pour in. Let’s get out there and get known! Need help? Go to www.readysetgospeak.com