A nonfiction book is one of the most powerful tools an author can leverage for speaking engagements. Whether you’re looking to build credibility, grow your audience, or position yourself as a thought leader, public speaking for authors offers immense opportunities. In this article, we’ll explore how authors can secure speaking opportunities and provide author keynote speaking tips to help you land your first engagement.
In this article, I’ll guide you on how to determine if speaking engagements are right for you and offer 9 tips to find speaking opportunities that will help you achieve your overall goals.
Are Speaking Engagements Right for You?
Before pursuing speaking opportunities as an author, it’s important to determine if they align with your goals. If you wrote your book to promote your brand or expand your influence, booking author speaking events can elevate your career. On the other hand, if public speaking feels daunting, there are alternative ways to market your book. Reflect on your objectives to decide if speaking is the right path.
9 Tips to Book Your First Speaking Engagement
1. Identify Your Ideal Audience
Begin by narrowing down your target audience. Who will benefit from your message? Identifying your audience is crucial when seeking speaking gigs for authors. Start small by targeting niche audiences—this is often where you’ll gain traction and credibility.
2. Identify Ideal Speaking Gigs
Where does your ideal audience gather? Focus on smaller, intimate venues or podcasts to begin with. Speaking engagements for authors don’t have to start on massive stages—community events, local conferences, or online webinars are great starting points.
3. Choose Your Topic
Select a compelling topic from your book that aligns with your expertise and resonates with your audience. Tailor your content for a 30- to 60-minute speech and ensure it fits with current trends in your field. The more specific and actionable your talk, the more it will connect with the audience.
4. Create a Speaker’s Press Kit
A professional speaker’s press kit is essential. Include a biography, list of past speaking experiences, testimonials, and media features. Having a polished press kit increases your chances of securing a speaking gig, as it demonstrates your expertise and professionalism.
5. Create a Speaker’s Reel
A speaker’s reel—a short video showcasing your speaking style and presence—is invaluable for booking author speaking events. Organizers often look for reels to evaluate if you’re the right fit for their event. Be sure to highlight your unique voice and delivery style.
6. Figure Out Who to Contact
Do your homework and research event organizers for your target speaking engagements. Use LinkedIn and other social media platforms to find the right people to approach. Personalize your outreach by mentioning why your talk aligns with their audience’s interests.
7. Craft an Effective Pitch
A strong pitch highlights what you can offer the audience. Tailor your email to each organizer, addressing their needs. Include a few actionable takeaways that will captivate their audience, and make sure to attach your press kit and link to your speaker’s reel.
8. Build Relationships
Don’t just cold-pitch event organizers—start by engaging with them on social media. Comment on their posts, share articles, and build rapport before making your ask. Building relationships ahead of time increases the likelihood of a positive response.
9. Be Persistent (But Not Overly Persistent)
If you don’t hear back immediately, don’t get discouraged. Follow up respectfully after a few weeks. If the timing wasn’t right the first time, try again with a new approach or offer fresh content that addresses their current challenges.
Conclusion
Speaking engagements for authors are powerful tools to expand your reach and enhance your career. Whether you’re aiming to promote your book, gain clients, or build your brand, following these strategies will help you secure meaningful speaking opportunities. Stay persistent, engage with your target audience, and continually refine your approach to booking author speaking engagements.
Icons Media Publishing can help you on this journey—visit us to learn more about our services and how we can help you book your first speaking engagement as an author.
