How To Win Speaking Opportunities!

Written By This is Goho

Speaking opportunities such as TEDx talks, industry conferences, panels, and keynote events are powerful platforms for professionals to build authority, grow their personal brand, and expand their influence. However, landing these opportunities is rarely about fame alone. Many times, it’s about a compelling pitch, clear expertise, and relevance to the audience.

This SEO-friendly guide breaks down how experts and professionals can successfully pitch themselves for speaking engagements like TEDx, from positioning and storytelling to outreach and follow-up.

Why Speaking Opportunities Matter for Experts

Speaking at high-profile events helps professionals:

  • Establish thought leadership in their field

  • Build credibility and trust with new audiences

  • Strengthen personal and professional branding

  • Open doors to media features, consulting, and partnerships

Event organisers, on the other hand, are looking for speakers who can educate, inspire, and engage.

Understand What TEDx and Similar Platforms Look For

Before pitching, it’s essential to understand the selection criteria.

What Organisers Want

  • A clear idea worth spreading (not a personal biography)

  • Original insights based on experience or research

  • Strong storytelling ability

  • Relevance to the theme of the specific TEDx event

  • Audience-first thinking, not promotion

The same principles apply to conferences, panels, and corporate events.

Position Yourself as a Thought Leader

You don’t need to be a celebrity, but you do need a clear professional identity.

Define Your Niche

Avoid pitching yourself as a generalist. Instead, clarify:

  • Your specific area of expertise

  • The problem you help solve

  • The audience that benefits most from your insights

Example:
Instead of “marketing expert,” position yourself as a “digital marketing strategist specialising in AI-driven campaigns for consumer brands.”

If you’ve been featured in publications, it would be helpful to add these to your title, ie. featured in the Guardian and Forbes. (If you’re looking to have more PR placements, we can also help you with that!)

Craft a Compelling Speaker Pitch

Your pitch is often the deciding factor.

Key Elements of a Strong Speaker Pitch

1. A Clear Talk Idea

Focus on one central idea, framed as a takeaway for the audience.

Ask yourself:

  • What will people learn?

  • What will they think differently afterwards?

2. A Strong Hook

Open with a bold statement, question, or insight that immediately grabs attention.

3. Credibility Without Ego

Briefly explain why you’re qualified:

  • Professional experience (inclufing years of work experience and job titles and organisations you were associated with)

  • Research

  • Case studies

  • Lived expertise

Keep it concise and factual.

4. Audience Relevance

Explain why your talk matters now and to this specific audience.

Tailor Every Pitch to the Event

One of the biggest mistakes professionals make is sending generic pitches.

How to Customise Your Outreach

  • Reference the event theme or past speakers

  • Explain how your talk complements existing topics

  • Show familiarity with the organiser’s mission

For TEDx, always pitch to a specific local TEDx event, not TED globally.

Build a Speaker Profile That Supports Your Pitch

Organisers often research speakers beyond the pitch email.

What to Have Ready

  • A short professional bio (just 2 paragraphs in plenty)

  • Previous speaking experience (even small events count)

  • Video clips or recordings (if available)

  • A personal website or LinkedIn profile with clear positioning

If you’re new to speaking, consider starting with:

  • Webinars

  • Industry panels

  • University talks

  • Internal company events

Pitch Through the Right Channels

Where to Find Speaking Opportunities

  • TEDx official websites and application pages

  • Conference and event websites

  • LinkedIn (event organisers and curators)

  • Professional associations

  • Speaker bureaus and open calls

Follow application instructions carefully, especially for TEDx, where formats are strict.

Follow Up Professionally

If you don’t hear back, a polite follow-up after 2–3 weeks is acceptable.

Keep it:

  • Short

  • Respectful

  • Value-driven

Avoid pressuring organisers or sending multiple reminders.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Pitching Speaking Engagements

  • Making the pitch about personal success instead of audience value

  • Overloading the proposal with credentials

  • Using sales-driven language

  • Ignoring event themes or guidelines

  • Submitting last-minute or incomplete applications

Final Thoughts: Pitching Is About Ideas, Not Ego

Landing speaking opportunities like TEDx is less about self-promotion and more about contribution. Professionals who succeed are those who:

  • Share meaningful insights

  • Communicate with clarity

  • Respect the audience’s time and curiosity

With a clear message, thoughtful positioning, and a well-crafted pitch, experts across any field can step onto influential stages and share ideas that truly resonate.

This is Goho
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