How To Get Booked As Conference and Event Speaker

Want to be a Speaker at a Conference? Conference hosts obtain Speakers in a variety of different ways. Some tips to get you started if you are adding speaker to your photo and prop styling business model or Income streams. We are always talking about developing more income streams for you here on the Blog.

ARE YOU CONFERENCE ALUMNI?

Hosts look to their alumni conference attendees. Have you attended their Conference before? Let them know.  They both want to include those who have been loyal to them and their business and would love to highlight "success stories" via their past attendees (& place them in a Speakers role at their Conference as a possible, inspiration of "this can be you" moment in the their Conference.)

HAVE A SIGNATURE PRESENTATION.

Have your Topics you Speak on in Presentation Format. Have your “signature” presentation as well as a couple other topics you speak on with key points and imagery. Always include images or videos in your Speaker pitches. Images sell! (everything!)

DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

Do you homework and do your research on the Conference! Don’t just apply/pitch to be “a” Speaker. Conference hosts put alot love, time (& money) into their Conferences. Don’t treat it like you just want to speak at any conference. Let them know you SELECTED their conference.

HAVE VALUABLE, ACTIONABLE STEPS FOR ATTENDEES.

Have key takeaways that attendees will get from you speaking. Conference hosts want their attendees to leave their Conferences with valuable, actionable steps to help their life and business. Also, great Speakers = great Conference testimonials = more attendees for their next conference!

BE READY.

Have everything you do on every platform you are on READY! You want to have complete confidence in your brand, website, visuals, content ~ everything. That means your website, your socials, your presentation packages, media kits. (Speaking of media kits in the Influencer Market ~ you do not have to have a media kit or large following to be booked as a Speaker.)

YOU FOLLOWER COUNT IS NOT EVERYTHING.

Have industry experience? great speaking ability? great at storytelling. THAT can get you speaking engagements.  Don't get so caught up in your social media follower count and fall victim to what I call the "when I" syndrome.  Don't wait.

"NO", DOES NOT MEAN "NEVER".

Don't take "no" to your speaker pitch or proposal personally. No, does not mean “never”.  Keep tryin’ for other conferences they host. (& other conferences that fit your industry & expertise.) Don't let it be a setback for you. Always think of ways to photo styling talents and income.

CONSIDER IN STORE RETAIL EVENTS.

If you're not sure about approaching and pitching a very large conference, consider doing (or starting) at retail in-store events.  As I chatted in Love Lately, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, West Elm oftentimes have in-store special events.  You can approach them.  While many think that these are booked on the corporate level, I have been booked by both the Local and Regional store management.  

YES, getting booked as a Speaker can give you social proof, followers, position yourself as an industry leader, connections, collaborations . . . ALOT.  But, it’s not about you. Make it about the Conference and Host.

AND, MOST IMPORTANT.  Don’t ever let a Conference Organizer and a “no” define your worth.  It's part of what you can do as a Photo and Prop stylist, not the only thing.  There are many ways to make money as a Stylist.  Just jump in there and don't strive for perfection before you start to summit proposals to speak.  Just start.  You will improve at them. You will gain more experience. You will get booked to speak.

Want to save this post for reference for when you are preparing pitches and proposals? Hover over and click image above to Pin it!

Bonnie ~

Image Credit ｜ Canva