How I Get Free Speaking Gigs That Lead to Paying Clients (And You Can Too)
Establish Yourself® Podcast | Episode 44
If you want to get clients from speaking, how the heck do you get booked to speak in the first place?
If you've ever found yourself staring at a blank outreach email, feeling stuck on where to pitch, or wondering why no one is inviting you to speak… you’re not alone. This is where so many coaches and consultants stall out.
Here’s what I’ve learned after more than a decade of turning free speaking into consistent, high-paying clients:
The hardest part isn’t the talk itself—it’s booking the right rooms.
And you don’t need a huge network or a speaker reel to get started.
You need a repeatable strategy.
That’s why in this episode of the Establish Yourself® Podcast, I’m walking you through the exact 4-step system I use anytime I want to get clients through the door fast—without cold pitching or paying for ads.
These are the same strategies that helped me book 24 free talks in one year and turn them into nearly $80,000 in revenue while delighting audiences and event organizers!
The 4-Step System That Fills Your Speaking Calendar (and Your Client Roster)
When you approach speaking opportunities with this method, you stop waiting to be “discovered” and start getting yeses—even from small rooms that lead to big results.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
✨ Why “owning your speaker identity” is the first and most overlooked step to getting booked
✨ The 3 must-have foundations to make your ask an easy “YES”
✨ Where to actually find the best rooms (and why they’re closer than you think)
✨ My Warmish Ask Strategy that works even if you hate pitching
✨ How one simple email (and a quick follow up) landed me a $20K gig—and a lifelong collaborator
Want to Book More Talks Without Cold Pitching?
This episode is especially for you if you’ve ever thought:
“I don’t even know where to start looking for gigs.”
“I don’t want to come across as desperate or salesy.”
“I need more clients—but I don’t want to waste time chasing leads.”
If that’s you, this episode will help you take action right now / this fall —especially because now is the time most organizations are booking speakers for all of next year. (Wait until January? You might be too late.)
🎧 Listen in now to learn how to confidently book more free talks that lead to amazing clients—using the exact process I’ve trusted for over a decade👇
UPCOMING WORKSHOP
Turn Free Speaking Into Paying Clients (Without Feeling Super Salesy)
Soon, I’m teaching the exact system I’ve used to turn more than 150 free talks into $400,000+ in business—by making speaking both an art and a science.
Join me for “Clients From Speaking”
Tuesday, Oct. 28th from 12–1:15 PM EST (plus replay)
🎟️ Sign up now to get:
✅ NEW, INSTANT BONUS: 4 proven email templates to book more free gigs fast—based on real messages that helped me land 24 free, smart speaking engagements in one year!
✅ My signature talk outline that makes your presentation the perfect first step into working with you
✅ Strategies to get 50–100% of your audience on your email list during a talk
✅ The approach I use to book consults with up to 70% of the room—without being pushy
✅ A time-tested system for making every free talk a reliable client attraction tool (in any economy)
PRIVATE EXPERT HELP
Get clear on your message, audience, and your talk title + description
Curious about 1:1 personalized guidance and positioning yourself to book clients from speaking (and all your marketing efforts?) Set a free time to talk with me about working together in Package Your Process™ with the Expert!
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