How to Find Paid Speaking Gigs in 2025 (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)

Feeling stuck waiting to get picked for your next speaking gig? In this episode, Wendi McNeill of Charli Jane Speakers shares five proven strategies to land paid gigs in 2025, even if you’re brand-new to the industry. 

Discover where to find real opportunities, how to pitch with confidence (not pushiness), and what simple materials help you stand out to planners. You’ll also get a free resource, 50 Events Looking for Speakers Right Now, so you can start pitching today.

Grab your free list: https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers

Breathrough Public Speakers Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakthroughpublicspeakers

The #1 Mistake New Speakers Make With Their Bio (And How to Fix It)

If you're pitching yourself as a speaker (or avoiding it altogether), your bio could be the silent dealbreaker. In this episode, I break down how your speaker bio plays a crucial role in getting noticed by event planners, and what to do if it's falling flat.

Plus, I’ll share easy ways to streamline your pitch process and start landing more opportunities with clarity and confidence.

This is a practical, no-fluff episode …  let’s get you moving forward!

A weak bio doesn’t just hurt your pitch …  it keeps you stuck and silent.

Meet Bobbi – Your personal bio-building sidekick. (powered by AI)

Grab the Pitch Pack Pro – Email + DM scripts that help you pitch without the stress.

Land Your Next Gig Challenge -  A 3-day challenge to help you find, pitch, and land your next speaking gig fast.

50 Events looking for Speakers!

 Join My Free 20k Speakers Facebook Group 

Website: https://charlijane.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlijanespeakers

If you're sending pitches and hearing crickets, you're not alone. You're probably not doing anything wrong; you're just missing a few key tweaks.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest mistakes speakers make when pitching themselves for events (and how to fix them fast). These aren’t just theories—they're based on 22+ years of helping speakers get booked.

Whether you're new to pitching or have been sending emails without much traction, this episode will help you stand out in a crowded inbox—and start landing “yes” responses from event planners.

Want a shortcut to finding events that are actively booking speakers?

Links Mentioned:

Have a question or pitch struggle you want help with? DM me on Instagram @CharliJaneSpeakers or drop a message at [email protected]

If this episode helped you, would you mind taking 60 seconds to leave a review? Your support helps get this show into more speaker ears, and helps more speakers get on more stages.

Keep Inspiring, Wendi - Charli Jane Speakers- CharliJane.com

Figuring Out What to Charge as a Newbie Speaker

Figuring out what to charge as a newbie speaker is a common challenge, but today, we will crack the code and set you up for speaking success.

We'll explore the factors influencing your speaking fee, the pricing pitfalls to avoid, and the strategies to find your sweet spot. By the end, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to charge what you're worth.

Resources:

Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/craft-a-killer-speaker-bio 

Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: The club opens 4x a year - If we are not open, grab your spot on the waitlist. https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

I jotted down 50 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/ 

Keep Inspiring, Wendi

Charli Jane Speakers - CharliJane.com

Stepping into the world of public speaking can sometimes bring a sneaky feeling called 'impostor syndrome.' It's that voice in your head saying you're not good enough or you don't belong on stage. But guess what? Many great speakers have felt this way at some point. The good news is you can overcome it and shine as the speaker you're meant to be.

Resources:

Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/craft-a-killer-speaker-bio 

Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: The club opens 4x a year - If we are not open, grab your spot on the waitlist. https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

I jotted down 50 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/ 

Proposal Email Swipe Files - You’re armed with a tool that simplifies your outreach while maximizing the chances of a positive response. And remember, every successful booking begins with a well-crafted email! Grab them here. https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/proposal-email-template-spc 

Keep Inspiring, Wendi - Charli Jane Speakers, LLC - CharliJane.com

Are you a speaker looking to get more people to know and love what you do? Social media is like a magic wand that can help you do just that! It’s a great way to show the world how awesome you are. Let’s discuss how to use social media to build your brand and become a well-known speaker!

Resources:

Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/craft-a-killer-speaker-bio 

Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: The club opens 4x a year - If we are not open, grab your spot on the waitlist. https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

I jotted down 50 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/ 

Proposal Email Swipe Files - You’re armed with a tool that simplifies your outreach while maximizing the chances of a positive response. And remember, every successful booking begins with a well-crafted email! Grab them here. https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/proposal-email-template-spc 

Keep Inspiring, Wendi - Charli Jane Speakers - CharliJane.com

Networking for Newbie Speakers

My Top Tips for Maximizing Events

When building your business in this industry, it’s one thing to have incredible speaking skills down pat, but there's another crucial aspect you can't afford to neglect: networking. That's right, rubbing elbows with industry folks, making connections, and building relationships – it's all part of the gig. 

Resources:

Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/craft-a-killer-speaker-bio 

Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: The club opens 4x a year - If we are not open, grab your spot on the waitlist. https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

I jotted down 50 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/ 

Proposal Email Swipe Files - You’re armed with a tool that simplifies your outreach while maximizing the chances of a positive response. And remember, every successful booking begins with a well-crafted email! Grab them here. https://charlijane.samcart.com/products/proposal-email-template-spc 

Keep Inspiring, Wendi - Charli Jane Speakers, LLC

CharliJane.com

Effective Time Management for Busy Public Speakers

In the fast-paced world of public speaking, managing your time effectively is as crucial as delivering a great speech. Juggling speaking engagements, preparation, and personal life can be a challenge, but you can excel on stage and off with smart time management. Let’s explore how to maximize your hours to become an efficient and stress-free speaker.

Resources:

Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/craft-a-killer-speaker-bio 

Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: The club opens 4x a year - If we are not open, grab your spot on the waitlist. https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

I jotted down 50 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/ 

Proposal Email Swipe Files - You’re armed with a tool that simplifies your outreach while maximizing the chances of a positive response. And remember, every successful booking begins with a well-crafted email! Grab them here. https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/proposal-email-template-spc 

Keep Inspiring,

Wendi - Charli Jane Speakers - CharliJane.com

Speaking at Local Events: A Gateway to Bigger Stages

Are you looking to make a splash in the world of public speaking? Starting local is a brilliant strategy. Local events offer a unique platform to hone your skills, build your reputation, and prepare for larger stages. It’s like training in a friendly arena before heading to the Olympics of public speaking.

Resources:

Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/craft-a-killer-speaker-bio 

Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: The club opens 4x a year - If we are not open, grab your spot on the waitlist. https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

I jotted down 50 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/ 

Proposal Email Swipe Files - You’re armed with a tool that simplifies your outreach while maximizing the chances of a positive response. And remember, every successful booking begins with a well-crafted email! Grab them here. https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/proposal-email-template-spc 

Keep Inspiring,

Wendi - Charli Jane Speakers - CharliJane.com

How to Craft Your Compelling Speaker Backstory in 30 Minutes

Want to know the secret sauce to captivating your audience from the get-go? It's all about your speaker backstory – the tale of how you became the incredible speaker you are today. 

It’s a key tool in getting your audience (either online or in-person) to relate to you on a human level. And the best part? You can create your compelling speaker backstory in just 30 minutes. Yes, it can be THAT fast.

Resources:

Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/craft-a-killer-speaker-bio 

Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: The club opens 4x a year - If we are not open, grab your spot on the waitlist. https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

I jotted down 50 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/ 

Proposal Email Swipe Files - You’re armed with a tool that simplifies your outreach while maximizing the chances of a positive response. And remember, every successful booking begins with a well-crafted email! Grab them here. https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/proposal-email-template-spc 

Keep Inspiring,

Wendi - Charli Jane Speakers - CharliJane.com