Put aside your stage fright; speaking is a great way to share your authority and meet new people throughout your freelance writing career. At some point in your business, you may want to start booking speaking gigs to spread your expertise, grow your business, and make industry connections.

“I have a wealth of knowledge. I built this successful freelance writing business; the next step is to share what I know with a bigger audience.”

Let's talk about how to start small and what to consider before booking a speaking gig.

Pros and cons of speaking as a freelance writer

If you've reached the point in your career when you're considered an authority on a subject, you should consider speaking gigs. Now, not every freelance writer loves the prospect of standing in front of an audience and giving a talk. After all, we sit behind our computers typing words on a screen. Most of us like to stay behind the scenes.

So why would we flee the comfort of our workspaces? What's in it for you? Why might you say no to a gig?

Let's get into the pros and cons of booking speaking gigs.

Pros

Re-entering the professional world in person. We're adapting to the constraints of the pandemic, and regular travel is on the horizon. Speaking gigs are an excellent opportunity to test the waters. On the other hand, if you aren't ready to mingle in a crowd just yet, you can still participate in a virtual event.

Learning opportunity. You're likely not the only speaker at an event. Conferences let you explore new topics. Panel moderation also gives you a platform to ask questions and get answers.

Connection-making. You'll meet people in your field, similar fields, and maybe even other areas that pique your interest. A speaking event is the perfect setting to grow your pool of professional peers

Authority-building. Exposure can attract potential clients, but it also helps establish you as a leader in your field.

Cons

Exhaustion. Travel, preparation, and presentation will drain you. While the event might be fun, you should consider whether the work is worth it. Is the gig paid? Are your travel expenses covered? Is it a big scale event?

Pressure. Are you the only speaker? Does the event expedite a Ted Talk or a professional presentation? Are you at a point in your career when you can handle that level of expectation?

Lost billable hours. The time you spend on a speaking gig is time you could spend working with clients. Is it worth losing out on that work?

Starting small

Booking your first speaking gig might send you into a panic. You haven't addressed an audience bigger than a high school classroom…and that was 15 years ago. Or maybe you're over the moon.

Once you've booked one, you want to book them all. And then you've overcommitted, and you start to panic. Or maybe you're panicking because you can't find a speaking gig.

Whether the panic starts before you've started, in the beginning, or creeps in along the way, you should start small. Let's talk about how to find a speaking gig, what kinds of gigs you should book initially, and how to manage your schedule.

Tips for speaking on stages

1. Your first gig should be a low-stakes environment.

Speak to your local chamber of commerce to scout out easy speaking gigs. Get some experience and work out the kinks in your speech. Think of these as practice or a chance to find the nuances of your talk.

2. Spread the word.

Tell people you're looking to do some speaking gigs. Friends, family, coworkers. Post on social media. Raise your hand, so to speak, and let people know you want to share your expertise.

3. Make a website page dedicated to speaking gig logistics.

Create a page where you talk about your areas of expertise, speaking fees, and other expectations like travel expenses. Include a video of you speaking so people get a sense of your style.

4. Base your talk on an article you've already written.

The work is done. You've got your content. All you need to do is tailor it to your audience and tweak it, so it's in the style of a speech.

“I think spreading the word is especially important for women because so often these conferences, these panels, these events, are so male-dominated, and we need more female voices in the mix.”

Ready to put yourself and your expertise out there? Weigh these pros and cons and make sure you start with manageable gigs. Once you have a few speaking engagements under your belt, you can start aiming for high-profile conferences and events.

Speaking gigs: Their place in your freelance career