Public speaking is not only a great way to share knowledge, motivate others, and build personal credibility, but it can also be a lucrative career. Whether you’re an expert in your field, an influencer, or someone with a compelling story to tell, securing a paid speaking opportunity can open the door to countless career advancements and financial rewards. As 2025 unfolds, there are numerous platforms and strategies available to help speakers land their first or next paid engagement. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top platforms and key tips for securing paid speaking opportunities in the coming year.
1. Building a Strong Personal Brand
Before diving into platforms that offer paid speaking gigs, it’s essential to build a strong personal brand. In 2025, credibility and visibility are key factors that event organizers look for in potential speakers. You can start by establishing a presence in your industry through content creation, social media, and public appearances.
- Create high-quality content: Write articles, host podcasts, or produce videos that reflect your expertise. By regularly producing valuable content, you not only boost your visibility but also demonstrate your credibility.
- Establish yourself on social media: Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter are essential for personal branding. Regularly post about your speaking topics, share behind-the-scenes content from your speaking engagements, and engage with followers.
- Develop a professional website: Your website should showcase your speaking topics, bio, testimonials, and past speaking engagements (if applicable). It’s often the first place event planners will look when considering you for a speaking engagement.
When you present yourself as a thought leader, it becomes easier to land a paid speaking opportunity because organizers will recognize your value and want to offer you a platform.
2. Joining Speaking Bureaus
Speaking bureaus are organizations that act as intermediaries between speakers and event planners. They help connect professional speakers with paid opportunities and take care of logistics such as scheduling, contract negotiation, and even marketing. Joining a reputable bureau can be an excellent way to get access to paid speaking opportunities.
Some of the top speaking bureaus in 2025 include:
- National Speakers Association (NSA): One of the largest organizations for professional speakers, NSA offers resources, training, and access to paid opportunities.
- eSpeakers: This platform allows speakers to create profiles, list their services, and be discovered by event planners looking for talent. It connects speakers to event organizers globally.
- SpeakerHub: A platform for professional speakers that not only helps with booking paid gigs but also offers visibility through a community of thousands of event planners and organizations looking for speakers.
- BigSpeak Speakers Bureau: A full-service agency offering speakers for corporate, association, and public events. BigSpeak has a wide network of clients and regularly hires top-tier speakers for paid opportunities.
Getting listed on one or more bureaus can be a great way to increase your visibility and secure paid speaking opportunities.
3. Leveraging Event Platforms and Marketplaces
With the digital age continuously evolving, several online platforms have emerged in recent years that help match speakers with event organizers. These platforms provide the infrastructure and marketplace needed for speakers to connect with potential clients looking to book paid speaking engagements.
Here are a few platforms where you can find paid speaking opportunities in 2025:
- Speaking.com: This platform offers a curated directory of professional speakers, helping to connect them with organizations that are looking for expert speakers for their events. Event planners can search by expertise, region, and type of event.
- The Speaker Exchange: A marketplace that lets speakers create profiles and list their availability for speaking events. Event organizers use the platform to find speakers for corporate, academic, or industry-specific events.
- Preachr: A platform that connects speakers with faith-based events, conferences, and gatherings. This is ideal for those with a religious background or a message that resonates with faith communities.
- Bizzabo: Although primarily an event management platform, Bizzabo helps connect event planners with speakers. Many event planners turn to Bizzabo when searching for speakers for industry-specific events or conferences.
By joining these platforms, you increase your chances of being discovered by people actively looking for a paid speaking opportunity in your niche.
4. Social Media Networking
In 2025, social media remains a powerful tool for building relationships with potential clients and securing paid speaking gigs. Here’s how to leverage social media for speaking opportunities:
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is one of the best social media platforms for professionals, and it is an excellent resource for finding paid speaking opportunities. Make sure your profile highlights your speaking experience, certifications, and areas of expertise. Engage with event organizers, share valuable content, and use LinkedIn’s job and opportunity sections to search for speaking roles.
- Twitter: Event planners often use Twitter to announce upcoming events and speaking opportunities. Follow and engage with event organizers and influencers in your niche. By engaging in discussions, you’ll make it easier for event planners to find you when they are looking for speakers.
- Instagram: Instagram is a great place to visually showcase your speaking gigs. Post photos, behind-the-scenes content, and video snippets from your speeches to engage potential clients and audience members. Use hashtags that are relevant to your niche, such as #publicspeaker or #corporatespeaker, to make your posts discoverable by event planners.
Networking on social media is an effective way to stay connected to those looking to hire speakers and to showcase your expertise in an informal, yet professional manner.
5. Attend Conferences and Networking Events
Attending conferences, conventions, and industry-specific events in 2025 is a great way to network with other speakers and event planners. Many conferences offer “speaker mixers” or networking sessions where you can meet organizers who are in need of speakers for future events.
- Industry Conferences: Attend events and conferences related to your niche. Many of these events will have a need for speakers who are experts in specific topics. As you attend these conferences, network with event organizers to discuss potential speaking opportunities.
- Speaking Engagements at Conferences: Start by applying to speak at conferences as a way to build credibility. Being selected as a speaker at a major conference can increase your visibility and attract offers for future paid speaking opportunities.
- Local Meetups and Events: Look for local speaking engagements or meetups that might lead to paid opportunities. Many event planners and organizations are often looking for local speakers for conferences, workshops, and other events.
By attending industry-specific events and conferences, you create more opportunities to connect with people who may need your services, which ultimately leads to more paid speaking opportunities.
6. Pitching Yourself to Event Organizers
An effective way to secure paid speaking opportunities is by pitching yourself directly to event organizers. When you pitch, you are proactively offering your expertise to event planners and showing them how your message can benefit their audience.
Here are some tips for crafting a successful pitch:
- Research the event: Know the event organizer, their target audience, and the types of topics they typically feature. Tailor your pitch to show how your message aligns with their goals.
- Personalize your approach: Avoid sending generic pitches. Personalize each message by mentioning the specifics of the event and why you believe you would be a good fit.
- Include testimonials and previous engagements: Even if you’re just starting out, include any previous speaking engagements you’ve had, even if they were unpaid. Testimonials and video samples will help establish your credibility.
- Offer a value proposition: Make sure your pitch emphasizes the value you bring to the event. Event organizers want speakers who can offer valuable insights, so be clear about what you will bring to the table.
Directly pitching to event organizers can often result in paid speaking opportunities if done with care and professionalism.
7. Join Speaker Associations and Professional Networks
Being part of a professional association can help increase your credibility as a speaker and provide access to exclusive paid speaking opportunities. In 2025, there are many organizations dedicated to supporting speakers, and joining them can help you connect with event organizers and other industry professionals.
- National Speakers Association (NSA): The NSA provides resources for professional speakers, including training, networking opportunities, and access to exclusive speaking gigs.
- Global Speakers Federation (GSF): This organization is a network of speaker associations across the world and can help you connect with international speaking opportunities.
- Toastmasters International: While primarily focused on improving speaking skills, Toastmasters also offers opportunities for networking and gaining visibility within the public speaking community.
By being part of these professional organizations, you increase your chances of landing paid speaking opportunities and building relationships with like-minded individuals in the speaking industry.
8. Offer Workshops and Webinars
If you’re new to public speaking, one great way to break into paid speaking opportunities is by offering workshops and webinars. These smaller events give you a chance to gain experience, build an audience, and attract potential clients for paid gigs.
- Host your own webinars: Use platforms like Zoom or WebinarJam to host online events that showcase your expertise. Offering free webinars can help you build an audience and eventually transition to paid speaking engagements.
- Offer corporate workshops: Many businesses and organizations are looking for experts to host workshops on topics like leadership, communication, or team-building. Reach out to local companies and offer your services as a workshop leader.
Offering workshops and webinars provides you with a platform to showcase your speaking abilities and build credibility, which can later lead to paid speaking opportunities.
Conclusion
Securing a paid speaking opportunity in 2025 requires a combination of strategic networking, building your personal brand, and utilizing various platforms to promote your expertise. Whether you choose to join speaking bureaus, leverage social media, attend industry events, or pitch directly to event organizers, there are plenty of opportunities available for speakers who are proactive and professional.
With these platforms and tips in hand, you’re now equipped to pursue your first or next paid speaking opportunity and take your speaking career to new heights.