If you are aiming to sell more books, build authority, attract clients, or grow your email list, speaking to groups of all sizes is an ideal way to accomplish these goals. To get started, look for organizations where your ideal readers are already spending time.
For example, an author with a leadership book could target HR associations, corporate leadership programs, CEO groups, industry conferences, chambers, and management retreats.
A health author could target hospitals, wellness programs, medical associations, support groups, senior communities, and health conferences.
A business author could pursue trade associations, corporate training, entrepreneur groups, client conferences, and professional organizations.
Also, you don’t necessarily have to focus on delivering a traditional keynote. It could be a workshop, panel, fireside chat, lunch-and-learn, webinar, training session, association meeting, or executive briefing.
The following is a list of places where you can potentially be a speaker. Be sure to align these suggestions with your ideal readers.
Business & Professional Organizations
- Chambers of Commerce
- Rotary Clubs
- Kiwanis Clubs
- Lions Clubs
- Professional associations
- Trade associations
- Industry conferences
- Business networking groups
- Entrepreneur organizations
- Small Business Development Centers
- Women’s business organizations
- Young professionals groups
- CEO and executive peer groups
- Mastermind groups
- Local business clubs
Companies & Corporate Audiences
- Corporate leadership meetings
- Employee development programs
- Sales team meetings
- Company retreats
- Lunch-and-learn programs
- Employee resource groups
- Corporate wellness programs
- Management training programs
- Customer or client conferences
- Franchise owner meetings
Education & Academic Organizations
- Colleges and universities
- Community colleges
- University alumni associations
- Continuing education programs
- Business schools
- Professional certification programs
- Adult education programs
- High schools, when the topic is relevant
- Student organizations
- Faculty or professional-development programs
Community & Nonprofit Groups
- Libraries
- Nonprofit organizations
- Foundations
- Community centers
- Civic organizations
- Religious or spiritual organizations
- Museums and cultural organizations
- Senior living communities
- Health and wellness organizations
- Support groups
Book, Media & Audience-Building Opportunities
- Bookstores
- Book clubs
- Writers conferences
- Virtual summits and online conferences
- Podcasts, livestreams, and webinar series that feature guest experts
Interested in breaking into professional speaking? Be sure to check out our course:
Professional Speaking for Authors
