Do you want to know how to get more speaking engagements? Unfortunately, there is not a proactive agency that will pitch you for events (to my knowledge). This is a huge hole in the Christian market space, which is why I tell everyone who asks that they should have their own in-house rep actively pitching events, organizations, and churches on their behalf. This person is NOT your Admin or Assistant because you can’t give them any other tasks to do. Those other tasks will be easier, so your speaking pitches won’t get done. Whether you have someone part-time or full-time reaching out for you or you’re doing it yourself, keep reading to learn the best strategies for how to get speaking engagements to promote your Christian business, ministry, or organization.
How to Get Speaking Engagements to Promote Your Christian Brand
Securing speaking engagements from Christian churches or events requires a strategic, gradual, and long-term approach. The best time to get started is now, and here’s how:
1. Identify Your Target Market
It’s important to determine the specific segments within the Christian community you want to reach, such as particular denominations, age groups, or interest areas (e.g., youth, women’s groups, leadership conferences, etc.). This will help you tailor your approach and messages more effectively as you begin networking and pitching for opportunities.
2. Develop a Compelling Value Proposition
Ask yourself why someone should book you for a speaking engagement, and then clearly articulate those unique benefits you offer as a speaker to Christian churches and events. Focus on how your speaking engagements can provide value, inspiration, or education within the context of Christian Faith in ways that align with the organization’s or event’s mission or vision.
3. Establish Credibility with an Impressive Portfolio
Build your credentials, establish yourself as an authority in your field, and develop a professional portfolio showcasing your expertise, experience, endorsements, and past speaking engagements. This portfolio will serve as your pitch kit–evidence of your ability to deliver impactful presentations. Include testimonials, videos, pictures, and references from previous church events or conferences. To further your credibility, you may also consider cultivating a robust online presence through a website, blog, or social media.
4. Research and Prospect Potential Clients
Conduct research to identify Christian churches, conferences, retreats, or organizations that align with your target market. Look for upcoming events or speaking opportunities that match your expertise and themes. To simplify this process, start with your local market, targeting churches and Christian events in your area, including your hometown and neighboring communities. Grow using the concentric circle model. Own your city, then expand the circle to own your county, then your region, then your state, and beyond. This concentric circle growth model allows you to minimize your time and expense investments as you grow.
5. Leverage Referrals and Connections
Another strategy for how to find speaking engagements is to seek referrals from your existing network, including pastors, leaders, or individuals who have heard you speak in the past. Ask them to introduce you to relevant contacts within the Christian community who can help you secure speaking engagements. It’s also important to actively build relationships within the Faith community by attending local church events, conferences, or workshops.
6. Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Participate in Christian conferences, seminars, or conventions to network with event organizers, church leaders, and potential clients. Use these opportunities to showcase your speaking skills, build relationships, and generate leads. For example, the NRB International Christian Media Convention is an excellent conference for those in Faith-based communications and media. It’s held annually and offers multiple networking opportunities and potentially securing speaking opportunities. With the concentric circle growth model in mind, look for events in your local area as well.
6. Develop a Pitch Strategy
A key component of how to get speaking engagements is your pitch. It’s essential to craft a persuasive pitch that highlights the unique value you can bring to the event or church. Customize your pitch to address each prospective client’s different needs, interests, and goals. Tailor your messaging to appeal to their specific audience. This absolutely must include one or more professionally shot and produced video samples of you speaking. This is NOT the place to put a video of you speaking that someone shot on their iPhone.
When reaching out to decision-makers, personalize your outreach by referencing their church or event and explain why you believe your speaking services would be a good fit. Use email, phone calls, or networking connections to establish contact.
7. Utilize Online Platforms
Leverage online platforms to showcase your speaking skills and engage with the Christian community. Create a professional website or blog to share your speaking topics, past engagements, testimonials, and contact information. Add at least one blog each month that will help further establish your expertise and increase your SEO (search engine optimization). Consider using social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter, and/or YouTube to connect with potential organizers and promote your speaking services.
8. Provide Value Through Content Marketing
Create and distribute valuable content related to your speaking topics through various channels. This can include writing blog posts, recording podcasts, or producing videos. Share this content on your website, social media platforms, and relevant Christian forums to attract the attention of event organizers and church leaders.
9. Follow Up and Nurture Relationships
After initial outreach, follow up with prospective clients to inquire about their interest and discuss further details. With the concentric circle model, go take those locals to coffee or lunch when you first start. Build relationships by staying in touch with regular updates via your email newsletter and socials, relevant content, or invitations to upcoming events. Be responsive, professional, and persistent in your follow-ups. Remember to include a gentle call to action such as a “Get More Information” or “Book Now” button.
10. Track and Measure Your Efforts
Finally, keep track of your outreach activities, responses, and conversions to evaluate the effectiveness of your strategy. Analyze which approaches yield the best results and adjust your efforts accordingly.
Elevate Your Impact by Implementing These Strategies to Get More Speaking Engagements
Knowing how to get more speaking engagements doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. It’s all about leveraging your unique strengths, building meaningful relationships, and presenting yourself as a knowledgeable and engaging speaker serving the church or event’s needs. Remember, every speaking engagement is a chance to make an impact, share your expertise, and expand your influence. So, start implementing these strategies today, invest in the long haul, and watch as new opportunities unfold before you.
And if you need help, we’re here for you! At FrontGate Media, we can create your Speakers Pitch Kit, write and publish your book through our Book Publishing Services, and offer multiple ways to get in front of your target market and share about your business, ministry, charity, or organization. From our Christian PR services to our Podcast Tour Service, and more, we can help you promote yourself in a meaningful way to create impact and further build exposure and expertise. Contact us today to learn more!