If you’re running a service-based business—especially in a people-driven space like virtual assistance—visibility and trust are everything. In a crowded marketplace, it’s not enough to be good; people need to know you’re good. Speaking at events puts you in a position of authority, builds immediate credibility, and unlocks a direct path to your ideal clients.
At Katuva, we’ve seen firsthand how thought leadership opens doors. Whether it’s through panels, workshops, or keynote stages, getting in front of an audience has a ripple effect: more leads, better partnerships, and faster growth.
So yes—public speaking can absolutely skyrocket your business. But how do you get booked? And more importantly, how do you use the opportunity to drive real ROI?
We’re going to break it down for you—why speaking works, where the opportunity is, and how to get yourself (or your founder) on more stages. Let’s dig in.
Speaking at events does three powerful things for your business:
Trust is the main obstacle in any buying decision—especially for services like VA placement. When you’re speaking from stage, you’re automatically perceived as an expert. You’re not asking for attention; the audience chose to listen. That gives your brand credibility that ads and outreach can’t match.
Events attract audiences around themes—whether it’s scaling agencies, optimizing operations, or boosting marketing. If you speak at the right event, you’re not just building awareness—you’re putting yourself in front of warm leads who already care about the problem you solve.
Every stage creates a halo effect. Event organizers, panelists, attendees—these are often well-connected people. A single appearance can lead to podcast invites, JV opportunities, or introductions to strategic partners. If you’re growing through referrals or Dream 100-style partnerships, stages are force multipliers.
Booking speaking gigs isn’t just about charisma—it’s about positioning, outreach, and persistence. Here’s how to consistently land the right opportunities.
Not all events are created equal. Your time is limited, so target conferences and summits that attract your buyer persona or industry partners. For Katuva, that might include:
Pro tip: Don’t ignore online events—webinars, LinkedIn Lives, and industry podcasts often convert just as well as in-person talks and are easier to land.
A polished speaker kit makes you look serious, not just hopeful. Here’s what it should include:
If you’re just getting started, record yourself doing a mock talk or webinar and use that to seed your portfolio.
Send targeted outreach to event organizers 2–6 months before their event. Your pitch should include:
Keep it short. Keep it focused on them and their audience. And most importantly—follow up. Most bookings happen on the second or third nudge.
What to Speak About (Without Sounding Like a Sales Pitch)Your content should educate, not advertise. The goal is to make your audience think, “If this is what they give away for free, imagine what I’d get as a client.”
Here are a few talk angles that work well for service-based businesses like Katuva:
Your goal is to provide tangible takeaways, bust myths, and gently position your offer as the natural next step.
Speaking builds visibility—but visibility without a follow-up system is just noise. Here’s how to turn talks into revenue.
Always end your talk with a low-barrier next step. Think:
Use a simple landing page to collect leads and track conversions. Pro tip: Set up a short custom URL you can say out loud during your talk (e.g., katuva.com/checklist).
If you’re generating leads from events, your sales team should treat them like gold. These aren’t cold leads—they’re warm, interested people who just heard you drop value. Quick follow-up and personalized outreach can double your close rate.
After the event, thank the organizer, ask for a testimonial, and stay in touch. Share photos or clips on social to build social proof. Each event is a stepping stone to the next one—especially if you’re trying to break into bigger stages over time.
Not every team has a charismatic founder who loves being on camera. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use speaking as a growth engine.
If you have a team member who’s articulate, relatable, and passionate about your mission, they can become your “stage face.” Train them, rehearse together, and give them the freedom to speak from experience, not just a script.
If full solo talks feel intimidating, start with moderated panels or podcast-style interviews. They’re conversational, less pressure, and still effective at showcasing your expertise.
Speaking at events isn’t just about brand awareness—it’s about trust, lead generation, and positioning. For service providers like Katuva, it’s a high-leverage growth channel that pairs perfectly with referrals, content marketing, and relationship-building.
Start small, build your assets, and treat every speaking gig as a business opportunity, not just a PR moment. Because when done right, every stage puts your business one step closer to the clients and partners who will fuel your next level.
