Special thanks to MyStoryBuilders for their incredible insights on the power of speaking as a tool to promote your book.

As an author, speaking is one of the greatest tools you can use to expand your reach, build connections, and boost your income. The power of your voice goes beyond just delivering a message, it allows you to connect deeply with your audience, build trust, and leverage your book as a calling card. This opens doors to much bigger experiences. 

Here’s how speaking can take your book and brand to the next level…

A Gateway to More Opportunities

When you speak, you’re not just sharing information, you’re creating an experience that leaves a lasting impression. The best part? You’re doing this with your book in hand. A book isn’t just a product; it’s a tool that can help you stand out, build your brand, and even generate additional revenue.

Speaking engagements provide a unique opportunity to generate revenue in multiple ways:

• Book Sales: When speaking at an event, negotiate with organizers to purchase a copy of your book for each attendee. This can lead to you getting paid for the speaking gig and selling books at the same time.
• Online Courses, Events, and Retreats: These are excellent ways to create aligned income streams that complement your book. You can build out additional services, like online courses or retreats, that expand on the ideas in your book.
• Impact & Income: Impact and income don’t have to be mutually exclusive. When done right, they can go hand in hand. You’re sharing your message and changing lives, all while growing your business.
  
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Think Bigger Than Your Book. When you speak about your book, you present an expanded vision that invites listeners to explore even more through your courses, workshops, and other offerings. So, think about the bigger picture!

The Importance of Clarity in Your Message

Audience Understanding
Who are you speaking to? Understanding your audience is key to tailoring your message effectively. The best speakers know their audience’s pain points and needs intimately. When you focus on one specific niche, your message resonates more deeply.

Make Your Audience Feel Seen
When you speak, aim to make your audience feel like they’re part of something bigger. Recognize their struggles and show how your message is relevant to them. Share your story—because your story is likely their story, too.

Know What They Need to Hear
Don’t focus on what you want to say; instead, focus on what your audience needs to hear. Their challenges are your guide. By solving their problems with your message, you establish yourself as an authority they can trust.

Clarity = Gold
One of the most powerful things you can do is simplify your message. A clear, concise statement like “I help [audience] who are struggling with [problem]” will cut through the noise. The simpler you make your message, the clearer your audience will understand the value you provide.

Align Your Speaking with the Theme of Your Book

Central Theme
Your book has a central theme. Make sure your speaking engagements align with it. This not only keeps your talk cohesive but also helps you create an event around your book’s message. Whether it’s a workshop, seminar, or retreat, your theme should be the foundation that holds everything together.

Support Your Book’s Message
Every story, lesson, and chapter in your book should support and align with your speaking engagements. This congruence between your book and talk makes it easier for your audience to see the connection and buy your book after hearing your message.

Keep It Simple with ONE Call to Action
At the end of your talk, direct your audience with ONE clear call to action. Keep it simple—don’t overwhelm them with too many options. A focused, direct call to action is far more effective than offering a myriad of choices. Whether it’s buying your book or signing up for your next event, make sure the next step is clear and simple.

How to Structure Your Talk for Maximum Impact

Opening
Your opening sets the tone for the rest of your talk. Aim to connect with your audience by sharing an ordinary, relatable personal story. This is your chance to humanize yourself and build trust. Keep it brief—2-5 minutes is ideal.

Middle
This is where you share the meat of your message. Go through the key themes of your book and explain how they can help your audience. The length of this section can vary depending on the platform or event, but it’s important to stay focused on delivering value.

End
Finish strong with a clear call to action. Don’t leave your audience hanging with vague advice. Direct them to what comes next—whether that’s buying your book, signing up for your course, or attending an upcoming event. Your call to action should be the focus of the last 2-5 minutes.

Order Matters:

• Connect: Start by building rapport.
• Help: Deliver your message and provide value.
• Direct: Close with a clear call to action.
  
  

Finding the Right Stages for Your Message

In-Person Stages
There are numerous platforms where you can speak in person, such as:

• Associations: Industry-specific groups that align with your book’s themes.
• Conferences: Leverage LinkedIn to find upcoming conferences and networking events.
• Local Events: Look for community groups, businesses, and organizations where you can speak.
• Rotary & PTO Groups: These groups are motivated to connect and help, making them great venues for speaking.
  
  

Virtual Stages

• Podcasts: Reach out to podcast hosts, especially those who have a loyal following and audience. Focus on podcasts in your niche to ensure a relevant audience.
• Own Stage: Hosting your own webinars and courses is a great way to create a loyal following and offer deeper insights into your book’s message.
  
  

Outreach: How to Get Speaking Gigs

Focus on the Audience
When reaching out to potential speaking opportunities, make the pitch about the audience, not yourself. Frame it like this: “Your audience is [struggling with this], and I can help them by [offering this].” Make it clear how your message aligns with their needs.

Persistence Pays Off
Email alone is not enough to get results. After sending your initial pitch, follow up with different communication methods: a call, DM, or social media message. Persistence is key. Statistically, it takes about 10 follow-ups to get a response out of people. It’s a numbers game—so cast a wide net if you want to land that one speaking opportunity.

Speaking is one of the most powerful tools you can use as an author to amplify your message, create new revenue streams, and expand your impact. By speaking with clarity and purpose, aligning your talks with the themes of your book, and focusing on building connections, you can take your book and business to the next level. Don’t just think of your book as a standalone product—use it as the foundation for building a bigger, more impactful career through speaking.

Ready to amplify your message and position yourself as a thought leader? Let’s craft a publicity strategy that puts your voice—and your book—in the spotlight. Contact us today.

Looking for more tips on amplifying your book’s message? Check out:

Maximize Your Book Sales

The Impact of Publicity on Author Success

25 Ways to Promote Your Book (or Brand) in 2025