Get More Stage-Side Referrals with These Proven Strategies
Welcome to the Confident Speaker Podcast by Speaking Your Brand. This is your host, AI Carol. You've just wrapped a presentation, the lights dim, applause echoes, a few people come up afterward to say that was amazing. But then what? If you've ever wondered how to turn those post presentation interactions into your next paid speaking gig, here's the secret, stage side referrals.
AI Carol:Getting booked from the stage by someone in the audience who saw you speak and wants to bring you to their own organization is one of the most powerful and organic ways to grow your speaking opportunities and get paid to do them. I remember one of my first breakout sessions at a business conference. I was nervous, but I brought my best. Afterward, a woman approached me with a huge smile. My company is doing a women's leadership summit next month, she said.
AI Carol:Would you be interested in speaking there? We have a budget. That invite turned into not just one engagement, but a client relationship that generated multiple referrals over the years. You don't need to cross your fingers and hope someone finds your email on LinkedIn. You can intentionally set yourself up to get referrals right from that room, right from that stage.
AI Carol:Here are three ways you can make this happen. Tip number one, design your talk to align with your offer. Whether you're on a local panel or a national main stage, treat every speaking opportunity as a strategic touch point for your business. That means you reverse engineer your talk around what you want to be referred for. If you offer a corporate DEI training, tailor your examples and stories around workplace inclusion.
AI Carol:If you help women leaders build their executive presence, weave that phrase in multiple times during your talk. When people feel like your presentation speaks directly to their needs, they'll naturally think we need her to come talk to our team. You don't need to pitch from the stage with a hard sell. You just need your audience to clearly understand what you do and who you do it for. Tip number two, use a feedback form with strategic checkboxes.
AI Carol:This is where most speakers drop the ball. You make a great impression, but you have no way to follow-up. Instead, hand out a feedback form at the end of your talk. Make it simple, just a few questions. Ask for their name and email.
AI Carol:Include a spot for a testimonial. And this is key. Include checkboxes like, I'd like to refer you to my company or another organization, or please send me information about working with you. That way you're not guessing who's interested. They're telling you right then and there.
AI Carol:You'll walk away from the event, not just with applause, but with actual leads you can follow-up on the next day. Tip number three, make yourself referral ready. If someone in that audience is inspired to refer you, make it easy for them. Have a dedicated speaker page on your website with your speaking topics, a bio, some nice photos or clips of you speaking, and yes, your standard speaker fees or starting rate. When you show up as a professional premium speaker, you'll attract those kinds of opportunities.
AI Carol:Also, don't forget your business cards or a QR code on your last slide that links it to your speaker page or feedback form. You want the event organizer thinking she's got her act together. That feeling often turns into referrals later because you were memorable and easy to work with. Here's your takeaway. Every time you speak is a chance to open a new door, not just for impact, but for income.
AI Carol:So plan for the next stage while you're still on this one. Bring the energy, align your message, use your feedback form, and put yourself in position to be the speaker people remember and want to recommend. You've got this. You don't need to chase every opportunity, deliver the right talk to the right room and let that room become your next pipeline. If you're ready to take your message and you're speaking to the next level, we'd love to help.
AI Carol:You can find ways to work with us at speakingyourbrand.com. Be sure to follow the Confident Speaker Podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify for more insightful and actionable strategies. This on demand episode was generated by my AI voice clone trained on speaking your brand content.
