How to Use Your Nonfiction Book to Land Speaking Gigs

What if your book could launch you onto the stage and open doors to incredible opportunities? 

You’ve poured your heart into writing, and now it’s time to take things to the next level. And, speaking gigs are one of the most powerful ways to boost your credibility, connect with your audience on a deeper level, and sell more books. 

So, how can you use your book as a springboard to land those speaking engagements? Let’s explore how your book can help you step into the spotlight!

How Your Book Sets You Apart

Event organizers constantly look for speakers who provide valuable insights and engage the audience. Having a published book gives you a significant advantage.

For example, Brené Brown’s TED Talk about vulnerability became really popular and helped her sell more books and grow her speaking career.

Your book shows your expertise and proves you understand your subject deeply. Writing it helps you organize your thoughts, which works well when speaking to an audience. Being a published author also boosts your credibility, making you stand out in your field.

For instance, Simon Sinek’s book Start With Why opened the door to many speaking opportunities, including his popular TED Talk, which has now been viewed over 60 million times.

Seeing you live brings the words on the page to life and makes you unforgettable. Your book becomes like a souvenir from an unforgettable vacation, a lasting reminder you want to take home. 

Bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell often sells hundreds of books at his talks, as people are excited to buy a signed copy.

Finding Your Target Audience

Where should you start when you decide to go after speaking gigs? 

The most important thing is to find the right audience. And your book provides you with a roadmap for this. Look at the topics in your book and ask yourself:

Who would benefit the most from these ideas? Is it business owners, teachers, health professionals, or parents? 

Your audience is out there, waiting for experts like you to share what you know.

Start small. You don’t have to speak at big conferences right away. Begin with local events, workshops, or webinars. You can even offer to speak at smaller groups like book clubs, community groups, or industry meetups. The key is to match your message with the right audience, and your book already gives you a guide to find them.

For example, if your book is about sustainable living, you could begin by offering to speak at local environmental groups, community centers, or schools before aiming for bigger eco-focused conferences.

How to Pitch Yourself

Pitching yourself as a speaker might seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to clearly and confidently show what you offer. When you contact event organizers, explain how your talk will help their audience. Simply saying, “I wrote a book,” isn’t enough. You must show why your ideas matter and how they benefit the target audience.

Your book is your best tool, so use it. Send them a copy, share a link to download a copy, or offer a free chapter so the organizer can see what you offer. 

If you’ve spoken before, include a video or testimonials. If not, being an author already gives you an advantage.

It also helps to suggest a few speaking topics based on your book. This gives organizers choices and shows you understand their needs. Your goal is to make it easy for them to say “yes” to you.

Building Your Speaking Portfolio

After landing your first speaking gig, keep going. Use it to build your portfolio. Every time you speak, take a short video or some photos. Get feedback from the audience and ask for testimonials. This helps you pitch yourself for more speaking gigs. The more you speak, the more confidence you gain, and getting future bookings gets easier.

Your book can also grow with your talks. As you speak to different audiences, you’ll gain new ideas and insights. You can add new stories or dig deeper into your topics. This makes your future talks even better and could even inspire you to write more books.

The Power of Networking

Speaking offers great opportunities to network. After you step off the stage, you meet people interested in your ideas. Some may want to work with you, invite you to speak at other events, or buy copies of your book to share with others. These connections help grow your career and expand your reach.

Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals. If someone liked your talk, ask if they know of other events where you could speak. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get more speaking gigs and build your reputation as an expert.

Your Book is Just the Beginning 

Writing a book is a significant achievement, but it’s also a powerful tool for opening new doors. 

By using your book to land speaking gigs, you open up new opportunities to connect with your audience, build your credibility, and grow your influence. Speaking isn’t just about selling more books (though that’s a nice bonus). It’s about sharing your message in a way that leaves a lasting impact. 

So, don’t let your book gather dust on the shelf. Use it to step into the limelight to share your knowledge with the world. The more you speak, the more you’ll find your book is your platform for something bigger.