.We secure clients for speaking engagements globally, and many clients find it  a lucrative piece of their business. But can you also book yourself? 
Yes!

You can secure your own speaking engagements even  if you do not retain a PR agency or speaking agent.
There are a few ways to book yourself for speaking engagements:

1. Reach out to event organizers directly. Look for conferences, meetings, or other events that align with your area of expertise, and contact the organizers to inquire about speaking opportunities.
2. Use online platforms. Websites like SpeakerHub and Speakers Corner allow you to create a profile and showcase your speaking experience and topics, making it easy for event organizers to find and book you.
3. Networking is also important. Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups, and make connections with people who may be able to book you for speaking engagements.
4. Finally, make sure you have a great speech and a clear message. Prepare a clear and compelling pitch and have a great demo video of your speech.

How much can you charge for speaking engagements?

The amount you can charge for speaking engagements can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including your level of experience and expertise, the size and location of the event, and the type of audience you will be speaking to. Generally speaking, the more experience and expertise you have, the more you can charge.
Here are a few general ranges to give you an idea:

• Keynote speakers at major conferences can charge anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 or more.
• Mid-level speakers at smaller events may charge between $1,000 and $5,000.
• New or less experienced speakers may charge between $500 and $1,000 for a speaking engagement.

It's important to note that some speakers may also charge additional fees for travel, lodging, and other expenses. And sometimes, the speaker may not be paid in cash, but in other forms of compensation, like stock options, products, or even just a free trip.
It's also worth noting that, depending on the type of event, the organizer may pay for your travel and lodging expenses but not for your speaking fee.
It's important to do your own research and see what the going rate is for your industry, and what other speakers with similar experience are charging.

Speak at Colleges and Universities
Colleges and universities can vary widely in terms of the fees they pay for speakers. Some may have a large budget for speakers, while others may have a more limited budget.
Generally speaking, keynote speakers at major universities may be able to command higher fees than speakers at smaller or less prestigious colleges or universities. Some universities may be able to pay several thousands of dollars for a keynote speech, while other universities may only be able to pay a few hundred dollars.
It's also worth noting that some universities may not be able to pay a speaker fee at all, but may offer other forms of compensation, such as covering travel and lodging expenses, or providing an honorarium.
It's also important to consider that some universities may have specific budget constraints and may not be able to pay as high as some other organizations. However, speaking at a university can provide other benefits like gaining exposure, building credibility, and networking opportunities.
It's important to research and find out what the going rate is for speakers at the specific universities you are interested in speaking at, and also negotiate your fee based on your experience and expertise.
Produce a Sizzle Reel
A sizzle reel, also known as a demo reel or demo video, is a short video that showcases a speaker's speaking style, content, and delivery. Having a sizzle reel can be helpful when trying to book a speaking engagement, as it allows potential clients to see and evaluate your speaking style and content before committing to booking you.
However, it's not strictly necessary to have a sizzle reel in order to book speaking engagements. Many speakers book engagements based on their reputation, experience, and expertise alone. Event organizers may be willing to book a speaker based on their credentials, references, and testimonials, without ever having seen a video of the speaker in action.
That being said, having a sizzle reel can be a valuable tool in promoting yourself as a speaker and can help you stand out from other speakers. It allows potential clients to see the type of content you offer, your speaking style, and how you engage with your audience. It can also help to build your brand as a speaker and help to attract more speaking engagements.
In summary, having a sizzle reel can be helpful but is not strictly necessary when booking speaking engagements. It can be a useful tool to help promote yourself as a speaker and attract more speaking engagements, but it's not the only way to book speaking engagements.

A One Page Flyer to use for Pitching Speaking Engagements

A one-pager flyer is a simple,  document that you can use to promote yourself as a speaker and pitch speaking engagements. Here are some key elements that you should consider including on your one-pager:

1. Headline and tagline: Include a catchy headline and tagline that summarizes your speaking topic and what attendees can expect to learn from your presentation.
2. Photo: Include a high-resolution headshot of yourself. This will help potential clients put a face to the name and remember you better.
3. Brief bio: Include a brief bio that highlights your qualifications and experience as a speaker. This should include information about your background, relevant experience, and any awards or accolades you have received.
4. Testimonials: Include quotes from past clients or event organizers that can vouch for your speaking abilities.
5. Topics: List the topics you typically speak on, including the key takeaways attendees can expect from your presentation.
6. Contact information: Include your contact information, such as your email address, phone number, and website, so that potential clients can easily reach out to you.
7. Video or audio samples: Including a video or audio samples of your speeches can also be a great way to give potential clients an idea of your speaking style and content.
8. Social Media Link: Including your social media link like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc. can also be helpful to give an idea of your experience, background and showcase your personality.

It's important to make sure the design is clean, easy to read and visually appealing, and most importantly, that it reflects your brand as a speaker.
Speaking engagements are a fantastic was to share your expertise, build your brand and additional cash- flow to your business.

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 Each year, college interns knock on our door for the opportunity to learn about a PR career. I am thrilled to report that over the past few years, many of our interns have embarked in successful PR careers. 
For those interested in a possible career in PR, Best Colleges is a fantastic resource.
https://www.bestcolleges.com/careers/business/public-relations/ 

A career in PR can lead to a fascinating life, meeting all kinds of people in different walks in life. I have had the honor of working with Celebrities, Senators, Ambassador, Start- Ups, Lifestyle brands and well known authors. It is never a dull day in PR!


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f you are pursuing coverage in top-tier media outlets such as Forbes and similar publications, without retaining a PR agency below are some basic tips to follow.

1.  It is important to have a unique and newsworthy story. Top-tier publications are only interested in covering stories that are unique and add value to their readers.
2. Before Pitching-- Research the publication you are targeting: You should take the time to understand what kind of content the publication covers and how they cover it. This will help you tailor your pitch to their specific needs. When our team at KBC Media pitches clients, we take the time to learn as much as possible about the publication, what stories that are trending, and who covers different topics.

 3: An important step: Build relationships with Journalists: Building relationships with journalists can make it easier to get you or your business covered by the publication. Follow specific journalists' social media, and comment on their stories.

​4: The Pitch! Write a compelling Pitch: Your media pitch should clearly outline what your business is and why it is newsworthy. Make sure to include any relevant statistics or data that will help demonstrate the value of your business. Why you would be of interest to their readers and the value they will gain.

5: Social Media: You should capitalize on social media to promote your story: Use social media to promote your pitch and engage with journalists and influencers. Many journalists we have worked with stated that a vast number of stories they covered, they found on social media.

6: Targeting the right journalist: This is always the first step of our team, research the journalists at the publications who cover businesses like yours and pitch your story directly to them. Targeted outreach offers a greater chance of success, than just compiling or purchasing a media list and sending 1000 pitches.

7: Follow up: After sending your pitch, make sure to follow up with the journalist to ensure they received it and to answer any questions they may have. If that journalist does not respond after your follow-up, move on to a different journalist.
Getting media coverage is highly competitive. If you have a compelling story and strategic plan, the media will cover you! Be persistent and success will happen.

​One of the most challenging aspects of PR is the media outreach. As the founder of KBC Media, my team and I have built long-standing relationships with the media. However, with the countless outlets from blogs, digital magazines, print, broadcast and radio, the contacts keep changing.  My team and I carefully compose pitches that grab the eye of the media. Whether we have a close contact at the outlet or pitching a new contact, the pitches are carefully crafted. That is the first and most crucial steps towards success.
Below are a few tips you can do to get media outlets to open and read your pitch

1. Personalize your pitch: Make sure to address the pitch to a specific person, rather than using a generic greeting. Purchase a media database and target the writer or producer that would be interested in your niche.
2. Keep it short and to the point: Make sure your pitch is clear and concise, and get to the point quickly. Longwinded pitches get trashed. I always state, you have 30 seconds to grab the attention of the media.
3. Make it relevant: Make sure your pitch is relevant to the outlet you are pitching to and to their audience.
4. Use a catchy subject line: A catchy subject line will help your pitch stand out in a crowded inbox.
5. Follow up: If you don't hear back, it's okay to follow up once or twice. Just be sure not to be too persistent. If the media does not respond after two emails, then they have no interest.
6. Consider hiring a publicist.  If you have the budget, hiring a publicist can be a good way to get your pitch in front of the right people.  We are skilled at writing pitches and have the media contacts.

 
 

​Public relations (PR) can be an important tool for startups to raise awareness of their brand, products, or services, and build credibility with customers, investors, and other stakeholders. PR can help startups establish relationships with media outlets, influencers, and other partners, and manage their reputation, especially in times of crisis.
Here are a few specific ways that PR can benefit startups:

1. Improved brand awareness: PR can help startups increase visibility and recognition for their brand, which can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.
2. Enhanced credibility: PR can help startups demonstrate their expertise, reliability, and trustworthiness to customers, investors, and other stakeholders.
3. Greater reach: PR can help startups reach a wider audience through media placements, social media, and other channels.
4. Increased website traffic: PR can drive traffic to a startup's website through links and mentions in media coverage, which can improve search engine rankings and lead to more sales or conversions.
5. Better customer relationships: PR can help startups establish and maintain positive relationships with customers by keeping them informed and engaged through news releases, social media, and other communications.
6. Stronger employee morale: PR can help startups improve employee morale by showcasing their achievements and the positive impact of their work on the community and industry.

Overall, PR can be an effective way for startups to reach and connect with their target audience, build credibility, and manage their reputation. Many new startups initially start with DIY PR, but as soon as there is a budget it is advisable to hire a  professional firm, since most have long-standing relationships with the media outlets. so your chances of getting your  business 'seen' in the media has a greater chance of success!