Grow Your Public Speaking Business

One Talk, Multiple Revenue Streams — How to Make Your Message Work Harder I was seventeen years old when I went to Camp Okontoe and something shifted. You never know when those moments are coming — you just show up, a little nervous, and somewhere in the middle of an ordinary moment, a door opens. That's what your signature talk is. Not just a keynote. A door. And behind it is an entire world of w...

Stop Waiting to Be Discovered: How to Build a Real Speaking Pipeline For years, while I was building Charli Jane Speakers, my husband was on the road climbing cellular towers, gone for weeks at a time. I was home holding the fort, building something, and waiting for the season to shift. What that season taught me is that hope is not a strategy. Purposeful, consistent action is what moves things fo...

The One Sentence That Gets You Booked There was a season in my life when everything fell apart. And what I remember most isn't the hard part, it's the moment I got quiet enough to hear what was actually true. One direction. One next step. That clarity became the foundation of everything I've built since. I think about that season every time I work with a speaker on their messaging. In this episode...

Why Broad Topics Don't Book Stages ... And What to Say Instead I've been thinking about Africa lately. Growing up, my parents ran mission trips, and what I watched them do every single time was get specific. This village. This well. This need. That specificity is what got things done. And it's exactly what gets speakers booked. In this episode, I'm talking about why broad topics keep talented spea...

Does Your Speaker Bio Pass the 60-Second Hireable Test? I was sitting with my coffee this morning, thinking about a member I worked with years ago, talented, gifted, and I couldn't figure out why the bookings weren't coming. We looked at her bio together, and I realized immediately: it was written for her, not for the planner. In this episode, I'm talking about the 60-second hireable test, what ev...

Episode Title: Your Speaker Page Is Costing You Bookings — Here's the Fix I grabbed my coffee this morning and started scrolling through speaker websites — and I kept landing on the same feeling. So close. But not quite there. Beautiful pages, talented people, but something was quietly working against them. In this episode, I'm talking about the gap between a page that looks professional and a pag...

Talk Title Formulas That Meeting Planners Actually Book If your talk title sounds broad, meeting planners skip it — even if your talk is fantastic. In this episode, you’ll get 5 talk title formulas (plus examples) to make your promise crystal clear and instantly more bookable. What You’ll Learn (bullets) Why “good” talks get ignored (it’s usually the title and outcomes) The difference between a to...

Meeting planners do not read your one sheet. They scan it. In this episode, I’m walking you through the 7 things planners look for fast so your one sheet feels clearer, more credible, and easier to say yes to. What You’ll Learn What planners are deciding in the first minute The 7 elements that make a one-sheet feel bookable The most common one-sheet mistake that quietly kills replies How to make y...

How to Write a Speaker Pitch Email That Gets Opened If you’ve been pitching yourself for speaking gigs and hearing crickets, the problem might not be your topic; it might be how you’re showing up in the inbox.  In this episode, I break down a simple 3-part speaker pitch email formula that helps meeting planners actually open your email, read it, and respond.  You’ll learn how to write a subject li...

How to Find Paid Speaking Gigs in 2025 (Even If You’re Just Starting Out) Feeling stuck waiting to get picked for your next speaking gig? In this episode, Wendi McNeill of Charli Jane Speakers shares five proven strategies to land paid gigs in 2025, even if you’re brand-new to the industry.  Discover where to find real opportunities, how to pitch with confidence (not pushiness), and what simple ma...

The #1 Mistake New Speakers Make With Their Bio (And How to Fix It) 🎙 Episode Summary If you're pitching yourself as a speaker (or avoiding it altogether), your bio could be the silent dealbreaker. In this episode, I break down how your speaker bio plays a crucial role in getting noticed by event planners, and what to do if it's falling flat. Plus, I’ll share easy ways to streamline your pitch pro...

If you're sending pitches and hearing crickets, you're not alone. You're probably not doing anything wrong; you're just missing a few key tweaks. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest mistakes speakers make when pitching themselves for events (and how to fix them fast). These aren’t just theories—they're based on 22+ years of helping speakers get booked. Whether you're new to pit...

Figuring Out What to Charge as a Newbie Speaker Figuring out what to charge as a newbie speaker is a common challenge, but today, we will crack the code and set you up for speaking success. We'll explore the factors influencing your speaking fee, the pricing pitfalls to avoid, and the strategies to find your sweet spot. By the end, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to charge what you're wor...

Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a New Speaker Stepping into the world of public speaking can sometimes bring a sneaky feeling called 'impostor syndrome.' It's that voice in your head saying you're not good enough or you don't belong on stage. But guess what? Many great speakers have felt this way at some point. The good news is you can overcome it and shine as the speaker you're meant to be.   Res...

10 Ways to Leverage Social Media for Speaker Brand Building Are you a speaker looking to get more people to know and love what you do? Social media is like a magic wand that can help you do just that! It’s a great way to show the world how awesome you are. Let’s discuss how to use social media to build your brand and become a well-known speaker!   Resources: Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide &...

Networking for Newbie Speakers My Top Tips for Maximizing Events When building your business in this industry, it’s one thing to have incredible speaking skills down pat, but there's another crucial aspect you can't afford to neglect: networking. That's right, rubbing elbows with industry folks, making connections, and building relationships – it's all part of the gig.  Resources: Craft a Killer S...

Effective Time Management for Busy Public Speakers   In the fast-paced world of public speaking, managing your time effectively is as crucial as delivering a great speech. Juggling speaking engagements, preparation, and personal life can be a challenge, but you can excel on stage and off with smart time management. Let’s explore how to maximize your hours to become an efficient and stress-free spe...

Speaking at Local Events: A Gateway to Bigger Stages   Are you looking to make a splash in the world of public speaking? Starting local is a brilliant strategy. Local events offer a unique platform to hone your skills, build your reputation, and prepare for larger stages. It’s like training in a friendly arena before heading to the Olympics of public speaking. Resources:   Craft a Killer Speaker B...

How to Craft Your Compelling Speaker Backstory in 30 Minutes   Want to know the secret sauce to captivating your audience from the get-go? It's all about your speaker backstory – the tale of how you became the incredible speaker you are today.    It’s a key tool in getting your audience (either online or in-person) to relate to you on a human level. And the best part? You can create your compellin...

11 Key Elements to a Successful Speaker Website   Want to have a website that makes a planner say, “Wow, this speaker is amazing!”? Your website is like your online home where people can learn all about you and what you do. Let’s explore the key things you need to make your speaker website awesome!   Resources:   Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club/...

Maximizing Social Media to Expand Your Reach as a Speaker Ready to supercharge your online presence by leveraging the power of social media?  With billions of eyeballs spread across multiple platforms, if you’re desperately trying to expand your reach as a speaker, there’s seriously no better – or faster – way of doing it than by upping your game on your social channels. So, let's dive into some j...

Crafting Effective Calls to Action in Your Speeches Hey friends! Do you want to make your speeches powerful and get your audience to do something amazing after listening to you? That's what a 'Call to Action' (CTA) is all about. It's like a superhero's punch in your speech that makes people want to act. Let’s learn how to make your CTAs super effective!   Resources:    Keynote Speech Outline- Grab...

Creating Impactful Speaker Bios That Attract Organizers Are you excited to craft a bio that makes event organizers think, “We absolutely need this speaker!”? A great bio is like a magic key that opens the doors to fantastic speaking opportunities. Let’s learn how to create one that sparkles with your unique personality!   Resources: Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! h...

9 Must-Know Strategies for Marketing Yourself as an In-Demand Keynote Speaker Have you ever dreamed of being the keynote speaker that captivates event audiences? Do you aspire to spread your message on big stages but aren’t sure how to position yourself to get booked?  If so, leveraging smart marketing tactics is key to establishing your authority and credibility - which drives more lucrative spea...

Lights, Camera, Speaking! Creating Videos for Your Speaker Website Have you ever wondered about creating videos for your speaker website? It's like adding a sprinkle of magic that can seriously enhance your brand and connect with your potential clients. Videos give them a front-row seat to your passion, energy, and the very essence of what you bring to the stage. But how do you get started? Is it...