The How Women Rise Program is designed to help you break the habits that hold you back from your peak potential.

Ready to Rise?

Public Speaking and Building Your Brand: How to Start, Succeed, and Secure Speaking Gigs

December 23, 2024

Speaking

networking

how women rise

confidence

branding

Business

ALL POSTS

explore the blog

How women Rise
Live event in vegas

the grit blueprint
podcast

You'll also love

search the post index

MORE ABOUT ME

I'm the founder of Build Women, where I help women in the construction and building industries grow, lead, and succeed. With over 30 years of experience, my passion lies in empowering women through leadership training, events, and community building. Together, we’re breaking barriers and shaping the future of the industry.

i'm stefanie couch

Public speaking is one of the most powerful tools to build your personal brand, showcase your expertise, and create new opportunities. It’s not just about getting up on a stage—it’s about connecting with people, sharing your story, and positioning yourself as a thought leader.

I still remember my first real speaking opportunity: a panel talk at a women’s leadership event for the construction industry. I was excited but nervous. What could I offer that the audience hadn’t already heard? Would my experiences resonate? But as I answered the first few questions, something clicked. People weren’t looking for perfection—they were looking for authenticity. That moment set the foundation for my public speaking journey.

If you’re ready to step into the spotlight and build your brand through speaking, this guide will help you get started, refine your skills, and secure those all-important gigs.


Why Public Speaking Matters for Building Your Brand

Here’s the reality: people trust and connect with those they see and hear. Public speaking puts you in front of an audience as a trusted voice, making it one of the fastest ways to build credibility and grow your influence.

Key Benefits of Public Speaking:

  1. Showcase Expertise: Speaking establishes you as a go-to expert in your niche.
  2. Build Visibility: Every event is a chance to get your name in front of key players in your industry.
  3. Create Opportunities: Speaking gigs often lead to consulting offers, partnerships, and leadership roles.
  4. Strengthen Connections: People remember stories and faces. Your talk can spark conversations that lead to lasting professional relationships.

How to Start Your Public Speaking Journey

1. Start with Panels and Conversations

Like my first experience, panel discussions are a great way to ease into public speaking. Unlike solo presentations, panels give you the chance to share your perspective without the pressure of carrying the entire conversation.

Pro Tip: Prepare thoughtful answers to likely questions beforehand, but remain flexible. Panels often veer off-script, so listening actively and responding authentically is key.

2. Choose Your Niche

What’s your area of expertise? What stories or lessons can only you share? Your niche should align with your professional experience and personal passion. For example, I’ve focused on leadership in construction and empowering women in male-dominated industries.

3. Develop Your Core Message

Think of your core message as the “why” behind your speaking. It’s the takeaway you want your audience to remember. My first talk revolved around this truth: women in construction don’t need to change who they are—they just need to own their space.

Ask yourself:

  • What do I want to teach, inspire, or challenge in my audience?
  • How can my experiences help others navigate their own journeys?

4. Start Small, Then Scale

Begin with low-pressure opportunities, like:

  • Panel discussions at industry events.
  • Local networking groups.
  • Internal company presentations or lunch-and-learn sessions.
  • Virtual webinars.

These smaller platforms help you build confidence and refine your skills before tackling larger stages.


How to Land Speaking Gigs

1. Build Your Speaker Bio

Your bio is your first impression. Highlight your experience, expertise, and the unique perspective you bring. Include:

  • Your professional background.
  • Key accomplishments or awards.
  • The topics you speak on and why they matter.
  • A high-quality headshot.

2. Leverage Your Network

Reach out to connections in your industry. Let them know you’re available to speak and share your bio. Word of mouth is incredibly powerful—don’t be afraid to ask for introductions to event organizers or panels.

3. Pitch Yourself

Be proactive. Research events in your industry and contact organizers with a tailored pitch. Here’s a sample template:

Subject: Speaker Opportunity – [Your Name]

Dear [Organizer’s Name],

I’m reaching out about [Event Name]. As a [Your Role/Expertise], I’ve spoken on [Topics or Panels] and would love to contribute to your event.

My focus is on [Your Core Message/Value Proposition], and I specialize in helping audiences [Achieve Outcome or Solve Problem]. I believe this aligns perfectly with your event’s mission.

Please find my bio and past speaking details attached. I’d be happy to discuss further.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

4. Build Your Online Presence

Use LinkedIn, Instagram, or your website to share insights, short videos, or articles on your speaking topics. This establishes you as a credible voice and makes it easy for organizers to find you.


Polishing Your Public Speaking Skills

1. Practice Makes Progress

Record yourself practicing and watch it back. Look for areas to improve your delivery, like pacing, tone, and body language.

2. Focus on Connection, Not Perfection

Audiences don’t expect you to be flawless—they want you to be real. Sharing a personal story or admitting a challenge you’ve faced can make your talk more relatable.

3. Control Your Nerves

Everyone gets nervous, even experienced speakers. Here’s what works for me:

  • Deep breaths before stepping on stage.
  • Focusing on the value I’m providing, not the fear of messing up.
  • Having water nearby in case my throat gets dry.

4. Stay Engaged During Q&A

Be ready for audience questions. If you don’t know an answer, it’s okay to admit it and offer to follow up later.


Your Speaking Career: Scaling Up

Once you’ve gained confidence, focus on growing your visibility:

  1. Create a Speaker Reel: Record clips of your talks and combine them into a short highlight video showcasing your expertise and style.
  2. Expand Your Topics: Build new presentations around related themes to appeal to a broader audience.
  3. Collaborate with Others: Co-host webinars, join panel series, or partner with organizations to reach more people.
  4. Set Your Rates: As your experience grows, don’t hesitate to charge for your time and expertise.

A Final Thought on Public Speaking

When I look back at that first panel discussion, I’m grateful I said “yes” despite my nerves. That opportunity wasn’t just the start of my speaking journey—it was the foundation for building a personal brand that aligned with my passion and purpose.

If you’re thinking about stepping into the world of public speaking, my advice is simple: Start before you’re ready. You don’t need to be perfect; you just need to be willing to share your story.


Actionable Takeaways:

  1. Start with small opportunities like panels and internal presentations.
  2. Create a compelling speaker bio and build your network.
  3. Focus on authentic connection rather than perfection.
  4. Expand your presence online and pitch yourself to events.
  5. Grow your portfolio, diversify your topics, and monetize your expertise.

Public speaking isn’t just a skill—it’s a platform to amplify your voice and create real change. The world needs your story, so step up, speak out, and let your voice shape the future.

Want to join the Build Women network? Check out this link.

Share this post:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

networking

how women rise

confidence

branding

Business

ALL POSTS

explore the blog

How women Rise
Live event in vegas

the grit blueprint
podcast

You'll also love

search the post index

MORE ABOUT ME

I'm the founder of Build Women, where I help women in the construction and building industries grow, lead, and succeed. With over 30 years of experience, my passion lies in empowering women through leadership training, events, and community building. Together, we’re breaking barriers and shaping the future of the industry.

i'm stefanie couch

At Build Women, we are on a mission to empower and equip women in the building and construction industries. Our goal is simple yet powerful: to help women grow, lead, and excel both professionally and personally. We recognize that representation and support for women in our fields can be limited, and we're here to change that.

Build Women is my passion project. 

Hi, I'm stefanie couch!

join now

Be part of a powerful community dedicated to empowering women in the construction and building industries. By joining the Build Women Network, you’ll gain access to exclusive resources, mentorship opportunities, and industry insights that drive success. Connect with like-minded professionals, share ideas, and build relationships that fuel your growth. Together, we’re breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and shaping the future of the industry.

Join the Build Women Network: Where Bold Women Shape the Future

Don't miss out!

free community

Network