3 Big Mistakes Professional Speakers Make When They Rely on Referrals to Grow Their Business (And How to Fix Them)

You can’t control the number of referrals you get — or if you’ll get any at all.

You can deliver the perfect talk, receive a standing ovation, and have people racing to talk to you after you step off the stage — but that doesn’t mean you will get a referral. Let’s delve into the 3 biggest mistakes you might be making:

Mistake #1: Thinking “If I’m good, more gigs will come”

The reality is that you might be an amazing speaker, but the decision-makers won’t remember you when they book their next event months or a year later.

The fix? A simple monthly newsletter will keep you top of mind so past clients and new leads think of you first when they need a speaker.

Mistake #2: Not capturing the attention of potential clients

The reality is that just because someone in the audience loved your talk doesn’t mean they’ll remember to book you for their organization later.

The fix? You can collect and nurture leads from your talk. A simple opt-in on your website and at the end of your Talkadot can turn warm audiences into booked gigs.

Mistake #3: Waiting for someone else to market you

The reality is that referrals put your business in someone else’s hands. You’re waiting for clients to think of you, talk about you, and recommend you.

The fix? With an email list, you control your visibility. You position yourself as the go-to speaker in your niche.

Referrals are great — but they should be a bonus, not your whole strategy. If you want a speaking business that grows beyond word-of-mouth, start building an email list today.