One of the fastest ways to grow your speaking business isn’t by trying to talk to everyone—it’s by getting crystal clear on who you’re speaking to and what problem you solve.

Too many speakers try to cast a wide net, thinking it’ll get them more gigs. But generalists get forgotten. Specialists get booked.

If you’re a speaker, coach, or consultant looking to grow your business this year, email marketing should be part of your strategy.

Not because it’s trendy—but because it works. Email gives you a direct line of communication to your audience. It’s more personal than social media, more reliable than algorithms, and more effective than hoping someone remembers your website after they see you speak or find you through Google.

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:

LinkedIn is a valuable search engine, billboard, and lead generator. Potential clients can search you by name, keywords, or may find you as a recommendation. Make sure when someone lands on your profile, you’ve positioned yourself well.

Do you feel overwhelmed setting goals for you speaking business?

I’ve been there. Trying to predict how many speaking engagements you’ll book and how much they’ll pay for an entire year can feel daunting. Especially if you’re trying to grow your business.

Feel exhausted at the end of the day and still feel like you barely accomplished anything?

The problem might not be what you think it is. We’re often trained to switch our mode of thinking from minute-to-minute (aka multitasking). You might think you’re staying on top of everything, but you might be compromising the quality of your work.

Insert your solution: Time blocking.

Email marketing can feel overwhelming as a beginner speaker when you’re a one-person operation (but it doesn’t have to be).

There are so many marketing “gurus” online today that it can be hard to know where you should really be putting your limited time. So I’ll help you out here and explain to you why email marketing is an area to lean into so you can not just generate more leads, but build relationships with clients that will keep your calendar filled year over year.

If you have an email list, congratulations!

You’re ahead of many other speakers who are relying on social media, referrals, and speaker agencies (all things that you do not own). But are you using your email list to nurture your audience and generate business? Or is it a list sitting around and collecting dust?

Your LinkedIn profile is how you can stand out to as an LGBTQ+ speaker.

It’s more than just another social profile — it’s your chance to be discovered, make connections, and land paying clients. If your profile is barely filled out, you’re missing out on potential gigs. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for showing your value.

Here’s how to turn your LinkedIn profile into a client magnet.