For public speakers, success isn’t just about delivering an impactful message—it’s about consistently securing new speaking engagements. One of the most overlooked but critical aspects of building a thriving public speaking career is follow-up. Whether you're pitching yourself to podcasts, associations, or conferences, effective follow-ups can dramatically increase your chances to get booked to speak and ultimately get paid to speak.

In a recent SpeakerHUB Coworking Session (watch the full session here), we explored the importance of follow-ups and shared actionable insights on how speakers can improve their approach. Here's a practical guide based on that discussion. You can also find additional session recordings and connect with fellow speakers at speakercoworking.com.

Why Follow-Ups Matter for Public Speakers

Many speakers focus all their energy on crafting the perfect pitch but neglect the power of a well-timed follow-up. As we highlighted during the session:

"Almost 80% of your results come from follow-ups. Most people send one or two pitches, but it often takes five or more contacts before you secure a booking."

The stats are clear:

• 48% of people send only one pitch.

• 25% send a second pitch.

• 12% follow up a third time.

• Only 10% go beyond three follow-ups—yet 80% of bookings happen after the fifth contact.

Persistence pays off. If you want to grow your business as a speaker, you need a system that keeps you in front of the right people—consistently and professionally.

Building a Follow-Up System

Success starts with organization. Here’s how to build your follow-up system:

1. Use a Tracking Sheet

Keep separate sheets for each type of pitch:

• Podcasts: Track pitch date, show name, host, follow-up dates, and status.

• Associations: Record contact name, organization, and communication history.

• Conferences: Log event names, organizers, pitch outcomes, and follow-ups.

2. Create a Speaker Q&A Cheat Sheet

Having a ready-to-go document saves time and helps you respond professionally. Include:

• Your third-person bio

• Social media and website links

• Key takeaways from your talks

• Suggested discussion topics

• Any freebies, books, or offers for the audience

This cheat sheet can be attached during follow-ups or used to quickly answer host questions.

Automating Your Follow-Ups with SpeakerHUB

Automation helps you follow up faster without sacrificing personalization. With SpeakerHUB, you can:

• Save email templates in your branding kit

• Customize responses quickly for different events

• Turn off AI-generated suggestions for full manual control

As we shared in the session:

"You can create templates for common follow-up scenarios and save them in your branding kit. When it’s time to follow up, just drop in the right template and make it your own."

This system frees up time and ensures no lead falls through the cracks.

Best Practices for Speaker Follow-Ups

Keep these principles in mind:

• Be Persistent, Not Pushy: Space your follow-ups with a friendly tone.

• Offer Value Every Time: Share new info—like a recent podcast episode or testimonial.

• Always Personalize: Use names, reference event topics, and show you’ve done your homework.

• Know Your Audience: Address the key players:

  • The Owner (who books you)

  • The Beneficiary (who hears you)

  • The Payer (who funds you)

Using Follow-Ups for Long-Term Relationships

Effective follow-ups go beyond landing a single gig. They help build trust and establish long-term partnerships. Don’t just close the deal—stay in touch before and after the event.

Offer:

• Pre-Event Add-ons: VIP dinners, panels, or meet-and-greets

• Post-Event Opportunities: Webinars, workshops, or Q&A sessions

This added value strengthens relationships and opens the door to repeat bookings.

Final Thoughts: Follow-Up for Speaking Success

If you want to get paid to speak and book more speaking opportunities, follow-ups are your secret weapon. Build a reliable system, automate where possible, and always lead with value.

Most importantly: don’t stop after one email. The majority of bookings happen after several contacts. Stay organized, be authentic, and keep showing up.

Want help developing a better follow-up strategy? Join our daily SpeakerHUB Coworking Sessions—held Monday to Friday at 12 PM Eastern (GMT-05)—and get expert guidance from peers and coaches. Join us here and start converting more pitches into bookings today!