1647: Get Speaking Gigs and Clients through Public Speaking with Leisa Reid

Leisa Reid explains how business owners can use speaking as a strategic client acquisition system that builds authority and brings in ideal clients. Her approach starts with creating a client attraction talk that combines useful teaching, stories, personality, and a clear connection to the speaker's business. Next, speakers identify audiences where their message can genuinely serve, including associations, conferences, networking groups, retreats, and virtual events. Reid emphasizes monetizing speaking rather than focusing only on whether a gig pays a fee, noting that one client booked a $10,000 keynote. She also recommends leveraging existing relationships, since most people already know roughly 300 people who may lead to speaking opportunities. Her "no pouncing" rule prioritizes relationship building before asking for stages, introductions, or podcast appearances, especially when organizers already have trusted networks. The most useful takeaway is to treat speaking as a deliberate business system built around the right talk, audience, relationships, and revenue path.