• Table of Contents

  • How to Get Speaking Gigs That Build Brand Equity
  • Why Most Speaking Gigs Are a Waste of Time
  • The Strategic Speaking Framework: From Vanity to Value
  • 1. Audience Fit
  • 2. Brand Alignment
  • 3. Content Control
  • 4. Post-Event Leverage
  • How to Actually Land High-Impact Speaking Gigs
  • 1. Build a Strategic Speaker Profile
  • 2. Pitch Like a Pro (Not a PR Intern)
  • 3. Leverage Strategic Partnerships
  • 4. Own Your Niche
  • Turn the Mic Into a Marketing Machine
  • 1. Record Everything
  • 2. Slice and Dice
  • 3. Syndicate Strategically

How to Get Speaking Gigs That Build Brand Equity

Most speaking gigs are ego trips in disguise. But the right ones? They’re brand equity rocket fuel. If you’re a CMO, founder, or marketing exec still chasing panels like it’s 2012, it’s time for a strategic reset. This isn’t about collecting lanyards or humblebragging on LinkedIn. It’s about owning the room, shaping the narrative, and turning a mic into a marketing machine. Here’s how to land the stages that actually move the needle—and how to make every word count.

Why Most Speaking Gigs Are a Waste of Time

Let’s rip the Band-Aid off: 80% of speaking gigs are glorified networking events with bad coffee and worse ROI. If your goal is to build brand equity, you need to be ruthlessly strategic about where you speak, what you say, and who’s in the room.

• Panels with five people and one mic? Pass.
• Events with no post-event content strategy? Hard no.
• Conferences where your audience is other speakers? You’re preaching to the choir—and they’re not buying.

Brand equity isn’t built by being seen. It’s built by being remembered. And that means choosing stages that align with your brand’s strategic narrative, not your ego.

The Strategic Speaking Framework: From Vanity to Value

Here’s a framework we use at MarkCMO to evaluate whether a speaking opportunity is worth your time—or just another LinkedIn post waiting to be ignored.

1. Audience Fit

Ask yourself: Is this the audience I want to influence? Not just impress. Influence. That means:

• Buyers, not peers
• Decision-makers, not interns
• People who can amplify your message, not just clap politely

2. Brand Alignment

Does the event’s brand elevate yours—or dilute it? If you’re a premium B2B SaaS brand, you don’t belong at a “growth hacking” summit with neon logos and TikTok panels. You want:

• Events with editorial integrity
• Organizers who vet speakers, not just sell slots
• Audiences that match your ICP (Ideal Customer Profile)

3. Content Control

If you can’t control your message, you can’t control your brand. Avoid formats where:

• You’re one of six people on a panel
• You get 10 minutes sandwiched between lunch and a crypto keynote
• You’re told what to say (or worse, what not to say)

4. Post-Event Leverage

The talk is just the beginning. The real value comes from how you repurpose it:

• Video clips for social
• Slides turned into LinkedIn carousels
• Quotes turned into PR soundbites

If the event doesn’t allow recording or content reuse, it’s a missed opportunity.

How to Actually Land High-Impact Speaking Gigs

Now that we’ve filtered out the fluff, let’s talk about how to get on the right stages—the ones that build brand equity, not just your ego.

1. Build a Strategic Speaker Profile

This isn’t your resume. It’s your brand story in speaker form. Include:

• A bold POV (not just “marketing trends” but “why most CMOs are doing content wrong”)
• Signature topics that align with your brand’s positioning
• Proof of performance (clips, testimonials, past events)

2. Pitch Like a Pro (Not a PR Intern)

Event organizers are drowning in generic pitches. Stand out by:

• Leading with a provocative idea, not your bio
• Tailoring your pitch to the event’s theme and audience
• Offering a unique format (e.g., live teardown, debate, AMA)

3. Leverage Strategic Partnerships

Sometimes the fastest way to the stage is through someone already on it. Partner with:

• VCs who sponsor events
• Agencies with speaking slots
• Media brands looking for expert contributors

4. Own Your Niche

Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Be the go-to voice for one big idea. For example:

• “The CMO as Chief Revenue Officer”
• “Why Brand Is the New Performance”
• “How to Build a Category Without Burning Cash”

When you own a niche, event organizers come to you.

Turn the Mic Into a Marketing Machine

Getting the gig is just the beginning. Here’s how to turn one talk into a full-funnel content engine.

1. Record Everything

Bring your own videographer if needed. Capture:

• Full talk video
• Audience reactions
• Behind-the-scenes content

2. Slice and Dice

Turn one talk into 20+ assets:

• Short clips for social
• Quote graphics
• Blog recaps
• Email newsletters

3. Syndicate Strategically

Don’t just post and pray. Distribute through:

• • Your company’s owned channels
  • Partner newsletters

Mark Gabrielli
Founder, Mark CMO
[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/in/marklgabrielli