A speaker media kit packages your proof, positioning, and booking assets so event planners can say yes faster.
One 10-minute signature talk can change the trajectory of your career. How much depends on what happens after you step off the stage. Because a great talk that nobody hears is not very powerful. But when you use it as an asset in your speaker media kit, it grows legs.
That’s why it’s more important to select a stage with a large YouTube following over a large audience and why you should title your talk for SEO and repackage it across social media, your website, and more.
Keynote speaking is a business, and, like any business, its success or failure depends a lot on visibility. Here we’ll talk about your speaker media kit and the four speaker assets you need to get booked.
What Is a Speaker Media Kit?
Every booking begins with a sales process. Whether a planner discovers you through LinkedIn, a referral, a podcast interview, or your pitch, they need proof that you can deliver, as well as a clear understanding of your topics, audience, credibility, and professionalism.
A speaker media kit is a collection of assets that helps event planners evaluate, promote, and book you. Think of it as your speaking business packaged into a professional, easy-to-share format.
Each asset in your media kit should answer the following questions quickly and confidently. When it does, it becomes one of your most valuable sales tools for bookings.
- Can this speaker engage an audience?
- What topics do they cover?
- Why are they qualified?
- What makes them different?
- Do they have proof?
- Can I easily share this information with my team?
1. Speaking Reel. Your Asset that Sells Your Stage Presence
A speaking reel is one of the most powerful assets in your media kit because it allows event planners to experience what it will be like to hire you. It’s a “movie trailer” that shows what you bring to their event when they hire you. It gives organizers a quick glimpse of your energy, expertise, stage presence, and ability to connect with an audience.
What are three things you should have in your speaking reel?
A speaking reel is not flashy. In fact, that can hurt you more than help you. Here’s an in-depth guide to creating a speaking reel. And here is a quick summary of the three things you should have in your speaking reel:
- Extract a 45-90 second audio clip. Your audio clip or soundbite is the backdrop for your speaking reel. It should be you speaking, sharing a message that’s important and relevant to your speaker topics. These sound bites are clips from a talk or talks you delivered on stage.
- Ask for a few testimonials. Aim for two to three testimonials that show the transformation audiences went through or the experience event planners had when hiring you to speak at their event. These testimonials are peppered throughout the 45-90 second sound bite.
- Get media coverage. Media coverage includes podcasts, speaking events, book tours, and other activities that promote you and your ideas to the public. These are also peppered throughout your speaking reel.
Where should you use a speaking reel?
Before answering this, here’s an example of a speaking reel. Honestly, it would be better cut at 2 minutes. But it serves as a guide.
Once you create your speaking reel, it lives in your media kit and works for you as a stand-alone speaker asset (hint: all the assets inside your media kit work independently and together).
Here are just a few places to use your speaking reel:
- Website. Link to your reel above the fold on your homepage using a “learn more” button. Post it to your About page. And keep it in your media kit so you can easily share it with event organizers.
- Speaker bureau profile. If you use a speaker bureau, post your reel so organizers can see it.
- Inquiry responses. In most cases, event organizers will ask to see your speaking reel. If you’re sharing your media kit, make sure your speaking reel is clearly labeled.
- LinkedIn and other social platforms. Post to your LinkedIn profile, use as an Instagram highlight, post to YouTube, and share across other social platforms where your audience and event organizers visit.
2. Speaker One-Sheet: Your Asset that Decision-Makers Share Internally
Most speaking engagements are decided by a committee or, at the very least, two to three people. It should be easily shareable and whenever possible confined to a single page.
Here’s a three-part blueprint we’ve found to be most successful with our clients:
The Header: A quick introduction.
This section includes a recent professional headshot, your name and title, a short list of your accomplishments, and your two to three most in-demand speaker topic titles. If you have a logo, you can include it here.
The Body: Topic details and key takeaways.
For each in-demand speaking topic listed in the header, describe it in the body. This should include the title of the talk. (Note: the titles listed in the header should match the titles in the body exactly.) Include a brief summary of the talk that shares a glimpse of your original thinking. For example, [Your name] believes that the most powerful part of a sales conversation is the first five words because…
Include a separate paragraph in bold that describes what the audience will take away: Your audience will learn that what you say first shapes the conversation and the outcome. [Your name] will show you how to construct a three-part conversation that closes more sales more quickly.
The Footer: A short bio, social proof, and how to book.
The final section is the footer, where you will include a short bio of not more than 200 words and social proof. Your bio should be a short paragraph. For social proof, use: “As seen in [magazine]” and “[TV interview].” Include logos if possible. Finally, make it very easy for event organizers to book you or get in touch with you; include your full name, email, phone number, or both. You can also include a QR code.
The body takes up two-thirds of the space on the page. The header and footer take up the other third, with the header using slightly more space than the footer.
Where should you use a one-sheet?
Your one-sheet lives inside your media kit and as a link on your website. It is also the document you will share with event organizers. For your one-sheet to work for you, it must be easy to find and easy to download.
3. Supporting Assets: The Materials that Make Booking Easy
When it comes to choosing between you and another speaker, the one who wins most often is the one who makes it easiest for event organizers.
That’s where your supporting assets play their biggest role.
Your supporting assets should include:
- Short biography (50-100 words)
- Long biography (150-250 words)
- High-resolution headshots
- Testimonials
- Client logos
- Introduction script
- AV requirements
Where should you place supporting docs?
Your supporting materials should live on a dedicated media kit page on your website. Keep this very simple. Within your media kit, list each asset. Include a link or “download now” option.
Most of the material here is also listed elsewhere on your site. For example, your About page will have a short or long bio. Your homepage likely has a headshot. What you’re doing is giving bookers a quick way to copy and paste the information they need.
4. Speaker Website: Your Digital Headquarters
Your speaker website is the home for every other asset in your media kit.
A strong website helps organizers explore your topics, review your credibility, and determine whether you are a good fit for their stage. It’s the place they go for a “deep dive.” They are looking for enough information to make a confident decision.
The homepage is divided into three primary sections: above the fold, the body, and the footer. The area above the fold is the ignition switch with a gentle call to action. This section very quickly tells readers who you are and what you do. Your speaking reel works perfectly here as a gentle CTA with the words “learn more” or “see me in action.”
The body tells visitors what you do in more detail. Don’t be wordy. Use the design to support your message. The footer includes site navigation and contact information. Include “Media Kit” in the header menu, the footer navigation, and as a button at least once on your homepage.
When designing your website, ask yourself (and test it): Can an event organizer find what they’re looking for within 10 to 15 seconds?
Where should you advertise your website?
Everywhere.
- Email signature
- LinkedIn profile
- Podcast bios
- Speaker profiles
- Media appearances
- Any place someone might look for additional information about you
Final Thoughts
Your media kit is your sales engine. It is what turns a great talk into a working asset. And it’s what turned my first TEDx talk into millions of dollars in revenue over 10 years, allowed me to make a huge career pivot, and put me on the map as a speaker.
You don’t need to curate your media kit overnight. At the very least, create a speaking reel and one-sheet. Begin organizing your speaking assets into a single page on your website. Title it “Media Kit.” Include links or download buttons.
Make it easy for event organizers to say ‘yes.’
