My 3-Part Formula for Getting Your Speaking Pitches Accepted & Establishing Yourself as an Acclaimed Public Speaker.

Welcome to Working from Aum - my amalgamation of actionable insights and practical guidance to help you live as a leader - inside and outside of the workplace.

Written by Upasna Gautam: A Senior Product Management Leader at CNN, Chair of the Board of Directors at the News Product Alliance, angel investor, meditation practitioner, writer, mother, and daughter of Indian immigrants.

Public speaking is the skill that single-handedly accelerated the trajectory of my career and opened up doors of opportunity for me that I didn't even know existed. It's how I started building my personal brand, even before social media came into the picture.

Over the last decade, I've given talks all around the globe: from local meetups and tech conferences, to major stages like TEDx and SXSW. Not only has public speaking opened up doors of career opportunity for me, but it's also supercharged my network by allowing me to build connections with influential people that seemed "out of reach". Public speaking is truly a force multiplier for career success - the gift that keeps giving.

After speaking at conferences all across the globe for the last decade, I've distilled the common requirements that conference organizers assess into a framework that you can use for all of your pitching.

My Foolproof 3-Part Formula for Getting Your Speaking Pitches Accepted

Having a clear, concise, and compelling proposal makes all the difference. Over the years, I've honed a framework that has consistently helped me get my pitches accepted. This framework is built on 3 components: The Title, Abstract, and Key Takeaways.

Part 1: The Title

Clarity is King

The title of your proposal is your first impression. It needs to immediately convey the problem you are solving for the attendee. Keep it clear, concise, and hyper-specific. Avoid jokes, puns, and colloquialisms. Aim for 10 words or less. The goal is to make it instantly understandable and compelling.

Part 2: The Abstract

Your Value Proposition

The abstract is where you summarize the scope of your talk. It should be succinct, about 4-5 sentences long. Pose the problem your talk will address and explain why it's important. Think of the abstract as your value proposition: the unique value you will acknowledge, deliver, and communicate. It should answer the question, "Why should anyone care about this talk?"

Part 3: The Key Takeaways

Tactical Action Items

The key takeaways are a bulleted list of 3-5 learning objectives that inform the "next steps" for the attendee to take after they listen to your talk. These should be practical, actionable items that attendees can implement immediately. Think of the key takeaways as the tactical action items that will make your talk not only informative but also transformative.

Developing Your Proposal is an Iterative Process

Whether you're sending an email to an event organizer or submitting a formal Call For Proposals (CFP), this framework serves as a reliable template. I keep a running list of all my proposals in a Google Doc, constantly iterating and refining my ideas. Crafting a strong proposal becomes second nature once you've nailed down this framework.

The Power of Problem-Solving

At the heart of a successful pitch is a deep understanding of the issue you're offering a solution for. When drafting your proposal, always ask yourself, "What problem am I helping the audience solve?" Helping other people solve a problem is how you deliver value and get accepted. The best public speakers are are problem solvers first, and inspirational or motivational second.

The Wisdom of Continuous Learning

Remember: everyone has the capacity to help someone else. There is always someone who knows more than you, and there is always someone who knows less than you. This means you always have something to learn, and you always have something to teach.

Becoming a great public speakers isn't just about having great ideas - it's about articulating that idea in a way that resonates with your audience and event organizers. By following this 3-part framework, you can ensure your proposals are clear, compelling, and consistently successful. So, the next time you sit down to craft a pitch, remember: clarity, value, and actionability are your keys to success.

I'd love to hear from you! Did these tips help you secure a speaking gig? What did you find to be most valuable? Do you have another other helpful tips? Let me know in the comments!

Other Ways I Can Help You:

1. Connect with me on Instagram: I create a lot more content here on intentional career growth. As I always say: "My content is my coaching."
2. Check out my library of free resources: From podcasts, articles, and webinars, I have a lot of free resources available for you to level up your life inside and outside of work.