Grow Your Public Speaking Business

#193 - Why Broad Topics Don't Book Stages

Why Broad Topics Don't Book Stages ... And What to Say Instead

I've been thinking about Africa lately. Growing up, my parents ran mission trips, and what I watched them do every single time was get specific. This village. This well. This need. That specificity is what got things done. And it's exactly what gets speakers booked.

In this episode, I'm talking about why broad topics keep talented speakers from getting hired and the simple, specific shift that changes everything.

In this episode:

• Why event planners need specificity, not generality
• The difference between a topic that floats and one that stops the scroll
• How to identify who you're really for and what problem you solve
• Why "marketer first, speaker second" starts with your topic
• The doable momentum move you can make on your message this week

Free Resource: Ready to pitch your message to real stages? Grab my free list of 50 Events Looking for Speakers. Real opportunities actively seeking speakers right now, and the best way to step into our world. https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers

Ready to go deeper? Come join us inside Charli Jane Speakers Club, where we help you nail your message AND give you AI-powered tools to find real opportunities and pitch with confidence. 

https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

#192 - Does Your Speaker Bio Pass the 60-Second Hireable Test?

Does Your Speaker Bio Pass the 60-Second Hireable Test?

I was sitting with my coffee this morning, thinking about a member I worked with years ago, talented, gifted, and I couldn't figure out why the bookings weren't coming. We looked at her bio together, and I realized immediately: it was written for her, not for the planner.

In this episode, I'm talking about the 60-second hireable test, what event planners are actually doing when they land on your page, and the three things every bookable bio needs to do fast, clearly, and confidently.

After 24 years running Charli Jane Speakers and watching what gets speakers booked (and what quietly costs them stages), this is one of the most doable momentum moves you can make right now.

In this episode:

• Why event planners scan instead of read, and what that means for your bio
• The 3 things every bookable bio must do in 60 seconds
• The shift from writing your story to solving the planner's problem
• Why this one fix can change your entire booking season

Free Resources: 

Want to start finding real stages right now? Grab my free list of 50 Events Looking for Speakers. These are real opportunities actively seeking speakers, and it's my favorite way to welcome you into our world. 👉 https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers 

Join our 20k speaker group on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakthroughpublicspeakers 

Ready to go deeper? Come join us inside Charli Jane Speakers Club, where we help you get your brand assets working AND give you AI-powered tools to find opportunities and pitch with confidence. 👉 https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

#191 - Your Speaker Page Is Costing You Bookings — Here's the Fix

Episode Title: Your Speaker Page Is Costing You Bookings — Here's the Fix

I grabbed my coffee this morning and started scrolling through speaker websites — and I kept landing on the same feeling. So close. But not quite there. Beautiful pages, talented people, but something was quietly working against them.

In this episode, I'm talking about the gap between a page that looks professional and a page that actually converts — and the small, fixable things that make all the difference to a busy event planner who's deciding in seconds whether to reach out or move on.

After 24 years running Charli Jane Speakers, I've watched this pattern more times than I can count. The good news? Every single thing I'm talking about today is completely fixable — and you don't need a rebrand or a big budget to do it.

In this episode:

• Why event planners close your tab without ever reaching out
• The gap between "looks professional" and "feels hireable"
• The most common fixable mistakes on speaker pages
• Why clarity converts better than impressive every single time
• What doable momentum looks like for your speaker page right now

Free Resource 🎁 Ready to start finding real stages while you polish your page? Grab my free list of 50 Events Looking for Speakers — real opportunities actively seeking speakers right now, and the best way to step into our world. 👉 https://charlijane.shop/speaking-gigs/ 

Ready to go deeper? Come join us inside Charli Jane Speakers Club — where we help you build brand assets that work AND give you AI-powered tools to research opportunities and pitch with confidence. 👉 https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

Keep Inspiring, Wendi xo

#190 Talk Title Formulas That Meeting Planners Actually Book

Talk Title Formulas That Meeting Planners Actually Book

If your talk title sounds broad, meeting planners skip it — even if your talk is fantastic. In this episode, you’ll get 5 talk title formulas (plus examples) to make your promise crystal clear and instantly more bookable.

What You’ll Learn (bullets)

• Why “good” talks get ignored (it’s usually the title and outcomes)
  
• The difference between a topic title vs an outcome title
  
• How to add “the room” (who it’s for + when it’s used) so it fits an agenda
  
• 5 proven talk title formulas you can reuse forever
  
• How to write outcomes planners can copy/paste into an agenda
  

Quick Wins (for listeners who want the shortcut)

Do these 3 things today:

1. Swap vague words (“inspiring,” “powerful,” “transformational”) for a clear result
   
2. Add the room (who it’s for and where it’s used)
   
3. Write 2–3 outcomes that sound like takeaways, not themes
   
   

Links and Resources 

• Read the blog post: http://charlijane.com/190
  
  
• Download the Talk Title & Outcomes Builder
  
  
• Grab the free list of 50 events looking for speakers
  
  
• Speaker One-Sheet Starter Kit 
  
  
• Join Breakthrough Public Speakers (FB group)
  
  

 

#189 - The 7 Things Meeting Planners Look for in 60 Seconds (So Your One-Sheet Gets More Replies)

Meeting planners do not read your one sheet. They scan it. In this episode, I’m walking you through the 7 things planners look for fast so your one sheet feels clearer, more credible, and easier to say yes to.

What You’ll Learn

• What planners are deciding in the first minute
• The 7 elements that make a one-sheet feel bookable
• The most common one-sheet mistake that quietly kills replies
• How to make your one sheet easier to scan and easier to book

Quick Action Step

Open your one sheet and scan it like a planner.

In 60 seconds, can you find:

• Your one-line promise
• Your talk titles with outcomes
• Your proof
• How to book you

If any of those are hard to spot, that is your fix list.

Links and Resources

• Read the blog post: https://charlijane.com/189
• Free list of 50 events looking for speakers https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers 
• Speaker One Sheet Starter Kit: https://charlijane.samcart.com/products/onesheet-starter-kit 
• Join Breakthrough Public Speakers https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakthroughpublicspeakers 

If you want your one sheet to look hireable fast, grab the Speaker One Sheet Starter Kit. Then choose one fix from today’s episode and update it before you send your next pitch.

 

#188 - How to Write a Speaker Pitch Email That Gets Opened

How to Write a Speaker Pitch Email That Gets Opened

If you’ve been pitching yourself for speaking gigs and hearing crickets, the problem might not be your topic; it might be how you’re showing up in the inbox. 

In this episode, I break down a simple 3-part speaker pitch email formula that helps meeting planners actually open your email, read it, and respond. 

You’ll learn how to write a subject line that gets opened, an opening line that builds instant connection, and a short pitch that makes it easy to say yes … without writing a novel.

What You’ll Learn

• Why generic subject lines get ignored (even if your talk is great)
  
• A simple subject line structure that signals relevance fast
  
• How to start your email without leading with “Hi I’m a speaker…”
  
• The “about them” opening line that builds trust instantly
  
• How to pitch your talk without dumping your whole bio and links
  
• The easiest next step to invite (without sounding pushy)
  

The 3-Part Pitch Email Formula

1. Subject Line: Personal + Specific
   
   
2. Opening Line: Make it about them (prove you did your homework)
   
   
3. Value and Next Step: One clear outcome with an easy reply prompt
   

Resources Mentioned

1. Pitch Templates (grab them here): https://charlijane.com/pitchpackbundle

2. Free list: 50 Events Looking for Speakers Right Now: https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers 

Want to Connect + Get More Speaking Leads?

Join my Facebook speaker community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakthroughpublicspeakers 

Quick Ask 😊

If you found this helpful, share this episode with a speaker friend who’s been hearing crickets and tell me inside the Facebook group what subject line you’re going to use next.

#187 How to Find Paid Speaking Gigs in 2025

How to Find Paid Speaking Gigs in 2025 (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)

Feeling stuck waiting to get picked for your next speaking gig? In this episode, Wendi McNeill of Charli Jane Speakers shares five proven strategies to land paid gigs in 2025, even if you’re brand-new to the industry. 

Discover where to find real opportunities, how to pitch with confidence (not pushiness), and what simple materials help you stand out to planners. You’ll also get a free resource, 50 Events Looking for Speakers Right Now, so you can start pitching today.

Grab your free list: https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers
Resources mentioned: Pitch Like a Pro | Speaker One-Sheet $7 Starter Kit 

Breathrough Public Speakers Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakthroughpublicspeakers

 

#186 - The #1 Mistake New Speakers Make With Their Bio (And How to Fix It)

The #1 Mistake New Speakers Make With Their Bio (And How to Fix It)

🎙 Episode Summary

If you're pitching yourself as a speaker (or avoiding it altogether), your bio could be the silent dealbreaker. In this episode, I break down how your speaker bio plays a crucial role in getting noticed by event planners, and what to do if it's falling flat.

Plus, I’ll share easy ways to streamline your pitch process and start landing more opportunities with clarity and confidence.

This is a practical, no-fluff episode …  let’s get you moving forward!

A weak bio doesn’t just hurt your pitch …  it keeps you stuck and silent.

Resources Mentioned:

Meet Bobbi – Your personal bio-building sidekick. (powered by AI)

Grab the Pitch Pack Pro – Email + DM scripts that help you pitch without the stress.

Land Your Next Gig Challenge -  A 3-day challenge to help you find, pitch, and land your next speaking gig fast.

50 Events looking for Speakers!

 Join My Free 20k Speakers Facebook Group 

 

Connect With Wendi:

Website: https://charlijane.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlijanespeakers

 

#185 -The 3 Biggest Mistakes Speakers Make When Pitching (And How to Fix Them)

If you're sending pitches and hearing crickets, you're not alone. You're probably not doing anything wrong; you're just missing a few key tweaks.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest mistakes speakers make when pitching themselves for events (and how to fix them fast). These aren’t just theories—they're based on 22+ years of helping speakers get booked.

Whether you're new to pitching or have been sending emails without much traction, this episode will help you stand out in a crowded inbox—and start landing “yes” responses from event planners.

You’ll Learn:

• Why generic pitches get deleted (and how to make yours pop)
  
  
• How to instantly shift your pitch from “me-focused” to audience-centered
  
  
• The simple follow-up framework that gets you back on an organizer’s radar
  
  
• A better way to pitch without sounding pushy or robotic
  
  

Free Resource:

Want a shortcut to finding events that are actively booking speakers?
Grab my free curated list of 50 speaker-friendly events here  https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers

Links Mentioned:

• Speaker Biz Toolkit: https://charlijane.com/growyourspeakingbiz 
• Charli Jane Speakers Club: https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 
• Speaker Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakthroughpublicspeakers 

Let’s Connect:

Have a question or pitch struggle you want help with? DM me on Instagram @CharliJaneSpeakers or drop a message at Wendi@CharliJane.com

Rate & Review:

If this episode helped you, would you mind taking 60 seconds to leave a review? Your support helps get this show into more speaker ears, and helps more speakers get on more stages.

 

Keep Inspiring, Wendi - Charli Jane Speakers- CharliJane.com

#184 - Figuring Out What to Charge as a Newbie Speaker

Figuring Out What to Charge as a Newbie Speaker

Figuring out what to charge as a newbie speaker is a common challenge, but today, we will crack the code and set you up for speaking success.

We'll explore the factors influencing your speaking fee, the pricing pitfalls to avoid, and the strategies to find your sweet spot. By the end, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to charge what you're worth.

 

Resources:

Craft a Killer Speaker Bio Guide & Template - Grab it here! https://charlijane.mysamcart.com/checkout/craft-a-killer-speaker-bio 

Join the Charli Jane Speakers Club: The club opens 4x a year - If we are not open, grab your spot on the waitlist. https://charlijane.com/charli-jane-speakers-club 

I jotted down 50 + speaking events accepting speaker proposals right now! Links included + a video tutorial on how to best use the list. Start submitting proposals today! https://charlijane.com/call-for-speakers/ 

Keep Inspiring, Wendi

Charli Jane Speakers - CharliJane.com