Getting started as an expert speaker at PepTalk

Getting started as an expert speaker at PepTalk starts with one question: what do you know that other people need to hear?

We all have an incredible array of individual talents and skills, and teaching and speaking to others about your ideas helps you refine them and even see them in a new light. Turning that expertise into paid speaking work means understanding what we look for when we review applications. There's no single formula, but here's what we consider, plus what actually happens once you're on the roster.

How to get started as an expert speaker

1. Define your story

Are you an established voice in your field? Or do you have a compelling story?

We usually bring two types of people onto the PepTalk platform: real-world experts and authorities in their field. A real-world expert usually has lived experience and an incredibly compelling story that either makes people sit up and listen or inspires them to take action. Authorities are subject-matter experts at the forefront of their field, whether that's leadership and management, career-building skills, work culture or wellbeing. PepTalk's roster spans both types, from Ian Hawkins to Richard Newman and Caroline Goyder. Their profiles are a good reference point for the range we're looking for.

Although we appreciate ambitious individuals, we need evidence of your seriousness and experience outside your personal network. While we don't expect you to have a long career behind you, it's essential to have built something outside your direct connections. We can't consider a speaker based on their plans if there's little happening in the present.

2. Build a track record

PepTalk offers paid speaking engagements and creates on-demand content, so it's not an ideal training ground if you don't already have some experience speaking in front of an audience. If the answer is no, one good way to start is to submit proposals to speak at relevant seminars and conferences. Even panel opportunities or webinars are a good way to get noticed.

If you're already a confident, established storyteller, that's great! We always advise having at least three topics or session formats you know exceptionally well, with well-crafted titles. Whether that's a keynote, a fireside chat or a more interactive workshop session, the right format tends to depend on your material and your audience.

3. Get your session formats and topics ready

Make sure you can clearly explain what potential bookers and their audiences will take away from your session, and offer more than one way for a client to book you. For example, a speaker whose core subject is resilience might offer a conference keynote on turning setbacks into strategy, a shorter breakout talk with an audience Q&A, and a half-day workshop that walks a team through a practical framework using their own recent challenges. Having that range ready before you apply, rather than working it out afterwards, is a strong signal that you understand how organisations actually book speakers.

4. Promote yourself

Being any sort of subject-matter expert or authority today is challenging. You need to be skilled not just in your field of expertise but also in marketing, social media, photography, writing and content creation. While not everyone is comfortable with this, especially the demanding aspects of social media, engaging with these elements is necessary because they're crucial for promoting your personal brand and value.

If you don't have a track record of smaller events but have a substantial social media following or online presence, we still might be able to work together, as that shows people are excited to hear what you have to say.

5. Inspire people to change how they think or act

We need our speakers to offer actionable insights that people can act on in their daily lives. That's not to say we don't want world-record-breaking mountaineers, but the point is you're not teaching people to climb a mountain; you're showing them how to embrace perseverance, develop grit and build teamwork through the power of storytelling. This is true across every topic on our roster, whether that's leadership development, career growth, work culture or wellbeing: audiences remember what they can act on, not just what they hear.

6. What happens after you apply

Once you've submitted your application, someone from our team will review it against the points above. If it looks like a good fit, we'll follow up for an informal call to talk through your topics, formats and fees before deciding on next steps together. We can't respond to every application given the volume we receive, but every submission is read.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to become a PepTalk speaker?

Email us with a short introduction to yourself, your area of expertise and a sense of your speaking or storytelling experience so far, and we'll take it from there.

Do I need previous professional speaking experience?

Not necessarily. What matters most is having a genuine track record, whether that's built through your career, your platform, or smaller speaking opportunities. Plans alone aren't enough, but you don't need a long resume of keynotes either.

What topics is PepTalk looking for?

We work across leadership and management, career-building skills, work culture and wellbeing, among other areas. If you have a compelling, actionable perspective in a related field, we'd like to hear from you.

How does PepTalk decide on my speaking fee?

Fees are agreed between you and the PepTalk team based on your experience, format and the client's budget. We'll always talk this through with you directly before any booking is confirmed, so there are no surprises on either side.

What if I'm not the right fit yet?

We keep a note of promising applications so we can reach out again as our roster and client demand evolve. Building your profile in the meantime, through more stage time, case studies or testimonials, makes a real difference to a future application.

Hopefully you now have a clearer picture of what we look for in a PepTalk expert. If you think you qualify, email us to submit your interest in becoming an expert speaker. We review applications regularly, and if we think you could be a good fit, we'll follow up for a casual chat with the team. We can't respond to every application due to the volume we receive, but we appreciate you taking the time to apply.