Katie Bullon speaking at IFS

Becoming a Public Speaker: From Digital Entrepreneur to Conference Speaker

You’ve built a business online. You’ve carved out your niche as a digital entrepreneur. And now, you’re thinking about stepping up to the stage. Learning how to become a public speaker isn’t just about holding a microphone. It’s about sharing your story, connecting with others, and showing your value in front of a room rather than behind a screen.

The move from behind-the-scenes business builder to conference speaker can feel like a big one. I’ve taken that step myself, and I’m still learning as I go. This guide offers what I’ve found helpful, in a way that’s practical and based on real experiences.

Whether you’re looking to share what you’ve learned about marketing, meet fellow British entrepreneurs, or build trust with new audiences, this guide can help you find your footing.

1. Why Digital Entrepreneurs Make Great Public Speakers

If you’re a digital entrepreneur, you’ve probably:

    • Solved real problems using online tools

    • Built communities, often from scratch

    • Adapted to tech and marketing shifts

    • Told stories in campaigns, blogs, or videos

These are all solid foundations for public speaking. You’re not starting from zero. You already have experience worth sharing.

Many digital entrepreneurs have also picked up marketing skills along the way. As the digital world keeps evolving, people want to hear from those who’ve been through it. Your perspective matters, especially at events focused on small business or growth.

Speaking gives you another way to build trust, generate leads, and connect with people beyond your usual channels. And you don’t have to be an expert with a hundred talks behind you. Some of the most engaging speakers started exactly where you are.

2. Understanding the Value of Public Speaking

So why do it?

Public speaking can lead to opportunities you might not find elsewhere:

    • Credibility — You’re seen as someone worth listening to

    • Visibility — Events often lead to new contacts and conversations

    • Trust — People remember what they hear and who they hear it from

    • Influence — You get to share your view in a space that values it

    • Networking — Some of the best connections happen in the breaks

A 2022 study from HubSpot found that 81% of B2B decision-makers trust people more after seeing them speak in person. If you’re building your brand, that stat speaks volumes.

Even one “presentation at the conference” can shift how people view your business. And if you’re a British entrepreneur, there’s real interest in hearing from people growing things locally.

3. Building Your Personal Brand for Speaking Opportunities

Before anyone puts you on a stage, they need to know why they should. That means having a few basics in place.

What helps build credibility:

    • A website with a speaker bio, sample topics, and short clips if possible

    • An up-to-date LinkedIn profile that mentions talks or workshops

    • A short video — even a screen-recorded webinar works

    • Thought leadership content like blogs or whitepapers

If you’ve worked on successful campaigns or built something unique, talk about it. You don’t need to shout. Just make it easy for people to see what you bring.

4. Where to Start: First Speaking Gigs

Start small and local. That’s where I began too. It doesn’t need to be polished or perfect.

Some options to get going:

    • Host a free workshop at a coworking space or charity

    • Guest on a podcast (these count as speaking)

    • Join a panel — less pressure than a solo talk

    • Run an Instagram Live or online Q&A

    • Reach out to your local Chamber of Commerce

These early experiences are like training sessions. They help you build confidence without needing a big platform straight away.

5. Crafting a Presentation That Connects

Your goal isn’t to impress. It’s to connect.

Especially at conferences, people respond to talks that are clear, useful, and a little personal. Here’s a simple structure that works:

    • Start with a story or a surprising fact

    • Focus on 2 or 3 clear points

    • Give takeaways people can use straight away

    • Keep slides clean and visual

    • Be yourself — the real you is more powerful than any script

One question I always ask myself before speaking is: What would be most helpful to this audience right now?

6. Navigating Conference Speaking Engagements

When you’re ready to speak at a bigger event, it’s good to know what organisers are looking for.

They want:

    • A clear topic with practical value

    • A short video showing how you speak

    • A talk that fits the event theme

    • Some promotion support (sharing on LinkedIn, for example)

Applications often open 6 to 12 months before the event. Don’t leave it too late. And always tailor your pitch to the event.

Include:

    • A strong title and a few bullet points explaining the talk

    • A short bio and contact info

    • Links to past talks or videos

    • A line on how you’ll share the talk with your network

Also, think about accessibility — can you offer a summary or slides afterwards?

7. Marketing Yourself as a Speaker

After you’ve done a talk, let people know about it.

Ways to share your speaking:

    • Post a recap on LinkedIn

    • Add the talk to your website

    • Share short video clips or quotes

    • Ask for a testimonial from the organiser

    • Include it in your newsletter

You’re not showing off. You’re helping people understand what you do and why it matters. That visibility builds trust over time.

8. Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Out

Here are a few things I’ve seen — and sometimes done myself:

    • Over-rehearsing to the point you sound stiff

    • Focusing too much on selling instead of sharing

    • Not understanding who the audience is

    • Rushing through the talk without pausing

    • Forgetting to record it for your own use

Also, don’t stress about the applause. The real value often shows up later, in a message or email that says, “That talk helped me.”

9. Building Trust and Authority as a Speaker

Trust comes from being useful and consistent, not flashy slides.

Ways to build your voice:

    • Share honest reflections, not just polished wins

    • Collaborate with others in your space

    • Publish helpful content when you can

    • Back up your ideas with examples or research

If you’re looking to develop your marketing skills further, take a look at the CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing). It’s a great resource for marketers at all levels.

10. Tools, Resources and Suggested Visuals

Some tools to help you prepare:

    • Canva for simple, professional slides

    • Zoom or WebinarJam for hosting online talks

    • Otter.ai for transcribing your practice sessions

    • Eventbrite and Meetup for finding local speaking events

You don’t need to be famous or flawless to start speaking. You just need a story, some insight, and a willingness to help others learn from your journey.

If you’ve built a business, shared your ideas online, or solved problems for clients, you already have something to say. Start with a topic you know well. Share it somewhere small. Then build from there.

Next step: Write down three talk titles based on your own experience. Then look for one event or group that might want to hear one of them.

If you’re a digital entrepreneur ready to explore public speaking, or simply want help refining your message, get in touch with the team at activ Marketing. We help consultants build visibility, credibility, and confidence, both online and on stage.

I have seen so many social media managers on TikTok recently sharing how tough Q4 is shaping up to be. Many described September as one of their worst months yet, with clients pulling out, content budgets cut, and income dropping overnight.

But that is not what we saw at activ.

And even if it had been evident in some way, it would not have shaken us. Our growth model, and the way we teach our franchisees to run their marketing businesses, is not built on luck or trends. It is built on structure, multiple income stream forecasting, and long term client relationships.

The difference between freelancing and building a business

It frustrates me to see brilliant, creative people losing sleep over the next invoice because they have never been shown how to make their income secure. The issue is not their skill. It is the lack of structure and guidance that turns creative chaos into commercial stability.

No one should live in that feast or famine cycle when they are self employed. I’ve been there, back in 2014 when I started out as a solo freelancer. 

When I first went self employed, I had two clients. The contract values together came to £6.5k. At the time, that felt incredible. I thought, this is it, I am winning already.

But no.

Those projects consumed me. I had no time for business development, no processes, and no real boundaries. I was learning client management, pricing, and systems as I went along. What looked like profit on paper turned out to be pain in reality.

That was a massive wake up call.

I realised that you cannot build a business relying on two or three individuals to decide whether you get paid that month. Even though I have been there, I still find it crazy to think that so many self employed marketers are doing exactly that right now.

You need recurring income to create stability

Recurring income is what makes your business predictable. It gives you space to breathe, plan, and grow. It is the foundation that keeps your income steady when projects slow down or clients pause work. And yes, it needs to be secured with a contract!

If your clients are paying you on retainers or subscriptions with clear agreements in place, you are no longer waiting for someone else to decide whether you can pay yourself. You are running a business, not chasing invoices.

Now, the Pareto Principle tells us that 80% of your revenue usually comes from 20% of your clients. That is a natural pattern, but it is also a dangerous one when you only have a handful of clients in total. If one of those key clients leaves, your income takes a huge hit.

The goal is not to fight Pareto, but to rebalance it. Have enough clients in your mix that if one pauses, your bank account does not. A larger client base means smaller percentages per client, and that gives you security.

A forecast should be used to build a healthy mix of income streams that blend subscriptions, monthly fees, retainers, and one off project work. This approach gives balance, flexibility, and resilience. It allows you to plan ahead rather than live month to month hoping your next reel or pitch fills the gap.

How to build stability using the Solo Power® approach

My #SoloPower® approach is about creating structure and strategy so that freedom is built in, not hoped for.

Here are five actions you can take right now to step out of the feast or famine cycle.

  1. Build recurring revenue first, not last
    Even if your retainers start small, secure that predictable base before solely chasing project work. Stability gives you freedom to be creative again.
  2. Review your pricing every quarter
    If you are charging the same as you were six months ago but working harder, it is time to adjust. Value your expertise.
  3. Set clear boundaries and processes
    You teach clients how to treat you. Scope creep and time thiefs are business killers. Clear communication and contracts are essential.
  4. Use a forecast
    See what your next three months look like. Map your recurring income and identify gaps early. When you plan, panic disappears.
  5. Stay connected to others in business
    Isolation is dangerous. Community keeps you accountable, inspired, and supported when things get tough.

From feast or famine to freedom

The feast or famine cycle is not a test of resilience. It is a sign that your business is missing structure.

Freedom does not come from working alone. It comes from systems that protect your time, income, and creativity.

That is exactly what I teach through #SoloPower®, an approach built to help solo marketers and freelancers create security, community, and recurring income that lasts.

If you are ready to take the next step, my next FREE guide on How to Combat The Time Ceiling And Build Financial Security shows how to create sustainable structure in your business.

👉 Workbook- How to Combat The Time Ceiling and Build Financial Security