How I Landed My Largest Speaking Engagement Yet in 2026🎤

1 day ago
3 min read

How I Landed My Largest Speaking Engagement Yet in 2026 (Part 1)

This week, I had the opportunity to keynote for an incredible company called Net32—an online marketplace serving dental practices across the country. They are a fully remote company and this was their annual meeting with all employees coming together.

Think of it like “Amazon for dentists”—faster, easier, and more efficient than traditional purchasing through reps.

But here’s the thing… I’m not writing this because of who I spoke for. I’m writing this because of how I got booked.

Because there are lessons here.

So much so that I’m turning this into a short series:

Part 1: How I landed the engagement
Part 2: How I prepared
Part 3: How I delivered (and what happened next)

A Quick Reality Check (From My 6-Year-Old)

Right before I spoke, I FaceTimed my daughter.

“Daddy, where are you?”

“I’m about to go speak for a company.”

She paused… then asked:

“Are you nervous?”

I said, “A little.”

Her response?

“Why are you nervous if this is what you do all the time?”

…Mic drop. Perspective shift.

Repetition is the mother of skill—and sometimes the reminder you need comes from a 6-year-old.

So… How Did I Land This Engagement?

Here’s exactly what happened:

1. They Found Me

They submitted an inquiry through my website. Visit here to see what that looks like.

Lesson: Your website should be working for you.

2. I Responded FAST

I replied within a few hours.

They actually commented on this.

Translation: Most speakers are slow to respond. Opportunity: Be the one who isn’t.

3. I Asked to Confirm the Budget 'Range' they Indicated on the Online Inquiry

How did I know their budget? Because it's one of the questions on my online inquiry form! But sometimes, there budget is higher or lower (or a range) compared to what they indicated.

Not awkward at all. Not pushy. Just professional.

Most speakers avoid this. I don’t.

Clients have told me they appreciate it because it speeds up decision-making.

Lesson: Asking smart questions reduces friction—it doesn’t create it.

4. I Prepared Like Crazy for the First Call

Before our first meeting, I:

Researched their company deeply
Found internal insights (goldmine)
Even scheduled a dentist appointment to understand their industry

Yes… seriously.

Lesson: Preparation = differentiation

5. I Prepared Even MORE for the CEO Call

I was one of four speakers selected to meet with the CEO.

So I went deeper:

Researched him personally
Found shared connections/interests
Built rapport quickly

At one point he said:

“If you prepare your keynote like you prepared for this call, you’re at the top of my list.”

That’s when I knew.

6. Then Came the Curveball: “Send a Proposal”

I hadn’t been using formal proposals much lately. Didn’t need to. Options are already listed in my Speaker Packet which you can download off my website here: www.KevinCSnyder.com

But this time? I leaned in.

7. I Built a Custom Proposal (Game Changer)

I documented:

Their goals
Their challenges
Their language

Then I created a 2-page tailored proposal integrating all our transcribed conversations, my research, notes, etc. (with help from ChatGPT).

I even added: A “Beyond the Keynote” package with follow-up sessions

Their response:

“Kevin, you put the time in on every level… you’re the best fit.”

Final Thought (For Now)

I didn’t land this because I’m “better.”

I landed it because I was:

Faster
More prepared
More intentional
More aligned

What’s Next…

And yes… I delivered the keynote this week.

Standing ovation. Immediate referral.

And this from their CEO:

“Your presentation was a highlight of our event… it was a pleasure working with you.”

In Part 2, I’ll break down exactly how I prepared for the keynote—and what I did differently that made all the difference.

If you’re serious about landing more paid speaking engagements, this is the level I can help guide you and show you.

Let me know if I can help.

—Kevin

Earn greatness today! Onward and upward.

Want to speak professionally, part-time or full-time?

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I've been honored to present for over 1,000,000 people through 1,150+ audiences in all 50 states and several countries. Whether I'm on a stage or in a training room with professionals or students, I absolutely LOVE motivating and inspiring people for higher performance. And in addition to my own speaking business, I have a passion for helping and coaching speakers learn how to catapult their speaking whether part-time or full-time. My book, PAID to SPEAK, outlines a proven model for speakers and is now an online course as well! Click here for online course info!

If you are serious about becoming a professional speaker, explore my coaching and mentorship options. I don't want you to flounder like I did and be frustrated.