How to Create a Speaker Website That Gets You Booked!

How to Create a Speaker Website That Gets You Booked

Before I launched into professional speaking myself, I was on the other side of the stage—I actually hired speakers ... and dozens of them!

As a former Dean of Students and university administrator, I served on multiple Speaker Selection Committees for campus and state/national association events. And the truth is, we often selected keynote speakers not by who stood out… but by ruling others out!

Speaker websites made that decision easy to hire them or not!

Now, with over 25 years in the speaking business and after building (and rebuilding!) my own speaker website many times, I’ve reviewed hundreds of other speaker websites — for inspiration, comparison, and now, speaker coaching.

I also regularly ask executives and meeting planners why they selected me. If they mention my website, I take note—and make sure the features they valued are emphasized and easy to find.

So when I review websites for the aspiring speakers I coach, I bring three perspectives:

• A fellow speaker who knows what actually works

• A former event planner who had to choose between dozens of speakers

• A strategist who understands how to position your expertise with clarity and confidence

If you're serious about getting booked for speaking engagements, your website isn't optional. It's often your first impression—and one of your most important marketing tools.

The good news? You don’t need to start from scratch or create a separate site just for speaking. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or creative professional, you can integrate speaking into your existing brand in a clean and compelling way.

If you don't have any website at all, within the next 30 days, you can!!

Here's how:

1. Buy Your Domain and Matching Email

Your name (or speaker brand) should be your domain. Example: KevinCSnyder.com.

Also use a matching email address — would you agree that Kevin@KevinCSnyder.com looks far more professional than a generic KevinCSnyder@gmail.com or KevinCSnyder@hotmail.com or KevinCSnyder@hotmail.com? Not sure what domain to buy? Let’s chat about the best fit for your long-term brand.

• If your name is commonly mis-spelled like mine, buy that website domain too!! Test me out by visiting the incorrect - and commonly mis-spelled - version of my name at KevinCSynder.com or KevinSynder.com (notice where these forward to my current website.)

2. Don’t Build It Yourself (Unless You’re a Designer)

There are amazing DIY tools out there—but unless website design is your actual business, hire a pro. Your website reflects your professionalism and is often your only chance to make a solid first impression. Your 1st PAID speaking engagement will pay for your website and thank you for all the speaking engagements afterward.

• If you need help finding an affordable website designer, let's schedule a chat so you can get referrable and vetted professionals I would recommend.

3. Home Page Essentials

Whether you’re just starting out or refreshing an older site, here are key speaker-centric elements every homepage should have:

• A photo of you in action – Ideally photos (plural!) of you on stage or in front of an audience. It doesn’t have to be a big event—Toastmasters, a local workshop, or even a Rotary talk counts. These are free opportunities for you to showcase and position yourself as a speaker. No one knows whether you were hired to speak or not.

• A demo video – Short (2–3 min) and ideally a longer version (7–10 min) too. You will be asked for one—having it front and center positions you well.

• Client logos and testimonials – Even pro bono speaking engagements count as a "client." So do "clients you've worked with" as a coach, consultant, trainer, etc. ... so display who you have worked with visually and in text. Reinforce credibility. Want to see a sample of this? Visit my Client Summary page here.

• Language that mentions “speaking” – Don’t hide it in a submenu. Weave it into your homepage messaging.

• Email opt-in – Offer a free gift (a checklist, guide, or video) to start building your list. Visit KevinCSnyder.com for an example.

Don't have photo or video? SPEAK to get what you need!! See end of Module 2 inside my book, PAID to $PEAK which shares and outlines how to find speaking opportunities to get what you need! You can also see this 'Speaker Tip' blog article I wrote on how to 'Monetize any Free Speaking Engagement' to get what you need for both your website and demo video!

4. Add a “Speaking” Tab

This is essential. A dedicated Speaking page instantly signals that you're available—and qualified—for speaking engagements.

Your Speaking tab should include:

• A 1–2 sentence positioning statement (who you help + how)

• 1–2 speaker photos

• Demo video(s)

• Featured keynote(s) with title, description, and audience outcomes

• Testimonials from speaking clients

• A simple “Ways to Work with Me” section (no pricing needed)

  
  

You can borrow structure ideas from my Speaker Packet (pages 4–5) to shape your own offerings. Visit my own website at www.KevinCSnyder.com to download my own Speaker Packet!

5. Optimize Your Other Pages

If you have a Coaching, Consulting, or Services tab, sprinkle in mentions of speaking. It reinforces your range of expertise and boosts your SEO. Position yourself as a multi-faceted thought leader.

6. Create a Powerful Contact Page

Your “Contact” page should also function as your “Hire Me” page. Include a form with:

• Name / Email / Organization

• Type of event

• Audience description

• Ideal date or timeline

• Budget range (optional)

• How they found you

  
  

Make it easy for decision-makers to inquire about booking you. See my form example here: https://kevincsnyder.com/hire-kevin

7. Quick Wins & Extra Tips

• Don’t add unnecessary pages. Every tab should have a clear, strategic purpose (TEDx talk, book, demo reel, etc.).

• Start speaking now—even 2–3 engagements in the next 30 days can provide photos, video, and testimonials.

• Speaking creates content. You don’t need a perfect website to start booking. Start speaking to build your site along the way.

  
  

Final Thought

Your website is your digital stage. It can either open the door to speaking engagements—or quietly close it.

If you want help building or refining your speaker website, let’s talk. I’d be honored to walk through your site (or site-in-progress) with you and offer direct, personalized feedback.

You’ve got this. And I’ve got your back.

To your speaking success,

Kevin Snyder

Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)

www.PAIDtoSPEAK.biz

www.KevinCSnyder.com

Earn greatness today! Onward and upward!

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

Not getting PAID speaking engagements?

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.