Where to List Public Speaking on LinkedIn: A Speaker’s Guide

The million-dollar question, isn’t it? You’ve honed your craft, captivated audiences, and now you need to showcase your public speaking prowess on LinkedIn. Here’s the definitive answer: Public speaking experience should be strategically woven throughout your LinkedIn profile, appearing primarily in the Experience section, the Skills & Endorsements section, the Accomplishments section (specifically, “Projects” and “Courses”), and even within your About section. Think of it as an integrated marketing campaign – each section playing its part to paint a complete picture of your speaking abilities.

Maximizing Your LinkedIn Presence as a Speaker

Let’s break down each area for optimal impact.

Experience Section: Speaking Engagements as Mini-Roles

Don’t just list your day job. Treat each significant speaking engagement as a mini-role within your Experience section. This is critical. For each engagement, include:

• A concise title: For instance, “Keynote Speaker, [Event Name]” or “Panelist, [Conference Title]”
• The organization or event: Clearly state the event organizer or conference name.
• Dates of the engagement: Be precise.
• A compelling description: This is where you shine! Quantify your impact whenever possible. Instead of “Spoke about leadership,” try “Delivered a keynote address on leadership strategies to 500+ attendees, resulting in a 20% increase in workshop sign-ups (based on post-event surveys).” Highlight the topic, audience size, and outcomes. Use action verbs like “Delivered,” “Presented,” “Facilitated,” “Moderated,” and “Inspired.”
• Media: Did the event organizers record your talk? Did anyone write about it? Add links to videos, articles, or testimonials directly to the Experience entry. Visual evidence is incredibly powerful.

Skills & Endorsements: Building Credibility Through Validation

The Skills & Endorsements section is your opportunity to build credibility through third-party validation. Add skills like “Public Speaking,” “Keynote Speaking,” “Presentation Skills,” “Communication Skills,” “Facilitation,” and any niche skills relevant to your speaking topics (e.g., “Cybersecurity Awareness Training,” “Agile Methodologies,” “Data Visualization”).

• Prioritize relevant skills: LinkedIn allows you to pin your top skills. Make sure “Public Speaking” and related skills are front and center.
• Request endorsements: Reach out to past audience members, event organizers, or colleagues who have witnessed your speaking abilities and ask them to endorse you for these skills. Endorsements add significant weight to your profile.
• Consider Skill Assessments: LinkedIn offers skills assessments. If you feel confident, take the assessments for relevant skills. Passing these assessments adds a verified badge to your profile.

Accomplishments Section: Projects & Courses

The Accomplishments section offers two valuable avenues for showcasing your speaking experience:

• Projects: Use the “Projects” section to detail larger speaking initiatives or ongoing speaking engagements. For example, if you regularly conduct workshops on a specific topic, create a “Project” entry to describe the series, its objectives, and the impact it has had.
• Courses: If you’ve taken courses to improve your public speaking skills (e.g., Toastmasters, presentation coaching), list them in the “Courses” section. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

About Section: Your Speaker’s Elevator Pitch

Your About section is your chance to tell your story as a speaker. Craft a compelling narrative that highlights your:

• Speaking expertise: Briefly describe your areas of expertise and the topics you speak about.
• Unique speaking style: Are you known for being humorous, insightful, or motivational? Let your personality shine through.
• Target audience: Who do you typically speak to? Specifying your target audience helps attract relevant opportunities.
• Value proposition: What value do you bring to audiences and event organizers? What makes you a sought-after speaker?
• Call to action: Encourage people to connect with you, visit your website, or view your speaking reel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Should I create a separate LinkedIn profile specifically for my speaking career?

Generally, no. Unless your speaking career is entirely separate from your professional background, it’s best to integrate it into your existing profile. A single, comprehensive profile allows you to leverage your entire network and showcase your diverse skill set.

2. How do I handle speaking engagements that were confidential or not publicly advertised?

Focus on the skills you utilized and the impact you made without revealing confidential information. For example, you could say “Delivered internal training sessions on [relevant topic] to improve employee performance and compliance.”

3. What if I’m just starting out as a public speaker and don’t have many engagements to list?

Focus on relevant skills, training, and any opportunities you’ve had to present, even in smaller settings. Participate in local events, join Toastmasters, and actively seek out speaking opportunities to build your portfolio. Highlight any relevant coursework or projects from your education.

4. How important are recommendations for public speaking on LinkedIn?

Recommendations are incredibly valuable. Request recommendations from event organizers, attendees, or colleagues who have witnessed your speaking abilities. Specific and enthusiastic recommendations carry significant weight.

5. Should I include my speaking fees on my LinkedIn profile?

Generally, no. Speaking fees are best discussed directly with potential clients. Your LinkedIn profile should focus on showcasing your value and expertise, not negotiating prices.

6. How often should I update my LinkedIn profile with new speaking engagements?

Update your profile regularly – ideally after each significant speaking engagement. Keeping your profile current demonstrates that you are actively engaged in your speaking career.

7. What’s the best way to showcase a speaking reel on LinkedIn?

The most effective way to showcase your speaking reel is to upload it to a platform like YouTube or Vimeo and then embed the link in your Experience section entries and/or your About section.

8. How do I use LinkedIn to find more public speaking opportunities?

• Join relevant LinkedIn groups: Participate in discussions and network with event organizers and other speakers.
• Follow industry influencers: Stay up-to-date on industry trends and speaking opportunities.
• Use LinkedIn’s search function: Search for events, conferences, and organizations that align with your speaking expertise.
• Actively engage with your network: Let your connections know that you are available for speaking engagements.

9. How can I optimize my LinkedIn profile for search engines so that event organizers can find me?

Use relevant keywords throughout your profile, especially in your headline, About section, and Skills section. Think about what event organizers would search for when looking for a speaker in your area of expertise.

10. What if my primary role is not a professional speaker, but I speak on the side?

Clearly differentiate between your primary role and your speaking engagements in the Experience section. You can create a separate entry for your speaking activities, even if they are part-time.

11. Should I list every single speaking engagement, even the small ones?

Focus on listing the most impactful and relevant engagements. Quality over quantity. Listing too many minor engagements can dilute the impact of your profile.

12. How can I use LinkedIn to build relationships with event organizers?

• Connect with event organizers directly: Send a personalized connection request explaining why you are interested in their events.
• Engage with their content: Comment on their posts and share their articles to demonstrate your interest and expertise.
• Attend their events (virtually or in person): Networking at events is a great way to build relationships and learn about upcoming speaking opportunities.

By strategically integrating your public speaking experience throughout your LinkedIn profile, you can effectively showcase your expertise, attract new opportunities, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. Remember, your LinkedIn profile is your digital stage – make it count!