220: What Conference & Event Hosts are Looking for in Speaker Pitches

The Laylee Emadi Podcast — For Speakers, Coaches, and Course Creators

If you’ve ever wondered what happens after you hit “send” on a speaker pitch, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on speaker selection with real, raw insights straight from event hosts themselves. As part of my Sought After Speaker System course, I interviewed multiple hosts about exactly what makes a pitch irresistible—and what makes them hit delete.

You’ll hear from top event producers including Elizabeth Henson, Jordan Gill, Christina Olivarez, Amber Housley, Kristina Bartold, and Joanna Waterfall, who have reviewed hundreds of pitches and applications. They share what makes them say “yes,” how they filter submissions, and why building real relationships matters more than flashy numbers.

Want to become the kind of speaker event hosts are excited to put on stage? My Sought-After Speaker System shows you how to craft irresistible pitches, build relationships with organizers, and create signature talks that make you the obvious choice.

LEARN MORE

Why Your Pitch Isn’t Landing (Even If You’re Qualified)

Let’s start with one of the biggest myths in the speaking world: that event hosts are desperate to find great speakers. They’re not.

Almost every host I interviewed made it clear: “Finding great speakers isn’t a pain point.” That means your pitch isn’t solving a problem—it’s making a request. And if that request doesn’t come with clear value, alignment, and a strong sense of what’s in it for the host, it’s going straight to the “no” pile.

So what does work?

What Hosts Actually Want

1. Trust and Relationship > Cold Outreach

Want to know what every single host had in common? They trust their speakers—because they’ve seen them in action. That doesn’t always mean long-standing friendships. But it does mean:

• You’ve been in their world (DMs, comments, membership, events)
• You’ve been referred by someone they trust
• You’ve shown up consistently and professionally

“If you want to be on my stage, you need to be in my community.” – Elizabeth

2. Clear Value Over Vague Topics

Hosts are over pitches that sound like motivational TEDx knock-offs. You need to be concrete, tangible, and clear.

“If I can find it on YouTube or a podcast, I don’t want it on my stage.” – Christina

They want:

• Specific frameworks and outcomes
• Relevance to the audience (not just your zone of genius)
• A reason why this talk belongs at this event

3. Confidence and Professionalism

Whether you’re new or experienced, how you present yourself matters. That means:

• A confident tone (not cocky, but clear and grounded)
• A strong sense of your offer or business (especially for B2B stages)
• No gimmicky language (please, no “fairy dust” talks)

“If your pitch says ‘If you ever need a speaker…’—just don’t.” – Amber

Biggest Pitch Mistakes (and What to Do Instead)

Here are a few red flags that came up repeatedly:

• Sending generic, copy/paste emails
• DMing with no understanding of the event
• Not knowing the host’s audience
• Not showing any presence in their community
• Pitching without a relevant offer or expertise

Instead, try this:

• Personalize your pitch: Mention something specific about the event or community.
• Show your receipts: Link to past talks, podcast interviews, or video.
• Lead with value: How will your session transform the audience?
• Build the relationship: Comment, DM, attend, support—before you pitch.

Why Relationships Matter More Than Ever

Every host I spoke with mentioned that their speaker lineup often comes from their ecosystem—clients, colleagues, podcast guests, community members. That’s not about exclusivity. It’s about trust.

“Speakers are an extension of my brand. I need to know they’ll deliver.” – Amber

And One More Thing…

Several hosts said they get turned off when speakers say they won’t attend unless they’re chosen to speak.

“If you’re not willing to attend, why would I trust you to speak?” – Kristina

Attending the event is one of the best ways to build that trust, understand the audience, and put yourself in prime position for future opportunities.

Want to become the kind of speaker event hosts are excited to put on stage? My Sought-After Speaker System shows you how to craft irresistible pitches, build relationships with organizers, and create signature talks that make you the obvious choice.

LEARN MORE

Mentioned in this Episode

The Sought-After Speaker System

Connect with the Guests

• Elizabeth Henson: elizabethhenson.co
• Jordan Gill: systemssavedme.com
• Christina Olivarez: thesocialbutterflygal.net
• Amber Housley: amberhousley.com
• Kristina Bartold: highvibewomen.ca
• Joanna Waterfall: instagram.com/joannawaterfall

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