You know you’re a competent, confident public speaker and that spending more time at the podium would be good for your law practice. The hard part is getting started. Here are five tips from law strategy coach Tea Hoffman to help sharpen your public speaking skills and score those sought-after speaking invitations.
Table of contents
- 5 Ways to Raise Your Speaking Profile
- 1. Be Known for Something Interesting
- 2. Get Better at Speaking (On Purpose)
- 3. Carry Yourself Like the Public Speaker You Want to Be
- 4. Don’t Nominate Yourself
- 5. Be a Friend to Each Organization That Asks You to Speak
- Extra: Preparing Your Speaker One-Sheet
- More Pointers on Speaking Skills from Attorney at Work Contributors
5 Ways to Raise Your Speaking Profile
Let’s start with the obvious: If you’re a lawyer, you already speak for a living. You explain complicated things to skeptical audiences who interrupt you, argue with you, and occasionally glare at you from the bench. Public speaking is not the hard part.
The hard part is knowing where to begin. Trust me, I’ve been there. Here are a few ideas to get you started on boosting your speaking skills — and profile.
1. Be Known for Something Interesting
Great speakers aren’t booked because they’re “experienced.” They’re booked because they’re clearly known for doing something specific or for having depth of knowledge in an area. When someone talks about bitcoin litigation, for example, they think of only a few names. And believe it or not, even if you don’t think your area is all that interesting, others might. Younger lawyers and business professionals are yearning to learn basic concepts that can improve their future.
Your topic also doesn’t have to be about a specific area of law. It could be on how the profession is evolving, why lawyers remain loyal to certain firms and not others, or even the challenges of dealing with demanding clients. You need to feel confident you can speak with conviction on your topic, whatever it may be.
Finish this sentence: “I know I could speak about ______________, in a way that would add value.”
2. Get Better at Speaking (On Purpose)
Yes, organizers book speakers for ideas — but delivery still matters. Don’t assume your courtroom voice automatically translates to a stage or CLE room.
Watch great speakers. Watching full-time speakers, those who make their living speaking, is not only entertaining but highly educational. Watch specifically for their:
- Timing
- Eye contact
- Body language
- Pace of the talk
- Voice inflection
Write notes as they speak. What resonates with you, and what could you utilize to improve your own speaking style?
Consider taking a speaking class, such as Toastmasters. Then practice speaking — a lot. Record yourself, don’t be too critical, grade yourself and improve, and then repeat this several times. Finally, give your talk to your closest friends and ask for honest feedback. Ask for feedback from people who will tell you the truth, not just “you were great!” Again, record yourself (yes, it’s painful; yes, it works).
Repetition without reflection is just habit.
3. Carry Yourself Like the Public Speaker You Want to Be
Your online presence is more than just necessary; it plays a crucial role in your professional identity. If you’re going to speak at professional legal or business conferences, your public persona needs to reflect professionalism and expertise.
Take the time to develop your online profile, whether it’s on LinkedIn or your professional bio on your firm’s website, to effectively showcase your speaking topics. When you can, include a captivating video clip that shows your speaking skills, so your audience can feel your energy and insights.
Be intentional about listing your previous speaking engagements, published works, and professional affiliations that relate to your topics. Choose content that builds your credibility and shows your commitment to your field. This approach not only boosts your reputation but also opens doors to new speaking opportunities where your expertise can shine.
4. Don’t Nominate Yourself
Most speaking opportunities arise from referrals, not self-promotion. Share your topics and preferred venues with a few trusted colleagues and ask them to recommend you. This approach has a greater impact.
5. Be a Friend to Each Organization That Asks You to Speak
Be available when the group needs you, especially at the start. Don’t expect to be paid every time for speaking. As a practicing lawyer, if your goal is to gain credibility and spread knowledge, you might ask only for your travel expenses.
On the other hand, if your goal is to make a living speaking, it is essential to have an honest conversation about the organization’s budget and your fee upfront. If you aim to build a speaking career, it is vital to get the list of attendees after the event so you can stay in touch with them, and they may hire you in the future.
After the event, share your content with each organizer so they can use it in their publications. Always send a kind note of thanks and stay up to date with their organization on social media.
The best speaking invitations often sound like: “We’ve noticed you for a while ….”
Related: “5 Things to Ask Before You Say Yes to a Speaking Gig.”
These are just a few tips that will help you on your speaking journey. You don’t need permission to begin. You need clarity, consistency, practice and persistence.
The speaking opportunities come after that.
Extra: Preparing Your Speaker One-Sheet
In 2026, event organizers are inundated with pitches. To make the cut, you need a professional speaker’s one-sheet. Think of this as your speaking resume — a single-page PDF (and a dedicated page on your firm’s website) that proves you are a safe bet for the podium.
Your one-sheet should include these items:
- Benefit-Driven Bio. Don’t just list your bona fides. Frame your expertise around the problems you solve for an audience. (For example, “Helping GCs navigate the shifting landscape of AI compliance.”)
- Video Snippets. Organizers rarely book a speaker they haven’t heard. Include a 60-second highlight reel link showing you in action — even if it’s just a well-lit clip from a recent webinar or a mini-keynote recorded in your office.
- Signature Presentation Titles. List three or four “plug-and-play” topics. Make the titles punchy and outcome-oriented so the organizer can immediately see where you fit in their program.
- Social Proof. Include two to three short testimonials from past event chairs or attendees. If you’re just starting out, a quote from a colleague praising your presentation style works too.
- A High-Resolution Headshot. Provide a professional photo with a transparent background. Making the event planner’s job easier by giving them ready-to-use marketing assets makes you a go-to favorite.
More Pointers on Speaking Skills from Attorney at Work Contributors
Confidence Is Personal: Being a Better Public Speaker
Introduce Yourself to Your Audience, Please!
7 Public Speaking Tips for Videoconferencing
How to Be a Better CLE Panelist
Empower Your Next Presentation With These 10 Tips
Need to Speak About Complicated Stuff? Talk About People
Watch the Seams: Speaking Lessons from Tennis Stars
Stop Rough-Drafting and Learn to Speak with Precision
The Articulated Pause: You Don’t Have to Make Noise While You Think
The Trap of Vertical Speaking Notes
5 Ways to Make Speaking Engagements Pay Off
Image © iStockPhoto.com.
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