Episode 131 - Why your speaking topic isn’t selling and how to fix it

Episode 131 - Why your speaking topic isn’t selling and how to fix it

From Pitch Perfect by Jaimie Abbott

August 29, 2025 · 10 min

About this episode

Jaimie Abbott discusses common mistakes speakers make with their topics and offers strategies to enhance their appeal to event organizers.

If you’ve been pitching yourself as a speaker but not getting booked, the problem may not be you, it could be your topic. In this episode, Jaimie Abbott unpacks the three biggest mistakes speakers make when crafting their keynotes: being too broad, not solving a problem, or sounding just like everyone else. Event organisers don’t book “nice-to-have” topics - they book speakers who can solve urgent problems for their audience. Jaimie shares practical strategies to turn your topic from forgettable to irresistible, including reframing vague ideas into outcomes-driven titles, testing your pitch before sending it out, and packaging everything into a punchy speaker’s menu. You’ll also hear real client transformations that went from generic talks to booked-out gigs worth $10K+. Remember, your job isn’t just to inspire, it’s to deliver transformation. Nail your topic, and the bookings (and paychecks) will follow. Doors for   Paid to Speak   open again in October! Join the waitlist now and get early access plus a bonus 1:1 session with Jaimie:   www.jaimieabbott.com.au/paidtospeak   Plus, don’t miss   Paid to Speak LIVE , Jaimie’s full-day in-person event in…

People in this episode

Host: Jaimie Abbott

Topics covered

  • speaking
  • keynote topics
  • event organizing
  • transformation
  • marketing strategies

Keywords

  • speaking topics
  • keynote
  • event organizers
  • problem solving
  • speaker's menu

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Paid to Speak

Places: Newcastle, Australia

More episodes of Pitch Perfect

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Pitch Perfect podcast page.