Speaking
How to Create a Demo Reel

If you are looking to become a paid public speaker, one of the most important ways to land a paid public speaking gig is with a demo reel. A demo reel is like a movie trailer, but instead of previewing a movie, it’s giving an event organizer a preview into your stage presence. In fact, public speakers who have a demo reel or any kind of speaking footage are 4 times more likely to get booked than those who don’t. 

“If people are going to spend $5,000 or $10,000 to book you to speak, they want to be able to know what they’re in for before you show up,” said Mic Drop Workshop founder Jess Ekstrom.

A demo reel is an easy way for event organizers and meeting planners to get a glimpse of your topic, public peaking style, and your past experience all at once. In this post, you’ll learn how to create a demo reel that helps you stand out from the crowd and land that dream gig.

Compile Footage from Past Speaking Gigs

In order to create a demo reel, you’ll first need footage of yourself speaking at past events or public speaking engagements. Ideally, you’ll have a combination of past speaking engagement video clips as well as photos to compile into a short 2-minute video.

Create Your Own Footage

If you don’t have videos, create a slideshow of photos of you backstage, onstage, and with audience members and add a voiceover. Or, create your own speaking gig! Practice your keynote on camera in a co-working space or event space. Hire a videographer to film you speaking. No one will know there’s no audience! 

Once you’ve compiled your best video clips and event photos, hire a video editor or use a video editing software like Canva or iMovie to create the final product. Don’t forget to add music!

Share Your Demo Reel

Next, once your demo reel is ready for the limelight, upload it to a hosting site like Youtube or Vimeo. That way, you can direct people with a link to view your demo reel or embed it on your website. We highly recommend that you upload or link your demo reel on your speaker website, email signature, and LinkedIn profile.

(Need help building your speaker website? Use our fully customizable GoLiveHQ Amplify Squarespace website template.)

In a world of TikToks and Instagram Reels, it’s no secret that video is the future. Why not create a demo reel to help set yourself apart as a public speaker? Not only does a demo reel showcase your speaking skills better than any text-based webpage or social media post, but it also helps event organizers get a feel for the real you.

Check out a real-life demo reel example for Mic Drop Workshop founder, Jess Ekstrom, here.

Tag us on social media when you’ve posted yours! For more insider speaking tips and secrets, join the Mic Drop Workshop course and community of over 1,400 women who are changing the world through public speaking!

Sign up for our newsletter!

READ MORE

How to Build a Community on Social Media

How to Build a Community on Social Media

You don’t have to have a talk show, newsletter, or podcast to reach your audience in today’s day and age. Thanks to social media, you can build a platform for free entirely in the palm of your hand. Anyone with a public Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook account can...

Speaker Sister Spotlight: Sandy Spady

Speaker Sister Spotlight: Sandy Spady

Meet Sandy Spady, founder of Women with Voices, an empowerment group that gathers a collective of women together to uplift, network, and share their true stories. Sandy joined Mic Drop Workshop to empower women to follow their dreams in life no matter their age. "We...

2022 Gift Guide for Public Speakers

2022 Gift Guide for Public Speakers

It's the holiday season! Whether you're shopping for yourself or someone special in your life, here are our top 2022 holiday gift ideas for aspiring public speakers. These gift ideas range from technical gig day must-haves to virtual services that will make your life...

If you're more into texting, click the link and text us the word "SPEAKER" to get tips on how to tell & sell your story 📲

Mic Drop Workshop® helps women tell and sell their story as paid keynote speakers and authors.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter!

© Copyright 2022    |    Jess Ekstrom    |     All Rights Reserved    |   Terms & Conditions   |   Privacy Policy
Website & Branding Design by Orange Moss Creative

Take Our Quiz: "Discover Your Speaking Audience and What You Should Charge"

Take our quiz to discover your speaking audience and what you should charge.

Thanks for submitting your information – onto the quiz!

Thanks for submitting your information – here's your pdf!

Email Templates to Inquire About Diversity in an Event Lineup

Join our email list to receive these FREE email templates

Thanks! On to your email templates!