Virtual Speaking Opportunities: How to Find and Crush Remote Gigs

Virtual speaking has evolved from a pandemic necessity into a permanent fixture of the speaking industry. For speakers willing to master the format, it opens doors to global audiences without leaving home.

Why Virtual Speaking Matters

- No travel costs: Higher profit margins per engagement - Global reach: Speak to audiences anywhere in the world - Higher volume: Book more gigs without travel days - Lower barrier: Easier to break into than in-person keynotes - Recorded content: Every virtual talk can become marketing material

Finding Virtual Speaking Opportunities

Where to Look 1. Online conferences and summits — Many have shifted permanently to virtual or hybrid formats 2. Webinar series — Companies and associations run regular webinar programs 3. Virtual workshops — Higher-fee opportunities with smaller, engaged groups 4. Online courses and masterclasses — Create and sell your own content 5. Corporate virtual events — Remote team kickoffs, training sessions, lunch-and-learns

Using Technology to Discover Opportunities Filter for virtual and hybrid events on platforms like SpeakerRealm's Opportunities page. Set up alerts for remote-friendly opportunities in your niche.

Delivering an Outstanding Virtual Presentation

Technical Setup - Camera: At eye level, good quality webcam or DSLR - Lighting: Ring light or two-point lighting setup - Audio: USB microphone or lavalier mic (never use laptop mic) - Background: Clean, professional, on-brand - Internet: Wired connection, minimum 20 Mbps upload

Engagement Techniques - Use polls and Q&A every 5-7 minutes - Tell stories — they translate well to virtual - Stand up if possible for more energy - Use visual variety in slides (avoid text walls) - Address the camera, not the screen

Common Virtual Speaking Mistakes - Reading from notes (your eyes drift) - Ignoring the chat - Sessions that are too long (max 45 minutes for virtual) - Poor audio quality (the 1 deal-breaker)

Pricing Virtual Speaking

Virtual fees typically range from 50-75% of in-person rates, but with no travel costs, the net can be higher. Price based on value delivered, not format.

Build your virtual speaking portfolio and track opportunities with SpeakerRealm's pipeline tools.