81. How to Pitch Yourself to Speak at Events (and What Not to Do)
Description
Four weeks, five weeks… who’s counting? 😅 After running our Be You Brand Live speaker contest, I’m breaking down exactly what made applications a YES vs. a no-go. In this episode, I give you a simple 90-second pitch template and the 3-part checklist event hosts (like me!) use to decide who gets the mic—so you can get booked with confidence, clarity, and that BYB energy.
Connect with Ati
Ready to build a personal brand you’re proud of:
- Brand to Bank Instant access training: Dm me BRANDED ON IG
- ✏️ Free: Profitable Personal Brand Quiz → https://atigrinspun.com/quiz/
- 📲 Book a discovery call (BYB Academy, 1:1 Intensives & more) → https://calendly.com/atigrinspun/discoverychat
Connect with me:
- Instagram: @ati.grinspun → https://www.instagram.com/ati.grinspun
- Website: https://atigrinspun.com/
- FB Community (Personal Branding for Womenpreneurs): https://www.facebook.com/groups/personalbrandingforwomenpreneurs
Resources Mentioned
- Be You Brand Live info/tickets → https://atigrinspun.com/beyoubrandliveevent/
- She Is Made For More by Cristal Jacobo → https://www.cristaljacobo.com/she-is-made-for-more-live (October 24th-25th)
- Cristal's collab episode with me → https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IwMHAxqpItTju93v7LccP
- Sarah Heeter episode on pitching podcasts (no more ghosting!) → https://open.spotify.com/episode/51Oawx0TYOUosU040ACzj0
- 90-Second Pitch Checklist (Free resource ) → ACCESS HERE
Episode Highlights
- The 3-part checklist every organizer uses (Value • Relevance • Energy)
- Why “your story” alone isn’t enough—and how to turn it into audience transformation
- The tiny things that cost you big opportunities (time limits, naming the event right, etc.)
- How to tie your actual expertise to an event’s theme so you’re an obvious fit
- The 90-second pitch template that gets you booked (and how to film it like a pro)
Key Takeaways
- How to instantly show organizers/Event hosts what you’ll teach + why it matters to their audience.
- Why following directions signals professionalism and respect for the stage.
- The way your on-camera energy predicts how you’ll hold a room.
- How to connect your offer to your talk so speaking leads to clients, not just applause.
- The step-by-step framework to repurpose your 90-second pitch for podcasts, panels, and conferences.
Quotable Moments
- “Your story is powerful— but unless you connect it to the audience’s transformation, it’s just a story.” – Ati
- “If you can’t stick to 90 seconds in your pitch, I can’t trust you with 20 minutes on stage.” – Ati
- “Be the obvious fit: Value. Relevance. Energy. That’s the whole game.” – Ati
Episode Timestamps (detailed)
00:01 – Why I recorded this (speaker contest debrief + goal to educate)
02:16 – What you’ll leave with: 90-second pitch template + 3-part checklist
04:28 – Why rules matter (how tagging/format helps hosts find your entry)
06:48 – The 3-part checklist: Value • Relevance • Energy (what each really means)
08:54 – Deal-breaker #1: Vague topic / only personal story → how to add clear takeaways
11:12 – Deal-breaker #2: No title or outline → give a working title + 3 bullets
13:34 – Deal-breaker #3: Wrong fit / ignoring theme → how to thread your expertise
15:50 – Deal-breaker #4: Low energy/monotone → easy filming fixes that boost presence
17:58 – Deal-breaker #5: Didn’t follow directions (length, one video…) → respect the stage
18:45 – Deal-breaker #6: Voiceover edits vs. showing your face → we’re booking you, not an edit
19:58 – Deal-breaker #7: Didn’t say name/expertise or tie talk to business → this is lead-gen
21:15 – Deal-breaker #8: Got the event name wrong 😬 → how to never miss this again
22:22 – Recap + why this matters for podcasts, panels, & big stages
23:40 – The 90-second pitch template: hook, credibility, relevance, 3 takeaways, confident close
26:57 – What hosts fear (rambling, no timing, no prep) + how to calm those fears in your pitch
28:21 – Quick coaching to turn a “maybe” into a YES (value vs. energy tweaks)
30:31 – CTA: Spotify comments + Apple Reviews + tag me on IG @ati.g.branding
About Your Host
Ati Grinspun is your host and resident Personal Brand Whiz at the Be You Brand podcast. From world champion flair bartender to portrait photographer to coaching hundreds of women building profitable brands, Ati brings a unique perspective and no-nonsense approach to helping women entrepreneurs build their dream brands.
About the Show
Be You Brand is for the woman entrepreneur, business owner, or founder ready to build that million-dollar personal brand, mindset, income, and impact. If you’re ready to beat imposter syndrome and show the world your full potential while building a business and life you love, this is your room.
Categories: Entrepreneurship • Business • Marketing • Self-Improvement






















