Community-driven events are very different from big name brokerage or coaching events.
They value different things.Choose topics differently.Find speakers differently.
Karen is on both sides, as a speaker and running her annual conference, Empowering Women in Real Estate. Here are a few of the…
Non-Obvious Insights from our Conversation:
Look for Communities Where You Fit the Vibe and Conversation Already Taking Place
Here’s Karen on her process for searching for speakers…
“It just starts on social media. Honestly, I just start connecting. I already know a lot of people. So it’s either people that jumped out at me from social media for whatever reason that I’ve connected to through other people. Maybe it’s conversations I’ve had in my team or just the flow of conversation I see happening in our Facebook group, then I’ll target a speaker or a panel around that.”
If you want to speak at this kind of event, your best bet is to already be in the community, contributing and being visible. But if not, you’ll have to show the event organizer that you understand and resonate with the community.
For the event organizer, one of the worst outcomes is a speaker that gets the audience thinking, “Why did they put THIS speaker on stage??”
Get Involved & Build Relationships WELL in Advance
“Plans start early, honestly…following the event, I have to take time off… so once I come back about a week later is usually when we start putting things together. Right now it’s 9-10 months out from our 2026 event…. And we’re looking at venues. I’ve already booked two speakers.”
The planning for next year’s event starts the week after this year’s event. That’s how far out event organizers are thinking and planning. If you’re pitching 3-4 months before an event, the entire speaking lineup might already be locked down.
Reverse Engineer the Emotional Effect You Want to Have on the Audience
“We do a debrief generally within 24-48 hours following the event so we can talk about what went well, who did we love, who did the room respond well to, what do we never want to do again?
We also send out a survey to our attendees…the questions are really catered to the different speakers. A great example is one of our speakers…last year was so well-received, literally every single survey mentioned her. And we actually had her back to speak at a virtual event this week. So that’s how we do it.”
Repeat and referral speaking gigs are a game of optimizing how the audience feels, throughout (and especially) at the end of your talk.
Instead of planning your talk from beginning to end, try reversing that. First think about your topic, and what emotion you want to make the audience feel. Then go backwards through the stories, examples, ideas or concepts that will stir up that emotion. You’ll end up at the start, but it will probably be a very different talk.
People will forget 99% of what you say. But if you make them feel something, they’ll remember you.
Want to go deeper? Click on the audio file for the full chat, where Karen shared more on her mission with Empowering Women in Real Estate. You can also search Real Estate Thought Leaders on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Or Hit Reply and share any insight or opinion you have on the booking process for community-driven events
Ask This:
If you were left to your own devices, giving a standard talk, what emotional effect do you have on the audience?
Are they…inspired…overwhelmed by options…determined, hopeful, cheerful?
The emotional effect needed to overcome inertia and motivate prospects to buy from you probably isn’t the same effect you want to have on an audience at an event. Especially if you’re looking to create more speaking opportunities.
Quick Links & Resources
Empowering Women in Real Estate conferenceEmpowering Women in Real Estate podcastKaren’s book Empowering Women in Real Estate - a collection of short storiesFacebook Group that started it allKaren on Instagram
Thanks so much to Karen for taking us behind the scenes of a very unique event! Connect with her on Instagram, or get involved in the Facebook Group (if you fit the vibe and conversation). If you’re looking for a guest for your podcast or YouTube channel, she’s fantastic as well, let me know if you want a personal intro!
Talk soon,
-Matt
Agency Founder & Author of MicroFamous
PS Here’s how we can help…
Done-for-You Content Production & Strategy - We turn raw footage into professional YouTube videos, podcasts and email newsletters. All with zero overwhelm, guaranteed.
From Michael Maher and Lars Hedenborg to Jeff Cohn and Marki Lemons Ryhal, we’ve been the content team behind many of your fellow real estate coaches, speakers and authors.
We start every client engagement by developing your ‘Signature Talk’ - So you have a message you’re excited to take to stages, guest interviews and all your content.
Then we launch your flagship video show - supported by audio podcast and email newsletter, delivered with pro-quality and relentless consistency. We promote with short video clips and social posts on any platform where you’re active.
Each month we give you research-based video title and topic ideas, scripts, outlines, even slides. Plus all the support you need to stay consistent, from email updates to strategy calls.
So if you’re not putting out the quality of content…consistently…to become the thought leader you’re meant to be, let’s talk. Click here to learn more and schedule a Free Brainstorm Call.
