Event Planner Turned Speaker Spills ALL the Secrets! with Tamra Gaines

In this enlightening episode, Kelly Kaye Walker chats with Tamara Gaines, a seasoned event planner turned professional speaker.

With over 30 years in the meetings industry, Tamara offers invaluable insights into what it takes to get booked and thrive as a speaker.

From planning events for global icons like Michelle Obama to speaking on a stage of 4,000 people for the first time, Tamara’s journey is packed with lessons for aspiring and experienced speakers alike.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The insider perspective from an event planner on what meeting professionals look for in speakers.
• How Tamara transitioned from hiring speakers to becoming one herself.
• Actionable advice for creating a professional presence, building relationships with event planners, and crafting captivating speaker reels.

🔑 Timestamped Highlights:

• [00:03:00] The Event Planner’s Perspective: Tamara shares her 30-year career hiring speakers, including notable figures like Michelle Obama and Margaret Thatcher, and how this experience gave her a unique understanding of what event planners value.
• [00:03:50] First Time on Stage: Tamara recounts her first speaking experience to an audience of 4,000 people, including how encouragement from her team sparked her passion for public speaking.
• [00:05:30] Finding Her Message: Through mentoring a young girl with low self-confidence, Tamara found her calling in confidence-building, which led to her book, The Pillars of Confidence.
• [00:06:50] Transitioning to Full-Time Speaking: How Tamara took the leap from part-time speaking to making it her full-time career and why focusing on professional development gave her an edge.
• [00:11:20] Top Tips for Aspiring Speakers: Tamara emphasizes the importance of having a professional website, a strong LinkedIn profile, and a one-pager to leave a lasting impression with event planners.
• [00:13:20] Crafting a Winning Speaker Reel: Learn why the first 30 seconds of your reel are crucial and how to use them to captivate planners with your polish, energy, and relevance.
• [00:16:40] Building Relationships with Event Planners: Tamara explains the value of consistent touchpoints, such as sending helpful articles or updates, even when you’re not pitching yourself.
• [00:18:30] Using Bureaus and Direct Outreach: Tips on working with speaker bureaus like Armstrong Speakers and using platforms like eSpeakers to connect with planners.
• [00:25:50] Balancing Life and Work as a Speaker: Tamara discusses her goal of booking 12–15 speaking gigs per year while maintaining flexibility for family and coaching clients.

🎯 Key Takeaways for Speakers:

• Professional Presence: Invest in a polished website and LinkedIn profile to showcase your expertise.
• Dynamic Speaker Reel: Make your first 30 seconds unforgettable to hook event planners.
• Consistency Matters: Stay top-of-mind with event planners through regular, value-driven touchpoints.
• Build Relationships: Use platforms like LinkedIn and speaker bureaus to connect with the right opportunities.
• Work-Life Balance: Define your speaking goals to align with your lifestyle and values.

🔗 Connect with Tamara Gaines:

• Website: tamaragaines.com
• LinkedIn: