Own Your Niche Or Get Ghosted

There’s a reason your inbox isn’t blowing up with paid speaking invites.

It’s not your delivery (or is it?)

It’s not your confidence.

It might be your website.

It could be your branding.

It could be your hustle.

It could be your niche.

It could be that nobody knows you.

If you’re billing yourself as a “motivational speaker” or “leadership expert” without anchoring it to something specific, then it's definitely that, too.

The TEDx Trap

The idea is sold that if you do a TEDx talk, then your calendar will be booked solid.

Coaching companies are charging $10k-20k helping speakers land TEDx talks.

And the coaching companies' big secret...

Apply to every TEDx event in the country!

I recently saw an email response in a WhatsApp chat from the Denver TEDx committee that said, “We do not accept applicants from out of state because those applicants are usually applying for 20+ TEDx talks.”

Translation: people are spamming applications, tailoring each one with AI, then acting like they’ve unlocked some kind of credibility cheat code because they got on a stage.

Sure, that’s one time-consuming way to do it.
And you don't get paid for any of it?!?

If You Really Want To Land A TEDx

Get on the organizers' radar. If you're unknown, then go to a local TEDx event, introduce yourself to the organizers, congratulate them, ask them how to apply for the next event, and connect with them online.

Let them watch you speak.

Let them invite you to the stage.

If you're a Toastmaster, then here's another route:

1. Join an advanced Toastmasters club. Look for one where TEDx event organizers are already members.
2. Don’t fanboy the organizer. Play it cool. If they mention TEDx, smile, and never pounce.
3. Speak your heart out on stage. These clubs aren’t beginner-friendly. You need chops, or you need an introduction just to get in the club.
4. Take the hits. Let experienced speakers tear you apart. It’s training, not bullying. If you can’t handle feedback, you’re not ready for stages.
5. Let the TEDx Organizer approach you.
6. Choose the right club and you'll get on a top 5 TEDx in your state or country.

It's not rocket science, kids.

It's niche gig hunting.

Pro tip: don't fall into the exposure trap (unless you're speaking to your ideal audience).

Even with a brand like TEDx. Here is the reality of view counts for "exposure."

I'd rather spend my time looking for engagements that pay.

Start where you are.

One of my clients runs a wellness business with 170 employees.

She was terrified to speak to her own staff (seriously).

After about 3 sessions, she's telling me a story about an impromptu speech in front of 250 people at an association event. She said, "I just told them my story." As if it were the most natural thing.

I was like, "Wait. What?

She stood on stage in front of 250 industry peers and gave an impromptu talk. No script. Just her story.

I'm thinking how amazing I am at my job...

But what happened next?

Well, she said yes to another event, and another event, and then she said yes to a TV show, and a series of podcasts.

She didn't have to go looking for gigs; she just had to see the opportunities around her.

Start where you are, and if you think there are no opportunities, think again...
You can start speaking on social media.

All the podcasts I was invited to happened because the podcaster followed my social media.

Why Niching Works

• You’re easier to find. Nobody Googles “motivational speaker.” They search “speaker on burnout for nurses” or “sales keynote for SaaS teams.” "Goalie mindset coach."If you’re not niche, you’re invisible.
• You charge more. Generalists haggle. Specialists set fees. Even unpaid gigs treat you like the authority when your positioning is clear, and smart speakers have a backend product.
• You make decision-makers’ jobs easier. My biggest clients don’t search for me directly. Their assistants do. The gatekeepers want simple answers: Will Devin fit with my boss?
• It’s less mental clutter. One clear problem, one clear solution. That’s it.

The Niche Framework: Audience → Problem → Transformation

Here’s the quick-and-dirty roadmap:

Audience: Who do you serve? (Hint: “everyone” = NO.)

Problem: What pain are they avoiding, denying, or losing by not fixing it?

Transformation: What’s the after-state when they work with you?

Example niche statement:

“I turn mid-level managers and executives' fear of public speaking into an irresistible stage presence.”

Critics say that’s too broad. “Shouldn’t it be something hyper-specific, like: I help healthcare professionals overcome burnout while working 60 hours a week with a two-year-old and a stressed marriage?”

Sure, but remember that I'm just making this up as I write.

My wife Jody has hyper-specified our avatar for our online courses and sales pages.

Just get started and niche down as you go. But I will say that hyper-specific is better, yes. Then you just have to get in front of that audience.

Will Niching Make Me Lose Gigs?

Short answer: hopefully.

And thank God.

You’ll lose the gigs you didn’t want.

The gigs you gain? Always showcase your value.

Own It or Ghost It

You’ve got three options:

• Beg and grind trying to network your way onto stages (works for many speakers).
• Hope organizers magically stumble on you (never works).
• Or stake your claim in a specific space, and let clarity do the heavy lifting.

Speaking isn’t about being loud; it’s about being laser-focused.

Your Turn

What’s your niche? Can you say it in one line?

Now. How does your online presence complement you in your niche?

If it doesn't, don’t panic. That’s exactly why I built the Magnetic Message Blueprint.

In five days, you’ll carve out a message that lands, stop sounding like every other “motivational speaker,” and start hunting the gigs you actually want.

Because in this game, you either own your niche…

…or get ghosted.

👉 [Click to Join The Community & Become Influential]

Related Posts:

1. AI Isn't The Threat... Declining Critical Thinking Is.
2. The Trust Factor: How Communication Wins Any Audience
3. From Pay-To-Play to Paid-To-Speak

Links:

Check Out My Speaking Page/Reel- https://devinbisanz.com/speaking