It’s every speaker’s favorite moment: you nail your keynote, the audience is on fire, and people rush up afterward saying, “You were incredible! I want to bring you in for our event!”
And then…
Nothing.
No email. No contract. Just tumbleweeds in your inbox and a haunting memory of that one enthusiastic HR director whose name you can’t remember.
Let’s fix that.
Compliments Aren’t Contracts
Post-talk praise is not a booking. It’s not a lead until you make it one.
Too many professional speakers treat compliments like gold bars—but unless you know how to cash them in, they’re just shiny paperweights.
Here’s what most people do:
Smile. Say “Thank you!” Hand over a card. Walk away feeling proud.
Here’s what pros do:
Smile. Say “Thank you!” Ask a strategic question. Get a next step.
Turn the Moment into Momentum
Here’s what you say when someone gives you that “We loved your talk!” moment:
“I’m so glad it landed! I’ve got a few openings this quarter for client events—do you know anyone else who might benefit from something similar?”
Or this:
“Thank you! What kind of events does your company typically host for employees or clients?”
Or even:
“That means so much. If you know of any other teams or associations looking for a speaker like me, would you be willing to make a quick intro?”
That’s not pushy—it’s professional. And it works.
Your Talk Was the Audition. Your Follow-Up is the Callback.
Most speaking gigs don’t come from the event—they come from someone who saw you at the event and brings you in somewhere else.
So if you’re not proactively leveraging post-talk praise, you’re leaving the easiest sales opportunities on the table. These people just saw you rock it. They’re emotionally connected, fired up, and mentally picturing you in front of their team. Don’t let that window close.
Create a Follow-Up Flywheel
Want to keep it simple? Create a template:
- A quick thank-you email within 24 hours
- A soft ask for referrals or intros
- A link to a “bring me to your event” page
- A calendar link to book a quick chat
- A reminder to follow up again in 2 weeks
This is basic sales hygiene—and it’s the difference between “That was a great gig” and “That one talk booked me three more.”
P.S. Praise is powerful. But systems are what make it pay. That’s where StageHopper comes in. We give you qualified, verified, paid leads—plus the no-fluff follow-up strategies to help you turn compliments into contracts. You bring the brilliance; we bring the leads (and receipts).