How to Get Powerful Event Recommendations, Testimonials, and Reviews as a Speaker

By Elizabeth McCormick, CSP  - Speaker Mentor & Founder of the Speakers at Sea Cruise

Why Testimonials Are Your Best Marketing Tool

As a speaker, your impact doesn’t end when you step off stage. Every event is an opportunity to build your reputation, expand your reach, and gather proof of your value through recommendations, testimonials, and reviews.

These assets are the currency of credibility in the speaking business (and any business). They show meeting planners and event organizers that you don’t just speak—you deliver measurable results.

In this training article, you’ll learn my proven 7-step process to capture, organize, and leverage event testimonials that keep you booked and in demand.

Step 1: Add a Testimonial Clause

Before your speech even happens, prepare for success.
Include a short clause in your speaker agreement that makes testimonial collection part of the event wrap-up.

Sample Clause:
“If the Speaker’s presentation is satisfactory, the Organization agrees to provide the Speaker with a printed testimonial letter or Linkedin recommendation on the Organization’s letterhead within 14 days following the event.”

This single line ensures testimonial follow-up is not an awkward afterthought—it’s a professional expectation.

Step 2: Build Relationships on LinkedIn

Before, during, and after your event, connect with everyone involved: organizers, sponsors, and attendees.

These connections become your network for future referrals and testimonials. Send a short, friendly LinkedIn request before the event, and follow up afterward with gratitude and a recap message.

✅ Pro Tip: Keep a spreadsheet or CRM record of connections tied to each event. It makes testimonial follow-up simple and trackable.

Step 3: Record Everything—On and Off Stage

Never rely on memory alone. Record your entire presentation, including the after-stage conversations.

Right after your talk, people will come up with spontaneous, heartfelt feedback like:

“That was incredible!”
“You made me laugh, cry, and think all at once.”
“You’re the best speaker we’ve ever had.”

Say “thank you” and mention their name aloud so it’s captured in your audio. Later, transcribe that recording—you’ll find authentic quotes that make perfect testimonials to send to the meeting planner to include in their review.  You can also connection request on Linkedin the person you captured in audio and request a testimonial by asking ... 

✅ Pro Tip: Do not ever use the audio file or their name in your marketing unless they have left you a public Linkedin recommendation.  The audio recording is for your own purpose.

Step 4: Turn Real Words into Written Recommendations

Once you’ve transcribed the event audio:

• If you know who said the comment:
  Send them a LinkedIn message quoting their exact words. Ask if you can use it as a testimonial or invite them to post it directly on LinkedIn by asking ... "We met after my presentation and I think you said something like <transcript from recording> would you mind sending that in a recommendation here" 

• If you don’t know who said it:
  You can use these non-Linkedin quotes online as "Attendees say:  <Quote>  <Quote>  <Quote>" without a named attribution. 
  Attribute it generally, such as:

  “Event Attendee – 2025 Leadership Summit”
  “Audience Member – Business Growth Conference”

These natural, unscripted reactions often carry more emotional weight than polished testimonials.

Step 5: Send a Personalized Follow-Up Email

If you haven’t received a testimonial yet, send a kind and customized follow-up email a five to seven days after the event - here's they key though-  include PROMPTS to help them craft a better quality testimonial! Otherwise you might get something like "He/She was great" which isn't really usable.

Example Template

Subject: What a pleasure speaking at [EVENT NAME]!

Hi [Organizer Name],

What an honor it was to speak at [EVENT NAME]. I loved being part of your event and connecting with your [attendees or members].

When you have a moment, I’d greatly appreciate a testimonial letter about my presentation. Here are a few ideas to make it easier to write:

• The attendees were…

• I heard people saying…

• The presentation taught us…

• The CEO/boss said…

• The speaker made me look…

• Would we bring her/him back?

• Overall, the event was…

Here are some quotes I heard your attendees saying after my presentation:  
[QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
[QUOTE]

My goal for your event was [insert YOUR goal or theme]. I hope we achieved that together!

If there’s anything else I can do for you or your organization, please let me know.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Signature Block]

Step 6: Organize and Showcase Your Testimonials

Once you receive testimonial letters or quotes, systematize how you store and share them. I use a google sheet to keep all these in one place and organize by Keynote Title, Topic, and Audience so I can quickly find what I need. 

Create a digital archive with folders for:

• PDFs of signed letters (for authenticity)

• Editable text versions (for marketing use)

• Visual testimonial graphics (for social media)

Feature these testimonials prominently:

• On your website’s speaker page

• In your speaker one-sheet or press kit

• As rotating quote cards on social media

• With a weekly post on Linkedin

• Within your video highlight reel

🪶 Credibility isn’t built by what you say, it’s built by what others say about you when you're not there.

Step 7: Strengthen the Relationship After the Event

The event may be over, but your partnership doesn’t have to be.
Keep in touch with your client by:

• Sending a thank-you video or handwritten note

• Sharing behind-the-scenes photos from the event

• Offering other services (training, assessments, consulting, or custom workshops)

• Connecting on social platforms and engaging with their content

Long-term relationships often lead to repeat bookings and warm referrals.

Summary: The Speaker’s Post-Event Checklist

✅ Include a testimonial clause in your contract
✅ Connect with event organizers on LinkedIn
✅ Record and transcribe your event interactions
✅ Use real attendee comments as testimonials
✅ Send a thoughtful follow-up email
✅ Systematize and share testimonials everywhere
✅ Nurture relationships for future opportunities

By mastering this process, you’ll create a continuous cycle of credibility—turning every audience into your next marketing team.

About Elizabeth McCormick

Elizabeth McCormick is a former U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot turned award-winning keynote speaker and Speaker Mentor. She is the Founder of the Speakers at Sea Cruise, an immersive training experience for speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who want to grow their brand, visibility, and credibility while enjoying a business-building adventure at sea. 

As the leader of Soar 2 Success International, Elizabeth teaches tactical, results-based strategies for booking more gigs, building audience trust, and creating scalable speaker success systems. Her high-energy training style reflects her aviation roots—precise, powerful, and focused on measurable results.

Learn more at YourInspirationalSpeaker.com