Let’s talk about what’s happening behind the scenes of some virtual summits right now, because honestly, it’s getting wild out here when it comes to these speaker requirements.

Just in the past 30 days, I received multiple speaker pitches that were shocking to read. Not because the events looked like they were thrown together or had horrible branding. Not because the topics I was pitched didn't align or they spelled my name wrong...

But because they asked for too much. 

I’ve seen speaker pitches that require:

• A minimum list size to be considered

• Three or more solo emails as a condition of participation

• And the most horrifying of all... a participation fee

Yes, you read that right.

You're expected to pay money to donate your time to promote someone else’s event for free.

It feels bad.

It feels gross.

It feels like the host’s only goal is to use speakers as a ladder for their own growth without considering how you can help them, repay them for their time, or make it a #winwin for them.

And that’s not collaboration.
That’s exploitation.

Let’s Be Clear: Your Speakers Are the Event

Speakers aren’t a side dish. They’re the meat and potatoes.

Their sessions are what bring your summit to life, what deliver the value, education, and inspiration your attendees are showing up for.

You don’t have a summit without them.

So why are we treating them like an afterthought?

When you send out a pitch that reads like a list of demands instead of a genuine invitation…

When you assign a price tag to participation or require excessive promotion…

You're not building a team. You’re building resentment.

No one wants to say yes to that.

And frankly, they shouldn’t.

Where Did This All Go Wrong

I’m not here to call anyone out. Everyone has their own way of teaching summits, and every host has their own way of running their summit. You're entitled to do things how you see fit.

But that doesn't me I have to be part of it.

And I won't encourage summit hosts in our community to lead with pressure, conditions, and one-sided benefits. 

• Maybe you saw someone else do it this way
• Maybe you took a course that promised big list growth if you just made your speakers jump through the right hoops
• Maybe you're just trying to follow the formula

But if you've sent out pitches like this and gotten silence in return, now you know why.

The good news is that you can do it differently. And it will feel so much better for everyone involved.

What a Good Host Actually Does

As the summit host, you're the conductor of the summit train.

• You carry the weight
• You manage the logistics
• You keep everyone moving forward, speakers, attendees, and sponsors alike

And when you do it well, you create something powerful. Something that feels good for everyone involved.

Here’s what that actually looks like:

• You make your speakers feel special
  They’ve been personally selected for a meaningful collaboration, not pulled from a generic application pool. And you want them to speak at your event on a specific topic- because you know it's the perfect fit. 

• You lower the barrier to entry
  You care more about the value they bring than the size of their list or how many emails they’re willing to send. Resist the urge to require more than 2 emails if you're own email list is any less than 15K. Once you hit that large of a list size, you can think about asking for 3 emails because you know you'll be bringing in an incredible amount of people to the event, and can ensure your speakers walk away with a large amount of new leads through their freebie. 

• You make their participation easy
  Simple tech. Clear timelines. Support at every step. Hoops are barriers, and the more you have, the harder it is for speakers to say yes to participating. 

• You give before you ask
  They get a free ticket, an affiliate link with 30 to 50 percent commission, and the chance to share their freebie at the end of their session. Make it worth their while and make sure you over-deliver instead of overpromising. 

• You promote them
  You spotlight their sessions, promote their opt-ins in your emails and dashboard, and help them grow their audience while they help you grow yours. This is a collaboration, and you should approach it as this. 

That’s how real collaboration works.

What to Do Instead

Let’s be practical for a second. If you’re a new summit host or someone who’s been taught a more aggressive model, here’s a better approach that still gets results:

• One to two emails max
  I typically ask for one solo email and one newsletter mention. If they do more, I’m grateful, but it’s not required

• Use the list size for promo reach only
  Once they’re onboarded, you can collect list size info in your speaker intake form, just to help you forecast the event reach and set realistic goals. It should never be a condition of participation

• Treat their freebie like gold
  Don’t just give them a mention, give them visibility. Include their freebie in the swag bag, session page, speaker page, and emails. Let them know, "I’ll be promoting your opt-in for you."

• Give them the stage
  A solo session is a chance for them to shine. That’s the minimum. If you want to invite them to panels or bonus content, make that optional and additional, not required

Build Relationships, Not Transactions

The summit space is built on trust, connection, and mutual benefit

• You can grow your list
• You can sell your offer
• You can build authority

But not at the cost of burning bridges

The best speakers don’t want to feel like a tool for your launch goals. They want to feel like a partner in something meaningful. 

So if your inbox has been full of crickets....

If you're wondering why no one’s saying yes to your summit

If you're second-guessing whether summits even work anymore

Start here

• Rethink how you’re treating your speakers
• Treat them with respect
• Make them feel seen

And watch how the whole experience transforms, for them, for you, and for everyone who shows up