The "Find Leads" section is your central hub within SpeakerDrive for proactively discovering new speaking, coaching, and training opportunities. It's designed to help you move beyond waiting for referrals and take control of your pipeline. Here, you'll find a powerful, searchable database containing two key types of leads:
Contacts: The actual decision-makers—Event Directors, HR leaders, C-Suite executives—who have the authority to book experts like you.
Events: These represent specific opportunities. They come in two main forms:
• Event Emails: Addresses associated with specific events or host organizations (e.g., events@abcleadership.com)
• Event URLs: Direct links to speaker applications, calls for papers, or other submission forms
Let's dive into how to make the most of it.
Starting Simple: Your First Search
If you're new, it's easy to get started without feeling overwhelmed.
The Main View: At the top, you'll see tabs for "All," "Contacts," and "Events." To get a broad feel, start with the "All" view.
The Search Bar: This is your best friend. Type in keywords related to your industry (e.g., "Healthcare"), topic ("Leadership"), or even a specific conference you know. The bar searches across event names, organization names, job titles, topics, and descriptions.
Basic Filters: On the left, you'll find filters. For your first search, just focus on these key ones:
• Unlock Types: Choose how you want to connect (Contact Emails, Event Emails, Event URLs)
• Event Format: Pick the type of engagement (conferences, workshops, etc.)
• Location: Filter by region or look for virtual-only events
Reading the List: As results appear, you'll see key details at a glance: the event or contact name, the organization, their role or the event topic, and the location. Look for the small icons—these tell you which "Unlock Types" are available for that lead.
Advanced Search & Filtering: Zeroing In
Ready to get specific? Use the full power of SpeakerDrive's filters.
Search Bar Super Powers: Don't just search for topics; try searching for speakers with similar expertise to yours. You might find events where they've spoken – a great indicator of a good fit for you.
Event Filters:
• Event Format: Drill down to Conferences, Summits, Workshops, Seminars, and even Consulting Potential
• Event Category: Focus on specific industries like Technology & Media, Education & Training, Sales & Customer Service, Leadership, and many more
• Past Speakers: A powerful tool to find relevant events based on who they've booked before
Location Filters: Go beyond basic regions to filter by specific US states, cities, or select virtual-only events.
Organization Filters:
• Organization Type: Understand potential needs and budgets by filtering for Corporations, Associations, Government Bodies, or Educational Institutions
• Organization Search: Have target companies? Type their names here to see all associated leads
Smart Search Strategies:
• Start Broad, Then Narrow: Begin with your main topic and add filters one by one, watching how each one refines your results
• Create Search Patterns: Dedicate different days to different search types – perhaps focusing on a specific region on Tuesdays or new conferences on Mondays
• Follow Breadcrumbs: When you find one great lead, dig deeper! Look up the organization for other events, search for similar events, or find related speakers
Understanding Unlock Types: How to Connect
The icons and unlock buttons tell you how you can reach out.
Contact Email Unlocks: These are direct, verified email addresses for specific decision-makers. Use these when you want to build a direct relationship with a key person.
Event Email Unlocks: These are often general addresses (like info@ or events@) linked to an event or organization. They are validated but might be monitored by a team. They're a good way to get your foot in the door.
Event URL Unlocks: These take you directly to speaker application forms or "Call for Papers" pages. Use these for events with a formal application process.
You can often unlock multiple types for one opportunity, allowing you to choose the best approach or even try several. Your choice here will influence the options available in the Message Composer.
Learn More → FAQ: What is the "View All Unlocks" button?
The SpeakerDrive Difference: The Value in Our Contacts
We provide more than just data; we provide context and access.
Beyond Just Email Addresses: Each contact comes with details like their current role, the types of events they manage, their organization's background, and their level of decision-making authority. This context is key to crafting relevant messages and building real professional connections.
Understanding Decision-Makers: We help you know who you're talking to. Is it an Event Planner focused on large audiences and stage presence? Or an HR/Training Leader focused on learning outcomes and internal development? Knowing their goals helps you tailor your pitch effectively.
The Hidden Value: One contact often represents multiple opportunities. Event planners often manage multiple events and are highly networked. Building a strong relationship with one decision-maker can lead to referrals, repeat business, and access to a wider circle of influence.
Learn More → FAQ: I see an event but it's already happened. Is it still useful?
By mastering the "Find Leads" section, you can transform how you find and secure new business, building a more predictable and successful pipeline. And if you ever need help crafting a search strategy, remember to use the "Ask SpeakerDrive" chatbot.