---
name: speaking-one-sheet
description: "Creates professional speaker one-sheets with topics, bio, testimonials, headshot specs, and booking information."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Speaking One-Sheet

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Create a professional speaker one-sheet (also called a speaker sheet or media sheet)
- Present speaking topics, bio, and testimonials in a single polished document
- Build a booking tool that event organizers can review quickly
- Design a speaker marketing asset for pitching conferences, podcasts, and events

**DO NOT** use this skill for full speaking proposals (use speaking-proposal), presentation slides, or keynote scripts. This is for the one-page marketing document that sells you as a speaker.

---

## Core Principle

A SPEAKING ONE-SHEET IS A SALES PAGE FOR YOUR EXPERTISE — EVENT ORGANIZERS REVIEW DOZENS OF THESE, SO YOURS MUST COMMUNICATE YOUR VALUE, CREDIBILITY, AND TOPICS IN UNDER 30 SECONDS.

---

## Phase 1: Brief

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Name and title** | "What name and professional title should appear?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Speaking topics** | "What 2-4 topics do you speak about?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Target events** | "What types of events do you want to be booked for?" | Business conferences and summits |
| **Key credential** | "What is your most impressive qualification or result?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Testimonials** | "Do you have quotes from event organizers or attendees?" | None yet |
| **Headshot** | "Do you have a professional headshot available?" | Will need one |

**GATE: Confirm the brief before building the one-sheet.**

---

## Phase 2: Layout

### One-Sheet Sections

```
## Speaker One-Sheet Layout (Single Page, Front Only)

**Top third:**
- Professional headshot (left or right aligned)
- Name in large font
- Title / tagline
- One-sentence positioning statement

**Middle third:**
- Speaking topics (2-4, with short descriptions)
- "What audiences say" — 1-2 testimonials

**Bottom third:**
- Short bio (75-100 words)
- Previous speaking experience or notable clients
- Contact information and booking link
- Social media handles
```

### Design Specifications

```
## Design Notes
- Single page, 8.5x11 or A4
- PDF format, under 2MB
- Professional headshot: minimum 300 DPI, head and shoulders
- Brand colors consistent with personal website
- Clean, uncluttered — white space is essential
- Fonts: 2 maximum (one for headers, one for body)
- No more than 300 total words on the page
```

**GATE: Present the layout for approval.**

---

## Phase 3: Write

### Tagline / Positioning Line

```
## Formula
[Name] — [What you help audiences do]

Examples:
"Sarah Chen — Helping teams unlock AI for everyday business operations"
"Marcus Rivera — Turning overwhelmed solopreneurs into systems-driven CEOs"
```

### Speaking Topics

Write 2-4 topics. Each gets:

```
## [Talk Title]
[2-3 sentence description of what the audience will learn and walk away with]
**Best for:** [Audience type — entrepreneurs, marketers, executives, etc.]
**Format:** [Keynote, breakout, workshop, panel]
**Duration:** [30-60 min, flexible]
```

### Testimonials

```
## What Audiences Say

"[Specific praise — what they learned, how the audience reacted, or what changed after the talk]"
— [Name], [Title], [Event or Company]

"[Second testimonial focusing on a different aspect — energy, content, actionability]"
— [Name], [Title], [Event or Company]
```

If no testimonials exist yet, use endorsement quotes from clients, colleagues, or podcast hosts.

### Short Bio

```
[Name] is a [title] who [what you do + who you serve]. [Key credential or achievement with a specific number.] [Relevant background in one sentence.] [Personality detail.] [Name] has spoken at [notable events or to notable audiences].
```

### Contact and Booking

```
## Book [First Name]
Email: [booking email]
Website: [URL]
Phone: [if desired]
Social: [Primary platform handle]
```

---

## Phase 4: Polish

### 1. One-Sheet Checklist

```
- [ ] Fits on a single page (front only)
- [ ] Name is the largest text on the page
- [ ] Professional headshot is high-resolution and current
- [ ] 2-4 speaking topics with clear audience benefit
- [ ] At least one testimonial (two is better)
- [ ] Bio is under 100 words
- [ ] Contact information is prominently displayed
- [ ] PDF is under 2MB
- [ ] Printed version looks clean (test print before distributing)
- [ ] No typos — have someone else proofread
```

### 2. Distribution Strategy

```
## Where to Use Your One-Sheet
- Attach to speaking proposal submissions
- Link from your website speaking page
- Include in podcast guest pitches
- Hand to event organizers at networking events
- Send to speaker bureaus
- Include in media kit
```

### 3. Update Triggers

Update your one-sheet when:
- You speak at a notable event (add to experience list)
- You receive a strong testimonial (replace the weakest one)
- Your topics evolve (keep it current)
- You get a new headshot
- Your contact info changes

---

## Example 1: Business Strategy Speaker

```
**Sarah Chen**
*Helping solopreneurs build $10K/month businesses with AI*

**Topics:**
1. "The AI-First Business" — How to replace a team of 5 with the right AI stack (45 min keynote)
2. "Systems Over Hustle" — Building automated operations that run without you (30 min breakout)
3. "From Side Hustle to Solo CEO" — The mindset and systems shift that scales a one-person business (60 min workshop)

**Testimonial:** "Sarah's keynote was the highest-rated session of our conference. Attendees were implementing her framework before they left the building." — Event Director, Scale Summit

**Bio:** Sarah Chen is a business systems strategist who has helped 200+ solopreneurs automate their operations using AI. A former software engineer turned entrepreneur, she speaks at 15+ events per year on AI, automation, and the future of solo business. She runs her business from Bali with her two rescue dogs.
```

## Example 2: Marketing Speaker (New Speaker)

```
**Jordan Lee**
*Turning content into clients for B2B service businesses*

**Topics:**
1. "Content That Converts" — The 3-part framework for content that generates leads, not just likes (30 min)
2. "Your LinkedIn Is Broken" — How to fix the 5 mistakes killing your inbound pipeline (45 min)

**Endorsement:** "Jordan's content strategy doubled our inbound leads in 90 days. Any audience would benefit from her frameworks." — Client CEO

**Bio:** Jordan Lee is a content strategist for B2B service businesses. Over 5 years, she has helped 40+ companies generate $12M in combined pipeline through organic content. Previously head of content at two YC-backed startups, Jordan now consults and speaks on content-led growth.
```

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **Too many topics** — more than 4 topics makes you look unfocused. 2-3 strong topics beat 6 mediocre ones.
- **No headshot** — a one-sheet without a professional photo looks amateur. Invest in a headshot.
- **Wall of text** — this is a visual document, not an essay. White space and layout matter as much as copy.
- **Vague topic descriptions** — "Marketing Best Practices" gets ignored. "The 3-Step LinkedIn System That Generated $500K in Pipeline" gets booked.
- **No testimonials** — even one testimonial dramatically increases booking rates. Get one before distributing.
- **Outdated information** — a one-sheet referencing events from 3 years ago looks stale. Keep it current.

---

## Recovery

- **No speaking experience:** Focus the one-sheet on expertise and results. List client results, media appearances, or community leadership instead of past events.
- **No testimonials:** Ask 3 colleagues or clients for an endorsement of your expertise. A client quote about your work is better than no quote.
- **User does not have a headshot:** Get one. A smartphone photo with good lighting against a plain background is better than no headshot. Professional shoot is the goal.
- **User has too many topics:** Ask "If an organizer could only book you for one talk, which one would make the biggest impact?" Lead with that, add 1-2 supporting topics.
