A few years ago, I opened my email like any other morning, coffee in hand. But then—I saw it.

A paid speaking opportunity. Not just any opportunity—an invitation to lead virtual IEP workshops for a large group.

I hadn’t pitched myself. Never sent an application. I hadn’t even spoken to them before.

So how did they find me?

Turns out, the organizer had been scrolling Facebook at 3 AM. One of my posts caught his eye, led him to my website, and my blog sealed the deal.

If you want to get paid for leading IEP workshops, speaking on stages, or supporting parents through the IEP process, people need to find you.

That’s exactly why your own IEP advocacy blog is the key to making it happen.

The 3-Step System That Brought Speaking Gigs to Me (Without Pitching!)

Step 1: Post on Social Media with Purpose

A lot of IEP Coaches and advocates post randomly on social media, hoping to get noticed. But a well-thought-out strategy changes everything. Every post should have a purpose:

• Educational Content – Share insights, strategies, and solutions related to IEPs.
• Personal Storytelling – People don’t just connect with information; they connect with YOU.
• Clear Call-to-Action (CTA) – Direct people to your blog so they can learn more.

This builds trust and authority. So when the right person stumbles across your content at 3 AM, they don’t just scroll past—they click.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Website and Blog Work for You

Once someone finds you on social media, what happens next? A well-designed website is your home base. It should be simple, clear, and set up to establish credibility.

Key elements of an effective website:

• Clear Navigation – Make it easy for visitors to find your blog, services, and story.
• A Strong About Page – Let potential clients and event organizers know who you are.
• A Blog That Positions You as an Expert – Instead of just listing what you do, use your blog to showcase your knowledge.

Your website should work while you sleep—guiding people from curiosity to connection.

Step 3: Create Blog Content That Converts

Here’s where the magic happens. When that event organizer landed on my blog, my content did all the heavy lifting. Every blog post:

• Showcased my expertise
• Communicated my voice, teaching style, and personality
• Provided immediate value, proving I knew what I was talking about

By the time he finished reading, he didn’t need to “vet” me. He already trusted me. Reaching out was the natural next step.

Why This Works for Any IEP Coach or Advocate Who Wants to Get Paid to Speak and Blog

This isn’t just my story—it can be yours, too.

If you want to stand on stage, lead professional development workshops, or help parents through the IEP process, you need a platform that works for you 24/7.

• Create content on social media that attracts the right people – Be more profitable than popular! Chasing likes won’t get you speaking gigs, but valuable content will.

• Build a website that makes you look professional – A simple, well-structured site is all you need.

• Write blog posts that establish authority – Your blog is where people see you as the expert they need to hire.

Ready to Land Speaking Gigs Without Chasing Them?

Your blog can be the stepping stone to making it happen.

Maybe you love helping parents understand the IEP process. Or you want to train teachers on special education strategies. Or you’re passionate about making inclusion work in every school.

Whatever your focus, your blog positions you as the go-to person—long before you ever pitch yourself.

And if you’re still working full-time, your blog works for you while you’re at work, creating opportunities in the background.

The hardest part about creating a simple, sustainable, and profitable blog (that can open doors for speaking gigs and more!) is getting started.

That’s why I created Simplified Blogging inside of the “Become a Master IEP Coach®” Mentorship —to give you the exact steps to build a blog that grows your audience, attracts speaking invitations, and increases your income while changing Special Education for the better!

Want to wake up to new IEP Workshop speaking opportunities instead of chasing them?

Let’s make it happen inside of the Mentorship.

ENROLL HERE

Cheering you on always,

Catherine Kahl, M.Ed
Master IEP Coach®, Founder

Recommended Resource: If you’d love to start a blog or get paid to speak, but you do NOT want to blog about Special Education – you might just love Simplified Blogging.
Find out more here.