How to Grow a Creative Business with Speaking: Lessons from Laylee Emadi

Building a creative business requires more than just talent—it demands confidence, communication, and the ability to connect with your audience. While many entrepreneurs focus solely on their products or services, one of the most powerful yet overlooked tools for growth is speaking. Whether on a stage, in a webinar, or through short-form video, the ability to clearly and authentically share your message can set you apart in an increasingly competitive market.

In a recent podcast conversation with Laylee Emadi—educator, conference host, and founder of the Creative Educator Conference—she shared how she replaced her teaching salary in under six months and built a thriving creative business by leaning into her expertise as a communicator. Below, you’ll learn six actionable tips from Laylee’s journey to help you strengthen your voice, land more opportunities, and build a creative business that lasts.

6 Speaking Tips to Grow Your Creative Business

Speaking isn’t just for keynote professionals or corporate trainers. If you want to build a brand around your creative business, your ability to communicate is one of the best investments you can make. Here are six powerful tips from Laylee Emadi to help you leverage speaking as a growth engine for your creative business.

1. Start with Your Expertise

Laylee emphasizes that before you teach or speak, you must establish your expertise. That means achieving results yourself and helping others achieve them too. In her early days, she spent years mastering photography before teaching it to others. For your creative business, focus on what you know best—whether it’s design, Etsy selling, or coaching—and use that as the foundation for your message.

2. Replace “What to Sell” with “Who to Serve”

One of Laylee’s guiding principles is that growth happens when you shift from focusing on products to focusing on people. Many creative business owners stall because they obsess over the perfect product. Instead, identify your ideal audience first, then build offerings that solve their problems. This mindset ensures your speaking, teaching, and marketing always connect with the right people.

3. Embrace Organic Growth Opportunities

Not every part of your creative business needs to be perfectly planned. Laylee’s Creative Educator Conference began organically when she noticed a gap in the industry: there was no welcoming space for leaders to collaborate without ego. By identifying gaps in your market and confidently speaking into them, you can create new opportunities and become a trusted leader in your field.

4. Find Your Speaking Style (Don’t Copy Others)

Many entrepreneurs hesitate to speak because they think they need to sound polished like Amy Porterfield or dramatic like a keynote pastor. Laylee’s advice? Don’t mimic—embrace your unique style. Whether you’re polished, funny, energetic, or soft-spoken, your authenticity is your competitive edge. Your creative business will stand out when you communicate in a way that feels true to you.

5. Start Small with Lives and Video Content

You don’t need to book a big conference stage right away. Begin by practicing your communication skills through Instagram Lives, TikToks, or YouTube shorts. Talking directly to your audience, even for a few minutes at a time, helps you refine your message, build confidence, and position yourself as an approachable expert. These small steps can make a big difference in growing your creative business.

6. Maximize Every Speaking Opportunity

Laylee stresses that a speaking opportunity isn’t just about the stage—it’s about what you do afterward. Use each event to create new content, funnel your audience into your ecosystem, and nurture them into long-term clients or customers. When your talks are paired with follow-up offers—like free guides, courses, or memberships—each opportunity compounds into bigger growth for your creative business.

Build a Creative Business That Lasts

At the end of the day, your creative business isn’t just about what you create—it’s about the impact you make. Speaking gives you the power to connect authentically, inspire action, and establish yourself as a leader in your industry. If you’re waiting until you feel “ready,” remember Laylee’s words: “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”

Start small, speak often, and trust that your unique voice is the one thing competitors can’t duplicate. Your creative business can reach new heights when you combine your craft with the confidence to share it.

To learn more about Etsy marketing tips, check out Etsy Seller Success podcast.

And don’t forget to follow Dylan on Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes seller strategies!