Get Invited to Speak at Conferences

Sarah Milstein - @SarahM

Mercedes Kraus - @Merxaus

February 18, 2015

Why are we doing this?

Why are we doing this?

• Hosted many conferences

Why are we doing this?

• Hosted many conferences

• Spoken at dozens

Why are we doing this?

• Hosted many conferences

• Spoken at dozens

• Want to demystify the process for you

These things are true

These things are true

• There are many good reasons to speak

These things are true

• There are many good reasons to speak

• You can learn to be a great speaker

These things are true

• There are many good reasons to speak

• You can learn to be a great speaker

• Solo speaking is betterthan being on a panel

These things are true

• There are many good reasons to speak

• You can learn to be a great speaker

• Solo speaking is betterthan being on a panel

• Bias is sometimes a factor

Things you need to know to get chosen to speak at conferences

Things you need to know

1. How to think like a conference host

Things you need to know

1. How to think like a conference host

2. How conferences findspeakers

Things you need to know

1. How to think like a conference host

2. How conferences findspeakers

3. What to ask for as a speaker

Things you need to know

1. How to think like a conference host

2. How conferences findspeakers

3. What to ask for as a speaker

4. How to prepare to speak

1. Think like a host

1. Think like a host

A. Know the conference angle

1. Think like a host

A. Know the conference angle

B. Know the audience

A. Know the conference angle

• What’s the conference really about?

A. Know the conference angle

• What’s the conference really about?

• Does the conference focus on telling or teaching?

A. Know the conference angle

• What’s the conference really about?

• Does the conference focus on telling or teaching?

• Your talk has to fit the angle

Exercise: What’s it really about?

• What’s the angle of a conference you’ve attended recently?

• What’s one key difference in the content between that conference and TED?

Educate yourself

• Study the conference website

• Watch previous talks

• Attend the conference

A. Know the conference angle

B. Know the audience

Who attends the conference?

Who attends SXSW?

B. Know the audience

Exercise: Who attends?

Who attends TED or a conference you’ve attended in the past two years?

B. Know the audience

Educate yourself

• Search the conference site

• Attend the conference

• Ask around

• Ask the host

Things you need to know

1. How to think like a conference host

2. How conferences findspeakers

3. What to ask for as a speaker

4. How to prepare to speak

2. How conferences find speakers

2. How conferences find speakers

A. They invite people they know or know of

2. How conferences find speakers

A. They invite people they know or know of

B. They hold an open call for speakers—and you can apply

A. They invite people they know or know of

Exercise: Brainstorm speakers like a host

Who would you like to see speak at TED? Why?

Get known

A. They invite people they know or know of

Get known

• Write, not only on your blog

A. They invite people they know or know of

Get known

• Write, not only on your blog

• Tweet, podcast, ‘gram, YouTube thoughtfully

A. They invite people they know or know of

Get known

• Write, not only on your blog

• Tweet, podcast, ‘gram, YouTube thoughtfully

• On your site, post topics you cover, video of yourself speaking, your email addy

A. They invite people they know or know of

B. They have a CFP

B. They have a CFPWhen you apply

B. They have a CFPWhen you apply

• Read the directions

B. They have a CFPWhen you apply

• Read the directions

• Know the conference angle and audience

When you apply

• Read the directions

• Know the conference angle and audience

• Know your angle

B. They have a CFP

When you apply

• Read the directions

• Know the conference angle and audience

• Know your angle

• No sales pitches

B. They have a CFP

When you apply

• Read the directions

• Know the conference angle and audience

• Know your angle

• No sales pitches

• No PR people

B. They have a CFP

Exercise: Practice pitch

What’s your pitch for SXSW?What experience have you had that’s relevant to other attendees? What advice do you have for other attendees?

Bonus point (sort of)

Use your network

Things you need to know

1. How to think like a conference host

2. How conferences findspeakers

3. What to ask for as a speaker

4. How to prepare to speak

3. What to ask for

3. What to ask for

• Payment

3. What to ask for

• Payment

• Travel coverage

3. What to ask for

• Payment

• Travel coverage

• Conference registration

3. What to ask for

• Payment

• Travel coverage

• Conference registration

• Videotaping

3. What to ask for

• Payment

• Travel coverage

• Conference registration

• Videotaping

• Plus one

3. What to ask for

• Payment

• Travel coverage

• Conference registration

• Videotaping

• Plus one

• Information about the audience, length of talk, AV

Things you need to know

1. How to think like a conference host

2. How conferences findspeakers

3. What to ask for as a speaker

4. How to prepare to speak

4.How to prepare

4. How to prepare

PRACTICE

4. How to prepare

PRACTICE• Out loud, with a timer

4. How to prepare

PRACTICE• Out loud, with a timer

• Many times

4. How to prepare

PRACTICE• Out loud, with a timer

• Many times

• In front of people who will give you feedback

4. How to prepare

PRACTICE• Out loud, with a timer

• Many times

• In front of people who will give you feedback

• More times

4. How to prepare

Also: read up, take classes, get a coach

Things you need to know

1. How to think like a conference host

2. How conferences findspeakers

3. What to ask for as a speaker

4. How to prepare to speak

Q&A@SarahMsarahmilstein.com

@Merxausmercedeskraus.com