Get Invited to Speak at Conferences
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Get Invited to Speak at Conferences Sarah Milstein - @SarahM Mercedes Kraus - @Merxaus February 18, 2015
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Transcript of Get Invited to Speak at Conferences
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
