Get Invited to Speak at Conferences
Sarah Milstein - @SarahMBlogging While BrownJune 28, 2014
LATINA?
Why am I here?
Why am I here?
• Hosted many conferences
Why am I here?
• Hosted many conferences• Spoken at dozens
Why am I here?
• 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 better than 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 better than being on a panel• Race is sometimes a factor
Things you need to know to get chosen to speak at conferences
Things you need to know1. How to think like a
conference host
Things you need to know1. How to think like a
conference host
2. How conferences find speakers
Things you need to know1. How to think like a
conference host
2. How conferences find speakers
3. What to ask for as a speaker
Things you need to know1. How to think like a
conference host
2. How conferences find speakers
3. What to ask for as a speaker
4. How to prepare to speak
Think like a host
Think like a host
A. Know the conference angle
Think like a host
A. Know the conference angle
B. Know the audience
Know the conference angleWhat’s the conference really about?
Know the conference angleYour talk has to fit the angle.
Exercise: What’s it really about? •What’s BWB’s angle?•What’s TED’s angle?•What’s one key difference in the content?
Study the angle
Learn from the conference website and previous talks.
Know the audience
Who attends the conference?
Exercise: Who attends?•Who attends BWB?•Who attends TED or a conference you’ve attended in the past two years?
Learn the audience
Search the conference site, attend the conference, ask around, ask the host.
Things you need to know1. How to think like a
conference host
2. How conferences find speakers
3. What to ask for as a speaker
4. How to prepare to speak
How conferences find speakers
How conferences find speakersA. They invite people they know or know of
How conferences find speakersA. They invite people they know or know of
B. They hold an open call for speakers—and you can apply
They invite people they know or know of
Exercise: Brainstorm speakersWho would you like to see speak at BWB? Why?
Get known by conference hosts
Get known by conference hosts•Write, not only on your blog
Get known by conference hosts•Write, not only on your blog• Create a Speaking link
Get known by conference hosts• Write, not only on your blog• Create a Speaking link• Post topics you cover and video of yourself speaking
Get known by conference hosts•Write, not only on your blog• Create a Speaking link• Post topics you cover and video of yourself speaking• Post your email address
Apply to speak
My BWB pitch
When you apply
When you apply• Read the directions
When 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, the question you can answer
When you apply
• Read the directions• Know the conference angle and audience• Know your angle• No sales pitches• No PR people
Exercise: Practice pitch•What’s your pitch for BWB?What experience have you had that’s relevant to other bloggers? What advice do you have for other bloggers?
Use your network
Things you need to know1. How to think like a
conference host
2. How conferences find speakers
3. What to ask for as a speaker
4. How to prepare to speak
What to ask for
What to ask for• Payment
What to ask for• Payment• Travel coverage
What to ask for• Payment• Travel coverage• Conference registration
What to ask for• Payment• Travel coverage• Conference registration• Videotaping
What to ask for• Payment• Travel coverage• Conference registration• Videotaping• Information about the audience, length of talk, AV
Things you need to know1. How to think like a
conference host
2. How conferences find speakers
3. What to ask for as a speaker
4. How to prepare to speak
How to prepare
How to prepare
PRACTICE
How to prepare
PRACTICE• Out loud, with a timer
How to prepare
PRACTICE• Out loud, with a timer• Many times
How to prepare
PRACTICE• Out loud, with a timer• Many times• In front of people who
will give you feedback
How to prepare
PRACTICE• Out loud, with a timer• Many times• In front of people who
will give you feedback• More times
How to prepare
Also: read up, take classes, get a coach
Q&A@[email protected]://SarahMilstein.com