Why YOU Should Speak at Technical Conferences

Poornima Vijayashanker#femgineerforum@femgineer

September 24, 20141

Background

• Femgineer • Forums

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Agenda

• Why you should speak at technical conferences.• How to brainstorm topics.• How to submit a proposal.• How to structure a talk.• How to engage an audience.• How to get over stage fright.• How to get paid to speak!• Breakout session

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Let’s wait in line together!

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Why would anyone care about what I have to say?

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Experiences & perspective.

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Someone more inexperienced.

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What I call networking!

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People come to you!

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Opportunities.

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What do I talk about?

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Heads down.

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Don’t have time...

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Take stock of past projects.

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A problem you solved.

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Something you learned.

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Share it with someone.

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How do I submit a proposal?

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• Keynote• Lightning• Panel• Workshop

Types of Talks

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Audience.

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Who is attending?Interests?

Experience level?Companies?

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• Title• Summary• Takeaways• Format• Level

Proposal

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Don’t fear being clear!

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How do I structure a talk?

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Narrow scope.

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Wide open.

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High level.

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Strategy.

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Step-by-step.

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Balanced.

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How do I keep them engaged?

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Storytelling.

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Connection.

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Sign post.

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Connect the dots!

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Stage fright?

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PrepPractice

Poise

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Try the power pose!

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Record yourself.

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Identify the fear.

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What is the worst thing that could happen?

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Getting paid to speak.

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ASK!

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Contract.

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Review

• Why you should speak at technical conferences.• How to brainstorm topics.• How to submit a proposal.• How to structure a talk.• How to engage an audience.• How to get over stage fright.• How to get paid to speak!• Breakout session

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Want to host a forum at your company?

Contact: poornima@femgineer.com

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Book launch on September 30th!

http://femgineer.com/transform-ideas

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Additional Resources

• How to Start Getting Speaking Engagements• Presentation Zen Book• Presentation Zen Blog• Screw the Script• Sample Presentations

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Q&A

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Breakout Session!

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KEY OBJECTIVE(S) AGENDA

DELIVERABLE

BREAK OUT SESSION

Come up with a topic. 30 minutes Get into groups of ~5 people.1. Introduce yourself to the group.2. Take stock of past projects, problems,

or what you recently learned that you’d like to share.

3. Create a title for the talk.4. What are the takeaways?5. Share it with the group. Short presentation

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Confident Communicator CourseGet on the mailing list!

Visit http://femgineer.com

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