and then thought, but wait…how do I get started?
then this is for you.
With that, lets hop into our guide to speaking.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
Talks take a lot of time and energy.
Practiced speakers often estimate 40 hours of prep for every hour of speaking time.
see to it you know what you hope to get out of it.
Ive foundPapercall.ioandMeetup.comare both great resources for finding smaller events that might be interested in what you have to say.
Step 4a: You got turned down.
If your proposal was denied, take heart: at big events, this is the most likely outcome.
For example, KubeCon EU this year received7xthe number of talks they had room for.
The competition is fierce!
If you didnt get any feedback, consider reaching out to the organizers to ask for feedback.
But feedback from conference organizers can be gold.
Im looking forward to attending your event!
hey dont hesitate to reach out if theres anything I can do in support of this event.
Thanks for your feedback!
If they dont write back, dont follow up let it go.
Unless youre Elon Musk, you probably have a 25 percent success rate, if that.
If you are always accepted, youre not applying to big enough venues, or you are Kelsey Hightower.
Step 4b: Youve been accepted!
Congratulations, your talk was accepted!
Cue the anxiety: now you need a presentation.
Its also helpful for timing the talk.
Heres one example of how to do this.
A good narrative can stand on its own with really minimal slide design.
How should you structure your talk?
Its great for storytelling and builds empathy through open conversation and honesty.
This format is also great with some different flavors:
3.
Data deep dives
Ah, data deep dives.
The holy grail of conference talkism!
You have data to support your decision making and conclusions?
This may also be the hardest format to put together.
If your points are kind of obvious, its also fine, but emphasize that.
For example:
We all know that eating breakfast is important.
Eating breakfast will extend your life by 20 years.
- Its such an easy change, that you know is important, that has a really huge impact.
*No breakfast was harmed in the making of this false claim.
Im going to share the data and some personal anecdotes to help you bring it back to your team.
This helps people keep their focus on your content, and reduces listener stress.
Give people cues for what to listen for and what they will walk away from your talk knowing.
At the end of this talk, youll have 3 strategies for lowering your energy bill in 30 days.
End your talk by saying thank you, and then moving to Q+A.Dont hop straight into questions.
If you go straight to Q+A, and there arent any Qs, its awkward.
Give people an opportunity to clap or however else presentations are being concluded, then ask for questions.
PRACTICE.you better practice at least three times.
Three times is almost definitely not enough, but its the bare minimum.
How should you practice?
Step 5: Deliver your talk!
Your big day is here!
What was your goal?
make a run at bring yourself back to thewhybehind your talk.
Passion and emotion are at the heart of every good story, no matter the content.
If you mess up, or miss some lines, or muddle an explanation, its ok.
Many folks give their talks publicly 10+ times before feeling like they have truly nailed the content.
Step 6: Prosper!
And then start over again.
Congratulations, you delivered your talk!
Take a moment to bask in the glow of a job well done.
Then ask yourself:
Congratulations on making it to the end of this epic step-by-step guide to speaking!
