TWHS#085: From Proposal To Podium: Speaking At Big Tech Conferences

Hi Folks

I've just released a new episode on the Tech World Human Skills episode with Renuka Jhalli.  She's the Senior Content Manager for Tech Show London - the UK's largest tech conference. She shared some tips on why it's great to talk at conferences, how to get selected and then how to smash it on stage.  Here's some of the highlights of our chat, but check out the full episode for all the juicy details.

Why Bother Speaking?

I`ll be honest.

It is a wonderful to give back and help people.  That's a major reason I do it.   But it's also massively selfish in the best possible way.

Speaking at conferences is one of the most effective ways to build your industry reputation. In a world where CVs get filtered out by AI, having people know you as "that person that knows about X" is gold dust for your career.

How To Get Chosen

The secret? You don't need to be the world's expert. You just need a unique perspective on something relevant.

My first tech speaking gig was sharing how I'd learned PowerShell - a new Microsoft technology at the time. I wasn't brilliant at it. I was just ahead of everyone else because I'd started earlier. I shared my learning journey, the mistakes I'd made, and boom - that got me noticed by Microsoft's product team.

So get your application submitted.  Think about your day-to-day work. What challenges have you solved? What new approach have you tried? What went spectacularly wrong and what did you learn? That's your content right there.

The Application Game

Submit your session at conferences during their "Call For Papers".  Top tips:

• Punchy title that tells people what they'll get
• A paragraph explaining the value to the audience
• Use AI to polish your writing, but the perspective must be uniquely yours
• Producers will check you out on LinkedIn. They want to understand your experience and see your passion for the topic.

Delivering On Stage

The best speakers are authentic, vulnerable, and interactive.

Renuka said: "Be as down to earth as possible and as approachable as possible."

Don't just present slides. Tell your story.

Engage the audience physically - even something as simple as asking them to raise their hands. Make them feel like you're having a conversation, not delivering a lecture.

Remember: People just want to learn and connect.

Your Next Step

Listen to the full episode.  Check it out at TechWorldHumanSkills.com.  Or find it on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.

Tech Show London's call for papers opens in September. But don't wait. Start thinking now about what unique experience you could share. What's your unique perspective?

And if you're not ready yet, just attend. Twenty thousand tech professionals in one place. The networking opportunities alone are worth it.

The industry needs your voice. Your perspective. Your stories.

Hope this helps.

BenP

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Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

• Leaders In Tech: Raise the impact of your team.  Make them more influential, memorable and successful.  The Technical Storytelling Professional Program enables them to create clarity, generate energy and drive the results you need.
• Individuals: Accelerate your career and build your reputation.  Develop the skills to help you present,  influence and explain in the tech world.  Check out the Technical Storytelling Essentials or Tech Community Speaker courses.
• Tech World Human Skills Podcast:  The latest episode is "From Proposal To Podium: Speaking at Big Tech Conferences" with Renuka Jhalli. Check it out on the Elevated You website,  Apple, Spotify, YouTube or Amazon Podcasts.