TWHS#090: "I Didn't Think That Was Me" - How One Data Architect Built Her Industry Reputation

Hi Folks

Two years ago, Felicity Nyan watched the experts speak at SQLBits and thought "that could never be me."

Last year, she was on that same stage, presenting to hundreds of data professionals. And here's what she discovered - speaking at conferences is one of the most effective ways to build your industry reputation.

She told me all about it on the latest Tech World Human Skills podcast.

Why Your Career Needs This

"I wanted to establish my brand in a particular technical space," Felicity told me. She'd been at Microsoft for years, was doing great work but nobody outside her immediate team really knew about.

Sound familiar?

In a world where CVs get filtered by AI and everyone's competing for visibility, being known as "that person who knows about X" is gold dust for your career. Conference speaking fast-tracks that recognition.

The Reputation Compound Effect

Here's what happens when you speak at events:

• People approach you afterwards with questions (Felicity had people coming up the next day).
• Your LinkedIn connections spike with quality contacts
• Colleagues start seeing you as the go-to expert
• Opportunities find you, rather than the other way around

One talk at SQLBits or Tech Show London reaches more people than years of excellent work behind closed doors.

You're Already Qualified

Felicity's breakthrough moment? Realising those "expert" speakers she admired weren't untouchable geniuses. They just shared their knowledge clearly.

"People who speak at events, they're all experts, they just somehow know how to present really well, and I didn't think that was me," she said. She was wrong.

You don't need to be the world's leading authority. You need one thing: a unique perspective on something relevant.

That project you delivered last quarter? That's a conference talk.

That problem you solved? Another talk.

Start Building Your Brand Today

Keep a running note of presentation ideas. Every interesting problem you solve, every lesson learned - write it down.
Start small with user groups. As Felicity discovered: "These are usually fewer people in the audience. It's a small friendly audience."

Use AI to polish your submission (Felicity used Copilot for titles), but keep your authentic perspective.

The Reality of Delivery

The WiFi might fail. There might not be a second screen for PowerPoint presentation view. Your demo might crash. Felicity faced all of these at SQLBits but she still delivered two brilliant talks,

She even delivered a creative session about using AI to understand her cat's emotions (seriously - I could have done the whole episode on it).

Practice until you're confident. Record backup demos. Bring portable screens like Felicity's co-presenter Hugo.

But most importantly - submit that proposal.

Your Industry Reputation Awaits

Speaking at conferences isn't about being perfect. It's about sharing what you know with people who need to hear it.
Every senior technologist you admire started exactly where you are now. The only difference? They submitted their first proposal.

What's stopping you from being next year's must-see speaker?

Hope this helps

BenP

P.S. SQLBits, Tech Show London, your local user group. Their call for speakers opens soon. Just saying.

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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 with customers everyday.  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 "Speaking At My First Big Conference" with Felicity Nyan. Check it out on the Elevated You website,  Apple, Spotify, YouTube or Amazon Podcasts.