This document provides guidance on speaking at technical conferences. It recommends that less experienced engineers consider speaking because their unique perspectives and experiences would interest audiences. The document outlines how to brainstorm topics by reviewing past projects and problems solved. It also provides tips on submitting proposals, structuring talks, engaging audiences, overcoming stage fright, and getting paid to speak. Breakout sessions are included to help attendees come up with potential talk topics.

1. Why YOU Should Speak at
Technical Conferences
Poornima Vijayashanker
#femgineerforum
@femgineer
June 19, 2014 1

2. Background
• Femgineer
• Forums
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3. 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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4. Let’s wait in line together!
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5. Why would anyone care
about what I have to say?
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6. Experiences & perspective.
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7. Someone more inexperienced.
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8. What I call networking!
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9. People come to you!
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10. Opportunities.
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11. What do I talk about?
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12. Heads down.
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13. Don’t have time...
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14. Take stock of past projects.
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15. A problem you solved.
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16. Something you learned.
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17. Share it with someone.
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18. How do I submit a proposal?
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19. • Keynote
• Lightning
• Panel
• Workshop
Types of Talks
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20. Audience.
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21. Who is attending?
Interests?
Experience level?
Companies?
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22. • Title
• Summary
• Takeaways
• Format
• Level
Proposal
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23. Don’t fear being clear!
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24. How do I structure a talk?
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25. Narrow scope.
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26. Wide open.
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27. High level.
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28. Strategy.
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29. Step-by-step.
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30. Balanced.
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31. How do I keep them engaged?
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32. Storytelling.
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33. Connection.
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34. Sign post.
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35. Connect the dots!
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36. 36

37. Stage fright?
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38. Prep
Practice
Poise
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39. Record yourself.
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40. Getting paid to speak.
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41. ASK!
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42. Contract.
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43. 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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44. Want to host a forum at your company?
Contact: justin@femgineer.com
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45. Additional Resources
• How to Start Getting Speaking Engagements
• Presentation Zen Book
• Presentation Zen Blog
• Screw the Script
• Sample Presentations
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46. Q&A
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47. 47

48. Breakout Session!
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49. 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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50. Confident Communicator
Get on the mailing list!
Visit http://femgineer.com/learn/confident-
communicator-course
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