Before pitching, keep a file of topics you have some interest and knowledge in. When it’s time to pitch, you can match the conferences tracks and themes against your set of potential topics.
Writing your talk description is much easier if you have a specific person in mind. Is it a first-time team leader? A support leader whose company is being acquired? A teacher looking to switch careers? Write the pitch they’d be excited to see.
If you can show the conference organisers how your experience and skills back up the ideas you intend to share, then you’ll have a better chance of success.
When people walk out of the room at the end of your talk, how will they be different? Will they have a new skill? A new perspective on a topic? Be inspired to take a particular action? Be clear about why someone should spend their time listening to you.
Most conferences are clear on what they are looking for from a speaker, and on how they want pitches to be submitted. Don’t copy and paste your pitch from conference to conference; read the rules and follow them.
A compelling pitch is like a tiny sales letter; it shows you understand a challenge your industry peers are facing, and that you can help them handle it.
Review the language you use in your talk title and description to avoid any sexist, ableist, or otherwise exclusive terminology. Being thoughtful about language choices is helpful to everyone. See Help Scout’s article for some more specifics.
Adapt your talk pitch to suit the length of the speaking slots on offer. You want to be able to deliver on the promises you make, without having to rush through everything.
It can feel uncomfortable, but people do need to know how you are qualified to teach others. Include enough information in your bio to show your competence (or, as was the case for my talk “I’ve done all the dumb things”, your incompetence).
Before your submit an application, have a trusted friend or colleague review it. Check for typos and mistakes, but also for clarity and level of interest. Ask them to tell you in their own words what you intend to talk about, and see if you have been clear enough.
Check with each conference, but often you can submit more than one pitch for an event. Your second favourite idea might just be exactly what they were hoping for.
Here’s how you can set your aim for the rejected pile, should that be your goal.
The title you eveentually use on stage can be fun and clever - people are already in the room. The conference organiser is looking to understand the content of your talk. Keep it straightforward, or at least combine clarity with a pun subtitle. This is a struggle for me, every time.
Yes, I know I already said everybody has knowledge to share. But if you haven’t put the work in to figure it out, don’t go on stage yet. It will be boring at best.
Even the best talk can fall flat if the right people are not in the room to hear it. If you can’t adapt your knowledge to the audience, it is best to skip it.