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<\/img><\/a><\/p>\nStep 1: Develop a speaker profile<\/b><\/p>\n
If you want your pitch to conference organizers to be noticed, then it better be good. Building a good pitch starts with clearly presenting who you are and what you\u2019re capable of. To that end, every would-be speaker should <\/a>develop a speaker profile<\/a> that includes a headshot, a speaking bio, slide decks from previous presentations, and a video of you presenting. It will take some effort to put all these materials together, but once you\u2019ve done so you\u2019ll have a suite of materials ready to share with conference organizers at a moment\u2019s notice. Putting these materials on a webpage will make your information easily searchable.<\/p>\n These materials all help lend you credibility, which is exceedingly valuable on the conference circuit. In order to further build your credibility, you may consider making a podcast, <\/a>blogging, or utilizing social media<\/a> to work toward establishing yourself as an industry expert or influencer even beyond the conference scene.<\/p>\n Step 2: Gain speaking experience<\/b><\/p>\n If you\u2019re new to the world of speaking professionally, then you can\u2019t just expect to be invited to present at the largest conference in your industry. Whether you\u2019re a total amateur or an experienced presenter, <\/a>gaining speaking experience<\/a> both within and beyond your industry is a great way to beef up your speaker profile. To that end, reach out to local clubs, meetup groups, colleges and universities, vendors, business networking groups, corporations, and\/or trade associations to pitch relevant speaking gigs. Not only will these gigs build your profile and increase your confidence, they\u2019ll also expand your referral network and provide you with testimonials to include on your webpage and\/or in your speaker profile.<\/p>\n Step 3: Seek out conferences that fit your presentation topics and style<\/b><\/p>\n Your chances of being chosen as a conference speaker are astronomically higher when you can pitch to the relevant needs and characteristics of a given conference. Thus, it\u2019s critical that you research conferences in order to develop a pitch that is well tailored to the organizers (more on that below). To that end, it\u2019s a good idea to <\/a>attend the conference<\/a> you want to speak at before you even write a pitch. There, you can peruse the agenda and the speaker lineup to identify areas where you may be able to share valuable content. (If you can\u2019t attend the conference, consider watching videos or looking up the agenda from past gatherings.) It can also be helpful to look up chatter about the conference on social media\u2014this may provide you with insight into the type of presentations that most resonate with the conference\u2019s audience.<\/p>\n Step 4: Pitch to conference organizers<\/b><\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve identified a conference (or several) you think you\u2019d be able to provide value to, it\u2019s time to pitch the conference organizers.<\/p>\n The first <\/a>rule of pitching<\/a> is to make sure you qualify to be a speaker in the first place. Some conferences require that speakers have a certain job title or are a sponsor, for instance. The second rule of pitching is to present a session title and abstract that were clearly developed with the conference\u2019s audience in mind. No organizer wants to read a pitch about how great this gig would be just for you (which is not to say that you shouldn\u2019t allow your personality to shine through in your pitch). Provide concrete examples of the presentation\u2019s content and outline the takeaways audience members will be able to apply to their own work or lives.<\/p>\n The third rule of pitching is to present well-organized materials that are easy to follow and devoid of simple errors (such as typos or broken URLs). And the final rule of pitching is that you should always be respectful of the conference organizers and their time. If they ask you for additional information, follow up promptly. If they reject your pitch, be gracious. After all, you may want to pitch the same conference next year and being on the organizers\u2019 bad side is not going to help.<\/p>\n Step 5: Wow your audience<\/b><\/p>\n If you get accepted as a speaker, then the best way to ensure you continue to be accepted for speaking gigs is to do a good job with the one you\u2019ve got. You can do this by <\/a>solving a problem<\/a> for your audience, sharing insights they can apply to their own lives, teaching them about emerging trends in their industries, or providing them with other valuable tools that will make the time they spend listening to your presentation well worth it.<\/p>\n Of course, the general principles of public speaking apply here as well. If you\u2019re uncomfortable speaking in front of an audience, then refer back to step two until you\u2019re ready to play in the big leagues. Still, it\u2019s helpful to remember that an audience cares more about what they\u2019re getting out of the presentation than they do about whether your voice cracks a few times in the beginning of your talk.<\/p>\n Speaking at conferences is a great way to develop a reputation as a thought leader in your industry. By adhering to the steps outlined above, you\u2019ll increase your chances of developing pitches that get accepted by conferences and connecting with audiences in a way that grows your esteem.<\/p>\n<\/img><\/a><\/h3>\nShare “Prepare, Present, Pitch: How to Become a Requested Conference Speaker” On Your Site<\/h3>\n