Thread by @christinawunder

It’s global diversity cfp day @gdcfpday - To make tech conferences less white&male, @HackYFutureBE are teaching a bunch of diverse participants how to create compelling proposals for speaking gigs. LET’S GO 🎤🙌🏻 #Brussels #tech4all

1. How to find the right topic?
It has to be smth you like, not just smth that is trending or buzzing.
- what makes you excited?
- what annoys you while learning/working?
- what do you want to learn next?
✍🏻Write down your ideas, otherwise you’ll forget them! @mmoliz

2. How to write your call for proposals?
- Focus on TITLE and ABSTRACT
- convince them you’ll teach smth USEFUL and NEW
- be SPECIFIC w your topic
- rejection is OK (the first time is always hard), but always ask for FEEDBACK

@thesqlgrrrl shares insights from selecting speakers:
- we get thousands of proposals - be specific!
- supporting material is good (blogs, videos, active twitter, etc)
- feel free to get in touch w organisers if specific questions
- ask mentors!
- don’t be scared,you can do this!

3. Crafting your bio: @DennieDeclercq says
- talking abt yourself can be scary
- 1.step: believe in yourself and that you have valuable things to say (spoiler: because you do!)
- keep it simple (25-200 words)
- good bio depends on industry/context (have different versions ready)

- use the third person (she/her, he/him)
- structure: Currently ___, Before that ___, Also ___
- answer “interview” questions: what’s the coolest you’ve accomplished? What are your ideas? Why should you be talking about topic X?
More tips: cattsmall.com/about/ @cattsmall

4. Your perfect tech talk:
@thesqlgrrrl explains: Idea,Title, Structure&Delivery

By default, every talk is boring.

Whatever useful stuff you want to say - it’s only interesting if it’s in the context of a compelling story (scene setter,conflict/drama, adventure, resolution,etc)

Story > Technical info > Lessons learned
Your talk should be
- a performance
- informative
- emotional/personal
People mostly remember how you made them FEEL.

A good talk is like foreplay, explains @thesqlgrrrl.

It should make your audience feel good and want more.

Make sure to give your contacts, Twitter handle, where to follow/get in touch etc.

5. @nicktrog about the art of slides:
- Maximise signal, minimise noise: reduce cognitive load, slides are not a teleprompter!
- Make important information stand out: size, colour, font etc
- Show a n d tell: photos, icons, shapes
- Be consistent with your patterns

6. On the day of your talk @mmoliz says make sure you know:
- length&time of your talk⏰
- exact location+room (& be there in advance!)🗺
- contact person🗣
- will it be recorded?🎥
- dress code(check photos from past events)👕
- hardware needed💻
- backup slides (usb/cloud)

During:
- look up/at horizon when talking!
- check your talking speed
- BREATHE

After:
- Q&A❓
- enjoy the applause, it’s well deserved!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
- take a moment to chat w attendees
- if there’s a speakers’ dinner, enjoy!

And lastly: celebrate and... do it again? 🎤

Follow me (@christinawunder) for more tweets, opinions& nonsense on tech, data, AI and learning 🤖💻📊📚

If y’all know of conferences where I can put all that new knowledge to practice, let me know!📢

And thanks a million to @HackYFutureBE for a super interesting&useful day!