CONFERENCES

Larger Conferences

Smaller Conferences

Companies and small grassroot organizations may also run smaller conferences as well. They may or may not have calls for proposals, but be on the look out. They often advertise on LinkedIn.There may also be opportunities to speak on panels as well.

Resources

Proposal Tips

Use marketing strategies. Consider a proposal to be more of a sales proposal than an academic exercise. You're selling both your topic and that you're the one to talk about it.

  • Be clear about what will happen in the session. Reviewers want to visualize the session and have a clear understanding of what you plan to do in the session.

  • Speak to their audience. Reviewers want to be sure that you and your session will add value to their audience. Specifically state what participants will gain from this experience. And if it's an L&D audience, it's you! You are the audience! So there's value in choosing topics and using a perspective that speaks to you.

  • Don't over promise. Ensure that what you say will happen in your session can actually be accomplished within the allocated amount of time.

  • No selling. Reviewers can spot selling from a mile away. One key tell-tale sign is when you offer a solution that can only be applied using a specific tool, process, or strategy that participants will have to pay you or your company to use.

  • Describe the audience's problem and how you plan to address it. Demonstrate an understanding of the problem your presentation addresses and how you plan to do so. 

  • Focus more on your unique take on a topic rather than finding a unique topic. There's a saying, "There is nothing new under the sun." There's no need to scour the earth looking for niche topics. Focus on what you bring to the topics we're all struggling with. You are an expert in you own experience. Besides, you don't find your niche - it finds you. Then again, there are many topics that many people will propose -- like literally anything in Storyline.In that case, a strong proposal may not be enough. The conference committee may go with the person who is more well known for speaking and writing about the topic.

  • Propose topics that are related to the conference. It sounds obvious, but ensure you select a topic that is consistent with what the conference's topic. If it's a technology conference, they are probably looking for topics that either focus on technology ("Developing eLearning on a Shoestring") or that is a nontechnal topic applied to a technical context ("Evaluating and Measuring the Impact of VILT Courses"). Conversely, topics like "Leading DEI Efforts in Management Training," may not get selected. If there is a technical angle buried in there somewhere, put it in the title.


​A note about proposals
If your proposal is not accepted, it doesn't mean it was ineffective (or bad). For the popular conferences, there is a lot of competition and they only have so many spots. Re-evaluate, ask for feedback from colleagues (or, in some cases, from the proposal reviewers themselves) and keep trying. But, again, it's not a "proposal contest" in that the best proposal wins. Reviewers consider many factors and the proposal is just a part of the programming process.

Becoming “Known”

Strategies for becoming a "known quantity," which is defined as someone or something whose abilities or characteristics are well known. Being associated with a topic will increase your chances of being asked to speak at conferences and other events. It's basically about making a brand for yourself.

  • Pick one flexible and two niche topics. You want to be associated with specfic topics.Only speak and write about variations on those topics. Add your own spin to them. When it comes to building your brand, it's better to know a lot about a little than a little about a lot. 

  • Appear on podcasts. You don't have to wait to be asked - reach out and ask producers if you can be a guest.

  • Write articles or reviews. You can have a blog of your own, but you can also write guest blog posts for others. You can also submit to publications like TD Magazine and Learning Solutions Magazine.

  • Facilitate webinars or live events. Many companies and academic institutions offer webinars and live online events and are always looking for subject matter experts.

  • Make your own webinars or videos. Anyone can record videos of themselves talking about topics the matter to them. Don't worry about views right now (Pro tip: No one has to attend your webinar for you to record it - attendees don't appear in the recording). You just need the video to affirm your expertise and get the Google hits.

  • Be strategic. You want someoone to Google your topic and have your name appear in the results. The more websites that associate your name with a topic the better - thus the more Google-able conference agendas, videos, and podcasts you appear on, the better.

  • Make relationships. Social proof is incredibly valuable. Well-established people want to also be known for associating with talented people. Note that when they recommend you, they are taking the risk of associating their well-earned brand with your new one so as much "proof" as you can supply, the better. A lot of these connections can be established and reinforced at conferences - sometimes it's organic and other times you have to make stride to actively pursue these relationships online or offline.

  • Use social media. Social media is a way to connect with people but also a way to establish your expertise by writing your own posts or promoting your writing and videos. Promoting the work of others can also help boost your brand. 

  • Create a website. There are always debates over whether it's necessary to have your own website. No, it's not. BUT what's nice about websites is that you can control the flow and narrative. When you rely on social media like LinkedIn, you need to conform to their layouts - they tell your story the way they want to. You are not unique. You're just another page. Now, you can set up a website (like Weebly or Wix) for free. A custom URL is not required. Take a week, set it up, and only touch it when needed.