DEV Community

Cover image for Speaking at Tech Conferences - Getting Started 🎉

Speaking at Tech Conferences - Getting Started 🎉

Josefine Schfr on October 17, 2022

This is the first part in a series on speaking at tech conferences - this part focusses on getting started and reasons why you might want to speak ...
Collapse
 
michaeltharrington profile image
Michael Tharrington

Ooo I'm siked for this series! I've been getting more and more interested in public speaking, so am def looking for inspiration and guidance.

Collapse
 
josefine profile image
Josefine Schfr

That's great Michael, I'm so glad. Are there any particular areas that you are unsure about?

Collapse
 
michaeltharrington profile image
Michael Tharrington

Thanks for the question!

If I end up speaking at a tech conference, I'll be speaking from the perspective of being a Community Manager rather than someone in a technical position, and well, that makes me a bit nervous. I'm thinking I might even try to embrace that worry and make that the focus of the talk because certainly other folks are in the same boat. Thinking I'd discuss what it's like being a non-developer working in a world of developers, how I'm regularly hit with bouts of imposter syndrome but work to overcome it, what unique strengths I'm
able to bring to the table from my background in Creative Writing and English, and how I collaborate/support/empathize with technical folks on my team and in the community to make a positive difference.

Sorry, I kinda went on a diversion there, I suppose the area I was highlighting was that I feel unsure about speaking at a tech conference as someone who is not highly technical. My solution is to be overwhelmingly honest and open about that — so much so that I wanna make it the focus of my talk, haha!

But, other public speaking topics that come to mind as areas I'd like to learn more about are:

  • how to overcome the nerves! (I get so nervous about speaking in front of a group)
  • tips for preparing visual aids
  • difference between speaking at an in-person versus virtual event

I'm sure there are other things I could use help with in this regard, so if they come to mind, I'll be sure to hop back in here and let ya know!

Thread Thread
 
josefine profile image
Josefine Schfr

Thank you so much for sharing! First of all, thanks so much for the topics you mentioned. I'll try and work them into the series and make sure these things are covered.

Now about speaking as a non-technical person at a conference - I totally understand your nervousness. It's completely normal, and imposter syndrome is way too real when it comes to speaking in public. But trust me, even people we perceive as super technical might wonder whether their talk is technical enough. And this is not their primary concern; maybe these folks will worry about having good storytelling, their presentation skills or something completely different. We are all worried before putting our perspective out there.

I usually find that the less technical talks are actually the more popular at many conferences - just because, these are topics many people can relate to, regardless of their favourite programming language or tool.

Yes, it takes courage. But it's so valuable for the community if you manage to put yourself out there without having a super technical talk. I started speaking as a Junior Dev and I was so scared that everyone would 'already know everything I could tell', or that it would be 'too basic'. But many didn't know, or maybe they knew and forgot, so a reminder was useful.

Thread Thread
 
michaeltharrington profile image
Michael Tharrington

I really appreciate your advice and reassurance here! Come to think of it, I think you're exactly right that the less technical talks are often the most popular ones at conferences.

Now, just gotta muster the courage to get out there and do it! 😅

Anywho, I look forward to seeing more entries in your series here. And btw, thanks for being so open to covering these other related topics I mentioned.

Collapse
 
yuridevat profile image
Julia 👩🏻‍💻 GDE

Nice article, Josefine. Thanks for sharing.

Yes, I am planning to do some CFP for next year, maybe I am invited to give a talk somewhere. Mabye, at the same conference as you do, that would be nice :)

Collapse
 
josefine profile image
Josefine Schfr

Ohhh, yes, it would be lovely to finally meet in person! When you see some interesting confs you will apply to, let me know! :)

Collapse
 
kiliman profile image
Kiliman

Nice series!

I'll be doing my first presentation at Remix Conf Europe next month. Luckily it's virtual and online, and I get to pre-record my talk. I'm not sure I could do a live one on stage for the first time. I think I'd faint.

Collapse
 
josefine profile image
Josefine Schfr

Congrats on speaking at Remix Conf! I'm looking forward to your talk, I'm sure you will do amazing!

Collapse
 
jquinten profile image
Joran Quinten

Nice! I wrote an article on doing the talk itself, you can take a look if you're interested. The road towards getting an opportunity is a great idea! 💡

Collapse
 
a4ajay36 profile image
Ajay Kumar

Thanks for posting this!

Collapse
 
iamdurga profile image
Durga Pokharel

Thank you for sharing