11 Tips for writing a great speaker submission
For any Event Tech companies out there - In case you missed it, ETL London has opened their call for speakers. If you're not sure where to start, read our top tips to help give you the best chance of being selected with your speaking submission.
Why speaking sessions matter
We've been writing (and speaking) at events for over 20 years.
From PCMA, ExpoExpo, ETL, Confex, IBTM and many, many more, we've done it all and in lots of formats too - from presenting analytics with kinetic sand (ETL year one!), hosting panels of industry experts for debate, and sharing use cases with clients on stage worldwide.
Speaking on stage, in front of your target audience, is an excellent opportunity to become the thought leader you want to be, share your company or brand's insights, knowledge and expertise plus... it gets you noticed!
It is widely recognized that having an exceptional roster of speakers is crucial for any successful event. Don't scrimp on your speaking submission and give yourself the best chance of getting on stage at ETL London.
Here are our top tips for getting your speaker submission noticed.
ONE Know your audience and event topics
Before you start writing, it's worth taking a moment to read up on ETL London's target audience and what topics they may want to have discussed. For example, at ETL London, they offer a whole list of key areas of expertise they define as priority content - have a look here.
TWO What will your audience learn from your session
Make it obvious for the panel selecting the speakers - offer three or four key takeaways you wish the audience to learn from attending your session. Hopefully, this aligns with the event's objectives, or links to them, so that those reviewing your session know you understand their event and are providing their audience with value.
THREE Avoid Jargon
Your submission needs to be compelling and clear, so avoid overusing technical terms or specific language that your audience might not understand unless very obvious and relevant. Focus instead on the core messages of your session and what the audience will gain from attending it - this is much more likely to grab their attention!
FOUR - It's not all about you
Although you may have a great story to tell, you can almost always tell it better if you have a client or end-user (or three) with you on stage to share their thoughts or experiences.
Audiences like to hear from "people like me," and they tend not to like the "pitch slap" so much - so if you can include a client, industry expert or someone you know people will want to hear from, you're more likely to get selected!
FIVE - Take your time
Although not too much time, the deadline for ETL London 2023 is the 31st of July. What we mean is, don't sit there one night, bash out your submission, hit submit and hope for the best. Spend a week jotting down notes, bullet points - however you collect your thoughts - so that when you do sit down to write your submission, you already have some clear thoughts on what it is you want to share.
SIX - Hook them with a headline
Ensure your title captures the reader's attention by being eye-catching and relevant to the content you present. No generic "virtual events" or "the future of analytics" - get creative and think about how you can capture the essence of your session in a headline that will grab their attention. We often work on the headline last - once we have the rest of our submission ready, as we can ensure we have captured the essence of our session in a few words.
SEVEN - Keep it short and to the point
Your submission should be between 500-750 words, so make sure to keep to the point and explain everything clearly to ensure your message is understood.
EIGHT - Write a compelling abstract
Your abstract should describe what you plan to cover in your session, why it matters, what people will learn from it, and how the audience will benefit. Try to make an impact by giving examples of what you plan to discuss - use stories or anecdotes that people can relate to, as this will help draw them in.
NINE - Double-check the requirements
Don't write War and Peace if the event has asked for a thirty second video explaining your session - give them a thirty second video explaining your session.
TEN - Prepare your bio (and that of your guests)
You may not have all of your guest speakers or panelists lined up just yet, but if you do, have a short bio ready - what's their experience on the subject, who do they work for and why might they be attractive to the ETL London audience?
ELEVEN - Proofread it
Once you have written your submission, check the spelling and grammar. It's worth getting a colleague to review it for any typos or omissions.
Finally, and this one should be pretty obvious - don't forget to make sure your personal contact details are included in case the panel needs to ask you anything.
Need help writing your speaker submission?
Drop us an email and we can share a template that will help shape your submission.
Better yet, if you want us to help write it for you - we can.
Drop us a line.
Good luck!