Write a Conference Proposal the Conference Wants and Accepts

By Johanna Rothman

Do you dream of speaking at a conference? You want to share your successes—and maybe your failures.

 

Conference committees accept proposals they understand. Those same committees reject confusing proposals.

 

You can write a clear proposal. Use the tips in this book to:

• Start with the real outcomes. Not a promise for an outcome, but what people will learn.
• Create a compelling one-paragraph abstract.
• Choose a title that invites the reader into your session.
• Connect to your readers with your bio.

Increase your chances with the program committee. Craft a proposal the conference committee can understand and accept.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Practical Ink
• Release date: May 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781943487219

Johanna Rothman

Johanna Rothman, known as the “Pragmatic Manager,” provides frank advice for your tough problems. She helps leaders and teams see problems and resolve risks and manage their product development. Johanna is the author of more than ten books and hundreds of articles. Find her two blogs at jrothman.com and createadaptablelife.com.

Book preview

Write a Conference Proposal the Conference Wants and Accepts

Write a Conference Proposal the Conference Wants and Accepts

Johanna Rothman

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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

Every precaution was taken in the preparation of this book. However, the author and publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages that may result from the use of information contained in this book.

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and Practical Ink was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in initial capital letters or in all capitals.

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© 2020 Johanna Rothman

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

1. Prepare to Present at a Conference

2. Frame the Proposal

2.1 Sell Your Session with Your Proposal

2.2 Start Your Proposal

3. Start with Outcomes

3.1 Outcomes Start with Verbs

3.2 See Examples of Outcomes

3.3 Hook the Reader with Actionable Outcomes

3.4 Add to Your Proposal

4. Create Your Abstract

4.1 Hook People with Your Abstract

4.2 Write First For the Program Committee

4.3 Write a Succinct Abstract

4.4 Write a One-Paragraph Abstract

4.5 Test Your Abstract

4.6 Support the Abstract with More Information

4.7 Update Your Outcomes

4.8 Separate the Writing from the Editing

4.9 Add Your Abstract and Update Your Proposal

5. Complete the Proposal

5.1 Define Your Session Type

5.2 Choose Your Session Type

5.3 Complete the Other Parts of the Proposal

5.4 Always Explain the Story Behind the Session

5.5 Explain When Your Ideas Won’t Work

5.6 Complete the Other Fields

5.7 Refine Your Proposal

6. Write a Bio to Establish Your Expertise

6.1 Consider This Template for Your Bio

6.2 Your Speaking Experience Helps the Committee Say Yes

6.3 Iterate on the Proposal and Where to Submit

6.4 Update Your Proposal with Your Bio

7. Hook Your Reader with a Great Title

7.1 Titles Invite and Connect

7.2 Titles Help the Reader Identify with the Problems You Solve

7.3 Check Your Possible Titles with a Headline Analyzer

7.4 Create a Table of Results

7.5 Troubleshoot Your Titles

7.6 Consider These Prompts

7.7 Complete Your Proposal

8. Understand Conference Feedback

8.1 Propose Your Session Early

8.2 Respond to Feedback Fast

8.3 Manage Your Rejection

8.4 Acknowledge Your Feelings

8.5 Manage the Acceptance

8.6 Verify Conference Logistics

8.7 How Much is the Honorarium?

8.8 Write This Down

9. Consider Speaking at a Conference

9.1 Why Propose a Session?

9.2 Why Speak at a Conference?

9.3 Decide Which Conferences to Select

9.4 Prepare in Advance for Conferences

More from Johanna

Notes

Acknowledgements

I could not have written this book without having read hundreds of proposals. Thank you, proposal writers, for having the courage to write your proposal and for allowing me to read them.

I also thank all the people who’ve offered me feedback about my proposals. You helped me craft better proposals and help other people see my work.

I thank Nancy Swaine for copyediting.

Cover by Brandon Swann, swanndesignstudio.com

All mistakes are mine.

Cover photo by Matt Botsford on Unsplash

1. Prepare to Present at a Conference

You want to present a talk, workshop, or an experience report at a conference. (Or, a lightning talk, Pecha Kucha, or more.) You have something important to share. How can you create a proposal that the program committee will accept?

You write a proposal.

I’ve been a professional speaker to support my consulting business for 25 years. I’ve delivered several hundred presentations of some variety: track talks, workshops, keynotes, lightning talks, Pecha Kuchas, and panel presentations.

I’ve had to write a proposal for each of them.

And I’ve been a reviewer, a track chair, and an experience report shepherd for the Agile 20xx series of conferences for more than 10 years. I’ve also been an experience report shepherd for the XP 20xx conferences for several years.

I’ve had to read too many horrible proposals.

I’m happy to share what I’ve learned in this book. As you work through the proposal writing, do let me know if you have questions or comments.

I make no claims that the ideas here are the One Right Way to create a conference proposal. I’ve developed these ideas over the years, refining what works for me.

Some of these ideas will work for you. I hope all of them will, but you may have to adapt them to your circumstances.

My best wishes and I hope the conferences accept your well-crafted, honed proposals.

Let’s start.

2. Frame the Proposal

You might think you just start at the top and write a conference proposal. I have found that