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Conferences Speakers and “Making Room” for Other Voices

Johanna Rothman

I've spoken professionally at conferences for 25 years. I asked these people if they could imagine three other alternatives that do not include me self-censoring my conference inclusion. Conferences don't always take my proposals. Yes, as a potential speaker, you need to show conferences you can offer value. I enjoy it.

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Create a Conference Proposal the Conference Wants and Accepts, Part 1: Frame the Proposal

Johanna Rothman

You want to present a talk, workshop, experience report at a conference. (Or, Decide which conference(s) to propose your content. I got the idea for this series from Chris Murman's talk at Agile 2019 and from all my shepherding for the Agile 20xx and XPxx conferences. (If About Conference Proposals.

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Writing Advice for Conference Proposals

Johanna Rothman

I'm a shepherd for the XP2019 and Agile2019 conferences. If you're trying to write a proposal for a conference or have an agile story you want to tell, consider framing the story this way: Start with the problems. I'm working on an agile management talk proposal. I love reading experiences. I'm a total sucker for them.

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Create a Conference Proposal the Conference Wants and Accepts, Part 5: Write Your Bio

Johanna Rothman

If your conference proposal has a speaking experience field, use that field to explain your expertise, authority, and credibility. These fields help the potential audience realize your session is the one they must attend, out of the entire conference. I want to be the reason people come to a conference. Am I always?

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Create a Conference Proposal the Conference Wants and Accepts, Part 3: Write the Abstract

Johanna Rothman

Conference proposals always have a short abstract. Some conferences, such as the Agile 20xx conferences, also have “Information for the Program Team.” When you go to conferences, what makes you consider a session? You might think the people going to the conference are your audience.

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Where I Think “Agile” is Headed, Part 1: Do You Need an Agile Approach?

Johanna Rothman

I spoke at Agile 2019 last week. Here are my thoughts and where I think the “agile” industry is headed. Problems I See with “Agile” Here's a summary of problems I saw last week: Too many people think “agile” will solve all their problems. Do You Need an Agile Approach?

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Create a Conference Proposal the Conference Wants and Accepts, Part 4: Complete the Proposal

Johanna Rothman

Every conference proposal seems to be a little different. The one part every conference requests is the type of session. Not all conferences want all possible session types. In my experience, many conferences offer the opportunity for lightning talks and Pecha Kuchas once they accept your main presentation.