How to Discover Conferences To Speak At
When I first started with conference speaking, I wasn't really sure which places I should apply to. There were the conferences that I had attended myself already and that I knew I liked, but I also saw so many others pop up on Twitter and LinkedIn. I was overwhelmed by the number of conferences out there and often felt like I was missing out on amazing opportunities.
I quickly realised that as a conference speaker, I needed to actively seek out these opportunities rather than wait for them to come to me. Over the years, I’ve developed a strategy that has helped me discover various conferences that otherwise wouldn't have been on my radar.
In this post, I’ll share some practical tips that have worked well for me:
Create accounts on Sessionize and PaperCall
First up, create accounts on Sessionize and PaperCall. These two platforms are great for managing your talk submissions. They make it easy to apply to multiple conferences and allow you to discover new events. You can keep track of what talks you submitted where and which ones get accepted. I check them regularly for new opportunities, and it’s always exciting to see what’s out there.
Subscribe to SeeCFP
Next, consider subscribing to SeeCFP. This weekly newsletter is brilliant for keeping you in the loop about CFP deadlines that are closing soon, as well which CFPs are new this week. It’s a quick way to stay updated on open proposals and serves as an excellent weekly reminder as to which ones you should submit to this week.
Create a shortlist of your favourite conferences
Take some time to create a shortlist of your favourite conferences. These are the events that resonate with you and align with your expertise. I keep an eye on them throughout the year and add important CFP dates to my calendar. Some events will send out CFP reminders to their mailing list, but it always surprises me that not all of them do. Being proactive with checking the conference website, means I don’t miss out on exciting opportunities.
Reach out to event organisers
Don’t hesitate to reach out to event organizers, especially for curated events that don’t have open CFPs. If you’ve attended before and have established a rapport, this can be a great way to express your interest in speaking. A personal touch goes a long way! A simple DM expressing your enthusiasm can set you apart from others and create opportunities that you might not find through traditional channels.
Network at other conferences
Networking at conferences is a powerful way to uncover new speaking opportunities. Engage with other attendees and ask about their experiences with different events; they might share insights on conferences you haven’t heard of. Connect with speakers after their talks to discuss their journeys and recommendations. Be sure to exchange contact information and follow up after the event to keep the dialogue going.
Join topic-specific communities
Joining topic-specific communities on Slack, WhatsApp, or other platforms can be incredibly useful. Most of these spaces typically have a channel or group to share relevant conferences in your field. It's also a great way to build connections and potentially collaborate with fellow speakers. Plus by taking part in discussions you already build a reputation as someone who know what they are talking about.
Bookmark events & CFPs that get mentioned on social media
Social media is a great way to come across conference announcements. Whenever I come across an event that interests me, I make sure to bookmark it for later. This way, I can revisit these opportunities when I’m ready to submit my talk. Platforms like LinkedIn and Mastodon are particularly useful for staying updated, as many organizers share their CFPs and events there.
Follow key speakers
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of following key speakers in your industry. Many of them share upcoming conferences and CFPs on their social media channels. By keeping an eye on their posts, you can gain early insights into new opportunities that may not be widely advertised yet. Their networks can also provide additional leads, helping you uncover even more events aligning with your goals.
Finding the right conferences isn’t just about applying everywhere.
It’s about understanding your target audience, building connections, and staying in the loop in your areas of interest. The more you put yourself out there and stay connected, the more awesome opportunities you'll discover that are right for you.
Ready to find the perfect stage for your talk? These tips should help you get there!
