Conference Speaking Made Simple: Tips for Submitting Talks That Get Accepted
Submitting a conference talk doesn’t have to be daunting. Follow these expert tips to choose the right topic, understand CFPs, and create proposals that stand out—perfect for first-time and seasoned speakers.
Getting your talk accepted is the first hurdle - learn how in this guide
Zero To Keynote: How to Get Your Conference Talk Accepted
Getting your talk accepted is the first major hurdle in your speaking journey. Yet many aspiring speakers don’t put in the effort needed at this stage.
This guide explains why a strong submission matters and how to approach it like a pro.
A more in-depth version of this guide, along with everything else you need to know about conference speaking, is in the Zero To Keynote book.
develop your conference speaking skills
My book Zero to Keynote is now out in print and digital. It’s a step-by-step guide to speaking at conferences—from sparking ideas and submitting proposals to crafting your talk, rehearsing, and delivering a presentation that stands out.
Speaking at conferences isn’t just about standing on stage—it offers growth in multiple ways:
Push your limits: Speaking takes you out of your comfort zone, helping you grow.
Boost self-confidence: Completing a talk builds confidence that spills over into work and life.
Personal development: Public speaking is increasingly an essential workplace skill.
Career advancement: Pitch, influence, and present with authority. Speaking opens doors.
Share your ideas: Connect with your “tribe” who value your perspective.
Access and exposure: Speaking often comes with free tickets, visibility, and brand promotion.
How to Find a Conference
Finding the right conference takes research. Start with:
Industry journals, news, or newsletters
Local meet-ups, user groups, or events
Social media (follow hashtags and industry influencers)
Blogs and thought leaders
Word-of-mouth from peers or previous attendees
Key: Look for the Call For Papers (CFP)—the official invitation to submit a talk.
Usually includes speaker info, abstract, and key takeaways
Opens months to a year in advance
Understanding Conference Themes
Conference themes vary:
Broad themes: Almost any topic can fit
Niche themes: May require tailoring your idea
Themes help organisers brand the event and create a storyline connecting talks. Don’t worry if your talk isn’t a perfect match — there’s usually wiggle room. Large conferences often have tracks for narrower topics.
Generating Conference Topic Ideas
New speakers often think: “I have nothing new to say.” Remember: your perspective is unique – nobody has heard your perspective before.
Ways to generate topics:
Reflect on your own experiences
Share tools, techniques, or processes you use
Highlight challenges or failures you’ve overcome
Tell your personal journey
Discuss industry frustrations or overlooked areas
Techniques for idea generation:
Brainstorming, sketch noting, or outlining
Use a mind map or post-it notes to visualise ideas
Mash ideas together—creativity thrives on combinations
Tip: Start with an experience report—it’s safe, relatable, and unique. Many conferences also have newbie slots with smaller audiences.
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Get the "Generating Talk Ideas" PDF - a free chapter from the Zero to Keynote - book here.
Writing a Winning Conference Proposal
There are 10 essential steps:
Read the CFP carefully
Note deadlines, word/character counts, theme, and required attachments
Check if a bio, photo, or supporting documents are needed
Create a checklist of requirements - Get a free speaker checklist when you subscribe to the Meeting Notes newsletter.
Audience: Create a persona/avatar for your ideal attendee
Context: Keynote, workshop, small talk, or venue type
Outline your topic and flow
Sketch the talk at a high level
Focus on a single, clear message
Write a problem statement
What problem is your talk solving?
Even experience reports solve challenges relevant to your audience
Draft the middle at a high level
Don’t worry about detailed slides yet
Keep the proposal concise
Define key takeaways
Decide what attendees will gain: knowledge, motivation, perspective
Most conferences request 3–4 takeaways
Simplify repeatedly
Remove anything that doesn’t add value
Keep refining until only the core message remains
Wait and revisit
Step away for 24 hours; fresh perspective often improves clarity
Submit and save a copy
Attach a professional headshot and bio
Keep a copy of your submission for future reference
Tip: Avoid casual photos; your headshot may appear on websites, flyers, and handouts.
A photo from a Keynote preparation session - getting the flow just right before writing it
Speaker’s Remorse
After submission, “speaker’s remorse” is common:
Why did I do this?
Can I really deliver this talk?
Reframe your thinking:
You have time to practice
You submitted for a reason — it matters
It will be fun
You will learn and grow
The organisers liked your talk
Key Takeaways
Effort at submission matters: A strong proposal increases your chances of acceptance.
Focus on PAC: Purpose, Audience, Context are essential for clarity.
Unique perspective: Even experience reports are valuable.
Prepare and simplify: Keep proposals concise, clear, and compelling.
Keep organised: Save submissions, photos, bios, and templates for future talks.
develop your conference speaking skills
My book Zero to Keynote is now out in print and digital. It’s a step-by-step guide to speaking at conferences—from sparking ideas and submitting proposals to crafting your talk, rehearsing, and delivering a presentation that stands out.
Davies, G. (2010). The presentation coach : bare knuckle brilliance for every presenter. Chichester, England: Capstone Publishing Ltd (featured in my recommended reading list)
Duarte, N. (2008). Slide:ology : the art and science of creating great presentations. Beijing ; Sebastopol, Ca: O’reilly Media. (featured in my recommended reading list)
Garr Reynolds (2010). Presentation zen design : simple design principles and techniques to enhance your presentations. Berkeley, Calif.: New Riders, Cop. (featured in my recommended reading list)
Port, M. (2015). Steal the show : from speeches to job interviews to deal-closing pitches, how to guarantee a standing ovation for all the performances in your life. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. (featured in my recommended reading list)
