Submitting and Presenting at WordCamps

With Los Angeles WordCamp fast approaching, this talk is aimed at inspiring and providing tips to first-time speakers on how to submit and prepare for a WordCamp Presentation. I have spoken at 18 WordCamps in the past 2 years and I hope to motivate new talent in the presentations that are given at all WordCamps.

Transcript

1. Submitting and Presenting at WordCamps Suzette Franck SoCal WordPress Meetup Group Chinatown, CA Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple
2. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Suzette Franck with a “ck” @mt_Suzette ★WordPress Evangelist @ (mt) Media Temple ★First WordCamp talk in 2011 on BuddyPress ★Never spoke previously, self-taught ★Spoke at 18 WordCamps to date ★WordPress Podcast WPUnicornProject.com https://www.youtube.com/user/mediatemple ★Reg. Contributor on WPwatercooler.com ★Blogs at: suzettefranck.com ★Slides: speakerdeck.com/suzettefranck
3. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple ★What is and Why speak at WordCamps? ★Formulating Topic Ideas ★Submitting an Application ★Slide Preparation ★Performing Your Presentation ★Summary What We Will Cover
4. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple What is WordCamp?
5. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple WordCamps ★WordCamps are multi-day conferences held annually in popular cities around the country ★Topics for all WordPress skill levels are presented to the Community by normal people ★Recorded by the WordPress Foundation for posting on WordPress.tv
6. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Things You Should know about WordCamp ★Speakers are not paid for their talks ★Speakers pay their own travel expenses ★Usually special speaker dinner or gifts ★Presentation preparation is key ★Submissions accepted 6-3 months prior ★Speakers must follow Foundation Guidelines
7. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Why Speak at WordCamp? ★Share your knowledge with the Community ★Great experience/resume builder ★Helps to establish you as an expert in an area ★Work with and meet talented smart people ★Speaker icon on your WordPress.com profile ★Speaking experience not necessary
8. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple subscribe for email updates WordCamp.org
9. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple 2014.la.wordcamp.org September 2014 Subscribe to find out when speaker submissions will be open
10. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple http://www.visualistan.com/2014/05/ wordcamp-events-around-world-may-july.html WordCamps May - July
11. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple What Should I Talk On?
12. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Finding a WordCamp Topic ★What was helpful to you while learning WordPress? ★What do you wish more people understood about WordPress? ★What is something you know or want to know more about WordPress?
13. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Submitting Your Speaker Application
14. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Writing a WordCamp Submission ★Pick a good topic title that is not cryptic ★Paragraph about your topic: summary, what skill level it is for, what can be learned ★Have a good self bio about a paragraph long ★Fill out your WordPress.org Profile ★Previous experience good but not necessary ★List any articles, blog posts, or relevant classes
15. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Fill out your WordPress.org Profile http://profiles.wordpress.org/mt_Suzette
16. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Include a Bio, Nice Headshot, Social Media Links http://profiles.wordpress.org/mt_Suzette
17. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple More Tips on WordCamp Submissions ★Submit more than one topic ★I typically submit minimum of 3 different talks ★Be brief but concise in your application ★Fill out all fields ★Use proper English ★Bonus: submit a video intro about your topic
18. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Good Example: 2014.maine.wordcamp.org
19. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple You’ve Been Accepted... Now What?
20. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Creating Slides for Your Presentation ★Discovery and Research Phase (40-60%) ★Information and Organization Phase ★Finish slides 1 or 2 weeks before talk ★Publish PDF of slides to SpeakerDeck.com or SlideShare.net ★Send slide url to WordCamp organizer ★Tweet url day of and/or after your talk
21. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Slides Guidelines ★1-2 slides per minute ★60 minutes prep per minute ★Keynote or PowerPoint to make slides ★Focus on content not look of slides ★Focus on look when content is done ★Screen shots/images where appropriate
22. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Slides Guidelines ★Text should be no smaller than 48px ★Keep text as minimal as possible ★Do not read paragraphs from slides ★Do not show code without reading through it ★Always use high contrast for text ★Text/images should highlight key points
23. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Presenting Your Talk
24. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Coming Prepared ★Bring/borrow any special display adapters ★Bring/borrow a presentation clicker ★Upload your presentation before you talk ★Check with room monitor for mikes/camera 30-15 minutes prior ★Have a full water bottle with you
25. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Presentation Tips ★Do rehearse your introduction and bio (record) ★Humor is good in intros, if you can swing it ★Focus on smooth transitions between subjects ★Rely on slides for format/structure ★Ask audience questions to keep them engaged ★When taking questions, repeat the question
26. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Performing Your Talk ★Stand up straight, hands to side unless gesturing ★Use a microphone or project and annunciate ★Make eye contact with the room occasionally ★Try not to wander out of camera view ★Deliver your first words how you would like your presentation to go. Opening energy is important!
27. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple Closing and After Your Talk ★Last slide should include slide url/contact info ★Be available for private questions/discussions ★Hand out your business card ★Tweet out your presentation url ★Write a blog post about your talk and promote ★Check WordPress.tv for publishing of your talk ★If there is a recording, watch it and critique it
28. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple In Summary
29. Media Temple // 8520 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 / 877-578-4000 / mediatemple.net / @mt_Suzette © 2013 (mt) Media Temple WordCamp Presentations ★Anyone can give a talk at WordCamp ★Adhere to WordCamp GPLv2 and guidelines ★WordCamps love first time speakers ★Keep Code of Conduct in mind, no racism, no offensive jokes, no inappropriate images in slides ★Have fun but be professional, don’t cuss!
30. Questions? Suzette Franck suzette@mediatemple.net https://speakerdeck.com/suzettefranck Have Fun and Learn! @mt_Suzette Follow Me On Twitter!