How to become a speaker at a design conference

Little note before we jump into the ways to get on a conference stage. It’s good to know that it helps/speed up the process if you have established authority in your field or niche. This can be anything through something you have created or worked on and talked about on social media, podcasts, in the press, or taught in workshops or private events.

Let’s get on stage

One way might be to respond to a conference Call for Speakers (CFS). They are limited because most design conferences are heavily curated. But if there is an open call and your presentation idea fits the criteria, this could be a fairly easy way to do it. And if your application is not successful this year. The organiser might ask you next year. Because they know you, they have seen the structure of your talk, maybe they have talked to you about your talk, and you are now in their Rolodex.

A way to find a Call for Speakers is to follow design conference organizers and industry groups on social media. If there is an open call for speakers platforms like LinkedIn, X and Instagram are a good start. You can also use hashtags like #designconference or #callforspeakers to find relevant opportunities. Another way is to check the websites of the conferences. When there is a call for speakers, it will be published on their site and social media. It can be helpful to bookmark the websites of conferences you are interested in and to check back regularly for updates or follow them on social media. Design tools like Webflow and Figma use Sessionize to host their Call for Speakers. You can create a profile there and find design conference calls for speaker matches.

Start small, dream big.

A second option could be to start speaking at (small) local events on the topic(s) you love. Local events could be Creative Mornings, Ladies that UX, or other design meetups in or around your city. This is a great way to get started, practice your talk and gain valuable presentation experience. It will also help you build a track record of presentations you have given. The next step could be to build your speaker page, contact the events you love, and make a compelling case for why they should invite you to speak on their stage.
Five examples of speakers with good speaker pages are by Rejane Dal Bello, Tina Touli, Chris Do, Sarah Hyndman or Rachel Andrew.

Become a design ambassador.

A third way is to leverage something you have created. This can be a product, a service, a book you have written, a new skill you mastered, or a combination of these topics.

The power of content (and a little serendipity)

The fourth approach involves putting yourself out there more organically. By consistently creating content around design topics you love or a product/design you've developed, you can attract the attention of event organizers. This can happen through algorithms, word-of-mouth recommendations, or even targeted searches within your design niche.

For instance, stop motion animator Dina Amin was discovered by Marc Thiele from beyond tellerrand on Instagram. Inspired by her work and potential, he offered her a chance to speak. Dina's creativity and infectious energy during her presentation impressed the other organizers, leading to even more speaking engagements that same year. Dina Amin's story exemplifies the power of putting your design voice out there – you never know who might be listening!

Leverage your network

The fifth way is to ask your network. Don't be afraid to ask your professional network for recommendations or help you find open calls. Colleagues, mentors, and industry peers may have valuable insights or connections that can help you find opportunities to speak at a design conference.

The climb to the big stage

Getting on stage at a big design conference with 500+ attendees the first time is the hardest part. But once you are there, it becomes easier to secure your next speaking engagement.

Looking across the mentioned points, creating inspiring design work is a core element in opening doors to speaking opportunities. But remember, there's a captivating story behind every design project. When you grace the stage, give it your all, showcase your personality, and truly enjoy the experience.
See yourself as a DJ, setting the mood for 45 minutes with a compelling narrative that takes your audience on a journey – a beginning, a middle, and a truly inspiring end.

Finally, you can read or take courses on public speaking that will help you make great progress. I have selected a couple of books and courses that may be helpful for improving your public speaking skills:

Books

• Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo
• Confidence: How to Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs and Achieve Your Goals by Steve Chandler
• The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking by Dale Carnegie
• The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie
• How to Own the Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking by Viv Groskop

Courses:

• Public Speaking: Find Your Unique Voice on Domestika
• Public Speaking Course by Dale Carnegie Training
• Mastering Public Speaking on Coursera
• Powerful Speaking by Julian Treasure on Udemy

Conclusion

Now that you know just a few of our top tips for finding public speaking opportunities, it's over to you so that you can put what you've learned today into practice and start your journey to becoming a star speaker! The great news is that there are many fantastic opportunities out there, and we're here to help you find them! It's all about getting your name out there, and we've got plenty of tips and tricks to help you do just that.

Speaking opportunities and call for proposals

Ongoing list of speaking opportunities, applications or nominations for design conferences.

• Design Matters, Copenhagen, Deadline for submissions: December 31, 2024
• Circles Conference 2025, Grapevine, TX, USA, Deadline not mentioned.
• Config, San Francisco (May 4 – May 9, 2025), or London (May 12 – 15, 2025). Deadline for submissions: December 13, 2024
• Nominate your self for The Design Conference, Brisbane, Australia, Nominations close: December 31, 2024
• Submit your speaking proposal to TypeCon from early 2025
• Nominate your self for The Design Conference, Brisbane, Australia, Nominations close: December 31, 2024
• Future possibility: HOW Design Live, Traveling around the USA
• Future possibility: Us by Night, Antwerp, Belgium.

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Header photo by Teemu Paananen on Unsplash