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Summary
Some of us are naturals when we take the stage, whether virtual or in person. But most presenters struggle--with time limits, clear storytelling, impostor syndrome, slide creation paralysis, and good old fashioned stage fright. So we've convened some of the UX pros who curate Rosenfeld Media's conference programs and help prepare their speakers--they'll answer your questions and offer some tips on what makes a good UX conference presentation.
Key Insights
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Conference presentations benefit from embracing three core values: inclusivity, collaboration, and iteration.
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Inclusivity means engaging diverse perspectives not only in speaker selection but also in talk development processes.
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Collaborative cohorts of 4-6 speakers help each other refine talks through peer feedback and rehearsal review.
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Iteration encourages starting with a simple idea or elevator pitch and evolving it over months rather than last-minute preparation.
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Speakers who genuinely care and want to provoke change tend to deliver more compelling presentations.
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Newness or being just ahead of the audience’s knowledge creates valuable conference content, often from fresh perspectives rather than seasoned expertise.
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Successful panel discussions require advance planning to identify areas of agreement and disagreement to create compelling tension.
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Using tools like sticky notes or index cards helps speakers organize and refine numerous talk ideas into coherent themes.
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Not all submitted talks fit a conference program due to theme or slot constraints; rejection is often about fit, not quality.
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Building a portfolio of modular talk components over time supports a sustainable, evolving speaking career.
Notable Quotes
"Inclusivity, collaboration, and iteration are the three principles we really care about when creating conference programs."
"You don’t have to be a seasoned expert; having the nub of a good idea is often exactly what we’re looking for."
"Give a s**t. Care about your topic, and convey that enthusiasm to make a talk resonate."
"Don’t be afraid to poke the bear and be a bit provocative to challenge the status quo."
"A small focused talk can grow into something bigger — start with one clear idea and build from there."
"Panels without some preparation often end up as a string of disconnected spiels; chemistry and planning change that."
"The psychological safety in a speaker cohort helps get through the messy middle moments of talk development."
"If your talk isn’t accepted, it may just not fit the program the way other talks do — keep submitting and refining."
"Many speakers get an identity crisis moment with their talk; that’s normal and usually leads to breakthroughs."
"A speaking career is like a portfolio you build over time with talks you evolve and recombine for different audiences."
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