I’ve talked a lot about creating content, but maybe the bit you’re wondering about is how to actually start speaking:
- How do you write a great session description?
- How do you submit to events?
- And, most importantly, how do you deal with rejections?
Let’s start with that last one, because it matters more than we like to admit.
Before anything else, we need to accept one truth: we won’t become famous speakers overnight. Our sessions may not be accepted, even when we truly believe they’re great. And often, that has nothing to do with quality.
Sometimes it’s simply because organisers and audiences don’t know who we are yet. And that’s completely natural.
Think about it this way: if you needed a contractor, would you choose someone with years of experience and hundreds of five‑star reviews, or someone just starting out with none? Most of us would choose the first option.
The speaking world works the same way, especially for large conferences with expensive tickets. But does that mean starting now isn’t worth it? Absolutely not. It just means we need to start with the basics and build credibility step by step.
1 – What Are You Passionate About?
Choosing your topic, your area of expertise, is hugely important. My biggest recommendation? Choose something you’re genuinely passionate about, even if you don’t feel “good enough” yet.
It’s far easier to speak and create content about something you enjoy. When you’re passionate, it stops feeling like work and starts feeling like a hobby.
Of course, if you’re passionate and already very experienced, amazing! But that’s not the only valid starting point.
In my own case, my first session was inspired by a real experience with a colour‑blind stakeholder. At the time, I didn’t know much about accessibility, and that didn’t stop me. People connect with people, with stories, and with how you handle real situations.
That experience pushed me to teach myself digital accessibility and complete a User Interface Design certification. My content has continued evolving as my knowledge has grown.
And that’s another powerful way to find session ideas: your own experiences.
2 – “But Nobody Knows Me!”
This is where things get interesting.
Having a great session idea is only half the challenge. The other half is getting it accepted, and that comes down to credibility and visibility.
Build Credibility by Sharing Content
One of the best (and free!) ways to build credibility is by sharing content online. Platforms like LinkedIn allow you to reach people far beyond your immediate network.
When you start posting, engagement may be low. That can feel discouraging, but it doesn’t mean nobody is listening. Many people read, learn, and follow without ever liking or commenting.
That silence can feel like rejection, but it isn’t.
You’ll also encounter people who know more than you, and that’s a good thing. Learn from them. And occasionally, you may run into people who simply want to argue or pick fights online.
That’s not worth your energy.
A simple “That’s an interesting perspective, I’ll look into it” is often enough. If it’s not constructive, I’m a firm believer in muting or blocking. We don’t need negativity in our networks.
Networking (Yes, That Part)
Networking is another key piece, and honestly, the one I dreaded most. Even now, it still makes me anxious. But networking opens doors.
If you attend local user groups or industry events, talk to speakers. Ask how they got started. Share your goals. Ask for advice. Talk to organisers too, tell them you’re interested in speaking and briefly explain the session you have in mind.
You may still hear “no”, and that’s okay.
What matters is what you do next. Ask for feedback. Ask how you can improve. Sometimes that “no” turns into mentorship, and having a mentor makes an enormous difference.
That happened to me.
The data community is incredibly supportive, and many experienced professionals genuinely want to help new speakers. Don’t be afraid to reach out.
If in‑person events feel too intimidating right now, there are fantastic virtual meetups. LinkedIn is also a powerful networking tool: connect with people you admire, engage with their content, and don’t be afraid to message them directly.
3 – The Active Hunt Stage
Considerations on the Use of AI
Once you’re ready to submit sessions, Call for Speakers become your best friend. But before hitting “submit”, it is important to talk about session descriptions, because they matter more than we often realise.
It’s very tempting to use AI to write your session abstract. And while AI can be a helpful assistant, I strongly recommend writing your own version first. A human voice, a personal angle, and real experience often make your submission stand out. Organisers read hundreds of abstracts, and the ones that feel genuine and specific are far more memorable.
There’s another important consideration: AI doesn’t always respect ownership of ideas. The last thing you want is to accidentally submit a session that closely mirrors someone else’s work. Writing your initial draft yourself helps ensure your content is truly yours.
As you write your description, ask yourself:
- What am I actually proposing in this session?
- Does it include my perspective, experience, or a unique twist?
- Is this something someone could easily learn from a book, or does it add something new?
- What makes my take on this topic different?
Standing out doesn’t mean being flashy; it means being authentic.
Finding Events to Submit To
Once your session is ready, Sessionize is a great platform where you can:
- Create a speaker profile for free
- Add your sessions
- Discover events with open Calls for Speakers that match your profile
I also highly recommend subscribing to the Call for Data Speakers mailing list. Their emails often highlight opportunities that don’t always appear when browsing Sessionize directly.
If subscriptions aren’t your thing, you can still explore their events listing, it’s a fantastic resource for both first‑time and experienced speakers.
4 – And Let the Rejections Begin
Once submissions start, rejections will happen. A lot. That’s normal.
In the two years since I started speaking, I’ve had far more rejections than acceptances. We just keep showing up, refining our ideas, and sharing content.
Many conferences now offer mentorship or “new speaker” tracks, and I strongly recommend applying for them. The support from organisers, mentors, and attendees is incredible.
When I began my journey, I participated in New Stars of Data, a programme designed to promote new speakers in the Microsoft Data Platform community, run by Ben Weissman and William Durkin.
Each speaker is paired with an experienced mentor who helps with everything from session content to presentation delivery. I couldn’t recommend it more.
My mentor helped me build confidence, refine my message, and grow as a speaker. We still stay in touch, and I’ve even had the chance to speak alongside her at events.
Turns out, “never meet your heroes” is wildly overrated.
5 – What’s Next?
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about starting your speaking journey, this is your sign.
Three Things You Can Do Today
- Write down one session idea based on something you’re passionate about or a real experience you’ve had. Don’t overthink it, just start.
- Share one piece of content this week, even something small. A short post, a story, or a lesson learnt is enough.
- Apply to one Call for Speakers, even if you think you’re “not ready yet”. You learn by doing.
Everyone starts somewhere. The difference between speakers and non‑speakers isn’t confidence or expertise, it’s simply the courage to begin.
And I promise you: it’s worth it.
