How can you use your conference speech to build your reputation?

I customize every speech to align with the conference theme and client objectives. In practical terms, this means I start by reviewing the conference agenda, understanding the audience profile, and conducting a discovery call with the conference organiser. The difference between a good speech and a great speech is making it relevant to the audience!

Using a conference speech to build your reputation requires careful planning and execution. For instance, Select conferences that align with your expertise and target audience. Speaking at reputable events in your industry or field can significantly enhance your credibility. Pick a topic that is relevant, timely, and of interest to the conference attendees. Your speech should provide value and insights that can benefit the audience. Thoroughly research your topic and gather supporting examples. Offer practical takeaways or actionable advice that the audience can apply in their own work or lives. Demonstrating expertise and the ability to solve real problems can boost your reputation.

Opinion shall be clear, even if different of the assembly's one. Whatever they are, being able to expose his own ideas is crucial in this situation. If opposition, the following Q/A session will be the occasion of debating. Actually, your exposition may lead to a very interesting debate: this is your speech's construction that will canalise it.

Meine 2 Cents: Gehen Sie tief in Ihr Thema ein und sorgen Sie dafür, dass Ihre Kenntnisse umfassend sind! Identifizieren Sie die Schlüsselthemen, die in Ihrer Branche gerade relevant sind und sprechen Sie darüber!

El inicio y fin de la presentación son muy relevantes, pues con el primero conectas con tu audiencia y en el fin te recordarán. En el inicio sugiero abrir con un storytelling y evitar empezar presentándote. La presentación la dejas para más adelante. Crea diapositivas que lleven un orden lógico, sin mucho texto y durante tu ponencia, observa a cuáles diapositivas le toman más fotos, para potenciarlas en una próxima ponencia. Por otra parte, como menciona el artículo, sugiero cerrar con una conclusión contundente y que llame a las personas a la acción.

Examples shall be concrete and clear, as they are the point of beginning for the audience. Any idea has to be illustrated in a clear (evident) example. Your conclusion may content a small touch of humor. It depends in your confidence in your global speech solidity, but a minor joke at the end may appear like a mark of self-confidence, showing that you master your topic. Of course it stays in mind of your audience - and it helps to establish your name. It has to stay minor however (like a strong lecturer - not a clown).

Using minimum-scaled notes allows to remain flexible about your speech too. While your plan shall be strong, your ideas, examples, etc. may be adapted with your speech. It is important to fit your speech with your audience: anticipating who will listen to your lecture will never prevent any on-time feeling . Personal example: lecture about maritime liners, one group (+/-15 people on the 25 total) is quite inconfortable with the maritime business. Rather than using precise examples, I focus on famous ones (France, Norway, QE2, etc.)

Sal a dar, no a darte, deja el ego aparcado. Atiende a tu público, hazte fotos, responde a sus preguntas, sé amable y paciente no solo el día de la conferencia, también durante el día a día por las redes sociales y el email.

While Western audiences tend to be quite open to posing questions from the floor, this is not always the case in some parts of Asia. But this doesn’t mean people don’t have questions! Where possible, I try to stay on after my session to interact with the audience (eg. during the break). That’s when a queue invariably forms with people wanting to ask questions! I’ve found it critical to adapt my approach to suit different audiences around the world.

Using real-time audience engagement tools (like polls) can help you make an immediate connection. This technique is especially powerful when you connect the results to a main point in your talk. It's also a great way to build humor into your message. A word of caution: Don't rely too heavily on tech to build connection - that is best achieved through the language, imagery and emotion you utilize as a speaker.

A lecture is an exchange: not one person broadcasting but someone speaking and people listening. Build it like a dialogue. Stay connected with your audience - then they won't connect themselves!

The best fedback question to ask is the also the simplest: :)"What's ONE thing I said or did today that moved you?" Framing feedback this way reduces the "cost" of giving it. Since it's highly specific (one thing) and oriented towards the positive (people are reluctant to share criticism), you're more likely to get actionable insights on your strengths and reinforce them.

Attend the conference and listen to as many other talks as you can. Take notes. Really listen. What did you like, what caught your attention, how did they deliver that message. How did they make you feel? What did you walk away with? On the flip side — what was unclear, what confused you? What didn’t you like? Take these all equally into consideration for your next talk. Remember, the audience is giving you a gift of their time. Time is the most valuable thing we have in life. So use that gift and ensure you leave your audience with a new point of view or new thoughts they can utilise in their life or work.

Es al contrario, una persona con reputación, posicionamiento y autoridad es el que ha de dar la conferencia. No cualquier advenedizo (con más ego que currículum) Al menos desde Helpers Speakers nos preocupamos de que así sea.

Es -o debería de ser- al revés. Primero hay que ser referente y tener una buena reputación en tu campo. Una vez asentadas las bases, entonces sí encendemos los focos y sales a escena. El problema actual es que hay demasiados ponentes con más ego que currículo.

Speaking is a craft and there is much to learn, both in terms of technique as well as the business of speaking. I highly recommend connecting with your local speaker association. For me, it’s been a delight to be a member of the Asia Professional Speakers Singapore community!

Es -o debería de ser- al revés. Primero hay que ser referente y tener una buena reputación en tu campo. Una vez asentadas las bases, entonces sí encendemos los focos y sales a escena. El problema actual es que hay demasiados ponentes con más ego que currículo.