The Art of Writing Conference Proposals  🔗 **Source:** [The Art of Writing Conference Proposals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&list=WL&index=57&t=3s&ab_channel=MajorLeagueHacking) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: > - #conferenceproposals > - #publicspeaking > - #developeradvocacy > Author: Adam (Principal Consultant at Every Developer; Author of *Developer Marketing Does Not Exist*) > Source: YouTube Session – *The art of writing conference proposals* > Reference: [The art of writing conference proposals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg) > date created: 2025-08-22 22:05 > > # Title: The Art of Writing Conference Proposals > <!-- deep-read:sections start --> ## Table of Contents: - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📖 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-diversity-equity-inclusion-belonging-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🔍 DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#-seo-evaluation) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) --- ## 📝 Summary: Adam, a principal consultant and author, shares **seven timeless strategies** for writing effective conference proposals. His approach stresses understanding both **attendees and organizers**, showcasing your **unique experience**, and crafting clear, compelling titles and descriptions. He encourages **research, feedback, and networking** as core practices, while offering practical guidance on audience engagement, proposal structure, and building credibility over time. --- ## 📖 Main Content: The session explains that strong proposals balance professionalism with authenticity. Organizers look for talks that add value, while audiences want content that resonates with their needs. Writing proposals is less about tricks and more about **clarity, specificity, and audience focus**. A good proposal begins with research, moves into well-written descriptions and headlines, and is supported by networking and credibility signals. ### 🗒️ Notes - [02:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=139) **Why Proposals Matter** - Writing them well improves selection odds. - Struggles are common—even experienced advocates refine proposals continually. - [04:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=263) **Seven Timeless Strategies** - Originally created for SendGrid evangelists. - Enduring principles, not shortcuts. - [09:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=573) **Understand Your Audiences** - Two groups: attendees + organizers. - Avoid self-centered proposals—focus on attendee takeaways. - [12:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=725) **Differentiate Yourself** - Highlight what makes you uniquely qualified. - Example: employment context (SendGrid, MLH Fellowship). - [13:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=819) **Do Your Research** - Study past talks, conference themes. - Adapt angle of your topic to fit. - [17:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=1032) **Write for the Program** - Assume description will be published. - Avoid vague promises; write confidently as if selected. - [19:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=1161) **Compelling Descriptions** - Identify audience directly in your text. - Provide clear outcomes + bullet points when possible. - [23:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=1415) **Headlines = 80% of the Work** - Craft at least 25 variations (Upworthy method). - Titles must hook but stay authentic. - [25:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=1554) **Seek Specific Feedback** - Ask reviewers for targeted critique (e.g., “Does this headline work?”). - [30:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=1813) **Networking with Organizers** - Builds familiarity and trust. - Can reveal themes organizers prioritize. - Volunteering creates pathways to first talks. - [37:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=2221) **Start Small** - Begin with meetups or community talks. - Early experiences become credentials. - [43:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg&t=2606) **Engage the Audience** - Lighthearted openings build confidence. - Use questions, humor, or interactive elements. --- ## 📖 References: - Adam DuVander, *Developer Marketing Does Not Exist* - [Upworthy’s 25 Headlines Method](https://www.slideshare.net/Upworthy/upworthy-25-headlines) - [The art of writing conference proposals – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg) --- ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. Original: *“Generic proposals are less likely to be selected. Get specific about your audience.”* Paraphrase: Proposals written in broad strokes tend to fail. Pinpoint exactly who you’re speaking to for stronger impact. 2. Original: *“Write your proposal as if it’s already in the program, not as a draft that might change later.”* Paraphrase: Treat your proposal like the final version attendees will read, ensuring clarity and confidence from the start. --- ## 📰 Newsletter: 🎤 **Want to land that conference talk?** This week’s spotlight is on Adam’s session, *The Art of Writing Conference Proposals*. His seven strategies—ranging from crafting irresistible titles to engaging organizers—offer practical, timeless guidance for aspiring speakers. Whether you’re eyeing WordCamp, tech summits, or local meetups, these lessons will sharpen your proposals and your confidence. Key takeaway? **Be specific, be authentic, and write for your audience (and organizers!)**. Watch the full talk [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oh3CVm9Prg). --- ## ✅ Action Items: - Apply the **UVP framework** from proposal writing to clarify GoDaddy OSPO messaging. - Build **training modules** for WordPress contributors on proposal writing → bridges contributor growth + community presence. - Use **proposal-writing techniques** in funding requests for The WP Community Collective, emphasizing contributor needs. - Create a **WordPress governance workshop** where attendees draft mock proposals → simulates real contribution pathways. - Align OSPO director aspirations with **conference presence**: use speaking slots as strategic advocacy for OSS sustainability. --- ## 🧪 Hypotheses: - Proposals with **specific outcomes + audience focus** are 2–3x more likely to be accepted. - Networking with organizers significantly increases acceptance chances for first-time speakers. - Titles optimized through the **25-headline method** improve audience attendance. ### 📊 Methodology: - Survey accepted vs. rejected proposals (multi-year conferences). - A/B test proposal titles/headlines with community readers. - Ethnographic research on organizer decision-making. ### ❓ Questions: - How much does organizer familiarity bias selections? - Do conference CFPs unintentionally exclude diverse voices by favoring polished writers? - Can AI-assisted drafting help first-time speakers compete fairly? ### 🔮 Future Research: - Explore bias in CFP selection (gender, race, industry). - Longitudinal study: Does speaking increase career trajectory in DevRel roles? - Compare proposal frameworks across open source vs. corporate conferences. ### 💡 Implications: - Helps new contributors become community leaders. - Informs fairer CFP processes in WordPress and OSS. - Supports policy on transparent proposal evaluation. --- ## 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: - **Visual**: Slide examples useful; more diagrams would help. - **Aural**: Delivered as livestream → strong for auditory learners. - **Verbal**: Rich in explanation, analogies, and storytelling. - **Physical**: Suggests practical exercises (writing multiple headlines). - **Logical**: Clear frameworks (7 strategies). - **Social**: Live Q&A fosters interaction. - **Solitary**: Reflection prompts about speaker uniqueness. - **Naturalistic**: Not present → could use nature analogies (“ecosystem of talks”). - **Readability**: ~10th grade level; accessible. --- ## 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - Captions available (YouTube native). - No mention of alt-text for visuals → needs improvement. - Keyboard navigation fine (video player). - Transcript helps text resizing + screen reader compatibility. --- ## 🌍 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging) Assessment: - **Cultural Relevance**: Focused on Western tech conferences → expand globally. - **Inclusive Language**: Neutral, accessible. - **Neurodiversity**: Could add structured checklists for clarity. - **Representation**: Mostly tech insiders; add diverse speaker stories. - **Psychological Safety**: Encouraging tone supports beginners. --- ## ✅ Logical Validity: - **Strengths**: - Sound inductive reasoning: case study (SendGrid evangelists) → general timeless lessons. - Causal reasoning: clear link between proposal clarity and acceptance. - Balanced advice: acknowledges authenticity vs. networking discomfort. - **Weaknesses**: - Occasional **appeal to authority** (e.g., referencing his own book as proof). - Possible **hasty generalization** (all organizers value same traits). Tone: Encouraging, supportive, practical. --- ## 🔍 DARVO Analysis: - **Deny**: No denial tactics. - **Attack**: No undermining language. - **Reverse Victim/Offender**: None present. The content is **instructive and constructive**, not defensive. --- ## 🔍 SEO Evaluation: - **Keywords**: “conference proposals,” “public speaking,” “CFP tips” implied but not consistently repeated. - **Meta Description**: Missing; should summarize in ~155 chars. - **Title Tag**: Good; could add “How to Write” for clarity. - **Headers**: Video uses strong topical headers (7 strategies). - **Content Length**: ~50 minutes → rich enough for SEO transcript use. - **Links**: Minimal; could add external resources (e.g., CFP templates). - **Images**: Needs alt-text optimization. - **Mobile Optimization**: YouTube-native; strong. - **User Engagement**: High (live chat, Q&A). - **Schema Markup**: Should add “HowTo” or “Event” schema. - **Social Sharing**: Supported by YouTube, but limited prompts to share. --- ## 🎯 Conclusion: Adam’s session reframes conference proposals as **audience-first storytelling**, not self-promotion. His seven strategies—understanding audiences, differentiating yourself, researching, writing confidently, crafting headlines, seeking feedback, and networking—remain timeless tools for speakers. The advice extends beyond conferences, shaping **developer advocacy, open-source leadership, and professional growth**. Applied to WordPress and OSS, these strategies could strengthen contributor voices, elevate new advocates, and promote transparent engagement across the ecosystem. <!-- deep-read:sections end --> [[3. Resources/Readwise/Full Document Contents/Articles/The Art of Writing Conference Proposals|Full Document Contents]] ## Highlights - hello hello everyone I hope I am Audibleand uh this is something I do everysingle time I go live uh so yeah let mejust quickly test my audio on the twitch stream and then we can talk about whatare we going to do todayyes it is audible all right uh awesomeand also thanks uh thanks everyone forgetting me know in the chat at I amAudibleawesome all right um so yeah uh we arelive from Emirates fellowship and uhtoday what we are going to talk about issomething that's at least for me it'sit's something quite excitingum uh this is this is something I cameup with because I was actuallystruggling with writing great confidence proposal and then I thought about ifthis is a problem with me uh probablythis will be a problem with most of usand most of you uh Fox as well so whynot gets to uhum a session on it and uh all of us canlearn together like how exactly to guidecreate uh proposals and then maybe wecan end up at at the same conferences asa speakers so yeahum so what that means is today we aregoing to talk about how to get greatconference proposals and uh today wehaveum someone very special with us I am ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3a1w8wfanaa147ty1p0fmyx))