SPEAKER
GUIDELINES
Preparing Your Talk
Speaking at a tech conference is an exciting opportunity to share your knowledge and insights with a passionate and knowledgeable audience. At MTF our attendees come to hear something new and thought-provoking – and that’s exactly why your talk has been selected! But how do you turn your talk bio into a 30 minute engaging presentation? And even more importantly how do you stand out?
Know your Audience
Understanding your audience and tailoring your content is crucial to delivering an impactful talk. After all, there’s no point talking about being a better CTO to a room full of people looking to get into tech!
To get an idea of your audience you can checkout last years festival stats here, alternatively we’ve picked out some key pointers for each of our tracks:
At our core festival you will be delivering your talk to over 500 techies at any one time. From CTO’s to Tech Returners and College Graduates our audiences here are made up of a real mix of people so ensure your talk speaks to all tech levels. Our audience in the core festival are looking for talks that really stand out!
At our AI track you will be speaking to techies with a real interest in AI, so don’t be scared of being a bit techy with your talks! We are talking real-world practitioners with a passion for the newest trends.
Our Women in Tech audience are a mix of both women working in tech, allies and business owners looking to breakdown the barriers that women in tech face. Our audience here come for a different take on Women in Tech, they look for topics that people may otherwise shy away from, and look for real world examples and actionable insights.
Our Leadership Day attracts over 200 of the UK’s top leaders, in fact last year we welcomed Founders (15%), Directors (40%), C-Suite Professionals (18%) and Senior Managers (23%)! Our Leaders are looking for actionable insights and alternative points to consider. Our Leaders are busy people, and so every talk needs to give them something actionable.
Don't Sit on the Fence
Audiences remember talks that have a clear stance. Friendly discussion and debate make your session memorable and impactful. Make your opinion clear and back it up with solid evidence. This doesn’t mean imposing your views on the audience, but rather presenting your stance confidently and inviting them to consider different perspectives. Taking a stand on an issue can stimulate thought and conversation, making your talk more engaging and memorable.
Clearly Structure Your Talk
A well-structured talk is essential for clarity and retention. Start with a strong beginning where you introduce your topic and outline what you aim to convey. The middle should delve into your main content, presenting key points in a logical and coherent manner. End with a powerful conclusion that summarises your talk and reinforces your main message, leaving your audience with something to think about. This clear structure helps your audience follow along and remember your key points!
Stick to the Guidelines!
MTF talks are 30 minutes of pure content with no Q&A unless specified otherwise. This means you need to be concise and stay within the time limit. Focus on delivering value within the allotted time and avoid unnecessary digressions.
Remember your audience will have planned an itinerary that may involve catching a talk on another stage, running over can mean they may be late – or even have to missed the end of your talk!
Storytell & Use Real-World Examples
At MTF our audience loves content that is Raw, Authentic and Brutally Honest meaning they want to hear stories and real world examples with no holds barred! After all, people remember stories more than statistics. Enhance your talk by sharing personal experiences or case studies that illustrate your points. Relatable anecdotes make your content vivid and engaging. Real-world examples help to ground your ideas in reality, making them more tangible and memorable for your audience. Storytelling not only captivates your audience but also makes complex concepts easier to understand.
Don’t Build the Presentation First
Your presentation should complement your talk, not dictate it. Plan your talk first by outlining the flow and key points you want to cover. Only then should you develop your slides to support and enhance your narrative. Use visuals to illustrate your points without overloading your slides with text. This approach ensures that your presentation aids your delivery rather than restricting it, allowing for a more natural and engaging talk.
Don’t Sell!
Although we understand that speaking at a festival can bring about many benefits including extra business, there is a time and a place for business to take place. Our audience don’t enjoy sales pitches, they want authentic content that gives them actionable insights and something to think about, so make sure your talk delivers! Don’t tell your audience what your business can do for them, give them the tools to do it themselves! If they want to find out more – they will come to you naturally.
Final Tips
Practice your talk multiple times to become familiar with your content and boost your confidence. Find ways to engage with your audience, even if it’s through rhetorical questions or thought-provoking statements. If possible, get feedback from a trusted colleague or friend before the event to fine-tune your delivery. By following these steps, you can deliver a talk that not only informs but also inspires and resonates with your audience. Remember, authenticity and a clear message are key to making a lasting impact. Good luck!