Women In IT Should Be Speaking On Stage
– Carrie Richardson, Partner, Richardson & Richardson Consulting
Have you ever considered speaking on stage at conferences in front of your clients and peers?
If not, it’s time to rethink this opportunity!
Speaking on stage at conferences can be incredibly beneficial for women in technology, providing them with a platform from which to share their expertise, gain visibility, and advance their careers.
There are eight reasons women should consider speaking at more industry events:
- Amplify Your Expertise
- Build Your Network
- Gain Visibility and Recognition
- Overcome Gender Bias
- Enhance Communication and Leadership Skills
- Learn and Grow
- Represent Your Company
- Inspire Others
2Seats Wants To See You Succeed on Stage!
Part of the 2Seats community mandate includes amplifying the voices of women in technology, which means more women in technology speaking on stage at conferences. It can positively impact the career of the speaker, but it also paves the way for the next generation of women working in technology. The more we do now, the easier it becomes for the women who enter the field after us.
Many of the 2Seats founding members have already cracked the code on finding and applying for speaking time. Their vast wealth of knowledge is being gathered and shared regularly at the virtual 2Seats community drop-ins.
On Wednesday, April 12, 2Seats community leader Jennifer Bleam will be hosting a workshop on how to leverage ChatGPT to create speaker abstracts to make applying for speaking spots much easier!
Check out previous posts on speaker bios here:
Why Aren’t You Speaking At More Conferences?
With CompTIA ChannelCon approaching with an open call for speakers, there is an excellent opportunity for women working in technology to apply to speak on stage.
(We recommend being a member of CompTIA prior to submitting your speaker application. Talk to MJ Shoer or any CompTIA member (including us!) for the “how to” on membership.
Have you ever considered speaking on stage at conferences in front of your clients and peers?
If not, it’s time to rethink this opportunity!
Speaking on stage at conferences can be incredibly beneficial for women in technology, providing them with a platform to share their expertise, gain visibility, and advance their careers. In this blog post, we will outline why women in technology should consider speaking on stage at conferences and how it can positively impact their professional growth.
Amplify Your Expertise
As a woman working in technology, you possess unique insights, experiences, and expertise that deserve to be heard. Speaking on stage at conferences provides you with a platform to amplify your knowledge and share it with a wider audience. It allows you to showcase your skills, demonstrate your expertise, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. When you speak at conferences, you have the opportunity to present your ideas, share your insights, and offer solutions to common challenges in the industry. This can help you gain recognition as an expert in your field and build your professional reputation, which can lead to increased career opportunities and advancement.
Build Your Network
Conferences are excellent networking opportunities, and speaking on stage can help you expand your professional network. When you speak at conferences, you have the chance to connect with other professionals in your industry, including potential clients, collaborators, and mentors. You can engage with fellow speakers, attendees, and organizers, and build meaningful relationships that can benefit your career in the long run. Speaking on stage can also help you establish relationships with influential individuals in your industry, who can become valuable contacts for future collaborations, partnerships, or career opportunities. Building a strong professional network is essential for success in the technology industry, and speaking at conferences can be a powerful way to expand your network.
Gain Visibility and Recognition
Speaking on stage at conferences can significantly increase your visibility within your industry.
When you share your ideas and insights on stage, you are putting yourself in front of a captive audience who are interested in your field of expertise. This can help you gain recognition and exposure among your peers, clients, and potential employers or clients. Conferences attract industry leaders, decision-makers, and influencers who can take notice of your presentation and remember you as an expert in your field.
Additionally, conferences often generate media coverage, and speaking on stage can provide you with an opportunity to be featured in industry publications or receive press coverage, further enhancing your visibility and recognition.
Overcome Gender Bias
The technology industry has traditionally been male-dominated, and women often face gender bias in the workplace.
Presenting at conferences can be a powerful way to overcome this bias and challenge stereotypes.
When you speak at conferences, you are breaking barriers and defying gender norms, showcasing that women are just as capable and knowledgeable in the field of technology as men. By sharing your expertise on stage, you are challenging the notion that women are not fit for leadership roles in technology and are promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. Your presence on stage can inspire other women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in technology and break through barriers in their careers.
Enhance Communication and Leadership Skills
Speaking on stage at events can significantly enhance your communication and leadership skills, which are essential for career growth in technology and beyond.
When you speak to groups, you need to articulate your ideas clearly, engage with your audience, and convey complex concepts in a simple and understandable manner. This can help you refine your communication skills, both in written and verbal form, which are critical for success in the technology industry.
Speaking on stage can also boost your confidence, presence, and poise, which are essential leadership skills. It can help you develop a strong stage presence, command attention, and effectively communicate your ideas.
Learn and Grow
Speaking on stage at conferences provides you with opportunity to learn and grow both personally and professionally.
The process of preparing for a conference presentation requires research, planning, and practice, which can help you deepen your knowledge in your field of expertise.
Public speaking enables you to step out of your comfort zone and overcome any fears or insecurities about public speaking, which can help you build resilience and confidence. Feedback from the audience and fellow speakers can also provide you with valuable insights and perspectives that can further enhance your skills and knowledge.
Along with your speaking opportunity, events often offer a free pass to the event, providing opportunities to attend other sessions and workshops, allowing you to learn from other industry experts, expand your horizons, and stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in technology.
Represent Your Company
Speaking on stage at conferences can also benefit your company – whether you are an owner or a trusted representative of a business, being on stage helps promote the business.
When you are selected as a speaker, you are representing your company and showcasing its expertise and capabilities. Your presentation can create positive brand exposure, generate leads, and attract potential clients or customers. It can also enhance the reputation and credibility of your company as one that hires thought leaders in the industry.
By speaking at conferences, you are contributing to the growth and success of your company, and this can further strengthen your position within the organization and open doors to new opportunities.
Inspire Others
This is where we hope 2Seats benefits our community members and potential members.
As a woman in technology, speaking on stage at conferences can inspire and motivate other women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers and new opportunities in technology
The presence and expertise shared by our members (and all women in tech) on stage can encourage others to believe in their capabilities. By sharing your experiences, insights, and success stories, you can inspire others to overcome challenges, pursue their passions, and achieve their goals in the technology industry. Your speaking engagement can serve as a powerful example for other women in technology, showing them what is possible and inspiring them to strive for their own success.
Join Us!
Our community is always evolving as our members ask for what they need. As of today, we’ve found mentors for a half dozen women in tech, and worked with dozens more to help them create speaker bios and identify opportunities for sharing their expertise on and off stage!
If you are a woman working, or wanting to work in technology, don’t shy away from joining us for this, or any session!
Embrace this and other speaking opportunities, step into the spotlight, and make your voice heard!
You have the power to inspire, influence, and shape the future of the technology industry.
Go ahead, take the stage, and let your brilliance shine!
Register here to attend the speaker bio workshop live, or watch the on-demand replay!
Follow the 2Seats Linkedin Page for:
- updates on the community
- links to PR opportunities for women in technology
- posts to open jobs in technology
- links to upcoming technology events and the call for speakers for those events