This is a free workshop for people who are thinking about speaking at WordPress events, such as WordPress Meetup and WordCamp.

During this hands-on session, we’ll look at what has stopped you from speaking in the past — and explore how to move past your fears. We will discuss some common myths about public speaking, different talk formats, and we will focus on finding your areas of expertise (yes, you have areas of expertise!). We will brainstorm topics you can talk about at a WordCamp or other event.

Each participant will come out of the workshop with a WordCamp or meetup talk idea — and more confidence to submit it.

***You do NOT have to have any experience in public speaking. This workshop is for all levels of experience.

This workshop is for you if:

• You identify as someone from an underrepresented group in tech.
• You’ve thought about speaking at Meetup or WordCamp but haven’t been able to think of a topic.
• You have spoken in public before, but could do with some extra practise.
• You think you don't know anything worth speaking about.

Sponsor and location

A big thank you to Level Level for sponsoring the location and food/drinks for this event!

Schedule

14.45 Welcome / arrival
15.00 - 17.00 Finding a Topic for a WordPress Talk
Writing the Pitch for your WordPress Talk
17.00 - 17.30 Break with drinks and light food that will help you get to
the end!
17.30 - 19.30 Creating Your WordPress Talk
Becoming a Better Speaker
Creating Great Slides
19.30-19.45 Closing

Agenda

Why speak at WordPress events? Why do we need more diversity?
Dispelling some myths about speakers/speaking
Coming up with topics and choosing one
Practice giving a short talk

Accessibility

The venue has stairs, but the workshop will probably be held on the ground floor. Please do not wear scents. Many people are allergic to them.

Language

The slides for this workshop are in English. However, that trainer (Monique Dubbelman) speaks both Dutch and English.

Prerequisite Skills

N/A

Objectives

• Have several ideas for topics you could speak about
• Recognise the basics of a good outline.
• Apply what you have learned to your own outline.
• Recall the different types of talk formats.
• Practice public speaking in front of a small group to help build confidence.
• Identify many of the fears that have stopped you from public speaking (again).