How to Own Your Expertise & Start Speaking at WordPress Events

Does the thought of speaking at one of our Meetups intrigue you? Maybe you identify as a person with a marginalized or underrepresented identity who is thinking about speaking at a WordPress Meetup. Perhaps you think you don't know or have anything worth speaking about. Whatever the case may be, speaking at WordPress events can be an empowering and fulfilling experience. In this meetup, we'll cover why you should speak at WordPress events, explore what has stopped you from speaking in the past, and provide tips on how to move past your fears and boost your speaking confidence.

Why speak at WordPress events? Speaking at WordPress events can have numerous benefits, including:

1. Building your credibility: Speaking at events allows you to showcase your knowledge and expertise, establish yourself as a thought leader, and gain credibility in the WordPress community.
2. Growing your network: Speaking at events can help you grow your network by connecting with like-minded individuals and potential collaborators or clients.
3. Sharing your unique perspective: As a person with a marginalized or underrepresented identity, speaking at events can help you share your unique perspective and experiences with the community, which can be inspiring and informative for others.

Explore what has stopped you from speaking in the past and how to move past your fears. If you've never spoken at a WordPress event before, it's natural to feel nervous or hesitant. However, it's important to identify what's stopping you from speaking and find ways to move past your fears. Here are some common reasons that people avoid speaking at events:

1. Feeling like you don't have anything worth speaking about: This is a common fear, but remember that everyone has unique experiences and insights that can be valuable to others. Start by identifying topics that interest you and build from there.
2. Imposter syndrome: Imposter syndrome is the feeling that you don't belong or that you're not qualified to speak on a particular topic. Remember that everyone experiences imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. You can combat this by focusing on your strengths and accomplishments and acknowledging that you are an expert in your own right.
3. Fear of public speaking: This is perhaps the most common fear when it comes to speaking at events. You can overcome this by practicing your presentation, rehearsing in front of friends or family, or joining a local public speaking group or workshop.

Dispelling some myths about speakers/Speaking. Dispelling some common myths about speakers and speaking can help you gain confidence and feel more comfortable with the idea of speaking at WordPress events. Here are some common myths to keep in mind:

1. You need to be an expert: While it's helpful to have expertise in a particular area, you don't need to be an expert to speak at events. Share your experiences and unique perspective, and remember that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
2. You need to be extroverted: Introverts can be great speakers too! Speaking at events can even help you come out of your shell and become more comfortable with networking and socializing.
3. You need to have a polished presentation: While it's important to be prepared and have a well-organized presentation, it's not necessary to have a perfectly polished presentation. The audience is interested in your content and your message, not necessarily your delivery style.

In addition to the presentation, hearing from experienced speakers shall be incredibly helpful and inspiring. We shall host several speakers that will give valuable insights and tips that can help you improve your speaking skills and feel more confident in your ability to deliver a great presentation. Remember that speaking at WordPress events is a journey, and it's okay to start small and work your way up to larger events. With practice, persistence, and a willingness to learn, you can own your expertise and become a successful WordPress speaker!