Why You Should Apply to Speak at a Salesforce Conference
Speaking at a Salesforce conference can be a transformative experience for your career, your personal brand, and the broader Salesforce ecosystem. While many professionals aspire to attend these conferences to learn from industry leaders and network with peers, stepping onto the stage as a speaker opens the door to a world of unique benefits. Here are four compelling reasons why you should consider applying to speak at a Salesforce conference.
1. Establish Yourself as a Thought Leader
Becoming a thought leader in the Salesforce space is a powerful way to stand out in a field of millions of Trailblazers around the world. By sharing insights, unique perspectives, or innovative solutions you've developed, you set yourself apart as an expert in your domain. Conferences give you a platform to deliver impactful talks that resonate with attendees, whether it's showcasing advanced technical skills, sharing case studies of transformative projects, addressing strategic leadership topics, or sharing your career journey in the ecosystem.
When you take the stage, you’re positioning yourself as a go-to person in your area of expertise. Your insights might just be what others need to spark their next idea or solve a pressing problem. Additionally, speaking at conferences could lead to invitations to collaborate on other projects, such as podcast interviews and guest blog posts. The more you speak and share, the more you’ll be seen as someone others in the community look to for guidance and inspiration.
Pro Tip: Focus on presenting practical, real-world solutions that conference attendees can take home and apply. Thought leadership in Salesforce is often about making the complex simple and helping others succeed through your insights.
2. Share Valuable Knowledge You've Gained Throughout Your Salesforce Career
Your Salesforce journey has been filled with lessons, challenges, and success stories that others can learn from. Speaking at a conference allows you to share this knowledge with the wider community, helping others to grow while affirming your own expertise. Whether you’re a developer, administrator, architect, or consultant, and whether you’re a few months into your career or 20 years in, there’s always someone who can benefit from the tips and techniques you’ve picked up.
Speaking at a conference is also a powerful way to reflect on your career journey and all you've accomplished. Preparing for a talk often pushes you to organize your thoughts, clarify your experiences, and translate your practical knowledge into actionable advice. In sharing how you've overcome common obstacles or how you've streamlined processes with Salesforce solutions, you're not only helping others but also cementing your own understanding and appreciation of your unique skills.
Consider the power of a session where you dissect a complex project, talk about lessons from a recent implementation, or explain best practices in using a specific Salesforce tool. Your audience can benefit immensely from your insights, and you'll leave the stage with a renewed sense of purpose and pride in what you've achieved.
3. Gain Recognition and Open Doors to New Opportunities
Public speaking is a form of professional recognition that can elevate your career in significant ways. Conferences are attended by people from all levels of the industry—executives, managers, recruiters, and other influencers. A speaking engagement at a Salesforce conference adds a powerful credential to your professional profile, especially on platforms like LinkedIn.
This recognition can be a catalyst for new opportunities, from career advancements within your current organization to offers for new roles that fit your skill set. Furthermore, speaking at one conference is something you can add to your applications to speak at the next conference. As you gain more speaking experience, you also gain credibility that could increase your chances of selection for future speaking opportunities.
Additionally, being a conference speaker gives you a chance to gain feedback from the audience and grow your professional network. Engaging with attendees, answering questions, and hearing about their experiences can be valuable in expanding your understanding of different Salesforce use cases and industry needs.
Pro Tip: Use the speaking opportunity to highlight any particularly innovative or unique projects you've worked on. Recruiters and potential collaborators are often drawn to people who can bring fresh, actionable ideas to the table.
4. Support the Vibrant Salesforce Community
The Salesforce community is one of the most dynamic, collaborative, and supportive professional communities in the world. By speaking at a conference, you’re giving back to the ecosystem that has likely supported and guided you along your career path. Salesforce professionals often rely on shared knowledge to stay current with updates and best practices in this rapidly evolving platform. When you share your insights, you’re contributing to the community's knowledge base and helping others achieve their goals.
Every Salesforce conference is a chance to connect with others who are on similar journeys and to foster an environment where everyone can succeed. Sharing your story may inspire someone to tackle a new certification, pursue a career change, or take on a new project with renewed confidence. Contributing as a speaker reinforces the sense of collective growth and achievement that makes the Salesforce ecosystem unique.
Supporting the Salesforce community is also about setting an example. When you step up as a speaker, you encourage others to consider sharing their stories, insights, and lessons as well. By adding your voice to the conversation, you’re helping to build an inclusive community where everyone feels they have something valuable to contribute.
Pro Tip: Make your session interactive and encourage questions, discussions, or idea-sharing among attendees. Engaging the audience actively supports community building and leaves everyone feeling more connected and inspired.
How to Prepare and Apply
Once you’ve decided to apply, ensure your session proposal is clear, relevant, and aligned with the conference theme or goals. Focus on practical, relatable content that addresses common challenges in Salesforce, offers unique insights, or teaches a valuable skill. Here are a few quick steps to help you get started:
Identify Your Topic: Think about the areas where you have unique expertise or insights that would be valuable to others.
Craft a Catchy Title and Abstract: Make your proposal stand out by choosing a compelling title and writing a concise description of what attendees can expect to learn.
Highlight Key Takeaways: Be clear about the tangible benefits attendees will get from your session—whether it’s tips on maximizing Salesforce tools, overcoming common implementation hurdles, or achieving strategic goals.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Once accepted, practice your talk until you’re comfortable delivering it. A confident presentation will resonate with the audience and reinforce your reputation as a knowledgeable and engaging speaker.
Ready to Share Your Expertise?
If you’ve been considering applying to speak at a Salesforce conference, don’t hesitate. The benefits are extensive, and the experience can be both professionally and personally rewarding. Not only will you establish yourself as a thought leader and gain recognition, but you’ll also make a meaningful contribution to the Salesforce community that supports you. Whether you’re an experienced speaker or it’s your first time, your insights and experiences can inspire, educate, and empower others.
Take this chance to elevate your profile, celebrate your achievements, and be part of a community that believes in the power of knowledge sharing and collaboration. Apply today and make your mark as a Salesforce speaker!
Amy Morris, True North Dreamin’ Vice Chair
Some additional thoughts from our other board members:
I first applied to be a speaker for True North Dreamin’ in 2020 as a Salesforce newbie. My proposal wasn’t accepted that year, but I took the chance. Then, COVID delayed further opportunities, so it took some time before I could apply again. The main point, though, is that I kept trying. It wasn’t until my third or fourth application that I was finally selected as a speaker.
Since then, I’ve made it a goal to submit at least one proposal for every event I plan to attend—often several. Some proposals get accepted, some don’t. But persistence is key. You might not be successful on your first or second try, but don’t let that stop you. Many events make a point to include first-time speakers.
If you’re new to speaking, consider co-presenting with a friend who’s a regular speaker. This can be a great way to get comfortable and gain experience. So, take the chance, submit your ideas, and keep applying—you never know when your proposal will be the one that stands out, or where it might lead.
Kathy Waterworth, True North Dreamin’ Chair
Speaking at events like Dreamin’ events is an incredible opportunity to share knowledge, inspire others, and grow both personally and professionally. It’s a chance to establish yourself as a thought leader, reflect on your journey, and contribute to a vibrant, supportive community. The experience not only amplifies your voice but also opens doors to new collaborations and career opportunities. If you’ve ever considered it, take the leap—your insights and stories could be exactly what someone else needs to spark their next big idea. #PublicSpeaking #SalesforceEcosystem #Trailblazer #DreaminEvent #TrueNorthDreamin
Jana Walker, True North Dreamin’ Secretary