Are you stuck? Intimidated by the Call for Presentations and Workshops form? https://2023.bsidesmunich.org/callforpapers/
Don’t worry. This article can help you get started!
As we are getting closer to the deadline for submissions, we have some tips for you to make the best impression when submitting your presentation or workshop ideas. In the CFP submission form, you will need to fill out two very important sections: the abstract and the outline.
Let’s talk about your ABSTRACT:
Your abstract ideally should be made up 3 things:
1) your why, problem statement, motivation or backstory
2) what your talk will be about
3) what your learnings or takeaways will be
Think of your abstract as the blurb that is on the back of a book you have picked up in a bookstore. The blurb should intrigue and spark curiosity so that you want to buy the book and learn more.
Your abstract is also what gets published. So when you read it, ask yourself this question, is there enough information/detail for the audience to say, “yep, I have faced this before and I really want to watch this talk to learn even more”?
After you have crafted the perfect abstract, get people you trust to read it. Then, ask them for their honest review. Do they understand it? Does it make them care about the topic?
Lets talk your DESCRIPTION:
The description goes beyond your abstract, and it helps the Conference Review Board understand more of the content that you will offer. The description is generally not made public. It is usually in outline format, and it:
– Indicates who is the target audience
– Provides the flow and major talking points of your presentation or the lesson plan of your workshop
– Provides high-level detail about research/ methodology (if part of a presentation)
– Describes demos (if part of a presentation)
– Gives a synopsis of findings or takeaways for the audience
The outline is an essential part of the CFP submission for the Conference Review Board. A good outline helps the Board understand more about the meat of the presentation and how well the presenter organizes information for understandability. This is often the part of the submission that may help decide between two similar topics.
Wait… There is a 3rd section. What about the NOTES?
The notes section is also not shared publicly. This should be reserved for information that does not fit neatly into the abstract or the description. For example, the notes would be a great place to use if you need any special equipment (beyond a screen, podium, microphone and projector).
We are excited to see what the community comes up with. And, we hope this article has helped if you were stuck getting started.
Image: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/bleistift-notizbuch-faltig-papier-1891732/