The decision for audio system for bbcon 2025 is open via March 14, and we encourage all clients to apply. This is a chance to showcase your experience and expertise, develop professionally, and get a free ticket to bbcon!
We just lately held a webinar for Blackbaud Champions that includes a longtime bbcon monitor chief and three skilled bbcon audio system to share their suggestions for a robust software, and we’ve put collectively a abstract of that dialog to assist all potential audio system.
Feeling a bit nervous or not sure about whether or not you have got the experience to talk at bbcon? Take inspiration from frequent bbcon speaker Austen Brown, senior automation architect at Prenger Options Group: “It’s pure to really feel a little bit of imposter syndrome when contemplating submitting a speaker software. Keep in mind, you’re a champion in your personal proper, and there may be all the time one thing you’re actually good at that another person might be taught from. Don’t let insecurities maintain you again. We’re all champions in our personal proper, and sharing what we all know helps everybody degree up.”
Figuring out Your Subject
Deal with Your Ardour and Expertise
Concepts for a convention session ought to originate out of your real passions, areas of curiosity, or what you excel at in your day by day work. Begin by reflecting on what you mannequin effectively for others at your group, what product capabilities you have got educated or coached individuals to make use of, or what activity you look ahead to probably the most.
Austen Brown recommends, “Take a second to replicate on your self and your position. What you’re actually enthusiastic about or what’s one thing that you simply’re actually good at doing. Whether or not it’s database cleanup, automation, or every other space, your distinctive perspective can present precious insights to others.”
And don’t fear if it’s a subject you’ve seen at earlier bbcons. As Carlene Johnson, who has spoken at a number of bbcons whereas in her earlier position at a non-public highschool and now because the founder and principal guide at Subsequent Degree Companies, factors out “Simply because any person did a session on suggestions and methods final 12 months, there will likely be new individuals at bbcon who didn’t get to attend that session. What’s tried and true may be extraordinarily precious for folk who’ve by no means attended bbcon.” Along with reaching new audiences, you’ll additionally deliver your personal distinctive perspective and expertise to a subject.
Don’t Undervalue the Fundamentals
Even when it’s one thing routine, it may be a gamechanger for others. The convention attracts a mixture of skillsets from inexperienced persons who’re model new to utilizing their options to consultants who deliver 25 years or extra of expertise. Amy Dana, growth providers and information supervisor at Bat Conservation Worldwide, provided an essential reminder: “You by no means know what individuals don’t know. So, you may’t assume that simply because you already know one thing or all people in your group is aware of one thing that everyone on this planet is aware of how to try this factor.”
We welcome submissions that cowl something from the fundamentals that may assist somebody onboard and implement rapidly and have an ideal first expertise with their options to extra superior matters that lean into automations and customizations. Take into consideration one thing you want you knew when beginning out, or about one thing which may be second nature to you now however could have taken you some time to determine.
How are YOU, as your group’s material professional, conserving your colleagues up to date on what they should know? No matter that’s, it tells an ideal story of how you’re influencing change and adoption at your group and different individuals wish to hear the way you do that.
Fill within the Subject Gaps You Need to See at bbcon
Take into consideration what you want you had seen at earlier bbcon conferences or what you’re hoping to be taught in 2025. If there’s a subject or session you felt was lacking, contemplate filling that hole—it’s possible that others would additionally like to see a session on that matter. And who higher than you to rise to the problem? Your session might be the one which addresses these unmet wants and gives recent, related tackle the topic.
Think about Collaborating with Different Passionate Customers
In case you’re nervous about presenting alone, contemplate teaming up along with your colleagues or join with different clients in Blackbaud Group—you may seek for others who’ve already posted about that matter or put out a name for co-presenters throughout the bbcon dialogue discussion board or the related product dialogue discussion board.
Patti Hommes, growth supervisor at Jack and Jill Heart, shared that one of many advantages of presenting with others is that it “helps the session really feel like a “large dialog, which helps you’re feeling extra comfy within the second since you are speaking to your friends who share your curiosity, they usually genuinely need you to achieve the second.” And Amy Dana identified that when you have got a number of presenters, that signifies that it might probably take the burden off as you don’t have to arrange to talk for the whole lot of the session time as a result of that point is as a substitute unfold throughout the audio system.
Tip: In case you have an ideal concept and haven’t recognized a co-presenter but, we encourage you to point that. Nikki Baldwin, senior product advertising and marketing supervisor at Blackbaud and longtime bbcon monitor lead, shared a key tip: in case you’re not capable of finding peer or a colleague to co-present with and make it easier to carry the session alongside, Blackbaud will help pair you up with somebody, whether or not it’s somebody from Blackbaud or one other buyer.
Crafting Your Utility
When writing your software, there are some key factors you need to be capable of articulate even in case you don’t have the whole particulars of the session readied earlier than the March 12 submission deadline. Nikki Baldwin shared the important thing parts that assist session proposals stand out throughout her assessment:
- Make clear your viewers and their experience degree: Whenever you apply you’ll be requested to designate whether or not your session is fitted to newbie, intermediate or expert-level product customers. Do have in mind, nevertheless, that a variety of group sorts and talent ranges attend bbcon, so craft your proposal with broad attraction in thoughts.
- Describe the subject’s relevance and influence: Clarify why your matter is essential and the way it can profit different organizations. Your proposal is sure to face out in case you can clearly talk the significance of the subject. Think about using the next arch to develop an influence assertion:
- Why is that this an issue that wants fixing?
- Why is it essential to unravel this downside?
- How did you remedy the issue?
- Define your studying goals: Be sure you clearly state what you need your viewers to be taught and what you suppose they need to be capable of accomplish after attending your session. These 3-5 goals needs to be simple and clear. Think about the next inquiries to develop your goals:
- What would you like others to have the ability to do again at their organizations on account of attending your bbcon session?
- What do attendees have to know to bridge the hole the place they’re at present and the place they wish to be after they return to their organizations after bbcon?
- Think about using AI instruments: In case you need assistance filling out the shell of an concept or sharpening up an outline or assertion, AI writing instruments equivalent to Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT may be nice aids for creativity and brainstorming and might present assist for individuals who really feel like they need to use assist with writing.
Tip: In case you have issues about demoing an answer or displaying an instance dashboard that features delicate organizational information, you may go away a be aware in your speaker software stating that you simply choose to have a Blackbaud worker stroll the viewers via the answer with pattern information.
Extra Causes to Apply to Converse at bbcon
Submitting a bbcon speaker software is a unbelievable alternative to share your information, join with others, and improve your skilled progress. The bbcon expertise is made higher when clients—your friends— are put entrance and middle that can assist you perceive and learn to make the most of your options to the fullest capabilities and ship extra mission-impact.
And don’t neglect concerning the free bbcon ticket! As Nikki Baldwin identified, “Attending bbcon with out paying for the registration payment, whereas nonetheless representing your group is a aware and financially accountable option to attend the convention. You’re contemplating your group’s backside line.”
Your voice issues, and your insights could make a major influence on the Blackbaud neighborhood. We look ahead to seeing your software and listening to your distinctive perspective at bbcon! Within the phrases of Patti Hommes, “Simply take a deep breath. Then go for it! We like to see individuals succeed!”
