Today is the final of six planned posts from our newest guest blogger, Geoff Hart. Geoff is a veteran of many conferences, including a number of STC Summits. The series Surviving the Summit provided tips on how to get the most out of the Summit, or any conference you attend.
Because you promised to help your employer using what you learned at the conference, be sure to report what you learned. Summarize the “take home” message and its relevance for your workplace. Distribute this summary to everyone who needs to know, send copies to anyone who might benefit from knowing, and make the summary available to anyone who might like to know. The more coworkers you reach, the stronger and more interesting your workplace network becomes. (Editor's Note: Don't forget to mention and share Summit@aClick, available free to all attendees shortly after the conference!)
Unfortunately, it can be challenging to maintain your energy and excitement in the face of the institutional obstacles that arise after your return from a conference. Most organizations resist change, even if they nominally sent you to the conference to help them change. Lower your expectations and plan to accomplish change gradually. This takes persistence and patience, and you won’t be able to accomplish everything you hoped. Seek small victories that earn you enough credibility that you can propose larger changes in the future.
If you’re really smitten by your experience, volunteer to help with next year’s conference. I served as the Writing and Editing stem manager for the 2005 Seattle STC conference, and though it was exhausting (I was also speaking that year), it was my best conference ever. Alternatively, apply to present a topic next year. If you’re new to public speaking, choose a low-pressure format such as a “progression.” Progressions are like buffets, with the audience moving between the speakers to hear short, focused snippets (typically, 15-minute topics from four or five speakers). The short duration lets you master a small topic, which increases your confidence that you can present it well. Moreover, after the first time you present the topic, subsequent run-throughs for the next audience are easier. This will give you enough confidence to co-present a meatier topic with colleagues—often people with shared interests who you met at last year’s conference. Finally, give a solo presentation when your skills are up to the challenge. If you do a good job, people will approach you throughout the conference to learn more. (When I keynoted at the STC India conference, I spent three days talking without a break. It was wonderful, but draining, and my voice had faded to a croak by the end of the weekend. I’m still in touch with many of the people I met there.)
All of this advice applies equally well to small conferences. If you’re not sure you’re up to the challenges of the annual conference, look for smaller regional or local conferences where you can learn the necessary skills under less pressure. Most of all, look at the opportunity to attend a conference as a precious gift and an opportunity to learn and make friends in ways that can be difficult when you’re up to your ears in deadlines.
Next week: The Summit! See you in Phoenix!
Geoff Hart is the grizzled veteran of dozens of conferences, and has emerged exhausted (but mostly wiser) from this experience. Visit him online at http://www.geoff-hart.com.