Think day on public speaking strategy
I recently set aside time to think about where and how I want to present to improve the visibility and impact of my research, by developing a public speaking strategy. I design my think days together with ChatGPT, and then tailor the prompts further to my situation and current work. Then, I develop a more general template for anyone who would want to go through the same exercise, which you can find here:
0:00–0:10 — Clarify Your Speaking Identity
Purpose
To articulate who you are as a speaker and what distinct value you bring to audiences.
Prompts
- What is my core message as a speaker?
(Not just my research topic, but the idea I repeatedly stand for.) - What is my value proposition?
(Why should an organizer invite me rather than another accomplished academic?) - Which emotions, insights, or actions should audiences leave with?
- What are my 3–5 signature talk themes that align with my career goals?
Output
- One concise positioning statement:
“I speak on…”
(Leave space to refine this over time.)
0:10–0:30 — Opportunity Mapping
Purpose
To identify where you should be speaking and why those venues matter strategically.
Create four buckets and list 10–20 potential venues in each.
| Bucket | Examples (to be filled in) | Strategic Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| High-Impact Research Conferences | Visibility, credibility, citations | |
| Policy & Diplomacy Forums | Influence, relevance, funding | |
| Leadership & Higher Education Platforms | Career progression, institutional profile | |
| Inspirational / Cross-Sector Platforms | Narrative reach, brand, broader impact |
Additional prompts
- Which countries or regions should I prioritize for speaking invitations? Why?
- Which media outlets, podcasts, or public platforms align with my message?
0:30–0:50 — Gap Analysis (Reality vs Target)
Purpose
To identify where speaking invitations already flow naturally and where active strategy is required.
| Target Bucket | Current Engagement (Y/N) | Barriers | Strategies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research | |||
| Policy | |||
| Leadership / HE | |||
| Inspirational |
Reflection prompts
- Where am I already visible, but under-leveraged?
- Which invitations must be created, not awaited?
- Which roles (panelist, moderator, keynote) am I currently playing — and which should I aim for next?
0:50–1:05 — Keynote Strategy
Purpose
To move from ad-hoc talks to a coherent speaking portfolio.
Design your portfolio
- 3 keynote talks (≈150-word abstracts)
- 3 conference talks (≈100-word abstracts)
- 3 panels or workshops you could propose or chair
Keynote architecture (template)
- Origin or context (personal, institutional, or disciplinary)
- Core problem or challenge
- Evidence, cases, or insights
- Framework or way forward
- Call to action for the audience
1:05–1:20 — Systems for Getting More Invitations
Purpose
To replace randomness with repeatable systems.
Structural actions
- Quarterly outreach rhythm (e.g. curated emails to event chairs)
- Annual list of priority speaking venues
- One-page speaker profile (bio, topics, past talks, contact details)
- Personal website or profile page with speaking materials
- Consistent post-event visibility (e.g. sharing insights online)
Relational / soft-power strategies
- Recommend others for talks to build reciprocity
- Accept moderation roles as stepping stones to keynotes
- Engage in interviews or side events around conferences
- Maintain relationships with organizers beyond a single event
1:20–1:30 — Final Decisions & Commitment
Purpose
To convert reflection into concrete action.
Write down
- Top 8 events or platforms I will actively target
- Top 5 people I should contact or activate
- Top 3 talk titles I will promote
- A 3-month checkpoint:
If I do not have X confirmed speaking engagements by then, what will I change?
Closing statement
Public speaking is not a reward; it is a strategy.
Share with your peers!