web 2.0 expo ny--how to submit a winning proposal

S b itSubmit a WinningWinning ProposalProposalPresented by Web 2.0 Expo co-chairsBrady Forrest (@Brady)Sarah Milstein (@SarahM)(@ )

S h BradySarah Brady

This talk could also be namedThis talk could also be named

This talk could also be namedThis talk could also be named“S C S“Submit a Proposal We’ll Consider Seriously”

This talk could also be namedThis talk could also be named“S b it P l W ’ll C id S i l ”“Submit a Proposal We’ll Consider Seriously”

OrOr

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressthebuttononthetop/277470840 used under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

This talk could also be namedThis talk could also be named“S b it P l W ’ll C id S i l ”“Submit a Proposal We’ll Consider Seriously”

OrOr

This talk assumes you’ve looked at our CFP s a assu es you e oo ed a ou Cform, which guides you through the process: http://www.web2expo.com/webexny2010/.http://www.web2expo.com/webexny2010/.

If you want examples of past proposals that we’ve accepted, take a look at our previous shows. The sessions give a good sense of what we like, and the descriptions are drawn directly from proposalsdescriptions are drawn directly from proposals.

Dates

April 12 - Web 2.0 Expo NYC CFP closesJune - Talks selected and registration opensOctober 18-21 - Web 2 0 Expo NYCOctober 18-21 - Web 2.0 Expo NYC

H U i StHave a Unique Story We want compelling talks, stories and technologies

Session title: “Review of best-practice recommendations for privacy and policyrecommendations for privacy and policy implementations in location-aware applications”

Don’t send us this—it’s too generic: “Panelists review key recommendation and guidelines, and offer advice about implementing cool applications while complying with the guidelines and regulations on respecting and protectingcomplying with the guidelines and regulations on respecting and protecting privacy.”

Pi k Y T t Focus your talk towards a

image: Laughingsquid

Pick Your Target ysegment of our attendees

Session title: “Redesigning products as designSession title: Redesigning products as design models evolve in the industry”

Don’t send us this—we can’t tell who the audience for it would be: “This subject covers the aspects of interactive product design and the necessity for the continued success of the product to redesign Products have a base set ofthe continued success of the product, to redesign. Products have a base set of requirements when initiated, as features are added the product evolves giving us the opportunity to redesign. Periodic redesign is essential for staying current with the industry trends ”with the industry trends.

D ’t Pit hFocus on lessons learned and

Don’t Pitch NOT the benefits of your product or service

Session title: “Web 3.0: Content is the Heart ofSession title: Web 3.0: Content is the Heart of the Matter”

Don’t send us this—it looks like a product pitch: “Location-based applications are leading the way to Web 3.0 where users create content and opportunities for monetization are built in XXXX XXXX CEO of XXXX willopportunities for monetization are built in. XXXX XXXX, CEO of XXXX, will discuss how Web 3.0 recognizes multiple revenue opportunities by putting content at its center.”

(NB: This was submitted by a PR agent.)

Thi k f th Att dProvide a clear description of

hat attendees ill learn andThink of the Attendees what attendees will learn and why they care

Session Title: “CompanyX EveryWhere 2.0”

Don’t send us this—our attendees don’t aspire to control remote employees: “This session will answer the question: How can companies retain control over employees as working out of the office becomes increasingly morecontrol over employees as working out of the office becomes increasingly more common due to the high quality of new technologies?”

Incorporation of the USA

Don’t send us this—it may be related to Web 2.0, but it doesn’t appear to be for our audience at all: “XXXXXXX 2.0, Incorporated uses the basic fundamental concepts of Web 2 0 to evolve the antiquated and obsoletedfundamental concepts of Web 2.0 to evolve the antiquated and obsoleted democratic institutions created over 200 years ago. We must use the technology of the Web 2.0 and beyond to force the greatest country in the world into the future The Incorporation of the USA and issuance of stock equity to everyfuture. The Incorporation of the USA and issuance of stock equity to every American Citizen, is the start of such an evolution.”

Ski th jSkip the jargon

Ski th jSkip the jargonDreadful actual proposal we received:

“This session will provide an overview of leading-edge engagement platforms ead g edge e gage e t p at o sarchitected to enable real-time brand lift and ROI with location-aware mobile analytics.”ROI with location aware mobile analytics.

Ski th jSkip the jargonDecent rewrite:

“This session will analyze three leading approaches companies take to participatingapproaches companies take to participating in and tracking results from social media.”

Include peopleInclude people we don’t see often enoughwe don t see often enough

at tech conferences

Include peopleInclude people we don’t see often enoughwe don t see often enough

at tech conferences

(We see a ton of these guys.)

Include peopleInclude people we don’t see often enoughwe don t see often enough

at tech conferences

Include peopleInclude people we don’t see often enoughwe don t see often enough

at tech conferences

Include peopleInclude people we don’t see often enoughwe don t see often enough

at tech conferences

Post compelling ideoPost compelling video

Post compelling ideoPost compelling video

Do it o rselfDo it yourself

Do it o rselfDo it yourself

Fact: we reject most proposals from PR people Not because weFact: we reject most proposals from PR people. Not because we dislike flacks, but because the proposals tend to be product pitches, or too general, or too jargony. In addition, if we see a lot of

l f ( hi h iproposals from one person or company (which is more common when a PR person is involved), we think you’re spraying and praying, not that you have a ton of good ideas.

Submit a proposal forW b2E NY b A il 12Web2Expo NY by April 12http://www.web2expo.com/webexny2010/

Q&A f li b tQ&A from our live webcastsQ: You HAVE to include video? A: Yes, we require it this year.

Q: Can you clarify on the video: sample speech video or elevator pitch -- which is it? IfQ: Can you clarify on the video: sample speech video or elevator pitch which is it? If you have a video of a strong presentation you’ve given before, feel free to post the link to that. If you don’t have a great video (or any video), create a quick-and-dirty (but clear and energetic!) elevator pitch and post that.

Q: So for the video - just be your fabulous self... yes? A: Yes, but we want to see that you can communicate. If your recording a fresh pitch for us, make sure you describe your talk who it’s for and what they’ll get out of it The video should be no moreyour talk, who it s for, and what they ll get out of it. The video should be no more than about two minutes long.

Q: You HAVE to include video? A: Yes, we require it this year.

Q: Can you clarify on the video: sample speech video or elevator pitch -- which is it? If you have a video of a strong presentation you’ve given before, feel free to post the link to that. If you don’t have a great video (or any video), create a quick-and-dirty (but clear and energetic!) elevator pitch and post that.

Q: So for the video - just be your fabulous self... yes? A: Yes, but we want to see that you can communicate. If your recording a fresh pitch for us, make sure you describe your talk, who it’s for, and what they’ll get out of it. y , , y g

Q: What’s the ideal video length? A: The video should be no more than about two or three minutes long.

Q: Are there sample videos available? A: Not yet. We’re working on that.

Q: Is there a certain topic that you feel is overdone or that you get a lot of so that weQ: Is there a certain topic that you feel is overdone or that you get a lot of so that we can maybe avoid it? A: Not specifically, but we do see a lot of generic proposals that look very similar. If you propose a session that has unique lessons or data only you could reveal, it doesn’t matter nearly so much if the topic is fairly common., y p y

Q: Can the presentations be too technical? A: We have a Development track, and a very large number of our attendees are programmers. See past shows for examples of technical talks we accepted. (Of course, we also take non-technical talks that are about applications or implications of technology. See past conferences to get a feel for the sort of things we look for.)

Q: If the speaker will speak at Web 2 0 San Francisco will they NOT be considered forQ: If the speaker will speak at Web 2.0 San Francisco, will they NOT be considered for New York? A: We try not to repeat people too much from one show to the next. But if a speaker is very good, we will work with them for more than one show.

Q: Are you open to receiving two proposals from a given company? A: Our system doesn't prevent you from submitting multiple ideas. But a lot of proposals from one individual or organization most often looks like that proposer has no idea what will work and is just spamming us with everything possible. Better to focus on one or maybe two ideas that are really sharp. We're far more likely to take those seriously.

Q: You've mentioned particular ''tracks'' of conferences are those listed orQ: You ve mentioned particular tracks of conferences -- are those listed, or something we should consider when proposing? A: In the CFP form, we ask you to pick one or two topics that your session would fit under; those topics are the tracks. We don’t change the tracks a ton from show to show, so you can also take a look at g , yprevious shows to get an idea of our tracks, which generally include Development, Marketing, Design and Business Strategy, plus a bunch of hot topics..

Q: You've had hands on session previously, are there any of those available? A: We’re looking primarily for 20-minute and 50-minute breakout sessions. These sessions can feature single speakers, co-presentations or panels. If you have more in-depth, hands-on content, we also program several 3-hour workshops, scheduled for the first day of the conference.

Q: Would submitting myself as a panelist be any different than a single speaker? A:Q: Would submitting myself as a panelist be any different than a single speaker? A: Unlike a lot of other conference organizers, we don’t typically create panels ourselves. That is, we accept proposals for full panels, but we very, very rarely come up with ideas for panels on our own and then solicit people for them. In addition, we p p p p ,almost never place somebody on a panel that’s been proposed to us. So you’re welcome to submit panel ideas with yourself as moderator or panelist, but we can’t recommend that you simply submit yourself as a potential panelist.

Q: Do you allow co-presenting? Example: agency + client. A: Sure. But beware that often, those agency + client proposal look like product pitches. And we’re seriously allergic to product pitchesallergic to product pitches.

Q How many people attend Web 2.0 Expo? In NY in 2009, we had about 1,300 conference attendees (and about 4.500 total attendees, including people who came ( , g p pfor just the keynotes and/or Expo Hall). Double both numbers for Expo SF in 2009.

Q: What makes a proposal stand out? A: A talk is two parts: the speaker and the topic (we talked earlier about sharing your unique story). A gem is less-known speaker who has been writing/speaking about their ideas. A great way to get a speaking slot is to be noticed first for your thinking and writing. Hacker News, for instance, is a good place to get recognized for Development sessions. Bar Camps and Ignites are another great place for speakers to share their ideas and show us some presentation chopspresentation chops.

Q: If we have more questions, who can we ask? A: ny-idea@web2expo.com or sf-idea@web2expo.com. @ p