So last week on Huddle, we had a hangout with 2015 EuroSTAR software testing Conference Chair Shmuel Gershon and 2015 Chair Ruud Teunissen. Over the course of an hour we looked at how submissions work for a testing conference, how you can get on a programme and what are the best ways of doing this.
Shmuel and Ruud both have tons of experience in this area. As both as seasoned speakers, they know what works when submitting to a testing conference like EuroSTAR. As a former Chair Ruud and reviewing hundreds of submissions last year, Ruud has the experience of knowing what type of submissions work and what the best submissions look like.
So to get you prepared if you are submitting to EuroSTAR 2016 (submissions close next week), here are some software testing conference tips from the Hangout from Shmuel and Ruud.
1. Include Your Main Message
It might seem obvious but Ruud has come across submissions that mentioned everything else bar the main message of the submission
“That sounds silly or obvious but most people forget to include it. I think it should be opening of your submisssion…Focus on the key points you want to give away to your audience.”
2. Try to Make it Short but Still Get All Your Points Across
It’s all about how you convey your message. Your submission should be clear and easy to read and understand. Shmuel offers his thoughts on what he would like to see in a submission.
“I personally when I read a submission, I like to be able to visualise how the talk will follow…if you write the list of topics you will discuss…I will be able to follow the talk and usually you can do that in one paragraph. I know what to expect from these 45 minutes and that to me is a very important thing. Usually I would be interested more in that than if you submit all the bullet points you have in your slides”.
3. Shape your Submission like A Fish
Yes if doesn’t make sense now but when you read Ruud explain the “fish” method seems like the most obvious way to go.
“It should be something like a fish, a head; this is what I’m going to talk about. It should have a body, all the details….these are the points I will cover and then there should be a tail, making the conclusion and telling the audience this is what is it for you.”
4. Include video of yourself
Often there may be submissions on the same topic on the same level. Shmuel says if possible include some footage of yourself speaking so that you can demonstrate how you might present your talk.
“If you have any experience anywhere, include it. Many times it will be someone we don’t know so if you have any experience anywhere and you tell me in your submission. Even better I have a video of me speaking, that is great then I can solve my doubts about this speaker. If I have two talks that on the content, they were on the same level, but I like the way this person speaks so if you tell me about your speaking experience, it will add a lot.”
5. Don’t just include the words of the Conference Theme in Your Submission
Most testing conference have their own theme each year. It’s easy just to include a few words regarding the theme in your submission but Ruud stresses you need to include more than that.
“It’s not enough to mention the theme in the submission, you really have to adjust it to the theme. But it has to be obvious that it is not something you do by wording but by adapting to the theme. And in general if you have a story to tell and last year [the theme], it was more practise and this year it’s more learning, you have to put the emphasis on that part from your story. “
“It’s not just using the keywords during the abstract, it helps if you change the content to suit”
6. Be Brave: Don’t be afraid of being rejected
There are many reasons why you submission might not work for that Conference but don’t let that put you off.
“I think my 12th or 13th submission was the first one that got selected….it’s often that you submit something that you don’t get selected. Maybe there was someone who had a better talk on the same topic..Sometimes it just doesn’t fit. Maybe they only select one or two from the same company or country. “
“It doesn’t mean everything that is rejected is ones that the committee doesn’t like, it’s cause they cant fit them all”
7. If you have never spoken before, you can be accepted
Some think that conferences prefer seasoned speakers but some, like EuroSTAR actively encourage new speakers. If you have never spoke at a Conference before, don’t be afraid to submit. You might be surprised by the results.
“Even if you think that it looks like it is something that is not special, there might be many at the Conference that have not done anything similar to what you did. “
8. If you think your talk will work better as a Workshop session then submit as a Workshop
Sometimes submitters may submit sessions that might not be a great a talk but could be an excellent session. Sure you might have a particular topic that is worth exploring but is it worth discussing more as a active session than a lecture? Include how you would plan the session, video, some active work, breaking up in groups.
“Submitting for a workshop in writing saying I want this yo be a workshop is a good idea. Last time I submitted I explained why my session would work better as an active workshop..than a normal track.”
9. Submitting to EuroSTAR
EuroSTAR is Europe’s largest software testing conference and you might be daunted by the size, the number of submissions and the chances of success but the Conference prides itself on being the big friendly conference. Everyone attending wants to learn and is keen to discuss testing. It’s a special place
“EuroSTAR for it’s size, it’s very friendly. Even though it’s big, it’s a great place to talk for the first time.”
10. Submit more than once but only if you have more than one good topic.
Some of those that submit ideas to Conference regularly submit more than one idea. As Ruud advises, if you are submitting more than once, you need to be sure that you have good, distinct ideas for your talks.
“If you submit more than once, please make sure they are different stories you want to tell. The same story in different variations will work against you.”
11. If you do fail to get on the Programme, Ask for Feedback
If you do get rejected with your submission, make sure you ask for feedback. It will give you the benefit of adapting your submission if you need to and work on the idea more.
“It’s worth it to ask..we will be able to tell you, for example, we didn’t know what the talk was about so that is why it was rejected or we had four talks on the same topic and the others seemed to fit.”
If you missed the Hangout from last week, you can view it back here. Also check out the forum thread discussing what tips previous presenters have for submitting to a testing Conference.
Don’t forget that submission for EuroSTAR 2016 close on Friday 5th February. If that has inspired you, you can submit here.
