Three years ago, I was sitting in the audience at a Salesforce user group meeting in St. Louis, listening to a speaker talk about Flow automation. I remember thinking: I did something like this last month. I could present on that.
It took another six months before I actually emailed the user group leader. But that email changed my career trajectory.
Why Community Speaking Matters
Presenting at Salesforce community events — Dreamin’ conferences, user groups, webinars — is one of the highest-leverage career activities in the ecosystem. Here’s why:
You learn more than your audience. The preparation required to speak publicly forces you to understand your topic at a depth you can’t fake. Twice, I’ve started preparing a presentation and realized mid-way that I didn’t actually understand something as well as I thought. The presentation made me fix that.
The network compounds. After every talk, people approach you with questions. Those conversations lead to friendships, collaborations, and opportunities. The Salesforce community is genuinely generous.
It elevates your org’s profile. Presenting the work your organization is doing creates a positive halo effect. It attracts talent, partners, and attention.
Starting Small: User Groups
If the idea of a conference talk feels overwhelming, start with your local Salesforce user group. Here’s what I love about them:
- 20–40 people instead of 400
- Friendly, forgiving audience
- 20–30 minute presentations (much easier to scope)
- Instant feedback from practitioners
Find your local user group at trailblazercommunity.salesforce.com.
Picking Your First Topic
The best first talk comes from something you actually did, not something you learned from documentation. Think about:
- A problem you solved in Salesforce in the last year
- A process you automated that saved your team time
- A mistake you made and what you learned from it (audiences LOVE this)
My first user group talk was “How We Built Our HRIS in Salesforce in 6 Months.” Not glamorous, but real — and people connected with it.
The CFP Process (Call for Presentations)
To speak at a Dreamin’ conference or Salesforce World Tour, you need to submit a CFP. My advice:
- Lead with the audience’s problem, not your solution. Bad: “How I Use Flows at My Org.” Better: “5 Flow Mistakes That Are Creating Technical Debt (And How to Fix Them)”
- Be specific about takeaways. Reviewers want to know what attendees will be able to do after your session.
- Apply early. CFPs are competitive. Early submissions often get more consideration.
- Apply repeatedly. My first CFP was rejected. My second was too. Third was accepted. Keep going.
The Prep Work
Once accepted, the real work begins. My process:
- 8 weeks out: Draft outline and key slides
- 4 weeks out: Full run-through, timing the talk
- 2 weeks out: Incorporate feedback from one or two trusted colleagues
- 1 week out: Final polish, print notes, pack bag
- Day of: Arrive early, test AV, breathe
It’s Worth It
Speaking is uncomfortable and requires real work. But the career benefits, the relationships, and the personal growth make it one of the best investments I’ve made in my professional life.
Want to chat about getting started? Reach out — I’m always happy to help new speakers.