Call for Papers Submission Resources

We truly want to do more to encourage a broader range of diverse voices to share their perspectives and knowledge as speakers, wo we’ve introduced this CFP Resources Page to provide assistance in crafting the best possible.

Tips for a Great Submission

• The Title: Your title is the first chance you have to make your proposal stand out. Think of ways to entice people to read your abstract. A quick play on words, a short quote, or a catch phrase can be great ways to get readers engaged.
• Why this Topic: You don’t need earth shattering new research or have written a new framework to give a good talk. Even a topic that’s been presented 100 times before can shared from a unique perspective that is valuable for attendees. What makes your perspective or approach different? Focus on that in your abstract.
• Be Detailed: Many submissions get rejected because they’re simply too short. 1-2 sentences is not going to cut it. Your abstract is your chance to sell your presentation to the board and to the attendees. Consider including a statement of the problem, what your suggested solution is, and some take-aways that the attendees will get from your session. Generally 150-250 words is sufficient for Blue Team Con.
• Authenticity: If you’re not typically into making jokes, trying to inject humor into your abstract may not work. Some people are formal, others casual. Write in a voice that is natural for you. You might even consider picking a characteristic that makes you unique and use that to build a theme.
• Audience: It’s always good to identify who your audience is in your abstract and then use that to guide your abstract. If your topic is for n00bs, don’t make assumptions that they understand terms. If your audience is leadership, be careful going into deep technical details.

What the CFP Board Looks For

The Blue Team Con CFP Review Board is made up of a number of individuals from varying backgrounds, disciplines, and experience levels. This ensures diverse opinions in CFP Scoring. The goal being that conference content appeals to a broad range of attendees and that there is something for everyone. That said, here are some common things the board members will look for in your submission.

• Completeness: Does the submission provide sufficient detail to understand the topic that would be presented?
• Uniqueness: Is there something that stands out about the presentation? A new way of looking at a problem? A new solution? Original research?
• Authority: Does the abstract convey a sense that the presenters know the topic well enough to present it? No, you don’t have to be an expert, but you do need to convince us you understand the material.
• Actionable: Will attendees leave this presentation with practical knowledge that they can apply tomorrow in their job?
• Contemporary: Does the topic apply to current issues or trends? A discussion of VAX/VMS architecture might be interesting but who uses VAX anymore?

Get Feedback Before You Submit

Potential speakers can pre-submit a copy of their abstract for a one-time review and receive feedback from industry professionals with considerable experience presenting at conferences. These professionals ARE NOT members of the CFP Review Board so as to avoid any creation of bias in the review process. As such, use of this service does not guarantee you’re presentation will be selected. However, especially if you’re new to conference speaking, it’s a great way to get an outside opinion before you submit it to our CFP board. Use the form below to send us your abstract for review. Again this service is offered one-time per primary speaker.