SXSW PanelPicker Success: Less is More

The Forrest Four-Cast: June 13, 2017

If you want to speak at SXSW 2018, then its time to get serious about your PanelPicker proposal. This interface opens on Monday, June 26 and closes at the end of the day on Friday, July 21. If you miss this relatively short PanelPicker deadline, then you miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your ideas in front of one of the world’s most innovative, forward-thinking communities.

Know that the PanelPicker process is incredibly competitive — we will receive about 5000 total proposals and only about 20% of these proposals will be accepted for the event. So, the more you know about what makes for a successful speaking idea, the more likely your idea will rise to the top of the public voting process (as well as SXSW Advisory Board judging and the staff rating procedure).

One of the most important tips for success is to enter your proposal as a solo presentation (as opposed to a multi-person panel). Why? Because solo speakers tend to offer a lot more depth and detailed expert analysis on the topic at hand. Depth and detailed expert analysis are always the qualities that SXSW audiences are looking for as they browse through the many outstanding content offerings at the event.

Learn more such tips on Wednesday evening, June 14 in Austin, when SXSW staffers host a Community Meet Up focused on the PanelPicker as well as other activities related to the 2018 event. If you don’t live in Austin, then check out the other locations that we will be traveling to this summer to spread the word about March Magic. Or just contact us (hugh at sxsw dot com) with your questions.

Hugh Forrest tries to write at least four paragraphs per day on Medium. These posts often (but not always) cover technology-related trends. When not attempting to wordsmith or meditating, he serves as Chief Programming Officer at SXSW in Austin.