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Crafting Your KotlinConf Proposal: Expert Tips to  Help You Stand Out

Thinking about sharing your Kotlin expertise on the big stage? KotlinConf is the premier event for all things Kotlin, and getting a talk accepted for inclusion in the conference is a fantastic way to contribute to the community and elevate your profile. However, submitting a talk proposal, especially for the first time, can feel daunting. With so many brilliant minds around, how do you give your proposal the best shot at being accepted?

In this post, we’ll share some ways to make your submission stand out, combining best practices for conference proposals with insider advice from JetBrains speakers, KotlinConf program committee members, and experienced presenters.

The tips are tailored to KotlinConf in particular, but most of these ideas are applicable to any developer conference.

1. Make sure your title is clear and compelling

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and your talk’s title is your earliest opportunity to capture attention. Reviewers and attendees alike may decide whether to read further based solely on those first few words.

Pamela Hill. Developer Advocate, KotlinConf Program Committee member, KotlinConf speaker

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A carefully-selected title can make all the difference! Audience members often lack the time or attention span to read more than the title when deciding whether to attend a talk. Prefer clarity over a catchy or fun title that doesn’t give a good idea of what the talk is about in a nutshell.

Choose a title that communicates your topic in plain terms, hints at the level, and makes the benefit to the audience obvious.

2. Tell a story with your abstract – with the audience in mind

Crafting a great talk is not just about presenting information – it’s also about storytelling. Think of your proposal as a promise to provide a valuable learning experience wrapped in a story that makes it engaging.

Sebastian Sellmair. Software Developer, KotlinConf speaker

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Talking at KotlinConf is a great experience and a huge achievement for any Kotlin developer. While choosing a great title, having highly polished animations, and curating high-quality memes might enhance your talk, the most important thing is having a story worth telling. Do you have something novel and technically interesting to present? Can you break down a topic in a way that is engaging and truly fun? Can you inspire fellow developers?

Your abstract should explain what you’ll cover, what the attendees will gain, and why your talk matters. Reviewers don’t need a full script, but they do need a clear, detailed impression of your talk.

Márton Braun. Developer Advocate, KotlinConf Program Committee member, KotlinConf speaker

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While we don’t need a full script for your talk as the abstract, we’re also unlikely to accept a talk where the abstract is just a single sentence. Two or three paragraphs are usually enough to provide meaningful detail.

Think of your abstract as a preview, not a transcript – just enough detail to show the value and flow of your talk.

Your Voice Belongs Here: Creating Compelling KotlinConf Proposals is a supportive and practical livestream for people from underrepresented groups in tech – whether you’re preparing for your first talk or have speaking experience and want to take the next step onto a bigger stage like KotlinConf. Join Pamela Hill and Cheuk Ting Ho, seasoned speakers, CFP writers, and friendly program committee members, as they share what makes a proposal stand out, how to shape your Kotlin journey into a strong submission, and what reviewers are really looking for. Don’t miss it! Let’s get your proposal ready together.

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3. Start with the problem and build anticipation

When writing your proposal, set the stage by outlining the challenge or pain point your talk addresses. Create curiosity before giving the solution. This builds anticipation and helps the audience connect with your topic.

Jodie Burchell. Developer Advocate and Data Scientist

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Hook your audience by telling them the problem you’re going to be solving. People love mystery books for a reason, and that’s because they build up a bit of suspense before they jump into the solution. A great proposal will do the same thing.

4. Think like an attendee: What’s their takeaway?

The best proposals start with the audience. Instead of asking, What do I want to present?, consider what the attendees will learn and why they will find it valuable.

Svetlana Isakova. Team Lead in Kotlin Developer Advocacy, KotlinConf Program Committee member, KotlinConf speaker

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When submitting a talk, think like an attendee: Would you want to sit through this? What’s in it for the audience? That’s why we ask about key takeaways. What do you want people to learn, try, do, or feel inspired by?

Be precise with key takeaways. Avoid vague statements like “You’ll learn best practices.” Instead, be concrete and specific.

Here are a few examples from KotlinConf 2025 talks:

  • “Learn how native dependencies interact, how they are loaded, and the unexpected complexities of the native world.” (Dependencies and Kotlin/Native | Tadeas Kriz).

Specific takeaways not only strengthen your proposal for reviewers but also make your talk more attractive to attendees when the schedule is published.

5. Make it Kotlin-centric

KotlinConf focuses on Kotlin itself and its ecosystem. Reviewers look for proposals that highlight Kotlin’s features, multiplatform capabilities, or language design, or relevant tools from the ecosystem.

Márton Braun. Developer Advocate, KotlinConf Program Committee member, KotlinConf speaker

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Keep in mind that your talk should be related to Kotlin! For example, not every Android talk is necessarily a good fit for the KotlinConf audience. Or talks about Jetpack Compose often cover things that work the exact same way with Compose Multiplatform, and the latter is much more likely to be accepted at KotlinConf!

If your talk covers a popular theme, put your own unique spin on it. A case study, a personal experience, or a surprising insight can make your submission stand out.

6. Showcase your speaking skills

Even the most brilliant idea can fall short without effective delivery. The KotlinConf program committee wants to see that you can engage the audience.

Svetlana Isakova. Team Lead in Kotlin Developer Advocacy, KotlinConf Program Committee member, KotlinConf speaker

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Examples of your talks help us make better choices. If you’re a first-time speaker and don’t have recordings, no worries! You can simply record yourself (even just part of your proposed talk) on your laptop and share the link. We would really appreciate it.

The KotlinConf Call for Speakers form includes a Recordings of previous talks field, which is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your presentation style and energy. If you’re new to speaking, a short, self-recorded video can make a huge difference.

If you don’t have formal recordings, consider including links to blog posts, open-source projects, or short demo videos related to your topic.

7. Polishing matters: Make your proposal shine

A strong proposal isn’t just about content; presentation matters too. Typos, inconsistent formatting, or vague writing can work against you.

Márton Braun. Developer Advocate, KotlinConf Program Committee member, KotlinConf speaker

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Your submission should show that you’ve put some thought and energy into preparing it. Check your submission for formatting issues and typos, and please don’t submit abstracts that were generated by LLMs.

Reviewers want to see that you’ve taken care in preparing your proposal. A polished submission suggests you’ll bring the same care to your talk.

8. Consider different formats and feel free to submit more than one talk

If your topic doesn’t quite fit a full-length slot, consider proposing a lightning talk instead.

Márton Braun. Developer Advocate, KotlinConf Program Committee member, KotlinConf speaker

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Don’t forget that we also accept lightning talks! If you feel like your content would have to be padded to fill a regular session, it might be more enjoyable as a lightning talk.

And here’s another strategic tip: Submitting multiple proposals increases your chances of being selected.

Pamela Hill. Developer Advocate, KotlinConf Program Committee member, KotlinConf speaker

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Submit more than one talk! It gives you more chances to join in on the KotlinConf fun.

9. Don’t be afraid to get creative

There’s always room for talks that are purely fun or explore unexpected aspects of Kotlin. If you have an amazing side project or discovered something truly surprising about the language, don’t hesitate to submit it!

The KotlinConf’26 Call for Speakers is opem! Share your Kotlin expertise with the world – server-side, web, desktop, mobile, AI/ML, and more! Submit your proposal and get a chance to speak at the year’s biggest Kotlin event!

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Conclusion

Getting a talk accepted to a prestigious conference like KotlinConf is a significant achievement. It’s an opportunity to share your insights, experiences, or even fun discoveries with the Kotlin community. However, the competition is stiff, and each year, many good proposals don’t make the cut.

Don’t get discouraged if your submission isn’t accepted. Keep refining your ideas, practice your presentation skills, and continue to engage with the Kotlin community. Every submission is a learning experience and valuable practice. With preparation and care, the next KotlinConf stage could be yours.

Good luck preparing your submission for KotlinConf’26!

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