Mid-Monday Talk: Unlocking Engaging Event Topics: Criteria, Must-Go Themes, and Audience Insights
Happy Monday, Community!
In June, we unveiled Atlassian Event Destinations, and this time let’s continue the journey. While attending your dream and top-pick location for the Atlassian event or conference, there are a few more essential picks. It is, namely, making the critical decision on which topic to choose and explore.
Today, let’s dive deeper into the criteria and ‘deal-makers’ for when we choose the topics, uncover must-go themes and discover the most engaging topics which captivate attention (ours and our audience’s).
Which topic will you choose: Criteria
Each of us approaches topic selection differently, and I am curious whether there are some standard criteria or ideas which apply to the majority of the cases. What would be your audience insight? Or could you share insight from behind the curtains as an event organizer?
How does an event ensure an engaging lineup? Do an organizer’s criteria and insights differ from the attendees’ criteria and understandings?
Here are the criteria that help me navigate the diversity of topics while attending Atlassian events.
Atlassian Product: I work with Confluence and Jira Software daily, so when seeing the event topics, my eye automatically catches those two ‘names’ in the topic list. It depends on the theme, but if I need to choose between Confluence and Jira Software (etc., two topics are hosted simultaneously), I tend to choose Confluence.
Event Focus: Adding on the previous point, if the event is focused on Jira Service Management, my top pick would be the theme-related JSM rather than more general themes or topics related to other products, etc. Unless they appeal to me, the subject I choose needs to align with the focus of the event I am attending.
Theme: Usually, the topic name hints at what to expect or whether it is oriented to the broader audience or the advanced users. A great topic can immediately grasp the attention and communicate value to the audience.
Which topic will you choose: Must-Go Themes
Moving on, I’d love to expand on my theme point. Do you have specific themes that level up the appeal of the upcoming talk/webinar/etc.? What makes a theme ‘must-attendable’? Let’s discover and explore why they are so irresistible and what lies beyond their universal appeal! Those are my top picks:
Basic and Advanced Native Features: Probably my favorite one. Once I excel at an advanced feature or a lesser-known native trick, it boosts my excitement and productivity in the best possible way.
Tips & Tricks: Actionable tips, both large and small, can be implemented immediately - an excellent ingredient for the engaging theme and topic, right?
Best Practices: I love learning and unveiling insights from experts and understand better tried-and-true methods which can swiftly add on and improve my work and work-related workflow.
Tutorials: A fan of tutorials as they give practical guidance and experience with the product. I mean hands-on and ‘do it like me’ learning is prevalent these days, and even documentation for pretty much everything in life is in the form of a tutorial (written or in video form).
Those themes resonate with me the most, so in my work with our apps, I find a similar approach to structuring my presentations, demos, and overall content - both for Jira app and the Confluence app.
Long story short
Wrapping my series on the Atlassian and Community events, let’s share our insight and explore the must-go themes and engaging topics and uncover the criteria for the topic choice from the attendee and organizer perspective.
I am eager to hear your thoughts, preferences, and contributions. Let’s discuss it!
Warmest regards,
Anastasia
