Speaker Guide & Resources

What I'll ask of you

Sounds great, but what do you need to actually do?

To help you keep on top of everything, I’ve prepared a checklist with the key dates and links in Notion. Get it here!

1. Your basic information

DUE ASAP

I’ll need some basic information from you (title, links, headshot, etc.) so I can finish up our registration page and speakers page. Once you confirm that you’re in, you can submit all your information in this simple form. Note that your name will not appear on the drop-down until we've communicated and you've confirmed your participation. 

2. Your presentation

DUE: APRIL 7, 2025

Submit your presentation and free resource here.

Each presentation should be 20-30 minutes long and pre-recorded.

Focus on taking a friendly and casual approach, rather than aiming for polished and structured. We want our attendees to learn something valuable, while having fun in the process.

You have your choice of the following presentation formats:

• Slide talk
• No slides (just you talking)
• A combination of the two
• Interview-style — if you’d like me to interview you, please schedule that here by April 10.

Note: No matter what format you choose, you are free to use your presentation however you’d like in the future.

If you’d like to go with the interview-style presentation, schedule a time with me to do that here.

If you’d like to discuss your topic or want help getting clear on what to include, please schedule a time with me here.

How should I structure my presentation?

Your presentation should include strong, actionable content and provide a transformation for attendees, moving them closer to an expertise-based creative business that offers them time freedom and reliable revenue. Since participants are getting a lot of presentations, shorter is better.

Here’s a suggested format:

1. Introduction to you, 3 minutes or less

2. Topic overview

3. Where people go wrong and can end up overwhelmed and/or underpaid

4. Simple teaching section

5. A specific action step to take towards a transformation

6. Up to a 3-minute pitch for your free resource

Free resource/freebie

This is optional, but encouraged, as this is how you'll get conference participants on your email list.

To support your presentation and invite people to join your email list, I suggest you prepare a free resource/freebie that all participants can download. This might be a short worksheet, a template, or other supporting material for your topic. Ideally, this is short and actionable. You will need to provide a link where people can opt in, a title, and a one-sentence description. 

3. Your contribution to the Autonomous Creative Conference Implementation Kit 

DUE: APRIL 7, 2025

Submit your Implementation Kit contribution here.

The Autonomous Creative Conference Implementation Kit is our version of an “all-access pass.” I’ve designed it to help participants get the most out of the conference. Big picture, this includes ongoing access to presentations, a workbook that I'll prepare, as well as live implementation sessions to help to implement what you’re teaching.

In addition, we will include a collection of high-value additional resources from our speakers. Contributing is optional, but really a wonderful way to connect more deeply with people who are highly interested in your work. People who download your resource are additional additions to your list, and likely people you'll want to follow up with.

To be clear, we're asking you to prepare TWO resources (both optional): A small, quick freebie that will be available to every participant, and a somewhat more substantial resource that will be included in the Implementation Kit, which is a paid offer.

If you become an affiliate for the conference, you'll also earn a 40% commission on every sale of the Implementation Pack that comes through your link, and when you contribute, that makes it easier to promote to your audience since they are likely to want what you’ve included.

What should you add to the speaker bonuses? Good ideas include:

• Workbooks
• Self-paced courses or trainings (big or small)
• 1 month in your membership or newsletter paid subscription
• Templates
• eBooks

It’s totally up to you to decide whether you’d like to create something new or provide something you already have, but it does need to be offered for free to all customers of the Implementation Kit. 

We cannot accept freebies or percentage-off offers.

 (Note: We do not recommend any type of 1:1 contribution due to the potential for a high volume opt-ins.)

Attendees will be able to start claiming your bonus as soon as registration opens on April 24.

4. Event participation

During the week of the event, you’re not required to participate in any live activities, but if you’d like to connect with attendees, you’re more than welcome in the community, where I’ll be posting prompts and questions related to your presentation.

You’re also welcome to join me for the end-of-day implementation sessions! If you’d like to do that, just let me know so I can prepare and get you all the info you'll need.

5. Promotion

Active period: April 29 - May 16

The power of a virtual conference arises from the confluence of experts coming together for a single cause. This is as true for participants—who get massive value from all the insights gathered for them—as it is for speakers.

When everyone participates in promotion, it results in a huge benefit to everyone involved.

That’s why every speaker is encouraged to share on social media (if they use it) and to email their lists during the promotion period, starting on April 29. To be clear, I do not require promotion. But your participation is so deeply appreciated!

I know you may have your own schedule for what you’re talking about with your list, so if possible, please take a moment now to block out a few dates to send email!

When you share the conference, you can use your affiliate link (which you can set up here) so you can get in on the 40% commission that will come from any Autonomous Creative Conference Implementation Kit sales that come through you.

You’ll find a suggested promotion calendar, swipe copy, and graphics under Resources, below.

Affiliate Details

While virtual conferences are great for overall visibility, growing your audience, and making new connections, they're also a way to bring in a little extra income.

That’s why I’ve set up an affiliate program for the Autonomous Creative Conference Implementation Kit where you’ll receive a commission from all sales from traffic you refer to the event.

Payouts will be made by May 30.

The commission structure is as follows:

• 40% for all speakers

The pricing structure will be:

• $95 for 20 minutes after initial registration
• $145 from April 23 - May 13
• $195 from May 14 - 23

To make it as easy as possible for you to generate extra income, the Resource Vault includes email swipe copy, social media copy, and social share graphics. However, you’re more than welcome to write your own copy and even run your own Facebook ads.

Just remember to use your affiliate link, which you can create or look up here.

Do NOT edit the affiliate link ThriveCart gives you or update to the prettier version of the link you get by pasting it into your browser and hitting enter. Anything other than the link given will not track your referrals. You can create a pretty link that leads to the original link given by ThriveCart with something like the Pretty Links plugin or bit.ly.

I am also happy to collaborate to help you promote. For example, I can come on your podcast, write a guest newsletter, or do a live in your Facebook group (all with your affiliate link) to help you get some extra conversions!

As with all affiliate promotions, be sure to disclose that you’re an affiliate when sharing with your audience.

Or login to your existing account here

Resources

In this Google Drive folder, you’ll find the following resources:

• Conference branding information (in case you'd like to show off that you've been featured on your website)
• Checklist with due dates and links so you can keep track of everything easily
• Suggested promotion calendar
• Email swipe copy and suggested send dates
• Social media swipe copy and suggestion posting dates
• Social media graphics

I’ve also created a version of the same checklist with dates and links as a Notion page.

  Important Dates

• Basic information: As soon as possible
• Presentation + free resource: April 7
• Autonomous Creative Conference Implementation Kit contribution (premium resource for paid attendees): April 7
• Promotion period: April 28 - May 16
• Conference dates: May 13 - 16
• Autonomous Creative Conference Implementation Kit cart closes: May 19
• Affiliate payouts: by May 30
• Resources contributed to the Implementation Kit must be available until June 30 (though you can leave them available as long as you like)

Speaker FAQ

 We're excited to have you join us as a speaker!

Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your participation—both for our attendees and for your own business growth. Have questions? Email [email protected] or DM me on LinkedIn.

Event Overview

When is the conference?

May 13-15, 2025.

We've structured this as a virtual conference with pre-recorded presentations to accommodate our global speaker lineup and ensure the highest quality content. While you don't need to be present during the conference, you're welcome to join our community events and implementation sessions that will happen daily.

What's the focus of this conference?

Our conference helps service providers create more stable, scalable businesses while protecting their time for deep work and creativity. We're particularly focused on helping people who feel their business is "out of control" find ways to make it more manageable and profitable.

Who will be attending?

Our audience includes:

• Service providers with existing clients who want to scale sustainably
• Business owners struggling to find time for creative work and deep focus
• Experienced professionals (often 40+ with significant expertise) looking to consolidate their knowledge into a structured business
• People transitioning from freelancing to a more structured business model
• Small business owners (solo to 2-3 person teams) seeking better systems

Many attendees have significant expertise in their field but need help with:

• Creating space for focused work
• Building sustainable systems
• Finding high-value clients
• Leveraging their existing IP and network
• Automating aspects of their business

What's the structure?

The conference is organized into three focused days:

• Day 1: Time Management & Systems
• Day 2: Money & Business Models
• Day 3: Leveraging IP & Creative Space

Your presentation will fit into one of these themes, allowing attendees to build a comprehensive understanding of business sustainability.

How is the Autonomous Creative Conference different from typical online summits?

Most online summits overwhelm attendees by piling on presentations with little structure. We're taking a more focused, curriculum-based approach:

• Carefully curated speaker list focused on specific, complementary expertise
• Structured daily themes that build on each other
• Fewer, more targeted presentations rather than an overwhelming quantity
• Robust implementation support and clear connections between concepts
• Active community discussions and support

Why this approach?

Many expert midcareer creatives end up in business accidentally and struggle to make it work while maintaining their creative practice. Our structured approach helps them:

• Make sense of complex business concepts
• Prioritize what's most important for their situation
• Actually implement what they learn
• Build sustainable systems that support their creative work

How does this benefit speakers?

This format creates deeper engagement with your content:

• Your presentation sits within a carefully crafted curriculum
• Attendees understand how your expertise fits into the bigger picture
• Implementation support helps them actually use your methods
• Structured community discussions reinforce your concepts
• Warm introductions to aligned audiences through mutual sharing (optional, not required)

We're building something different: not just a collection of presentations, but a cohesive learning experience that benefits both speakers and participants through meaningful, lasting connections.

Important Dates:

• April 10: Deadline to schedule interview-style presentation
• April 7: Presentations and Implementation Kit contributions due
• April 24: Registration opens
• April 28 - May 16: Promotion period
• May 13-15: Conference dates
• May 14: Capstone Day Workshop
• May 19: Implementation Kit cart closes
• May 30: Affiliate payouts
• June 30: Deadline for Implementation Kit buyers to download your bonus

Your Presentation

What presentation format can I use?

Choose from:

• Slide presentation
• Just you talking (no slides)
• Combination of both
• Interview-style with Jessica (must schedule by April 10)

Please let us know which you choose as soon as you can!

You retain full rights to use your presentation however you'd like in the future.

What do I need to prepare?

1. A 20-30 minute presentation
   • We recommend this length to maintain engagement while allowing depth
   • Talk to me if you want to go longer…that can be an option
   • Focus on 1-2 actionable insights that attendees can implement
   • Keep the tone friendly, not formal and overly structured. It’s a talk, not a webinar
2. Supporting Materials:
   • Basic biographical information for your speaker page
   • A headshot
   • Any relevant social links or resources you'd like to share

Content Tips

• Present high-level concepts that will provide a big a-ha moment rather than step-by-step teaching
• Include just enough tactical information to connect this to their own questions and challenges
• Let me know if you’d like feedback on your presentation! Happy to help.

When is everything due?

• Final presentation, bonus materials: April 7th, 2025
• Supporting materials: As soon as possible to allow for marketing

Adding to your list, connecting with the audience

We've designed multiple touchpoints to help you connect with potential clients. Here's how:

Free Resource Strategy

• You can create a valuable worksheet or guide that complements your presentation. It’ll be presented, free, alongside your presentation to all attendees, and they’ll have the option to download it.
• Host this on your own system on a landing page, so that when they download it, they’re added to your list.
• You’ll need a delivery email that’s immediate, but then I recommend waiting a few days to send more emails (because they’ll be getting a lot of email about the conference through the end of that week). Ideas about that follow, below.

Premium Bonus Opportunity

• You may create (or use an existing) more substantial resource for attendees who upgrade to the paid “Implementation Kit”
• Examples: Loom video demonstrations, detailed workflows, templates, minicourses, ebooks, etc.
• Attendees may download your bonus through June 30, and I’ll be sending emails encouraging them to download as the deadline approaches. When they do, they’re added to your list.
• Some of them will already be on your list, since they’ve probably downloaded your free worksheet, but these attendees are typically more committed since they've invested in this Implementation Kit
• When you share the conference with your audience, you earn 40% commission on Implementation Kit sales through your link (whether or not you contribute a bonus)

The Implementation Kit: Complete Details

What is the Implementation Kit?

The Implementation Kit is a paid upgrade option that transforms the conference from a collection of presentations into a structured learning experience. It includes:

• Ongoing access to all conference presentation recordings
• Premium bonuses from speakers (available through June 30)
• Live implementation sessions with Jessica
• A comprehensive workbook connecting all presentations

About the Conference Workbook (created by Jessica)

This workbook will be a high-level guide to how to make sense of all the presentations as a cohesive whole, and how to prioritize implementation of the ideas in the attendee’s business. It is not a replacement for your worksheet/free resource (I will link out to your materials), it’s like a teacher’s guide. I’ll be drawing on my many years as a professor to put this together and make the conference more actionable.

How does it benefit speakers?

As a speaker, the Implementation Kit offers several opportunities:

1. Commission: Earn 40% on Kit sales through sharing the conference with your affiliate link
2. Lead generation: Provide a premium bonus to attract committed leads
3. Extra visibility: Your presentation recording remains available for paid members
4. Cross-promotion: Your materials are featured in Jessica's workbook

Implementation Kit pricing:

• $95 (early bird, first 20 minutes after registration)
• $145 (April 23 - May 13)
• $195 (May 14 - 23)

Affiliate payouts will be made by May 30.

What can I offer as a premium bonus for the Implementation Kit?

Consider creating (or using existing):

• Loom videos showing detailed processes
• Templates or workflows
• Detailed guides
• Mini-courses
• Implementation tools
• Your bonus should provide deeper, more specific guidance than your presentation.
• We cannot accept freebies or percentage-off offers, and do not recommend including 1:1 offers as bonuses.

How does the Kit support implementation?

• Jessica will host live implementation sessions
• The main workbook connects ideas between presentations
• Attendees get extended access to all materials
• Premium bonuses provide detailed, step-by-step guidance
• The focus is on helping attendees actually use what they learn

Key dates:

• Bonus materials due: April 7th, 2025
• Your bonus must be available to attendees through June 30th, 2025
• Jessica will send reminder emails as the deadline approaches

You don't have to create a premium bonus to participate as a speaker, but it's a powerful way to connect with committed attendees who have already demonstrated willingness to invest in their business growth.

Sharing the Conference

How can I share the conference with my audience?

The conference's success comes from experts like you coming together for a common cause. While sharing is not required, your participation in promotion helps create value for everyone involved—speakers and participants alike.

When should I share?

• Promotion period: April 28 - May 16
• Consider blocking out a few email dates now
• We'll provide a suggested promotion calendar

What resources are available for sharing?

We make it easy with:

• Email swipe copy with suggested send dates
• Social media copy and graphics
• Suggested posting schedule
• Your unique affiliate link for tracking

Can we collaborate on promotion?

Yes! Jessica is happy to:

• Appear on your podcast
• Write a guest newsletter
• Do a live session in your community
• All using your affiliate link to help you earn commissions

Important: If you'd like to collaborate on promotion, please let us know as soon as possible so we can schedule it during the promotion period.

How do I track sales and earn commissions?

1. Set up your affiliate account
2. Use the exact link ThriveCart provides (don't modify it)
3. You can create pretty links that redirect to your ThriveCart link using tools like bit.ly
4. Remember to disclose your affiliate relationship when sharing

Connecting with your new subscribers

The conference is just the beginning. Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of your new connections:

Create a quick follow-up sequence

1. Delivery of the resource & welcome:
   • Deliver promised materials immediately
   • Welcome them warmly
   • Set expectations for future communication
2. The week after the conference:
   • Remind them who you are by referring to your presentation
3. You can help them implement via email, or consider hosting an open house/Q&A in the next few weeks.
4. Once they know who you are and what you do, you can add new people to a funnel or launch something to them

Questions?

Don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We're here to help you create valuable content for our attendees while growing your own business.