Speaker Guide: What We’re Looking For
The Communications track at WSSW is built for founders who need to get their message across – clearly, confidently, and fast. From funder pitches and social posts to internal updates and cold outreach, communication runs through everything they do.
We’re curating sessions that are focused, useful, and immediately actionable.
First: Big, Bold Sessions
We’re looking for two or three sessions for big-picture, strategic topics. These sessions help founders think differently about how and why they communicate.
These sessions should be the kind of powerful, perspective-shifting workshops that help founders clarify the why behind their messaging and their leadership voice.
Great topics might include:
- Crafting your founder story.
- Vision-setting and internal comms as you scale.
- Leadership communication that builds trust.
- Communication strategy that supports growth.
These are the sessions that help founders zoom out, reflect, and reorient. They’re big-picture by design, and they matter deeply.
These sessions can be bold, inspirational – even a little philosophical – but they must be grounded in experience and relevant to scrappy founders.
These sessions should offer clear frameworks and perspectives – not vague inspiration. Founders should walk away with new clarity and a strong sense of direction.
Next: Tactical, Tactical, Tactical.
The majority of the Comms track is focused on tactical, skill-based execution. These are hands-on workshops where founders roll up their sleeves and get something done.
We want laser-focused workshops that could be titled:
- “Cold Outreach That Gets Replies: Write Your 3 Best Messages”
- “Build Your First Email Campaign in 45 Minutes”
- “Nail Your 25-Word Summary of Your Business”
- “LinkedIn for Lead Gen: Setup and Message Templates”
- “Pitching Funders: The Deck, The Delivery, The Ask”
These sessions should feel like a working session with a pro. Founders walk away with something real: an asset, a process, a checklist, or a clear next step.
Keep Each Session Focused
We believe in the power of storytelling. We know the importance of big-picture strategy. But not every session needs to cover both strategy and execution.
We’re avoiding mashups that try to tackle strategy AND execution. This year’s sessions will pick one and do it well.
In fact, we’re encouraging focus and clarity:
- Some sessions will be about strategy and framing.
- Others will be about execution and tactics.
Each has its place, and we want both. No well-meaning hybrid sessions that try to do too much and end up skimming the surface instead of going deep.
Checklist to Craft Your Session Pitch
- A clear focus on either strategy or tactics.
- A real, usable takeaway (template, draft, framework, checklist, etc.).
- Practical, relevant content rooted in lived experience.
- Bonus: share tools, platforms, or templates that help make the work easier.
We’re especially excited about practitioners. People who do this work every day and can teach it clearly to others.
Want to Join Us?
Submit your session idea or reach out with questions. Let’s make this the most practical, powerful, and action-oriented Communications track West Slope Startup Week has ever had.
Pro-tip: Run your session idea by Maryrose (maryrose@ewingschool.com) before you submit!