Tell the speakers that you liked their talks
Give Speakers the Feedback They Crave
Originally shared by Ana Rodrigues on September 14, 2026
I recently spent a significant portion of my last week attending SmashingConf Freiburg, and as always, it was a wonderful experience. It provided a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends and finally meet people in person whom I had previously only known through a screen.
Interestingly, I found myself in a rather flattering position: several attendees approached me, convinced that I was the mystery speaker (a tradition where SmashingConf keeps one presenter a secret until the day of the event). While I wasn't actually the mystery guest, I truly appreciate the vote of confidence in my professional standing!
The Art of Facilitation
During the after-party, I found myself chatting with a lively group. One person mentioned that a friend in their circle was dying to ask a specific speaker a question but felt too intimidated and shy to do so.
Being a bit more shameless after a few drinks, I jumped in to help. I've made it a personal mission to bridge the gap between speakers and attendees whenever possible. I essentially gathered the speaker and the interested party in a "pac-man style" merge, bringing them into our group to get the conversation flowing.
Throughout the conference, I pushed myself to encourage these interactions. For instance, during the speakers' dinner, I made sure to ask every person I intended to feature on stage if they were comfortable with it. (Unsurprisingly, they were all lovely and agreed).
The Silence of the Modern Circuit
Having entered the speaker circuit relatively recently, I missed out on the "golden era" of instant feedback—that wave of supportive mentions on Twitter before the platform was effectively ruined.
There is a common misconception about the dynamics of these events:
| Perspective | Common Feeling | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Attendee | "I have nothing valuable to add to this expert's conversation." | The speaker is often just as nervous as you are. |
| Speaker | "Did that land? Did they hate it? Why is it so quiet?" | The audience likely enjoyed it but is too shy to say so. |
"I've had events where I received zero online feedback, leaving me to wonder if my presentation completely flopped."
It isn't purely about ego; it's about the uncertainty of performance. I've discussed this with other presenters and realized that this anxiety isn't a "me problem"—it's a universal experience. As the saying goes, no thought is truly original.
The Internal Struggle
I'll admit, I'm often guilty of the same silence. I frequently forget to praise my own friends when they speak because I mistakenly assume they can read my mind. I figure they know I love their work since I'm in the front row cheering them on.
I've realized I need to change my habits:
- Live-post more frequently.
- Blog more often.
- Highlight the incredible organizers and speakers I encounter.
When I'm in an official role at an event, I tend to retreat into my comfort zone, sticking close to familiar faces. Furthermore, the moment I step off a stage, my internal monologue becomes a critique loop:
ERROR: Slide 4 had a typo.
WARNING: The transition at minute 12 was clunky.
CRITICAL: I mispronounced that one technical term.
The Bottom Line
If you have ever hesitated to tell a speaker you enjoyed their talk because you felt it "wasn't worth it" or you were too shy, let this be your sign to do it anyway.
Whether it's a brief chat or a simple tap on the shoulder, it matters. Speakers invest an immense amount of effort into their presentations, and they genuinely want to know if their message resonated.
Mathematically, we could view the impact of feedback like this:
Summary Checklist for Attendees
- Approach a speaker after their session.
- Mention one specific thing you liked.
- Realize that they are likely just as human (and nervous) as you.
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