Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast

How to Be Selected to Speak at a Meeting When They Don t Know Who You Are YET

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Episode 22: How to Be Selected to Speak at a Meeting When They Don't Know Who You Are YET

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman tackles one of the biggest challenges facing early-career physicians: getting selected to speak at conferences when you're still building your reputation. She addresses the classic catch-22 of needing exposure to build credibility while needing credibility to get exposure, offering five strategic approaches to break through this barrier.

No need to take notes, just check out the Blog to get a summary of these insights.

If you are interested in my Academic Physician Kickstarter Course designed to chart your personalized path to promotion for physicians in the first 5 years of practice, please DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach. You can also email me at [email protected]

This course is designed to help you set up your practice, learn finances 101, build a research program, build a national reputation, and prepare a personalized plan for promotion. My mission is to help you envision your ideal career and create a path to your version of success.

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Key Points:

  1. Introduction and The Core Problem (0:00 - 2:30)
    • The challenge of building credibility while needing exposure
    • Importance of identifying your niche with 1-2 key words
    • Dr. Ishman's example: evolution from "sleep" to "pediatric sleep apnea"
    • Strategy 1: Don't Wait to Be Invited - Build a Panel (2:30 - 5:15)
      • Become a moderator on timely topics in your expertise area
      • Invite top-tier, well-known experts to join your panel
      • Take lead on logistics: write abstracts, make slides, handle coordination
      • Your name appears alongside established leaders on the program
      • Strategy 2: Pick the Correct Stage (5:15 - 7:30)
        • Consider smaller, specialty-specific meetings over large national conferences
        • Start where your mentors and collaborators are already presenting
        • Ask senior colleagues to co-author abstracts for credibility
        • Examples: laryngology meetings, pediatric surgical association workshops
        • Strategy 3: Play the Long Game with Abstracts (7:30 - 11:45)
          • Submit abstracts consistently year over year
          • Study what gets accepted regularly (methodology, systematic reviews)
          • Dr. Ishman's "best of literature review" strategy
          • Tips for strong abstracts: lead with clarity, use meeting-appropriate language, explain why work matters, avoid jargon and excessive abbreviations
          • Strategy 4: Use Posters as a Stepping Stone (11:45 - 15:30)
            • Posters get your name on peer-reviewed programs
            • Senior judges and program committee members attend poster sessions
            • Opportunity for one-on-one conversations with key leaders
            • Practice your elevator pitch and build visible contributions
            • Use QR codes to connect people with your work
            • Strategy 5: Ask for an Opportunity (15:30 - 18:00)
              • After consistent participation, you're no longer unknown
              • Directly ask mentors for panel recommendations
              • Contact program committees about speaking opportunities
              • Offer to help with meetings and include yourself in recommendations
              • Keep 1-2 topics ready to discuss when asked
              • Final Thoughts and Key Takeaway (18:00 - end)
                • Success is about being clear, not just being known
                • Focus on providing value and timely content
                • Show up consistently at meetings that matter
                • Reputations are built "quietly and steadily with purpose"

                  • 🎓 Ready to build your academic career with less chaos and more clarity?
                  Get in touch for a free checklist on optimizing your time and building your national reputation:

                  If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please:

                  ● DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach 

                  ● Message me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-mentor-coaching 

                  ● Email me at [email protected] 

                  ● Contact me at the website at www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

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                  Medical Mentor Coaching PodcastBy Dr. Stacey Ishman