So You Want to Speak at Nerd Nite?
Excellent. Awesome. AMAZE.
Nerd Nite is not a conference, TED Talk, dissertation defense, or an excuse to trap people in a dark room with 87 text-heavy slides in 8 pt font. It’s an evening where curious humans gather to learn weird, fascinating things in a fun, informal setting.
A live event featuring short, engaging talks about interesting topics delivered by people who are genuinely excited about them to an audience that is eager to share that enthusiasm and learn something new.
Absolutely not. You don’t need a PhD, a book deal, or a laser pointer. You just need:
• A topic you genuinely care about
• The ability to explain it to regular humans
• A willingness to engage the audience
Some of our best speakers are researchers, teachers, artists, and hobbyists that accidentally became experts somewhere along their journey.
The best talks are evidence-based, accessible, surprising, and entertaining.
If you can elicit this response – What…what?, No Way!, How is that even legal?…then you are on the right track.
Think less “formal lecture” and more “let me tell you the coolest thing know.”
About 20 minutes — long enough to tell a compelling story and short enough to keep the audience conscious.
Use large images, minimal text, readable fonts, and avoid walls of information.
If you have screenshots, spreadsheets or screenshots of spreadsheets, we should talk.
Nearly anything: science, history, psychology, folklore, mathematics, engineering, pop culture, obscure hobbies, and deeply specific obsessions.
Strongly recommended. Attending helps you understand the vibe, pacing, audience, and overall experience. Technically optional but strategically wise.
Send us your topic, why it’s interesting, what the audience will learn, and why you’re the right person to tell the story. Think movie trailer, not final screenplay.
A catchy title, short summary, your perspective or expertise, and evidence that you understand the Nerd Nite vibe.
Bonus points for emailing actual humans (Shari and Matt) rather than beginning with Dear Sir or Madam or Algorithm.
Hopefully several months in advance. That means there may be a wait before your turn at the microphone. It gives us time to help shape your talk into something unforgettable.
Absolutely. We’re happy to help refine topics, tighten stories, improve slides, test jokes, and prevent accidental PowerPoint crimes. Our job is to help you look smart, funny, and prepared.
Everyone gets nervous. The audience is friendly, curious, and genuinely rooting for you.
Bold ideas are welcome, but extraordinary claims require evidence, sources, and strong arguments. Leave unsupported nonsense at home.
They’re coming to an event called “Nerd Nite” by choice.
Typically they are friendly, curious, enthusiastic, and occasionally heckly in a loving way. Think pals rather then Judgy McJudgyfaces.
If you can talk about it for 20 minutes without noticing time passing, it’s probably nerdy enough.
Email us with your idea, a brief introduction, and any relevant background.