Why Become an Ignite Talks Leader?

What’s an Ignite Talks leader?

They are the backbone of the global Ignite Talks community. They are the people all over the world who put in the time and the energy to host Ignite events and lead Ignite chapters in their communities. They take on the responsibility for building an amazing forum for expression and growth in their cities and neighborhoods, and they assemble and lead teams of volunteers to make it happen.

Ignite Talks events happen all over the world because some people believe so deeply in the extraordinary power of Ignite that they decide to step up and make those events happen.

Leading an Ignite Talks chapter is not for the faint of heart! It's a magnificent opportunity for growth and development. When you commit to lead an Ignite chapter, here's some of the stuff you'll get:

• Learn event management
  You’re going to be hosting events and managing all the aspects of that: finding and vetting the venue, managing the finances, determining audio and video needs, marketing the event, choosing speakers, selling tickets, applying feedback. 

• Expand your marketing skills
  If you don’t market your Ignite Talks event, it’ll be crickets in the audience. Nobody wants to give a talk to an empty theater! Marketing is essential to hosting Ignite events—you’ll market through social media, through your webpage on www.ignitetalks.io, and maybe in local publications and flyers. Word of mouth is also an important marketing tool that will take you far.

• Perfect your sales pitch
  If you want to find sponsors for your events, you’re going to get comfortable with sales—warm sales, cold calls, email sales—the whole gamut. And you’ll figure out what techniques work the best. It’s a great skill to have and you will get lots of practice!

• Build & lead a team
  Perhaps one of the most useful skills you'll get from being a chapter leader is learning how to manage a team. You can't do this alone. You'll need a core team of volunteers to help you, and you'll be the one to build that team and lead them to victory!

• Grow your network
  If you are throwing Ignite Talks events, you’re going to meet A LOT of people. You’re going to be assessing potential speakers, meeting with venue managers, reaching out to local businesses to sponsor your events, and inviting everyone you know to come to your events. Before you know it, you’ll know huge numbers of people in your community, and they will know you!

That's only a few of the benefits that you'll get! And we are always working on more ways to help incentivize our leaders and give back to you for all of your dedication. If you’re interested in becoming a chapter leader, you can apply here.