In my years as a serial entrepreneur and speaker, I’ve noticed that presenting ideas at industry-leading conferences can be a game-changer. SMX Advanced, specifically tailored for experienced search marketers, offers an ideal venue to make an impact. But submitting a session proposal requires careful crafting. Those valuable 20 minutes on stage are an opportunity to share knowledge that challenges, informs, and inspires. Let’s dive into what makes a standout proposal and the steps to make yours irresistible.
What SMX Advanced Looks For
SMX Advanced thrives on actionable and expert-level strategies. This isn’t a space for beginners or surface-level concepts, it’s for marketers with deeper insights to share. The event organizers explicitly look for unique approaches, real-world solutions, and solid examples that showcase innovation. Topics focusing on SEO, SEM, PPC, and AI trends are particularly in demand this year.
Speakers aren’t selected based on fame or past experience. They’re chosen for the strength, originality, and relevance of their pitch. Those who shine bring advanced methods proven to solve current industry challenges, from navigating Google’s algorithm shifts to maximizing ROI in paid search campaigns.
How to Craft Your Proposal
Good proposals involve structure, clarity, and relevance. Here’s the process:
- Research the Audience: SMX Advanced attendees are seasoned pros who expect highly specialized knowledge. Stay far from beginner-friendly content, they want the next big thing. Understand their pain points using resources like Search Engine Land and study past successful sessions.
- Be Original: Scan the agenda of last year’s event so your topic doesn’t overlap. Propose something fresh.
- Provide Actionable Takeaways: Attendees want steps they can implement immediately, what to do, how to do it, and the expected outcome.
- Keep It Tactical: Dive into strategies that improve digital outcomes, supported by data and examples instead of relying on broad theories.
- Show Case Studies: If your methods have worked in real campaigns, disclose the background story briefly to make arguments compelling.
Consider the example pitch shared by Search Engine Land, where applicants break presentations into tight, actionable blocks like keyword expansion strategies post-Google algorithm updates.
Common Errors to Avoid
While applying for conferences, I’ve seen many people lose their shot by committing avoidable mistakes. Here are the big ones:
- Failing to Address the Advanced Level: If your proposal oversimplifies complex topics, it’ll be rejected. Avoid generic advice, SMX organizers are looking for cutting-edge solutions.
- Too Much Theory, Not Enough Practice: Forget industry jargon unless it serves a clear, practical purpose. Dive into tangible solutions. Attendees want to leave with actionable insights, not abstract ideas.
- Ignoring Submission Deadlines: This isn’t a ‘submit late for consideration’ scenario. January 30 matters because spaces for pitches fill quickly. Early submissions get priority.
- Sales-y Content: Avoid turning your session into a promotion of your company’s solutions or products; instead, focus purely on educating your peers.
Why Submit to SMX Advanced
If you’re still hesitating about joining this event as a speaker, ask yourself: what’s the value of connecting with hundreds of seasoned search marketers in one place? SMX Advanced places you among the field’s top professionals, opening opportunities to collaborate, share, and leave with ideas you didn’t have walking in.
Being part of this community also builds credibility fast. When my startups received exposure at similar conferences, we built partnerships, got funding leads, and boosted our visibility. Seasoned attendees remember sharp speakers, not pitches, so look beyond mere stage time, this is about building a network.
How to Submit Your Proposal
Submitting is straightforward. If you already know your topic and approach, these links will move you directly into the next steps:
- Visit the submission portal to create your speaker profile and upload your pitch.
- Study the Speaker Guide. There, you’ll find detailed requirements about pitch format and other technicalities.
The effort pays off. Just ensure your submission respects the guidelines. Proposals that lack clarity or come across generic don’t make the cut, especially for advanced-level conferences.
Insights for First-Timers
Truthfully, this audience can feel intimidating if it’s your first time pitching. But don’t let that hold you back. Even if you aren’t a frequent presenter, organizers are eager for diversity, they want original content, and that often means hearing perspectives from fresh voices. The event board has explicitly opened the floor to new applicants.
Use tools such as Semrush or Canvanizer to gather detailed statistics about trends affecting PPC and SEO, these data points add strength to a first-timer pitch.
Final Thoughts
Submitting a proposal to SMX Advanced isn’t just about getting picked. It’s about cementing your position in the industry. The process forces you to reevaluate how well you understand your craft and present ideas in digestible formats. For me, proposals have transformed ideas into collaborative breakthroughs, powered introductions to future co-founders, and even led to funding from partners who attend as sponsors.
If you aim to grow as a leader in the search marketing world, this event is critical. Visit SMX Advanced here and take one small step toward showcasing yours to people shaping the future of search.
FAQ on Submitting a Winning Proposal for SMX Advanced
1. What is SMX Advanced, and why is it important?
SMX Advanced is a premier event for senior-level search marketers, featuring expert-level strategies in SEO, SEM, PPC, and AI. It’s a platform to share groundbreaking ideas and connect with industry leaders. Explore the SMX Advanced event
2. What main topics should a proposal focus on for SMX Advanced?
Proposals should revolve around advanced strategies in SEO, PPC, AI, and cutting-edge search marketing solutions. Topics like AI-driven SEO, algorithm changes, and actionable strategies for PPC campaigns are highly sought after. Learn more about pitching to SMX Advanced
3. What are some tips for crafting an impactful session proposal?
Focus on originality, advanced expertise, actionable takeaways, and supporting your ideas with data-driven case studies. It’s crucial to target a seasoned audience with innovative solutions. See the speaker guide for proposal tips
4. Who can apply to speak at SMX Advanced?
Anyone with proven expertise and innovative strategies can apply. Even first-time speakers are encouraged if they bring fresh, advanced content relevant to search marketing. Visit the official speaker submission portal
5. What should I avoid in my proposal?
Avoid beginner-level content, overly theoretical ideas, sales pitches, and missing submission deadlines. Tailor your proposal toward advanced marketers and focus on strategic, actionable insights. Read about common proposal mistakes
6. What’s the deadline for submission, and why does it matter?
The proposal submission deadline is January 30, 2026. Early submissions are prioritized as spaces fill quickly. Learn about submission timelines
7. What benefits can speakers gain from presenting at SMX Advanced?
Speaking at SMX Advanced builds market credibility, provides networking opportunities with industry professionals, and boosts professional visibility.
8. Can new presenters succeed at SMX Advanced?
Yes. The event encourages diversity and fresh perspectives, valuing actionable insights over prior speaking experience. Check out the call for new voices at SMX Advanced
9. How should proposals address the advanced audience?
Your proposal must cater to a highly knowledgeable audience. Include cutting-edge tactics, data-based results, and actionable advice that experienced marketers can apply immediately. See examples of advanced session formats
10. Where can I find additional tools to strengthen my pitch?
Use tools like Semrush and Canvanizer to analyze trends and craft data-rich proposals, helping reinforce your credibility and ensure your topic addresses current challenges effectively. Explore tools like Semrush
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.