At the end of March, I did something I had never done before: I got up on stage (twice!) to give my very first talks as a speaker at two major tech events in Italy — CSSDay and WebDay.

When I submitted my proposals months ago, I did it with a mix of excitement and naivety.
Honestly didn’t expect how much these experiences would help me grow.

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Preparing a Talk Is a Journey

Spoiler: it’s not just about making beautiful slides.

Behind every talk (at least, for me), there’s a huge amount of work: picking the right topic, figuring out how to make it engaging for your audience, writing, rewriting, adjusting the timing, cutting things out, adding others.

The truth is, when you speak in front of people, you realize how well (or not) you actually know your topic. And that pushes you to improve, to clarify your thoughts, to go deeper.

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On Stage: Pure Adrenaline

Not gonna lie — I was really really nervous.

But then something happened. I started talking and, little by little, the anxiety turned into a pure joy.
Sharing something you’re passionate about with an audience is an amazing feeling.
And in the end? Applause, a few questions, lots of smiles. And a strong feeling of gratitude.

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After the Talk: Connections

One of the best parts was after the talk. When people in convention come up to you, ask questions, share their own stories, or just say thank you.

I met so many brilliant people, exchanged ideas, got feedback and encouragement. And, most of all, I learned this: public speaking is a powerful way to grow — not just professionally, but personally too.

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Would I Do It Again? Absolutely

Being a speaker was intense, for sure. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in years.

If you’re thinking about trying it, go for it. Submit that CFP, write that proposal. It might not be perfect, but it will be yours. And it might take you further than you expect.

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Want to Know More?

If you’re curious about the talks I gave at CSSDay and WebDay — or want to check out the slides, you’ll find at:

👉 https://talks.marcopollacci.it/

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Thanks for reading my article!
You can also find me on GitHub or via my personal website! 🌐