How to become an invited speaker in Japan?

 

Step 1. Put yourself out there. Show up. Present.
Step 2. Present for your audience, not yourself, and prepare well. Do not waste anyone’s time.
Step 3. Have some luck that the right person sees and hears you.

Voilà.

At least, that is how I ended up at the International Conference on Plasma Medicine in Japan, talking about our work at NIB, thanks to Vandana Miller.
The whole experience was a good reminder of the direct benefits that can come from putting time and effort into your presentations.

However
(very important however incoming)

In the majority of cases, scientific presentations should not be prepared with the sole goal of benefiting from them.
Because you know what usually happens in that case?

The audience loses interest and focus.

And if your audience gets nothing from your talk, chances are you will not get much from it either.

Putting effort into your presentation is always a good idea.

And even if you do not see a direct benefit, it does not mean you did not make an impact!