Showing speakers that they are valued

I was one of three speakers at a startup event where I spoke on customer discovery.

Not the type of event where we get paid to speak.

Just warm fuzzies, and more importantly the knowledge that we have helped a group of dedicated founders.

Did I say, “the knowledge,” I should have said “the hope.”

Applause is nice, but it doesn’t improve upon our hope.

Questions do.

Ideally, questions you can’t find answers to by reading our books, articles, and blogs.

Those are the questions that really give us hope that we are contributing.

The reason we are there live rather than just the host just showing you a video is so you can ask questions.

If you aren’t asking questions, we shouldn’t be there.