How a Late-Night Pitch Turned Into a Speaking Spot at SXSW

Originally published on LinkedIn by McLean Media founder Don F. McLean.

There was a moment earlier this year when I nearly closed the laptop and walked away from the SXSW submission page. I had just spent hours pitching my clients for speaking slots at one of the biggest stages in the country, brilliant people doing innovative work in biotech, AI, transparency, insurance, and public health. If anyone deserved the spotlight, it was them.

And yet, as I looked at that submission form, something kept nagging at me.

I hadn’t pitched myself.

Why?

Because deep down, I had already disqualified myself. The voice in my head told me it wasn’t the right time. That this wasn’t the priority. That maybe I should wait until the next book, the next idea, the next milestone.

But then I remembered the one philosophy from my father, Don G. McLean, that I have carried with me throughout my entire career:

Don’t tell yourself "no!"

Let someone else say it. Let the committee say it. Let the algorithm say it. But don’t take yourself out of the running before the race has even started.

While my dad didn't put it quite like that, this picture in my office is a reminder that even after more than 10 years after his departure from this world, my dad is still reminding my of lessons from my formative years.

Back to SXSW. I followed that philosophy and I submitted a proposal.

Not for a panel. Not for a workshop. For something different. Something I had not even planned. I asked to do a live reading of my book The In Crowd for LinkedIn Mastery. And guess what?

They said yes.

Out of thousands of submissions, mine was selected. I’ll be standing on a national stage at SXSW 2026 reading from a book I wrote in the cracks of my calendar, between client campaigns, strategy sessions, late-night edits, walks around my neighborhood, and early-morning school runs.

This is a big deal.

Not just for me, but for the idea itself. Because how many great books never get their shot? How many bold thinkers back out before they even apply? How many ideas stay stuck in someone’s head because they convinced themselves that the timing just was not right? That they don't feel ready?

‍

Here’s the truth. The timing will never feel perfect.

But if you believe in your work, you have to fight for it. You have to claim the space.

To stay focused, I keep my goals as the lock screen on my phone. Research from Consumer Affairs says that "cellphone users look at their phones 205 times a day." That means I’m reminded about 205 times a day of what I’m working toward. It’s a small trick that creates a massive shift in discipline and energy.

Have you considered something like this?

Writing a book was never about carving out endless hours. It was about carving out belief. I found time that didn’t exist because I wanted to build something permanent. And in the process, I built a tool that helps other people show up online in a way to helps support the expanse of their career, not just their next role.

Now that work is headed to Austin, Texas for SXSW.

‍

I still feel a mix of pride and heartbreak. None of the incredible clients I pitched were selected this year. That stings. But, I also believe that this small win opens doors for bigger ones. Visibility grows. Stories travel. Opportunities multiply. And, I'll have some strong on-the-ground networking opportunities to find out what kind of speaker pitches will work better than others.

So I’ll stand on that stage with my book in hand, and I’ll speak for all of us who hesitated at the starting line.

If there’s something you’ve been meaning to do, say, launch, or share, let this be your reminder.

Don’t tell yourself no. Tell yourself yes!

And see what happens next.

If you would like to read the first chapter of my book for free, go here and scroll down to the bottom of the page: https://www.mcleanmedia.com/the-in-crowd-for-linkedin-mastery

‍