| I just got back from my whirlwind speaking | | | | By this time I was a wreck, I knew my stuff |
| engagements and it occurred to me that you | | | | was good from the previous week's experience, |
| might be interested in these recent experiences | | | | but what about the "show"? I did a quick once |
| (especially since speaking in the number one way | | | | over of my slides at the break and everything |
| to increase to raise your visibility and credibility in | | | | looked in order. When I got up finally to speak, |
| the industry). In a matter of two weeks, I spoke | | | | after a very technical tedious program, I relaxed |
| at two different conferences. Although the topic | | | | a little. It was really hard to read such a large |
| was the same the audience for each was | | | | audience, where they tired, bored and seemingly |
| different. | | | | uninterested. I panicked when my second speech |
| In Florida I was the first speaker at the Prestige | | | | was missing two slides which I "ad libbed" and I |
| Products Conference. Boy, was I nervous.I was | | | | had no bells and whistles to keep them awake. |
| using a new and untested presentation and was | | | | Surprise! Again, I got lots of questions and |
| the first guinea pig on the stage. I checked my | | | | business cards even without the special effects. |
| PowerPoint beforehand (and carried two back-up | | | | The next day I spoke to a lot of the attendees |
| copies) and was leery of the ever waiting glitches | | | | about the previous day's programs. To my |
| in presentations. Everything went well and I | | | | amazement most felt "the big names |
| finished exactly within the 45 minute time period. | | | | presentations" were dull, canned or not really |
| This is something you can't always gauge even | | | | relevant to what they were looking for. I even |
| with practice. If you get nervous and speak fast, | | | | got a terrific testimonial from one attendee about |
| it will shorten your speaking time. Then this leaves | | | | how I had "great takeaways" of information. |
| dead time before the next speaker and it makes | | | | So why am I telling you all of this? It's not the |
| you look like an amateur. | | | | "name" of the company or the special effects |
| The group was great. The asked loads of | | | | that makes the presentation or the information of |
| question and connected with me and my topic. I | | | | value, it's what the attendees learn and hear from |
| got ton of business cards from members of the | | | | you that makes your presentation a success. |
| audience who wanted a copy of the entire of the | | | | Connect with your audience by understanding |
| presentation. I made a point of speaking to | | | | why they are there in the first place. Don't get |
| everyone too and asked their opinion of the other | | | | caught up in bells and whistles or special effects |
| presentations. | | | | that detract from the "substance" of your |
| The second gig was very different. I was the last | | | | program. If the material is good, your |
| speaker on the first day's session. I worked my | | | | presentation will be too, even if there are a few |
| self into a frenzy after watching Hallmark, Kraft | | | | hitches in it. Speakers are not "gods" to be |
| Foods and Sherwin Williams's present programs | | | | worshiped from afar. Those who connect with |
| with all kinds of special effects including video clips. | | | | their audience though solid content and information |
| Yikes, here I was with my simple PowerPoint | | | | will be remembered long after the "fancy" |
| presentation competing for attention at the end | | | | presentations fade. |
| of a long day. | | | | |