POST-A-DAY FACES BIG CHALLENGES IN FORM OF TINY KEYS

Okay so we may have a hitch in the post-a-day pact. Here's the deal, I'm traveling today. I get to go to Chicago to work with an great group of folks there on presentation skills. They aren't beginning presenters – they already have skills … perhaps even skilz – so working with them will be a blast. Plus I get to meet up with my business partner/sister there. Hello? That's awesome. And if that weren't enough there is this restaurant there that has THE BEST RISOTTO I've ever had the pleasure of licking the plate of. And the cherry on top? I really like Chicago. Really.

Wait, what was I saying? Oh yes, I'm traveling which means I'll have limited time to post. Especially since I've stayed at this particular hotel before (just last month, in fact) and the internet access was spotty at best. All I'm saying is it is going to be tough. I may have to resort to posting using my blackberry – so get ready to put on your super decoder ring because those keys are the size of gnats teeth and any one of my friends can tell you I'm challenged even when I don't have a logarithm guessing what I'm going to say.

I thought about just writing up a few posts and then just scheduling them to post later on (tomorrow, the next day, etc.) but I feel like I'm cheating if I do that. The idea here was that I would write everyday … not just post everyday. Meanwhile, I guess this lame post is going to have to do for today since I have to get in the shower in a few minutes if I'm going to get everything done and make my flight.

By the way, and while we're on the subject, if I had to boil down "how to be a good presenter" into just a few points it would be these:

1. Know your audience. Hello. This is a biggy. A bigger than biggy. In fact, when I work with SEASONED professionals and presenters I'm shocked by how often they don't do any type of audience analysis – at all. I like to say giving a presentation to an audience you haven't done an analysis on is like giving a present to someone in a blind gift exchange. What are the chances of success? How likely is it that that person is going to unwrap the gift you brought and exclaim "IT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED!"? Pretty slim. It could happen, but it is pretty slim. In gift giving, the more you about the receiver, the more likely you are to give a perfect gift. So it goes in presenting – the more you know about the audience, (why they are there, what they expect, what they want and need to hear, what the benefit is to them of listening) the more likely YOU are to be successful. My advice: Do an audience analysis e v e r y t i m e you present. Every. Time.
2. Know your message. Sounds simple but it's important. Do you know what you are trying to say? Or put another way, What's your point? I tell people once they have created their content to time their message then give the whole message again in half the time. Then half again. And again. And keep going until you have your message down to 8 seconds. (why 8? Dunno … because I said so) That "8-Second Message" is your point. Your big idea. The reason you are talking. And (hopefully, if you did an audience analysis) the reason the audience is listening. Once you've figured that out, go back and rework your content never losing sight of your 8-Second Message. And also cut some of that other crap out … after all, turns out you only need 8 Seconds.
3. Know yourself. Look, here's the bottom line – your job as a presenter is to communicate your message so it is heard and understood. That's it. That's the whole enchilada. That's the job. It isn't : to be the funniest presenter ever or to be the best presenter of the group or even to be remembered or liked. Your job is just to communicate a message. And in order to do that, you need to be the best version of yourself. Do you know who that is? Figure it out. Are you usually warm, honest and straightforward? Then your presentation should be too. Are you a little quirky and somewhat high-strung? Then work with that. Don't try to be someone else. Be yourself. We like you.

K. That'll do it for now. By the way, the 8-Second Message of this post is "Don't expect much from tomorrow's post."

Comments

[Erin]

Okay - so now I have to know the name of the yummy risotto restaurant in Chicago....

[Molly Schmidt]

I love it that in your first paragraph you say "I get to", not "I have to". It's all about your attitude! Enjoy your time in Chicago and all the things you "get" to do!

[runr53]

I for one think you are doing a bang up job in your quest, just wish I could get on that same bandwagon for my blog! Have a great time in Chicago!