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imitchellg5 · Mar 1, 2007, 08:08 PM

Tomorrow I'm going to be doing one of my first ever public presentations. I'm doing it on Apple TV. I'm a bit nervous. Maybe some of you guys who speak alot in public have some advice? I want my audience to be interested. It's gonna be hard because half of the guys in the audience will be M$ junkies. I'm using Keynote. I used the gradient theme with Myriad Roman font so it looks a bit like a Steve Jobs keynote. Thanks for any advice.

wallinbl · Mar 1, 2007, 08:11 PM

A lot of people seem to get nervous when they make eye contact with the audience. In general, you can actually look past the audience to the wall at the far side of the room and it appears that you're looking at people. This, of course, depends on the size and layout of the room.

In general, just relax - no one is expecting perfection.

Eynstyn · Mar 1, 2007, 08:19 PM

You knew this was coming before today. So any real aid you might have gotten here would be too much/little too late.

Lottsa luck.

Atomic Rooster · Mar 1, 2007, 08:26 PM

Make sure your fly is zipped up.

Gossamer · Mar 1, 2007, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Eynstyn

You knew this was coming before today. So any real aid you might have gotten here would be too much/little too late.

Lottsa luck.

Big Mac · Mar 1, 2007, 08:48 PM

Convince yourself you know the subject well and you'll be able to speak fluidly and confidently on it.

zerostar · Mar 1, 2007, 08:51 PM

Picture yourself nekkid. Or maybe your supposed to picture them nekkid. Hmm, perhaps just picture everyone nekkid unless there are some fugly people up front.

Atomic Rooster · Mar 1, 2007, 08:54 PM

Start off with a Microsoft/penis joke.

imitchellg5 · Mar 1, 2007, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Eynstyn

You knew this was coming before today. So any real aid you might have gotten here would be too much/little too late.

Lottsa luck.

Yeah but I just decided to make a thread today. I'm prepared. It's not going to be my last presentation, I've got 9 more to do. So any advice given today will be used in the future.

RAILhead · Mar 1, 2007, 10:16 PM

You're totally screwed.

alligator · Mar 1, 2007, 10:31 PM

You know the material backwards and forwards, right? If not, study now. Then get up there, speak with confidence, and speak like you're talking to a good friend. People are naturally impressed with those who are confident. Appear shaky and the audience will question your authority or lose interest. Speak like you know what you're talking about, and people will follow your every word.

RAILhead · Mar 1, 2007, 10:36 PM

But how can he really know anything about the Apple TV since he hasn't been able to really use it? All the source material is stuff from Apple's site, so it's really just a commercial.

slpdLoad · Mar 1, 2007, 10:53 PM

Present the Apple TV you *hope* Apple releases. Facts be damned.

And whenever you say "wireless", wave your arms around a lot.

Edit: Or dance around like a monkey, scream, and sweat profusely, like Ballmer. Maybe the M$ guys will pay attention to you then.

ironknee · Mar 1, 2007, 11:05 PM

seriously...think of how easy steve does it...confidence...knowing what you know will--if you will--"wow!" them

good luck

Mrjinglesusa · Mar 1, 2007, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

You're totally screwed.

That's helpful. If you don't have anything constructive to say, why not just keep your comments to yourself?

KeriVit · Mar 1, 2007, 11:10 PM

Presntations in my opinion are easier than speaking up in class to make a comment. I turn 10 shades of red then and hate it. Assume you are smarter than your audience and try a little entertainment as well.

Mrjinglesusa · Mar 1, 2007, 11:13 PM

Just relax. That's the most important thing. If you known the material, you will do fine. Your slides are an "aid" in your presentation so don't just read from them. They are only there to provide a visual representation of what you are saying. You need to known what's coming next so you can provide a good lead in to the next slide. If it looks like you are waiting to see what's next before you talk about it, it will seem like you are not prepared.

Gossamer · Mar 1, 2007, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa

That's helpful. If you don't have anything constructive to say, why not just keep your comments to yourself?

I think he was making fun of Eynstyn's post.

You need to use the word 'Boom' a lot.

mindwaves · Mar 1, 2007, 11:56 PM

Wear a black turtleneck and jeans.

besson3c · Mar 2, 2007, 12:23 AM

Restrain yourself from using every transition that Keynote offers... Use them extremely sparingly.

iMOTOR · Mar 2, 2007, 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

You need to use the word 'Boom' a lot.

Originally Posted by mindwaves

Wear a black turtleneck and jeans.

And be sure to cough and drink water at regular intervals.

imitchellg5 · Mar 2, 2007, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Restrain yourself from using every transition that Keynote offers... Use them extremely sparingly.

I only used the cube transition on 3 slides. I've done did the presentation now. It went quite well. Thanks for all advice. And I did use "Boom!".

RAILhead · Mar 2, 2007, 04:43 PM

I hope you didn't say anything remotely close to "I've done did" during your presentation. Holy frakking crap.

imitchellg5 · Mar 2, 2007, 05:15 PM

Jeeze just cause I aint't been edumacated. No I didn't say anything like I've done did.

mitchell_pgh · Mar 2, 2007, 06:40 PM

I would start off with the "Developers!!! Developers!!! Developers!!!!" video rant from Ballmer, and then start is with some great graphs.

You should also like your presentation. If you don't, change it.

Final note: NEVER READ FROM A PRESENTATION!!!!!!!!!!

::maroma:: · Mar 2, 2007, 06:43 PM

Never read from note cards, like the Cingular/AT&T dude did at the MWSF Keynote this year. That was just painful to watch.

Mrjinglesusa · Mar 2, 2007, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

I hope you didn't say anything remotely close to "I've done did" during your presentation. Holy frakking crap.

Another quality, helpful post. Do you mean to come across as a complete jerk in your posts?

imitchellg5 · Mar 2, 2007, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

Never read from note cards, like the Cingular/AT&T dude did at the MWSF Keynote this year. That was just painful to watch.

Yeah that was annoying. I made the speech without any notes at all. I pretty much had everything memorized. It was pretty easy actually. I thought that I would forget a bunch of stuff but I didn't.