Re:Crap I'm speaking at [insert conference here]. How do I p...
by guiambros on Wednesday December 05, 2012 @02:07AM
(#4875304)
That's the key step to me. Rehearse and rehearse. When you're done, rehearse again.
Seriously, it is that important. At the beginning I used to think that _"nah, I've already done the slides, I know the subject inside out, and can always improvise. It sounds more natural"_. Wrong. This way you just sound unprepared.
As you practice, the flow gets tighter, you tell the same story with fewer words, paints a more colorful story. You start to see more clearly the holes in your thought process, and even jokes become more natural.
This is particularly important when doing a group talk. When you have multiple speakers, then you definitely need to practice, because it's not just about you anymore, and the quality of the entire talk will be determined by the weakest link.
For really important talks, five is the magic number. 5 full runs start to finish, non-stop, timed with a stopwatch. A good devil's advocate as audience helps (to take notes while you're presenting), but even that is not critical, provided you rehearse enough times.
Seriously, it is that important. At the beginning I used to think that _"nah, I've already done the slides, I know the subject inside out, and can always improvise. It sounds more natural"_. Wrong. This way you just sound unprepared.
As you practice, the flow gets tighter, you tell the same story with fewer words, paints a more colorful story. You start to see more clearly the holes in your thought process, and even jokes become more natural.
This is particularly important when doing a group talk. When you have multiple speakers, then you definitely need to practice, because it's not just about you anymore, and the quality of the entire talk will be determined by the weakest link.
For really important talks, five is the magic number. 5 full runs start to finish, non-stop, timed with a stopwatch. A good devil's advocate as audience helps (to take notes while you're presenting), but even that is not critical, provided you rehearse enough times.