speaking engagement
Next week I have to give a presentation on social media. About which, according to my employer, I am an expert, which is great, because now all my time spent dinking around online can be written off as “research.”
This presentation is for an internal audience only, which calmed my nerves substantially, until I learned that there would be approximately 100 people there. 100 people. That is a lot of individuals to witness me standing in the front of the room bug-eyed, stammering and forgetting that English is my primary language, since I have given a presentation of this magnitude, oh, NEVER.
My presentation is already done, because I was so consumed by the thought of being slammed with unexpected work projects and ending up with a presentation that consisted of two blank slides and me cluelessly futzing with the slide projector while tripping over various cords and emitting strange, whale-like noises.
I completely wrote out every single thing I plan on saying, including my own name, because while I’m confident I can do this, I haven’t done this before, so who knows? Speaking informally to a small group of coworkers is something I’ve done a million times; speaking at a seminar of upper-level management is a completely new beast. I cannot rely on my ability to ad-lib here, you know? (However, my ability to select relevant clip art is top-notch.)
I’m speaking in the afternoon immediately after lunch, which means everyone will be in a food coma and hopefully no one will ask questions. Tonight, I’m practicing with Jason as my hostage audience, to make sure I have the timing down (I’m scheduled for 30 minutes – 30 minutes! That will leave 27 minutes for questions – ha) and to make sure I don’t rely on “um” or talk so much with my hands that I take flight and crash into the ceiling.
Even though this terrifies me slightly and will take up a lot of my energy to pretend to be an Extroverted Expert, I know it will be fun.
Have you ever had to speak in public? Any tips or tricks? Horror stories? (Never mind that last one.)
I’m so jealous of people who are good at presenting. My dad can give a half hour (or hour) long presentation on the fly. It’s insane. Whereas I need WEEKS to prepare what I want to say and how my slides should look. I’m terrible.
I will say don’t memorize word for word what you want to say. It comes out sounding like you’re reading and I always get made fun of for that.
Good luck…you’ll be fantastic
Comment by Sarah — March 5, 2010 @ 4:02 pm
Dude, I *taught* public speaking, if you can believe that nonsense. Practice out loud, in front of an audience (Hi, Jason!) as much as you can. And however slowly you are speaking, slow down some more. It will sound strange to you, but the audience is trying to take in what you are saying.
You’ll be great! Good luck!
Comment by Nowheymama — March 5, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
I teach every day. So I prep for about five minutes and then go on for about an hour and a half.
I have another job, a part-time job where I regularly do speaking engagements in front of groups as small as 2 or 3 or as large as up to 250. I have to agree with Sarah that memorizing every word you want to say is silly if you want to sound natural. (Also, you tend to get lost if you say two or three words differently and loose your train of thought and then promptly freak out.) I go into those speaking engagements knowing that I am The. Expert. No one in that room knows as much as I do on that topic and therefore, I am qualified to speak. This “Expert Confidence” is hard earned. Think of your hours dorking around online as your expertise. (Even if someone does know more than you in the room, remember that YOU were chosen to speak, so you’re more awesome than they are.)
Good luck!!
Comment by NGS — March 5, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
When I was growing up, my parents helped me get ready for a speech once by teasingly asking, “What’s the worst that all those people will do?” Then my parents and my sister proceeded to pretend to laugh at me and throw their napkins (we were around the dinner table) at me and it was all so funnily absurd that I’ve never felt nervous since. Don’t know if it would work for anyone else, but it totally helped me!
Comment by G — March 5, 2010 @ 6:13 pm
I was on the debate team throughout high school – and was ranked nationally both my Junior and Senior years. THAT SAID, I still get wicked nervous when speaking in front of groups. So my suggestion is to know your material, front and back. The more familiar you are with your stuff, the better off you’ll be. And it WILL be fun. There is NOTHING like the adreneline high after a public speaking gig.
Comment by Whimsy — March 5, 2010 @ 8:03 pm
I prefer to speak to a larger crowd, probably because it’s less personal. I would read over your word-for-word notes several times (out loud), but then just take in notes that have the first line you’ll say as you switch to a new slide. Make sure you breathe, pause and speak slowly. You’ll be great!
Comment by LoriD — March 6, 2010 @ 7:17 am
I have to give presentations to university faculty several times a year, and while I don’t love doing it, I do much better on the fly. And sadly, on the subject matter (research administration – SNORE) I am an expert so it makes me less nervous.
And as one of my coworkers always says: “What’s the worst that can happen? They can’t EAT you.”
Comment by nonsoccermom — March 6, 2010 @ 8:26 am
Sunny, Shorty and I were a captive audience. Glass of wine helped not only the speech but in holding my attention!
Comment by Jason — March 6, 2010 @ 10:24 am
I find it so hilarious when upper management type people need to know how to be a normal human being and they choose to find this out with a huge seminar. It reminds me of the time when my husband’s boss came to him and told him to make a “viral video” and “make money on facebook.” He looked at him like, “….um do you even know what those things are?”
Best of luck to you, I’m sure it’ll be no biggie.
Comment by parkingathome — March 6, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
Oh, scary! But also fun! I did debate in college and I agree with an earlier commenter–speak slowly. Very important. Also, I always found that I’d be super nervous before my turn, but once I got up there I’d just start talking and get into it and it would all be great. I hope it goes that way for you too!
Comment by Jess — March 6, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
Eeep! That’s a lot of people! The only times I’ve spoken in front of a crowd that large it’s been mostly kids, which for me seems easier. My advice is to speak loudly and clearly, and don’t rush. I always rush when speaking in front of adults. Good luck, and I’m sure you’ll be great!
Comment by velocibadgergirl — March 7, 2010 @ 10:52 am
Fake it.
Fake like you are totally comfortable and know every last damn thing about social media. Don’t gloat or say it out loud, but think it and act like it.
You’d be surprised.
If you make a flub, point it out with a joke and move on.
You’ll do great!
Comment by Artemisia — March 7, 2010 @ 6:04 pm
You’ll do great! Just think of all your Internet buddies (that would be us!) cheering you on! Whom you met, um, social networking. Which would totally make you an expert and qualified to speak on the topic.
Comment by Shelly — March 8, 2010 @ 9:32 am
that’s awesome! and, i mean, scary. but awesome that you’re the expert on social media, go you!
Comment by Alice — March 8, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
I speak in public uh, daily. It just takes practice really. I know enjoy it- everyone can get there!
Comment by slynnro — March 8, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Try to limit the number of “Umms” and “Likes”!
Comment by Grace — March 9, 2010 @ 8:07 am