I was recently lucky enough to have been able to participate in a day-long workshop with the amazing Damien Conway courtesy of Yow!’s Women in Tech competition.
I learnt so much though Damien’s mentoring, and the discussions with the other participants.
I’ve collated all my notes, which are available in full. Alternatively, I have listed below the “TL;DR” below.
- You are the post powerful person in the room. Do what you like, as long as it's good.
- You know more than the rest of your audience. Teach them something.
- Don't distract your audience
- wear dark clothes, no words on your shirt. Focus then falls on your hands, arms and face
- remove items, where possible. Clocks near projector screens are a disaster
- Get a clicker
- get one with a dongle and dedicated channel.
- you cannot rely on the internet working, or a directional clicker
- There is nothing wrong with showing emotion
- communication happens at a emotional and intellectual level
- removing emotion cuts off communication
- Slides tips
- make them consistent
- make the tone in line with your tone (more emotive slides during more emotive areas)
- big words
- full screen pictures
- projector equipment will be awful, compensate
- Posture tips
- feet facing the audience, perhaps with one foot slightly forward
- hands should never touch body
- palms should face outward, and be inviting
- Presenter presentation
- make-up is ok, if it makes you comfortable and confident (also helpful if talk is recorded)
- hair - up is very formal, but just don't touch it during
- There is always more to learn
- after a talk, self evaluate, write down suggestions