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So you want to speak at software conferences?

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Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#71

Post by jcheng »

CPLX wrote: post #33
rmason wrote: post #28

I have run a ColdFusion users group in East Lansing for the past twenty five years. I have helped many first time speakers and this is some outstanding advice. Although I have never done it myself I can also recommend Toastmasters. Seen some speakers soar after attending this group for a year. You wouldn't even think that it was the same person presenting. Having that experience of public speaking can also greatly ac…

The idea that East Lansing, Michigan, can support a regular gathering of ColdFusion users in 2025 is the most astonishing thing I've learned in quite some time. Consider me quite impressed.

They met tonight! This is so insane!

Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#72

Post by WalterBright »

koolba wrote: post #62
WalterBright wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I still have it, but it goes away as soon as I start the presentation. Then it just becomes fun!

A shot or two of liquid courage doesn’t hurt either. Though beyond that you risk exceeding the Balmer peak.

Don't drink coffee before going on stage. At least when you're old like me.

Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#73

Post by NooneAtAll3 »

Aachen wrote: post #20
NooneAtAll3 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

do you record and post videos of your own?

The conference typically does it anyway, and otherwise you can ask a friend in the audience, or make a new friend who's willing to, or put a tiny tripod somewhere with your phone in camera-from-lockscreen mode. The point is showing that you can present on stage, so audio is most important I'd assume. It doesn't have to be amazing quality/angle

I'm not asking "do you think how good you are in your own criteria"

I'm asking "with such demands do you give back as well by recording and publishing talks people give to you?"

Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#75

Post by nrhrjrjrjtntbt »

WalterBright wrote: post #39

Some things I've learned over the years: 1. do not show a slide full of code. The font will be too small to read. Nobody will read it 2. don't read your slides to the audience. The audience can read 3. don't talk with your back to the audience 4. make your font as big as practical 5. 3 bullet points is ideal 6. add a picture now and then 7. don't bother with a copyright notice on every slide. It gets really old. Besi…

What is the best way to show code?

I really want to show some code. Like 4-5 lines to give a gist.

Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#76

Post by javawizard »

WalterBright wrote: post #72
koolba wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A shot or two of liquid courage doesn’t hurt either. Though beyond that you risk exceeding the Balmer peak.

Don't drink coffee before going on stage. At least when you're old like me.

That's not what liquid courage means ;)

(Though that is otherwise good advice!)

Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#77

Post by b800h »

WalterBright wrote: post #39

Some things I've learned over the years: 1. do not show a slide full of code. The font will be too small to read. Nobody will read it 2. don't read your slides to the audience. The audience can read 3. don't talk with your back to the audience 4. make your font as big as practical 5. 3 bullet points is ideal 6. add a picture now and then 7. don't bother with a copyright notice on every slide. It gets really old. Besi…

> 8. avoid typing in code as part of the presentation, most of the time it won't work and it's boring watching somebody type

This can absolutely be made to work very well. When Josh Long did this at Goto, it was an absolute masterclass. He used timed zooms to almost turn it into comedy. The rehearsal involved must have been considerable.

Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#78

Post by cess11 »

b800h wrote: post #77
WalterBright wrote: post #39

Some things I've learned over the years: 1. do not show a slide full of code. The font will be too small to read. Nobody will read it 2. don't read your slides to the audience. The audience can read 3. don't talk with your back to the audience 4. make your font as big as practical 5. 3 bullet points is ideal 6. add a picture now and then 7. don't bother with a copyright notice on every slide. It gets really old. Besi…

> 8. avoid typing in code as part of the presentation, most of the time it won't work and it's boring watching somebody type This can absolutely be made to work very well. When Josh Long did this at Goto, it was an absolute masterclass. He used timed zooms to almost turn it into comedy. The rehearsal involved must have been considerable.

Might want to link the talk, he's a rather prolific speaker.

Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#79

Post by cess11 »

koolba wrote: post #62
WalterBright wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I still have it, but it goes away as soon as I start the presentation. Then it just becomes fun!

A shot or two of liquid courage doesn’t hurt either. Though beyond that you risk exceeding the Balmer peak.

I don't think I'm alone in finding it quite suspect if people walk around smelling of "liquid courage" in professional settings.

Re: So you want to speak at software conferences?

#80

Post by willvarfar »

fouc wrote: post #61
myhf wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's physically painful for me to stop talking about my topic

it's physically painful for everyone else to listen to you talking about your topic.. if you talk for too long that is. :)

The (in)famous astronomer Tycho Brahe died from a bladder infection after politeness prevented him leaving the audience on such an occasion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tycho_Brahe#Illness,_death,_an...

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