Demystifying Public Speaking with Lara Hogan

1. What do you want to say?

• Set expectations: tell your audience what you will be covering
• Give yourself some structure
  • Describe the landscape
  • Provide analysis
  • Explain the problem
  • Describe options
  • Identify solutions
  • Big picture
• Hold their attention
  • When the talk gets dry, throw in a visual, story or joke
  • Don't distract your audience, though

2. Practice and get feedback

• Pick your feedback crew (3-4 people)
• Pick your feedback medium
  • In person or a video?
• Tee up good feedback
  • Is this too complex?
  • Does my argument hold?
  • Am I speaking too fast?
  • Does that make sense?
• Practice surviving a fumble
• Prep your brain to hear feedback
  • Let your crew know when and how you'd like to hear feedback
• Good feedback is specific and actionable
• Practice answering questions
  • Remember, you're still in charge during Q&A
  • After some practice, have your feedback crew get weird

3. Prep your environment

• Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and powerful
• Back up everything.
  • You should be able to access your presentation on someone else's computer
  • If you're doing a demo, record a video in case the internet is unavailable
• Power pose

4. Celebrate!

• Note your success.