Who else hates presenting?
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- Frosty_spl0
I realize now that super rich and successful people are great communicators and presenters.
I need to join Toastmasters too.
- Llyod0
I find that it helps to always be closing.
- loool0
my friend told me how one constantly drunken art director got fired from one agency where they used to work:
at the start of the super important presentation with a super important client, he stood up and told: "I'm gonna do a little dance!"
...the rest can be imagined...
- CanHasQBN0
Do what I do... use scare tactics. Start yelling and shouting at them... "You WILL like it, and YOU WILL approve it." Blame them for your incompetence, insults their mothers, and then demand a raise. Take your belt off, wrap it around your neck, and pretend you're choking. If someone tries to assist, push them back and yell "GET AWAY FROM ME! I DON'T WORK WELL IN GROUPS". Wait until your face turns the same color purple someone's 7yo daughter said she likes. Keep some notecards in your hand, shuffle through them the entire time without looking at them. It will confuse your audience. At the end, make a little house out of the notecards on the table, then SMASH it with your fist, and yell "NOW I HAVE NO HOME! LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE!!! I HAVE NO HOME. Then storm out.
The room goes quiet. Michelle notices one of your cards has landed on her black leather shoe. She picks it up...
- doktornomore0
"Do a demo, blow a sale" mantra from the 90's software wars
1. Practice, practice, practice <- builds confidence
2. Be concise/get to the point <- by knowing your audience
3. Do not commit "death by PowerPoint" <- see 2.
4. No notes/don't read your slides <- see 1. and 3.And I love presenting - I always look like it is a job/career/personal interview.
Good luck!
- I remember in the 90's, the fear was if you do a demo, they'll just copy your idea...vaxorcist
- ahli0
for some job interviews you'll have the requirement to hold a short presentation "on a subject you know well" a life achievement , a hobby etc.
Here's the rub that most people dont get, keep your head up and talk, DONT READ FROM NOTES and give the damm presentation, they let you do it on a subject you know, talk like you are down the pub.
In an interview day I've seen 15% of candidates do this, great way to thin the field. Its harsh, but an easy way to stand out.
- scarabin0
i just notice that if i really like my solution to something, i get really excited and have a lot to say about it
- elproto0
Try teaching.
Teach the area of design you are more confortable with, motion, web, photograpy.. teach something you love and it will improve your way to comunicate with different kind of people.
- DaveO0
I used to hate it but now quite enjoy it. Lots of sense being spoken on here but practicing aloud with co workers or anyone else helps you get your read right and iron out the creases.
I disagree with whoever said you shouldn't read what's on the page. If you are showing words on a page then saying different words, people cannot understand it. Paraphrase sometimes but say what's on the fucking board PLEASE.
- gramme0
I love selling our work to clients. The presentation is an intrinsic part of the design process. I don't think one can truly claim to be a designer until they are able to present their work to clients.
If the client is brought into the process early, and if they trust you, the design presentation will be almost anticlimactic. Nothing you show them will surprise them. I find that really takes the teeth out of presentations.
- very true... I've learned a lot over the years from good and bad account people...vaxorcist
- jtb260
I'm joining Toastmasters.
It looks like a total scam, but I went to one organized by a Young Professionals group and I was really impressed. I've only been to one, but you can tell that people there are at various levels and learning from one another.
They told me that most of them are full of old dudes, insurance agents and salesmen - but fuck it, those guys usually have the gift of gab.
- doesnotexist0
just be in a good mood
easier said than done
- ohhhhhsnap0
I've heard that taking acting classes helps enormously with presenting. I think I might give that a go-- could be fun too, just that time is a factor.
- jtb260
don't sweat it. I'm not terrific at it either - but I'm working on it. Each time it gets a little easier.
Knowing what your talking about helps. I like to write up notes for myself before hand. I don't actually use them that often, but just getting it down helps me pull together all my thoughts. And having it near by gives me confidence.
- CanHasQBN0
I love getting presents.
- scarabin0
i love presenting!
- CALLES0
hate it
- sine0
i think like attentionspan, i also consider myself to not be "the type" to give presentations. i'm very content sitting in my office doing the grinding while my partner/colleague attends meetings and pitches. i'm very good at giving insight into clients and situations and coming up with unique angles and solutions, but i'm just not interested in presenting them... she does, and she's been doing it for a very long time.
if i can add anything to the thread, it's that i don't care for "exciting, enthusiastic sales-pitch" type presentations and speakers. i will listen to and interact with someone who is sincere and shows genuine insight and want to share their thoughts on whatever they are presenting as opposed to just a well-rehearsed "pitch".
i'm more concerned with the process as well... perhaps you can try to learn to communicate more of this in your presentations... tell your audience about your process, how you work, how your ideas evolve... there's not just one style of presentation. find a way to communicate with your audience on a real, interactive level and it will also feel more natural and hence be easier...
- yes... the infomercial tone of voice is a bit much.....
vaxorcist
- yes... the infomercial tone of voice is a bit much.....
- duckseason0
I'm generally not the most talkative person but have always enjoyed presenting for some reason. I just try to have fun with it and make it my own. Like others have said, if you're confident in yourself and what you're presenting it comes much more naturally.
Don't put it off to the last minute.
Practice. I like to rehearse out loud to myself in front of a mirror (or any spare moment, really). It's kinda weird at first, but getting used to how I sound and seeing how often I have to break eye contact to look at notes helps me realize how well I really know what I want/plan to say.