Who else hates presenting?
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- CanHasQBN0
I love getting presents.
- 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
- 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...
- 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...
- Llyod0
I find that it helps to always be closing.
- 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.
- 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.
- doesnotexist0
just be in a good mood
easier said than done
- Frosty_spl0
I realize now that super rich and successful people are great communicators and presenters.
I need to join Toastmasters too.
- 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.
- 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
- Hombre_Lobo0
Haha, love the image.
Its a classic beginner mistake (talking too fast), its hard to just relax and take your time.
- tasty0
Tips for owning the room during a presentation:
– Stand when you speak, it demands attention
– high energy
– eye contact (especially with the right people)
– keep the bullet points concise
– believe in your work, it's pretty hard to sell something that you can't get behind.Avoid the following words:
– umm
– like
– "good question" (unless it really is a good question)
– Fuck, shit, piss, cunt, god damn, mother fucker (unless appropriate)Being able to sell your work is part of being a designer. I'm surprised public speaking is not sewn into design courses more often. You'll get better with practice :)
- <Continuity
- the thought of sitting to give presentation is so bad.Hombre_Lobo
- sine0
- attentionspan0
Good tips, but sometimes i think i'm just not cut out for the whole presenting thing. Also i find it rather boring at times.
Also it's not about presenting design work but rather the outcome and reward that will hopefully follow which can be hard to predict without any clear research.
- different strokes for different folks. But you should always be building up your tools to remain an asset to a company.tasty
- monospaced0
I love presenting. I think the ease come from performing most of my life (recitals, concerts, and such). I agree with tasty's point, "believe in your work, it's pretty hard to sell something that you can't get behind." If you are passionate about it, the rest comes easy.
My advice, on top of the great stuff above, is to never highlight your mistakes. Don't point out what you don't like, don't mention what you would have done differently, don't talk about how you wasted time, and don't correct yourself if you say something wrong. Always act like everything you're doing is what you meant to do.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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