My Advice To This Year's 1st Time Speakers

Last year, at my 2nd Dreamforce, I presented two sessions on the Admin Track, one solo on the Admin Theater, and one two-handed Breakout session. At this point I had already spoken at many different Salesforce user groups and community events, nevertheless Dreamforce was (is) a daunting proposition.

The admin track session owners do a great job of looking after all speakers, newbies and veterans alike, but when it comes to the time of your session, the solo presenters amongst us have only ourselves to rely upon.

If you are like me then the minutes before you step on stage, but can see the waiting audience, you will wonder why on earth you ever thought this was a good idea. Yet, the moment you walk off the stage you will be wondering how soon you can do it again!

Next month's Dreamforce will again see a large number of 1st time speakers who are probably starting to feel the nerves set in right about now. Here is my advice to them all:

DO

1. Familiarise yourself with your surroundings
   Visit the room or theater stage in which you will be presenting, before the event. Check out the setup, the podium, the confidence monitor, the timer. Eradicate any surprises on the day. Picture yourself presenting and how and where you will position yourself, become comfortable with the image.
2. Dress for success (and comfort)
   Dreamforce is a casual event but consider your personal brand and the photos that will appear on social media when deciding what to wear. On Wednesday this year I will dress up a little bit more than on Tuesday or Thursday, I will give myself that boost of looking my best. I won't, however, put on anything (such as high heels) that I don't feel comfortable in, comfort is key.
3. Let your personality shine through
   The audience don't want to watch a robot speak, they are at Dreamforce to hear from their peers, give them an insight into who you are. Include something personal in your introduction, make yourself relatable to your fellow admins.
4. Make a connection
   Try and engage with as many of your audience as you can, but be sure to avoid just scanning your eyes over everyone without stopping to connect. Find a few friends to go back to if you need reassurances. Use their reactions to gauge your pitch.
5. Enjoy the experience
   Once you are in full flow and seeing a positive reaction from the audience, you will feel great. When the questions come at the end of the presentation, and people stop you to thank you after your session, enjoy that feeling of adding value, of leaving your audience with something that is going to help them carry out their day job.
   

DON'T

1. Worry about a lack of engagement
   Don't take it personally if people get up and leave your session. Dreamforce is a busy event and attendees are trying to cram in as much learning as possible. This may require 'skimming' some sessions. If you are presenting on a theater stage then some of your audience may just be taking the weight off, don't concern yourself, their seats will soon be filled by someone else.
2. Over-fill your time slot
   Don't fall into the trap of trying to provide too much content in the time allowed. If you rush or provide diluted content by trying to over-fill then your audience will go away with little of value. If you find yourself running over, skip a section rather than rush all your remaining content.
3. Face your slides
   Use your confidence monitor if you need to rely on your slides but try hard to face and talk to the audience and not the screen. They have come to hear and see you, and not just your profile or the back of your head!
4. Go rigid or monotone
   Be sure not to stand stock still and just recite your presentation to the audience. Relax, use your hands, and move around a little bit. Don't overdo it and make the audience dizzy though and if there is a projector, be sure not to stand in its way.
5. Panic if something goes wrong
   There may be a glitch, don't let it throw you. I wrote a blog post on all the things that have gone wrong for me and how I countered them - 'How to Stay on Track when the Gremlins Attack'

I hope these tips help a few new speakers out this year. I wish everyone presenting at this year's Dreamforce the very best experience possible. It is a privilege to take to the stage so remember to relax and enjoy it, I'll be rooting for you.