Events and Presentations

Events and Presentations
This is a general howto on setting up and participating in events, as well as giving presentations.

For both of these topics, structure and specifics are key.

Organizing

 * Develop one solid goal for having an event
 * Set up the who, what, where, when, why and how
 * if community-based, put up the plan somewhere people can edit (wiki)
 * make press release/announcement 1-2 weeks out and 1-2 days before an event
 * if larger event, scale up these numbers
 * communication is key to participation
 * settle all money matters up front with paper/email trail
 * set-up technical setup and supplies in advance

Participating

 * obviously, participation is key to building your network
 * must participate in at least 1-2 events a week to maintain visibility
 * remember dale carnegie's tricks for social protocol
 * what do you want out of an event?
 * what can you offer other people at an event?
 * money rules?
 * only go to free events
 * only go to events that you are on the guest list
 * be wary of costly events
 * don't be afraid to be a patron
 * there are so many events, why have to pay for them?
 * representation
 * bring business cards
 * postcards are good for shows
 * press kit and media is probably too much, unless its casual
 * don't be too pushy about your warez
 * the more socially informal, the less more formal representation works

Structure
The same structure for writing I discussed previously works similarly for presentations.

Content

 * Pictures vs. Text
 * Pictures speak a 1000 words
 * combination of main points in hierarchy and images is best
 * graphs and data act as hooks
 * strong repeatable phrases act as hooks
 * Audio vs. Visual
 * What you say should differ from just reading slides
 * This is okay though for quicker/faster presentations (like class!)
 * Nothing more boring than no pictures or demonstrations
 * Nothing more boring than no slides to accompany talk
 * Nothing more boring than just reading notecards or a paper
 * Memory
 * Remember your main points
 * Social
 * good to relate to crowd at beginning and throughout
 * Focus
 * okay to wander slightly, but depending on formality, good to not get lost and stay on point
 * hierarchy in your slides will help keep you on point

Pros

 * Free

Cons

 * Needs more love

Pros

 * available anywhere there's a web connection and standard softwr