A talk about talks

How my first public talk went and the lessons I learnt from it and why more of us should conquer our fears and try speaking

Transcript

1. A talk about talks
   Second Wednesday - Nottingham
   October 2013
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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2. Creative Director @Offroadcode
   I tweet a lot from @welcomebrand
   I also sell kitchen knives @cutedgeknives
   James Young
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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3. What is this about?
   • What I remember from my first talk
   • Why I now actually quite like talking
   • Why lots of people don’t
   • Why you should give it a go
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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4. My first talk
   The things you learn when
   you’re the client
   Hybrid Conference - August 2013, Cardiff
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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5. Oh the nerves ....
   • 6 months to worry
   • 20 minute talk
   • 150+ attendees
   • Sharing a conference with some very
   experienced speakers
   • Worrying about all the tech and setup
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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6. Photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/alpower/sets/72157635123084067/
   The longest 20 minutes of my life
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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7. Afterwards
   • Total elation and relief
   • Facepalm at not checking my slides were fullscreen
   • Thrilled people took something from the talk
   • Meeting some amazing attendees and fellow speakers
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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8. So why don’t more of us talk?
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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9. Never spoken at a web conf/event/meetup?
   Are there any fears/reasons you've not tried yet?
   Thursday, 10 October
   

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10. The fears are all pretty common
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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11. Mainly the fear of not being
    able to properly explain
    what I'm talking about.
    https://twitter.com/kaelifa/status/383183922000973824
    Concern #1: Not being clear enough
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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12. Lack of confidence in front
    of crowds and sounding
    like a complete idiot.
    https://twitter.com/FreelanceNathan/status/383224867455516672
    Concern #2: Making a total balls of it
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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13. Impostor syndrome.
    I wouldn't have the confidence to
    believe I know what I'm talking about.
    https://twitter.com/samshupac/status/383185554378354688
    Concern #3: Impostor syndrome
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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14. I stutter / slur a bit when
    nervous, plus my accent.
    https://twitter.com/thecodezombie/status/383190390695661568
    Concern #4: Something wrong with my voice, accent or appearance
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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15. https://twitter.com/benhowdle/status/367964684093513728
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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16. Not so much ...
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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17. Most of these things can be overcome with practice
    Don’t worry!
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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18. You can be one by sharing your experiences and stories.
    The Expert
    • Outline a problem or share a story personal to you
    • Share your solution or attempts at a solution
    • People like hearing about success, but love failure stories!
    • “It depends”
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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19. Selling chef knives
    • Know more than most of customers
    • Accept that some people know more than us
    • Keep learning!
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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20. I’d rather [_______________________]
    than speak in public
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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21. 61 miles....
    I’d rather run here instead of talk in public
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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22. I need a
    volunteer...
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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23. That went well! / Oh dear ...
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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24. What can you take from this?
    • Speaking can be scary but those fears can be managed
    • It’s a great way to expand your horizons and make new contacts
    • It’s easier to socialise at a conference when you’ve done a talk
    • It’s up to a conference organiser to decide if your talk is suitable
    • Give it a go, you’ll feel awesome after!
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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25. Thank you
    James Young
    @welcomebrand & @Offroadcode
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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26. Some resources & reading
    On Speaking - http://bradfrostweb.com/blog/post/on-speaking/
    Speaking & Me - http://www.robertmills.me/speaking-and-me/
    Feeling of Speaking - https://medium.com/this-happened-to-me/10dee43951d5
    Giving your first talk - http://chadtomkiss.co.uk/post/56966187874/giving-your-first-talk
    Life on the other side - http://www.sazzy.co.uk/2011/01/life-on-the-other-side/
    “Glossophobia” - The fear of public speaking - http://www.glossophobia.com/
    Some more good news ....
    No real evidence people are more afraid of speaking than dying - http://www.quora.com/Is-there-
    Thursday, 10 October
    

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