Today I made my first presentation at a PASS conference. The whole process took months to come together. I started back in the Spring putting together my abstract and was fortunate to be accepted. After it was accepted, I went to work putting it all together. I prepared my talk and presented to a couple of user groups, which was very helpful. Not only did I get to practice my speech, but I also discovered that my laptop had some issues connecting to a projector. I managed to get everything straightened out and set my sights on Denver.
About a week before the conference, I started to lose some sleep. Most likely it was just my nerves but nothing I tried would help me get my needed rest. I headed to Denver slightly tired, and hoped to get caught up on some sleep while in flight. During the week in Denver I continued to struggle with sleeping, no matter how much I tried (or wanted) to rest. The night before my talk I got roughly four hours of rest.
The day before my talk I tested my laptop in the ready room, making certain it would work with the projector. It did, and I was a happy boy. I then printed out presentation, so I would have my notes with me, and continued to rehearse sections at a time. As the big day wore on I got more and more anxious and when the time for my talk arrived I was nervous, but I did feel that I was as prepared as possible.
Boy, was I wrong.
For starters, the room was huge. Such a large room makes for a different dynamic when it comes to interacting with the attendees. The user groups I presented at had smaller rooms, as well as smaller audiences, and allowed for me to feel more comfortable. It took me over 45 minutes to get comfortable during my talk. Some friends said afterwards that they could tell that I got more comfortable as the talk went on.
So, lesson learned, when putting together a presentation, keep in mind that the presentation could be for a large venue. It is easier to think big and work small than it is to think small and be forced to work big. I know that the session was recorded, so theoretically I could listen to myself present again and look for areas of improvement. I simply cannot bear to do that, as I would pick it apart and probably feel worse about it the talk than I already do. But, I know that it was not the worse PASS talk ever, and I plan on putting together a talk for next year. I want to write more and present more over the course of the next 14 months, so that I can get some name recognition heading into the next conference.
Maybe what I really need are more photo opportunities. I am not certain I had enough pictures taken during this years conference.
I know that speaking in front of an audience is tough. and the dynamics can really change from time to time and venue to venue. But the portions that i saw were well done and well portrayed. you looked in control and at ease. I wish i had seen it all, and will definitely watch the vid. good job.
I came in late, and you looked in control and in charge. I noticed no nervousness. I wish i had seen the entire thing. I guess i will need to watch the vid.
Way to prepare and be able to run with the questions and situations. I thought you did just fine.
Do more. Get your name out there. Make more noise. Make sure people hear of you this year, and we’ll get you elected next year.
thanks for the kind words. i won’t be watching the video, i cannot bear to hear myself talk. i have no idea why anyone would ever want to hear me talk, either.
anyway, i appreciate the nice things you said. I plan on preparing a talk on SCOM for Seattle.
as for the elections, well…let’s just say i did not let it ruin my whole summit experience.
I think next years presentation should be simply titled
Driven and Lazy, The truth about DBA’s
It could be a nice session about how to use scom and mom and any other tool in your toolbox. Id do it myself but youve already patented the phrase…..
Crazy,
I think you did great! Next year, why don’t you give us practice run if you want a critique before the official talk. I agree that you have to get your name out there. You could always take up Karaoke. It has definately changed my life.
Midget DBA
I enjoyed it and I’d seen it before. You were a bit subdued at the start, but you were rolling very well before you were even half way through.
I like the “Driven and Lazy” idea.