A couple of weeks ago, I presented how we could use a tool, but failed to trigger any real discussion. Did I really reach out? Probably not.

To address this — instead of doing some ad-hoc screensharing of editor, alt-tab to code examples and browser windows — I figured I should self-organize a bit. Write down some criteria, and refine them after having tested them.

Checklist

  • Sell a need, and then your solution to it.
    • Compare the past and the golden future.
    • No need to explore every non-chosen path, but be prepared for questions.
  • Red thread, from start to end. Control the arc.
    • What's the general message, who are you presenting for.
      • It's easiest to avoid audiences of too broad backgrounds, to be able to zoom in on a topic and create a discourse.
  • Few takeaways per slide.
    • No lists/multiple paragraphs at a time. Or, bring in one bullet at a time on the same page.
      • Avoid lists, everyone is on different points and it is hard to read and listen at the same time.
    • Avoid a reading audience, better to write a few words and focus on talking.
  • Use a proper slideshow tool.
    • Everyone is familiar with the concept. Seeing "pagination" progression is helpful.
    • Answering questions & discussions during the presentation is super simple, since we get right back into the presentation where we left off.
  • Large font size (helps small monitors, poor eyesight, crappy resolutions in large crowds), few words per page (helps balance reading vs listening).
  • Clear path forward in real life, next steps to take action on.
    • Also helps validate the idea.
    • Could be written first.
  • Repeat takeaways.
    • What's the one thing the audience show bring with them?
    • Copy & paste problem statement slide with checkboxes for each sub-problem
  • Give credits where credits are due.

Actual example

Today, I held another presentation (on ephemeral dev. envs). I prepared using the above points, and it was much better received - lots of questions timed together with the topic of the current slide, etc.

The actual slides came out like this:

  1. Title
  2. Problems now: 1 .., 2 .., 3 ..
  3. Solution: x
  4. Demo screenrecording
  5. Explain what we just saw, in detail
  6. Rehash problems from 2., with solutions
  7. Next steps/outro/questions/credits