{"id":14875,"date":"2015-11-09T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2015-11-09T13:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simpleprogrammer.com\/?p=14875"},"modified":"2018-04-12T23:06:10","modified_gmt":"2018-04-13T03:06:10","slug":"7-tips-to-present-an-idea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simpleprogrammer.com\/7-tips-to-present-an-idea\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips to Present an Idea"},"content":{"rendered":"

As software developers, we mostly present our ideas from behind a computer screen. Sometimes for our ideas to be known, however, we actually have to talk to other humans in the real world.\\n\\nOne of the most effective ways to connect with people and market yourself is through speaking and presenting. You could present to a small group of your coworkers or an audience of hundreds.\\n\\nJohn Sonmez wrote a great post about why you need to speak at your next code camp<\/a>. You\u2019d be surprised by how many times you\u2019ll have to give a presentation as a software developer. Code camps are just one example. Regardless of the setting, presenting can be a great opportunity to build your reputation.\\n\\nIf you\u2019re a technical genius, public speaking may be out of your comfort zone. The seven tips below will help you deliver a presentation that demands your audience\u2019s attention and leaves them impressed.\\n\\n<\/p>\n

1. Bring Value<\/h2>\n

\\n\\nSo, how are you going to give that legendary Steve Jobs<\/a>-like presentation? If you can ensure that each and every member of your audience leaves feeling like you added value to their lives, mission accomplished! An audience will pay more attention when you share ideas that are relevant to them. Consider how your idea can help others, then build the appropriate presentation from there. Let’s say your idea was to talk about test driven development. You could tailor your presentation to focus on the tangible step your audience can take to implement test driven development in their process. That would be more valuable than just defining test driven development.\\n\\n<\/p>\n

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2. Tailor the Presentation for the Audience<\/h2>\n

\\n\\nA common mistake<\/a> that presenters make is not tailoring their presentation. Try to figure out as much as you can about your audience ahead of time. Who you’re talking to changes what you should talk about. How you present to a room full of iOS developers should be different than how you present to a room full of technical managers. How you present to customer support should be different than how you present to quality assurance. So, if you\u2019re talking to developers, talk technology. If you\u2019re talking to the CTO, bring up the return on investment. Every audience is different. Your presentation should be also.\\n\\n<\/p>\n

3. Have a Clear Message<\/h2>\n

\\n\\nEven if your topic is interesting, people will quickly tune you out if they can\u2019t follow along with your message. Going off on long tangents doesn\u2019t show that you\u2019re knowledgeable. It\u2019s just rambling. That\u2019s why you should have a clear message. Ask yourself, \u201cWhat is the one idea I want to convey during this presentation?\u201d You should build a single message around your answer and hone in on it.\\n\\n<\/p>\n

4. Don\u2019t Rely Completely on Slides<\/h2>\n

\\n\\nPowerPoint<\/a> and Keynote<\/a> are tools that help enhance a presentation. In no way should they carry the presentation. People don\u2019t watch presentations for the slides. Your message should be the focus. You\u2019re the lead role. Flashy slides won\u2019t make up for a dull presentation.\\n\\nThere is a lot of content out there about how to make slide decks. You can really geek out on this stuff. Here are five quick tips that can help you make slides that don\u2019t suck.\\n\\n<\/p>\n