Events and Presentations

From Rejon.org Wiki

Contents 1 Events and Presentations 2 Events 2.1 Organizing 2.2 Participating 3 Presentations 3.1 Structure 3.2 Content 3.3 Design 3.4 Technology 3.4.1 OpenOffice.org 3.4.1.1 Pros 3.4.1.2 Cons 3.4.2 Microsoft Powerpoint 3.4.2.1 Pros 3.4.2.2 Cons 3.4.3 Web-based 3.4.3.1 Pros 3.4.3.2 Cons 3.4.4 NeoOffice

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.

Events

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

Presentations

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

Design

Technology

OpenOffice.org

Pros

• Free

Cons

• Needs more love

Microsoft Powerpoint

Pros

• ...

Cons

• ...

Web-based

Pros

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

Cons

• ...

NeoOffice