Tips for Impressive Self-Presentation

Executive Utterances — On Presenting The fastest way to lose a room is to start talking before you’ve said anything worth hearing. Whether you’re presenting to an audience of 1,000 or speaking to your own work group, the first words you choose determine whether your audience leans in or checks out. Over the years, I learned that fully scripted speeches kept me from connecting, reacting, and speaking with authenticity. What follows is the methodology I developed — a balance of structure, informality, and clarity that helped me become a more effective presenter. If there’s interest, I’m happy to expand on any of these in detail. For now, here are the principles that shaped my approach: * Grab from the Beginning Start with a powerful sentence or a question that sets an emotional stage the audience can’t turn away from. A recent example came from a presentation to law enforcement officers on child abduction: “At one of the most difficult moments in any parent’s life, they call you. You become their hope.” * Speak from the Inside Charles Dickens once wrote, “Make me see.” Facts and data are necessary, but they don’t move people on their own. Speak from inside the information — bring it to life, make it human, make it matter. Use slides or handouts for the heavier details but speak to the story behind those details. Americans love a story; give them one worth remembering. * Just Start When building your presentation, don’t obsess over the perfect beginning. Just start typing.Your first draft may look nothing like your final version — that’s a sign you’re refining your message, not a problem. * Read It Out Loud Read your notes out loud. Better yet, read them to someone you trust or have them read your notes back to you. You’ll hear clarity issues and pacing problems you won’t catch on a screen. * Block It Hand-draw two columns of blocks on a piece of paper: Column One: Break your presentation into sections, and label each with a few key words that will become your notes Column Two: Decide which supporting bullets, facts, or simple visuals that will become your slides or handouts and just note what will be in the slides. This creates flow and structure without forcing you into a script. Then start filling the blocks * Do Not Make the Slides Your Notes Slides support your presentation — they are not your presentation. Speak from your notes (large print, double-spaced), and let the slides reinforce what you’re saying. Never read from them; you can’t tell a meaningful story while narrating bullet points. A visual image such as a photograph, can be a great addition if it reinforces your opening theme or emotional hook. * Close Strong and Quick Tie your closing sentence directly back to your opening. Keep it short, powerful, and intentional — because once people sense you’re closing, their attention starts to drift. Start with something worth hearing, and you’ll keep the room until the very end.

One great presentation can do what multiple applications can't. Over the years, my presentations have earned awards, speaking invitations, and opportunities I never applied for. Most recently, at MAA MathFest 2024, someone from the audience approached me and said: "Your talk was so engaging. You made such a complex topic accessible." On the spot, he invited me to speak to high school students in Chicago. Full expenses paid + speaker fee. Here is the framework I use every single time... (You might want to save this.) 1. Know your audience before you make a single slide → Kids? Public? Policy makers? Academics? → Your job is to design your talk to suit them. → Picture one person in the audience, let's call them "Bola." 2. Map out the entire talk first → Write the takeaway from each slide in one sentence. → Connect each slide logically to the next. → Ask yourself: Will Bola digest this information? 3. Ditch the jargon → Would Bola understand this? → If not, go back to the drawing board. → Use simple, plain English. 4. Make it visual → One message per slide. Big font. Bullet points. → Use visuals or illustrations instead of text (if possible.)  → The moment your audience starts reading your slides, you've lost them. 5. Practice as you build each slide → After creating each slide, ask: What will I say here? → This reveals what to add, remove, or fix as you go. → Once done, practice the full presentation again. 6. Never read off your slides during delivery → Deliver like you're telling a story. → Everything on screen is just supporting visuals. → Know your slides inside out. Keep eye contact. 7. Use your body language intentionally → Don't stare at the ceiling, ground, or stand frozen. → Your movement and energy speak louder than words. → This automatically communicates confidence and authority. Great presentations aren’t about showing how smart you are. They’re about making your audience feel something... curiosity, clarity, and inspiration. That’s what makes you memorable. And that’s what opens doors. --- PS: What's ONE thing that's helped you improve your presentations? PPS: Want to see this framework in action? Link to the Chicago talk is in the comments. ♻️ REPOST if this was useful. Thanks!

How to promote yourself more effectively: a lesson from my own journey A member of Herizon’s community asked how to improve their self-promotion skills. It’s a challenge many face, especially when adjusting to a new country or entering a new industry. Here’s the strategy that worked for me: Shift the focus from yourself to the companies you’re approaching. Take the time to understand their needs and show how your skills can solve their challenges. When I applied to Freska, where I helped grow revenue from <€1M to €13M ARR in two years, I didn’t just talk about myself. I wrote a detailed Google Doc outlining how I’d drive their growth over the next six months. While their actual growth challenges differed from my initial assumptions, the document demonstrated my drive and ability to deliver. It made a lasting impression and secured the opportunity. Key takeaway: Focus on the value you bring. Show potential employers or clients you understand their goals and challenges, and align your expertise with their needs. Self-promotion isn’t about bragging but about communicating your value in a way that resonates. If you’re looking to improve how you promote yourself, give this approach a try. Share your own experiences or strategies in the comments - I’d love to hear from you!

The journey from practitioner to leader requires a new set of skills in order to be effective. My outputs are connecting design to business outcomes, influencing human-centered practices among my cross-functional team, and stewardship for the larger community of practice. Becoming a (reluctant) professional extrovert has required vulnerability, reflection, and lots of practice. While there are leaders who have traits that make give them a natural presence in front of an audience—I promise you, they all had to work to get good at it. Here's what I have found helpful: 1. Have a clear vision for how you want to be perceived by your audience. In my case, I want my passion for design to come through and come across as both humble but credible. 2. Record yourself, watch it back, and get feedback. Internally I use Vidcast (http://vidcast.io) and get a few rounds of practice in before any high impact or high stakes presentation or meeting. Watching yourself and hearing your voice is a great way to get over the "cringe" factor that people sometimes have about seeing themselves. 3. Practice with an audience. It can be be just a few people but run through your message a few times. Sometimes just the act of saying something out loud and getting a reaction is all you need. At rehearsal for dzone this year I went in with one idea, showed Rana Walker and Snorre Kjesbu and ended up scrapping it for the better because of their helpful feedback. 4. Learn from others. Remember that this is a skill that you are learning how to do. Who do you know that does it well? What can you learn from them and adapt to your vision. One word of caution—don't just imitate someone. Be your authentic self, otherwise you'll feel like you are playing a character that isn't you. I've made this mistake a few times and it's exhausting. I'm curious to hear from you—what have you learned along the way? Do you still get nervous? What is your vision for how you want to be perceived in these big moments that matter?

I’m going to offer one piece of free professional and styling advice for anyone getting up in front of an audience: think about your clothes. Whether it’s an internal all-hands or an insider-y industry panel, the second you sit down in a lounge chair or lean on a stool, the entire fit of what you’re wearing changes. Take the beloved button-down shirt, for example. What was a lovely, fitted shirt morphs into something else entirely once you sit down. Those poor buttons end up looking like they’re performing the hard labor. So, here’s my checklist: 1) Practice sitting. Literally sit down in your outfit. Do you lean forward? Recline? Cross your legs? Your posture changes how your clothes pull, bunch, ride, or gape. 2) Cover the buttons. Rethink the classic button-down. Try a pullover, a nice Henley or blouse, or neutral T-shirt with a blazer/jacket. And if you do stick with the button-down, think about going for a looser fit and wear an undershirt. 3) Patterns: choose one, not two. If your shirt is patterned, let your blazer be solid. If your blazer is patterned, keep the shirt plain. Not both. Generally, small details can be hard for the camera to pick up so bold patterns work better than subtle floral prints or plaids. Better yet, go with solids for impact. 4) Channel David Letterman. Blazer buttoned when you stand. Unbutton the second you sit. No bunching, no pulling, and let the shadows work for you. 5) Socks and shoes tell a story. They’re often eye-level with the audience. Be intentional. Governor Schwarzenegger used to wear cowboy boots with the California state seal. That may not be your thing, but he did it intentionally knowing his pants rode up when he was sitting down. You don’t need to be “fashionable” to look professional. Just be thoughtful. Your image is part of your message. Make sure it supports what you’re saying ... and, most importantly, that you look comfortable wearing it.

As someone who has performed hundreds of interviews, I can tell you that acing the “Tell Me About Yourself” will set the tone for the rest of the interview.   Does the question 'Tell me about yourself' feel overwhelming? You’re not alone.   I know that the "Tell me about yourself" can feel daunting. It’s often the first thing you’re asked, and here’s the secret: your answer needs to stand out. Most candidates will stick to generic responses, but this is your chance to make a memorable impression and set the tone.   Here’s a framework to craft an answer: 1️⃣ Past: Start with a brief, tailored highlight of your background—focus on moments that align with the role but also showcase something distinctive about you. Example: "I earned my degree in Marketing, where I discovered my passion for digital storytelling. During college, I didn’t just intern—I spearheaded a social media strategy for a startup that grew their follower base by 30%, turning casual engagement into measurable growth." 2️⃣ Present: Transition to what you’re doing now and the impact you’re making—show how your experiences build on each other. Example: "Currently, I’m a marketing associate at XYZ Company, where I’ve led campaigns that not only increased website traffic by 15% but also improved customer retention through targeted content strategies." 3️⃣ Future: Tie it all together with a vision for what’s next, explaining how the role you’re interviewing for aligns with your goals—and why that makes you an ideal fit. Example: "Now, I’m excited to bring my creativity and data-driven approach to a company like yours, where I can take on bold challenges and contribute to campaigns that truly resonate." How to Develop a Standout Answer: Reflect on Your Journey: Spend time identifying key experiences, skills, or achievements that have shaped you and are relevant to the role. Focus on moments that showcase your unique value. Research the Role: Tailor your answer by researching the company’s mission and the job requirements. Highlight the aspects of your background that directly align. Practice Aloud and Record Yourself: Rehearse your answer out loud and record yourself. Watching the playback can help you identify areas for improvement in your delivery, tone, and body language. Pay Attention to Body Language: Use confident, open gestures to emphasize key points and maintain good posture. Smile naturally, and make sure your energy comes through—even in virtual interviews. Get Comfortable with Storytelling: Think of your answer as a mini-story—engaging, memorable, and personal. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and impact. Bonus Tips: Make it memorable by emphasizing what sets you apart. Keep your response concise (1-2 minutes) and engaging. Let your passion and personality shine—it’s your story, so make it compelling. Remember, it’s your chance to show the interviewer why you’re not like everyone else.

Recent work and world events have convinced me that practically everything you say and do as a leader must be thought of as a "media" appearance. It's likely that your video meeting is being recorded for playback. You're in a small box, competing with multi-taskers and so you must heighten your voice, expressions, and body language to convey energy and hold interest. And if you're speaking while sharing your screen, you're in an even smaller box! Think about it: Every audience member is in possession of a video and audio recording device. Almost every meeting is recorded and transcribed. Even if you can't see the device, you should proceed as if you are being audio recorded. So, speak as you were trained to do in media appearances: 👄 Use vocal variety: Vary pace (fast & slow), pitch (high & low), pause, power (volume), placement (where in the body) 👋 Use your hands so they are visible on the screen. Put down your pen and your notes! 👀 Use your eyes and eyebrows to convey emotion. 💬 Speak in short sentences that are easily editable on the periods. 🌍 To the extent possible, provide context in each sentence. 🌉 When answering questions, don't repeat negatives. i.e., Not, "No, we're not disappointed" but rather, "We're very happy that..." And, use bridging language to return to the message you want to deliver. i.e., "Let's go directly to our solution..." 🌟 Use highlighting language, such as, "The most important thing to know is..." and "The real issue is..." 👓 If you are going to read your notes, print on only the top 2/3rds of the page so you are not looking down and losing eye contact with the audience. #leadershipcommunication #presentationskills #mediaskills

🎤 "From stage fright to spotlight: How I went from bombing my first speech to coaching clients for their keynotes. My 3-week formula for presentation success..." As someone who has delivered countless presentations, I've developed a 3-week formula for conference success. Let me walk you through my process and share some insights I've gained along the way. 3️⃣ Weeks Out: • Outline key points - I identify 3-5 core messages I want the audience to remember • Create an inspiring mood board 🖼️ - This helps me visualize the presentation's tone and style. This also provides me with inspiration. 2️⃣ Weeks Out: • Craft presentation draft - I focus on creating a coherent narrative flow • I aim for 1 slide per 3 minutes of allocated time - This ensures I don't overwhelm the audience with information and also allows me to read the room if certain topics create more engagement • Weave in a compelling narrative arc - I use storytelling techniques to engage listeners. Villains, Heroes, Fairy Tale Endings! 1️⃣ Week Out: • Polish transitions - Smooth segues between topics to maintain audience attention and keep the presentation from feeling choppy • Perfect timing ⏱️ - I practice with a timer to ensure I respect the allotted time slot 2️⃣ Days Before: • Full run-through with notes 📝 - This helps identify any weak spots in the presentation and ensures I have notes for a fallback 1️⃣ Day Before: • Practice without notes - This builds confidence and improves natural delivery • Familiarize myself with the venue - Understanding the space helps me plan my stage presence ⏰ Day Of: • Don't overprepare the day of - you got this and last-minute changes can trip you up • Nail the first 30 seconds - A strong opening sets the tone for the entire talk • Smile and get comfortable on stage 😊 - Positive body language helps connect with the audience ✅ Pro Tips: 1. Use bullet points, not complete scripts. This keeps delivery natural and engaging. I've found memorizing word-for-word can lead to stilted delivery if I lose my place. 2. Be authentically you. Your unique perspective is your superpower on stage. Audiences respond to genuine speakers who share personal insights. 3. Incorporate audience interaction. I like to include a brief Q&A session or a quick poll by hand to keep listeners actively engaged. 4. Leverage the power of pause. Strategic silences can emphasize key points and give the audience time to absorb information. 5. Prepare for tech issues. I always assume the presentation won't work and I will just have to speak to it as a worst-case scenario. 6. Connect with other speakers. Networking at conferences can lead to valuable collaborations and future opportunities. Remember, public speaking is a skill that improves with practice. Each presentation is an opportunity to refine your technique and connect with your audience in meaningful ways. #PublicSpeaking #PresentationSkills #ConferenceTips #ProfessionalDevelopment #SpeakerPrep #StagePresence

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 ❤️ 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴? 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗽. Speaking to a group, big or small, can be daunting. But here's how to tackle it head-on and turn nerves into a powerful presentation. 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁, 𝗹𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. → Fear of judgment is often in our heads. Most audiences are rooting for you. They want to see you succeed. → Perfection isn't the goal. Authenticity is. Mistakes make you relatable. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱: →Visualize success. Imagine your audience engaged and responding positively. → Breathe deeply. It calms nerves and steadies your voice. → Know your material inside out. Confidence comes from preparation. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱, 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: → Arrive or dial-in early. Familiarize yourself with the space. → Warm up your voice. It’s a muscle that needs stretching. → Make idle conversation with participants. You will be surprised by how relaxing it will be for you. 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵, 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱: → Start with a story or anecdote. It breaks the ice and draws your audience in. → Maintain eye contact. It builds connection and trust. → Use pauses effectively. They emphasize key points and allow your audience to digest information. Fifth, e𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: → Ask questions. It invites interaction and keeps them attentive. → Use humor appropriately. Laughter relaxes both you and your audience. 𝗦𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: → Be yourself. Authenticity shines through and puts everyone at ease. → Acknowledge your nerves if they surface. It humanizes you and makes the audience empathetic. Remember, stage fright signals that you care about your message. Embrace it, and you'll turn your fear into fuel. 💪 How can I help?

I have a confession to make. I have been guilty of putting people to sleep during my presentations. Unfortunately, not once, but many times. I could blame it on the complexities of tech topics or the dryness of the subject. I could always console myself by saying that at least it's not as sleep-inducing as financial presentations (sorry, my friends in Finance). Deep down, though, I knew that even the most complicated and dry topics could come alive. As with anything, it's a skill and can be improved upon. Thus, I turned to my friend Christopher Chin, Communication Coach for Tech Professionals, for some much-needed advice. He shared these 5 presentation tips guaranteed to leave a lasting impression: 1/ Speak to Their Needs, Not Your Wants Don’t just say what you like talking about or what your audience wants to hear. Say what your audience needs to hear based on their current priorities and pain points: that sets your presentation up to be maximally engaging 2/ Slides Support, You Lead Slides are not the presentation. You are the presentation. Your slides should support your story and act as visual reinforcement rather than as the main star of the show.  Consider holding off on making slides until you have your story clear. That way, you don’t end up making more slides than you need or making slides more verbose than you need 3/ Start with a Bang, Not a Whisper The beginning of a presentation is one of the most nerve-wracking parts for you as the speaker and one of the most attention-critical parts for your audience. If you don’t nail the beginning, there’s a good chance you lose the majority of people. Consider starting with something that intrigues your audience, surprises them, concerns them, or makes them want to learn more. 4/ Think Conversation, Not Presentation One-way presentations where the speaker just talks “at” the audience lead to dips in attention and poorer reception of the material. Consider integrating interactive elements like polls and Q&A throughout a presentation (rather than just at the very end) to make it feel more like a conversation. 5/ Finish Strong with a Clear CTA We go through all the effort of preparing, creating, and delivering a presentation to cause some change in behavior. End with a powerful call to action that reminds your audience why they were in attendance and what they should do as soon as they leave the room. By integrating these, you won't just present; you'll captivate. Say goodbye to snoozing attendees and hello to a gripped audience. 😴 Repost if you've ever accidentally put someone to sleep with a presentation. We've all been there!