DISQUS

It may be a great piece -- if the audience is under 40.

Text too small for a 40+ audience.

Gosh! That's one for the books! (Or blog.)

Working with wildly creative yet unstable people sometimes yields similar results. Watching a presenter imbibe in improbable amounts of inebriates the night before the show, I found myself thinking,

"This isn't going to be good."

Attempts to get her to stop seemed to make her angry -- and determined to drink all the more.

Sure enough, the next morning, the presenter was in the hospital. Alcohol poisoning.

The show went on... without her.

I imagine it impacted her career. Or her life. Haven't heard from her since -- nor do I care to. Can't imagine who would hire her after such shenanigans.

I've seen self-inflicted sickness like this go on before the show -- and word spreads, quietly and quickly. Presenters who self-inflict sickness soon become non-presenters.

Lee:

I'm so, um, honored? :) ...to be first on your list of top 2008 posts!

Note to self: increase traffic to blog by using more provocative sounding titles!

Happy 2009!

Since an actual human being reviews FB ads before they go live, adding "tasteful" to the list of requirements is simple. It's also courteous and more socially acceptable -- important criterion for a social media site that wants to maintain an aura of respectability.

May I suggest #11? Use Alltop to make friends...and influence Tweeple.

I've used the mighty Alltop to connect with people who share their fascinating ideas in blogs. We've often extended our conversations in areas beyond their blogs. Commenting leads to connecting, to joint ventures, to collaboration...

Alltop is a lovely place to meet people who share your passions and interests. I'm honored to be included therein.

May I suggest #11? Use Alltop to find platform to make friends...and influence Tweeple.

I've used the mighty Alltop to connect with people who share their fascinating ideas in blogs. We've often extended our conversations in areas beyond their blogs. Commenting leads to connecting, to joint ventures, to collaboration...

Alltop is a lovely place to meet people who share your passions and interests. I'm honored to be included therein.

Oooh, playing cards. Could make it into a game!

Or a tarot spread, portending your presentation future! Think of the graphic possibilities!

I love the idea of a living document. Technology and fashion are in a constant state of flux -- a living document can keep up with the changes. And the presentation fundamentals that don't change? In the heat of the mo, it's great to have a reference.

Every presenter needs a comprehensive presentation checklist. Might that be a great Google Doc -- or Spreadsheet for the condense version? I know I'd use it -- prolly even go old school and print it out.

Your list is quite comprehensive.

I'll point to it the next time someone asks me how to monetize a blog!

(Because a week doesn't go by...)

Laura Bergells's last blog post..What is RSS and Why Do You Care?

Did I say 7? I meant 11.

I'm also v. bad at craps.

I have never missed a call time. Ever.

P U N C T U A L I T Y

Those were the seven letters that replaced the numbers 1-11 on a clock of my youth. (The 12 spot was something demonic, I think.)

Nonetheless, I'm perpetually late for everything else.

So it balances out.

You know.

Over time.

I've been thinking quite a bit about the "nurture" part of social networking lately. It's the most important part, but so often glossed over. (So I was v. happy to read this excellent post!)

In addition to your above bullets, I like to cross-thread my online social networks with some real world apps! Like:

At least one paper-based holiday or thank you note per year, when appropriate.

At least one annual coffee, lunch, dinner, beer-up, etc. when geographically feasible.

A phone call to gossip -- uh, I mean, share social intelligence -- when appropos, of course!

The loose nut in front of the screen...

Heh. I received a laser pointer as trade show swag over 10 years ago. I never used it on stage myself -- but for the first year or so, it was a dandy toy for pestering my tropical fish.

I kept the toy in my kit for a few years, too -- but whenever presenters asked to use it, I discouraged the practice.

"Let's see how you rehearse without it," became a pat phrase. After rehearsal, I would usually offer positive reinforcement for their non-laser performance.

My laser pointer has been in my kitchen junk drawer for quite a while now...

Good tips!

Like many businesses, I'm still getting my arms around this whole FaceBook and social media thing. It's important stuff -- because FB and LI provide context -- where Google and the search engines just provide data.

You're right on! I'll be back...

You show restraint!

For many, PowerPoint appears to be an excerise in using as many features and colors as the program will allow.

Instead, you use it as a sometimes-prop -- and only if it helps illustrate a point.

Fancy that!

Izea.

When I first saw the announcement in my email, I thought it was "Ikea."

As in "furniture".

I was disappointed to learn that they don't have any office chairs on sale this month.

It seems that most real estate lead sites are content with using predatory online practices to "hook up" buyers/sellers with a Realtor. You know the scheme: "Give us all your personal info, and we'll find a Realtor FOR you."

And then the site sells this online lead to the agent that's the most desperate -- not exactly the best agent for the job!

You're right: I don't think first-time home buyers are going to fall for this malarkey -- they're more web savvy. And the older generations that are prey for this practice aren't selling their homes right now.

So what will happen to these old time "Find a Realtor" sites in this harsh market?

The "only" thing going for it is collaboration and simplicity?

Those are two HUGE 'onlys"!

It's like saying the only thing the Honda Civic Hybrid has going for it is fuel efficiency, reliability, and style!

Online collaboration is huge. And most audiences are burned out by gee-whiz transition and animation features. No templates and animations? No gee-wizardry?

So what? ;)

I like the new Presentation App in Google Docs. Granted, it's not as feature rich as PowerPoint, but is that really all that important for 90% of presentations?

Further, Google Docs Presentation App needs an actual NAME. It's easy to say "PowerPoint" and have people understand what you mean.

Google Docs Presentation App? Not nearly as straight forward or memorable...