Why is this event so special to me? Well, some of you recall that last year I also spoke at Searchfest. That conference marked my first ever speaking gig, making Searchfest 2008 my one year speaking anniversary. (Awwww.) I thus have a special place in my heart for Searchfest because the organizers were nice enough to give this nervous noob a speaking spot. I talked about link building last year, and I royally sucked. I was nervous, stammery, had too much content on each slide, fumbled with note cards (note cards! as if I were giving a speech in high school!), and felt generally uncomfortable and miserable.
Thankfully, practice makes perfect(ish), and since last year's Searchfest, I've spoken 10 times and given 8 presentations on topics like link bait, user-generated content, organic search issues, content creation, and widgets. I've gone from speaking in front of 50 people at Searchfest to addressing an audience of over 300, and while I'm still nervous when I speak, I'm much more comfortable and have a better rapport with the crowd. Of course, I'm nowhere near as great a speaker as Rand, but I'm happy to say that I improve with each presentation and I learn more about myself the more I speak.
That being said, I'm thrilled to return to Portland for Searchfest 2008. This year I'll be speaking about link bait, which is one of my favorite subjects on which to speak. Rand is coming too; in fact, he's the keynote speaker, and he'll be discussing the evolution of search algorithms and how it impacts search marketing. If you're thinking of attending, there's still time to register. I have a handy discount code available for all of you who'd like to sign up--just enter "SEMBD" when you register and you'll receive $40 off the listed price.
I hope to see you all at Searchfest 2008, and to those of you who organized the event, thanks for giving a girl like me the chance to get one foot in the speakin' door. :)
Cool! Mozzer's in my city...A reason to get smashed on Monday night! Err...ANOTHER reason I mean. :D
I recall the infamous notecard speech - I believe I made fun of you. In all honesty, it wasn't bad though. Danny Tanner has given many worse speeches.
How rude!
You've definitely matured as a speaker really well. I loved your presentation at SMX Social - you keep the audience interested and entertained, you don't take yourself too seriously, and you always show actual examples of work that we've done on the projects. I think that combination is what keeps 'em coming back for more :)
Rebecca don't feel bad for using cards. I've been told I'm an ok speaker, but I still always take them. If you get stuck I think it's much less disrupting to look down at a card (I only have one bullet on each) rather than ending up reading slides off of the screen.
Good luck - I'm sure it'll be great.
@Ciaran - OK speaker? you had them eating out of your hands at SMX London... (I guess the wonderbra did help...) lol
@Rebecca... AWWWWWW!
Never underestinate the power of a woman in a bra drumming; got me where I am today..
;)
Yeah, he pretty much stole the show. Bras and Will It Blend. There was no beating that.
Really? I don't remember you doing that. Perhaps I was too enthralled with the video... or, um, the content.
I didn't use them, but they were in my pocket!
That would have looked a bit weird if you'd suddenly said, "Oh... um..." and taken them out ;)
I gave up the note cards in favour of this approach:
Obsessively practice in front of mirror. Obsessively practice in front of other people who may or may not laugh and point. Get stressed out and not eat lunch. Five minutes before session starts, realise how stupid it is to be nervous. Have a good time.
Later, drink snake bites at collapsing London pub. It worked out well for me.
interesting tactics :p you should write a book.
Rebecca, see, I could have gone ahead to SMX sick and coughed and hacked thru your UCG Wonder Twins session and thrown you off kilter! You could have thrown spit wads at the audience!
Since we're giving speaking tips...
1. DO NOT use the words, "I'm nervous." Don't say them outloud or to yourself before speaking. Physiologically, saying "I'm nervous" makes your heart race and your palms sweat. Your body doesn't know the difference between fiction and reality. (Think of an action-packed movie and how you feel, or visualize a juicy lemon and a knife cutting into it. Your salivary glands can be activated.)
2. Tell yourself, over and over and over... "I'm calm, relaxed and prepared." Say this as your heart beats fast and stomach gets in a knot.
KEEP repeating it! And it sounds like you ARE prepared for your talk. Lucky Portland! Happy Anniversary!
Great advice! I'll give it a go this weekend. :D
You started out wettin' yer dacks and now yer layin' the smacks.
Good on ya.
I'd be there with beers on... ahem, BELLS on, if you weren't on an entirely different continent. Smooches.
Rebecca - the couple times I have seen you speak you gave very informative and well organized presentations.
To calm your nerves do you pretend the audience is naked??
Just wondering, because I was in the front row twice? (I'll make sure to sit in the back next conference) ;)
Congrat's on your 1 year!
Haha, you should always be in front--you're my good luck charm!
Rebecca ~ I'll be at Searchfest next week! I'm sure you will do great. See you there!
Fantastic! Looking forward to meeting you.
Rebecca,
I'll see you at SEMpdx SearchFest'08.
I will be at your link bait presentation.
This is going to be a great event.
Rebecca, thanks for the SearchFest plug and we're definitely looking forward to having you again! Break a leg? Seems like a weird thing to say...
All the SEMpdx board members are looking forward to see Rebecca speak on the link panel with Adam Audette of Audette Media & Dustin Woodard from Wetpaint. I will be moderating the session and I have no doubt that Rebecca and the other speakers will do a great job.
For people within driving distance of Portland, we encourage you to attend Searchfest next Monday 3/10 to see Rebecca, Rand's keynote & our other esteemed speakers. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Rebecca,If you are serious about learning public speaking skills... find a Toastmasters club in your area. There are usually multiple clubs in most cities and you can search by zip code at www.toastmasters.org . It sounds like you are building your speaking skills already and you will be amazed by the increase in self confidence when you know that you can speak in front of a crowd of 1000's or just one very important person!Best of luck!
You're not that great of a speaker?!?! Rebecca you absolutely SAVED the SEO/UGC Session at smxwest.
Edit : this comment was Too rude, on second thought ;)
Wow, that's quite the kudos! I enjoyed being on the panel with my two very knowledgeable colleagues, but I'm happy to hear that my presentation was warmly received. Sorry for going over my time. :)
haha...no worries, at least you didn't get the beep of death. In one of the sessions apparently the guy went so far over his time, the little box started beeping haha.
and I think you were one of the 2 speakers that didn't wack the microphone 7 times throughout the presentation.
I did it once. :(
Wow, impressive Rebecca! I recall catching you speak for the first time at SMX Social, and being impressed by your calmness up there behind the mic.
" I learn more about myself the more I speak"
That's truly remarkable Rebecca :D
I feel your pain, getting all nervous, red faced and agitated for nothing. I am sure you'll do great.
Public speaking takes a very brave person, but it gets easier every time one does it. Suggest one focuses on a few selct audience members that seems the least intimidating, so when panning across the audience you lock eyes with those ones only. Works for me. Good luck for searchfest, am sure you'll be awesome!