🗣️𝐈'𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 1!🎤

Yet in 2024, I've given 11 in-person presentations, 3 virtual presentations, appeared on 3 virtual panels and 6 podcasts. In-person presentations are the most challenging for me, its not that I have imposter syndrome, I just don't think what I have to say is all that important. Which may not be true as I presented on Data Quality and Linked In 4 times EACH this year, with an honorable mention for 2 in-person Data Strategy sessions. But to stand up in front of and to face people who may, or may not, be experts in the same space and share your perspectives and stories about the space, is one of the toughest accomplishments I have in my 35+ year career.

I spoke at what I consider to be 2 data SUPER BOWL conferences this year, the Data Governance and Information Quality (DGIQ) conference in June (my 1st time attending or speaking) and most recently last week at the PASS Data Community Summit (my 5th time attending and 2nd time speaking). I received some pretty rough feedback from the DGIQ conference, too dependent on notes, not enough personal stories, not enough attendee engagement (I attached the ratings and comments for your reference). It is very hard to curate material to begin with, let alone make everyone happy in the level of summation or detail, content, demonstrations, stories, etc. The 2 and the 3 ratings really hit me hard. I spend A LOT of time preparing my presentations, so much so they tend to be very heavy, or dense, in information. Not every concept can be explained in a picture, and in delivery of the WHAT, WHY, WHEN and WHERE, there can be many lists when it comes to data ecosystem best practices.

There are 2 myths about public speaking I would like to BUST:

🕐Speakers make a lot of money

🕐Speakers gain a lot of new clients

Myths busted!

🕐While speakers may receive light compensation for half or full day sessions, conference attendance fees waived, or a comped hotel night, most of us SPEND money to speak. We pay for travel (flight, drive, fuel, parking), lodging and meals.

🕑While I have expanded my network greatly, I have never, EVER, gained a client from one of my presentations. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for FREE?

TOMORROW - 𝐈'𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 2!