Make Your Writing Presentation a Success

by CHRISTINA FARLEY on OCTOBER 13, 2009

As a writer, you may be asked to present at a workshop or for your local SCBWI chapter. That’s exactly what I’m getting ready to do. Mine will be called, 21st Century Writer and I’ll be presenting for my SCBWI chapter here in Korea.

So, where do you begin?

Choose a topic.

• It must be one you feel comfortable enough in to teach others.
• Will other writers find this topic useful? Interesting?

Once you have a useful, interesting topic that you can teach with confidence, you are ready for the blurb.

• Summarize your presentation or workshop in one paragraph.
• Give it spark, yet keep it succint.
• Don’t forget basics like time, date, and location.

Here’s the blurb I wrote for mine:

SCBWI Korea – 21st Century Writer
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Hello Beans Coffee Shop, Itaewon

Confused or feeling overwhelmed with how you can use technology in your writing?
Attendees will receive a practical overview on the different ways they can use technology to attain their goals as a writer, whether it’s to become published or to promote their work.
Topics covered: websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, book trailers, online book launches, message boards and useful websites.
Bring along your favorite websites to share with the group as well as a laptop with wireless access if you wish.
Looking forward to seeing you there. Bring a guest, too! All are welcome.

Research your topic.

• Get online or check out your bookstore for ideas.
• Chat with other writer friends on message boards.
• Write up your notes so you won’t wander or ramble during your presentation.

Supplements. During your presentation, you’ll need extras to keep your attendees from falling asleep. Ideas?

• Charts, handouts, a laptop (which is what I’ll use in since we’ll be in a coffee shop), games, books with examples, writing exercises, discussion, samples of work
• The key to making a presentation or workshop valuable is making it interactive and listening to the needs of your attendees- be flexible to alter things as you see fit

Be prepared!

• Practice- have a friend or family member listen to your speal. Does it make sense? Are you talking slow enough or too slow?
• Make enough copies
• Bring a bottle of water and drink occasionally while speaking
• Wear comfortable but professional clothing
• Arrive early
• Do a tech check before you start your presentation. Have a back-up plan if tech goes wrong!

Be the learner. Most importantly, come away from your experience having learned something.

• What worked?
• What didn’t?
• How can you make your next presentatation even better?

Share- If you have a blog or website, make parts of your presentation availabe online. Twitter and Facebook it.

And don’t worry, next Tuesday I plan on blogging about my experience and giving you a low down of what I talked about, links and all. Let’s hope I listened to all my own advice and come away with a successful presentation.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas you might add to making a successful presentation.

Tagged as: Christina