To Present or not to Present, that is the question.

I was talking with a friend yesterday about presenting, and I remembered something that I learned years ago that I thought I would share:

1. When you are asked to present on a topic, you should determine what are the 3 questions you are being asked to cover? What is it that the audience is looking to glean from your time on stage?
2. Why is it that YOU have been asked to cover this topic and answer the questions. What background, experience, speaking style, does the organizer/audience find value? Did you provide that value in your presentation?
3. After you have prepped your presentation, think about the 3 questions. Did you cover them? Will your audience remember them from your presentation? If you catch an audience member after the presentation (days, weeks, months, years later), will they remember you and those things you presented?

I have had some great experiences speaking in the industry and community, and feel very fortunate every time I am asked to speak at a conference, event, or engagement. I try to be very cognizant about providing good information and value to the audience. I very much enjoy when someone comes to me afterward and says that something I had presented made an impact on how they did their job.