Three presentation skills bloggers you should follow

I’ve been pleased to find that I’m not the only person worth reading in the presentation world. (I know, it’s a shock, right?)

Here are three bloggers I’ve read who, if we weren’t separated at birth, we’re at least close cousins.

So… in a kind of if-you-like-RealSmartNow-you’ll-love… kind of way, but in no particular order, let me introduce Olivia Mitchell, Chris de Witt, and Lisa B Marshall.

Olivia from the Speaking about Presenting.com, is the presentation world’s voice of reason. She’s way smarter than me and I read almost all of her articles and think ‘Wow – that’s so clear. I wish I’d written that.’

She says it’s because we think the same. I agree. Subscribe. (She’s oliviamitchell on Twitter).

Chris de Witt writes at Life After Powerpoint – now, why would I be attracted to a blog with that name? Chris often blogs for technical presenters and manages to be WAY prolific and still thoughtful. Makes my once-a-week efforts seem a little part-time. Smart smart smart.

Lisa B Marshall is the voice of Quick and Dirty Tips: The Public Speaker – and a fine job she does too. Lisa has a knack of helping you to learn an astonishing amount of content in no longer than it takes to listen to three of your favourite songs, and with about the same amount of pain. (There was this great science documentary show in the UK when I was growing up called Equinox. I always felt like I’d learned a lot about the topic when it had finished. Not like the Dumb-and-Dumber tv today. Lisa is like Equinox for speakers).

In addition to the podcast link above, here’s Lisa’s website.

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Whilst on the topic of blogs, I’m not sure if I told you this already, but Rowan Monahan, author of Fortify Your Oasis, said this about RealSmartNow here:

“The excellent Real. Smart. Now. blog conveys honest-to-goodness presentation superpowers upon IT professionals. A more on-target set of posts on the practicalities of business presenting you will not find.”

It’s official – I’m having that tattooed on my chest. (Rowan is a great one to read if you’re wanting your career to feel a bit more stable…)

The smart and funny Nicholas Bate says this about me and Rowan. Very kind.

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And look, presentations matter even more in the current climate than before.

Do everyone a favour (yes, including me!) – refer any IT or HR/Training managers here. You know how you used to be able to go into a store and get discount for cash? *smiles meaningfully*

In other news

There is no other news. You think I’ve got time to go to the movies? Sheesh.

Oh, apart from Key Media have just asked me to MC at Asia’s HR Summit in May. MC-ing is my secret favourite thing to do. Secretly thrilled.

Real. Smart. Now.