13.1. SLIDECASTING: THE HOW-TO GUIDE

There. You've done it. Now, you can capitalize on opportunity right away. Your deck proves that you are the best because of A, B, and C, which you're now able to explain to people from the comfort of your slippers and robe. Of course, slidecasting doesn't replace the physical presentation; it just increases your potential audience from the maximum capacity of the venue as set by the local fire marshal to thousands or millions. No big deal.

My more insecure readers are beginning to wonder just how they are going to get more than a handful of people to care about their presentation. It's a fair question: after all, the Internet is as good at circulating garbage as it is at elevating the little man to the big stage. And no, I don't think your presentation is garbage. I simply mean that differentiating yourself from the vast multitudes out in cyberspace is a completely foreign art to many successful businesspeople today. But that doesn't get you off the hook.

The Internet and its minions (social media, search engines, communications channels, and so on) follow a single guideline (I think) that can help you determine your course of action online: Buzz begets buzz. This is one of those unsolvable mysteries, like how the universe began, why chocolate is so good with peanut butter, and why Macaulay Culkin had to grow up. Many individuals have a lot of buzz going on, but everyone started with nothing. Buzz brings you more buzz, but you basically start out by faking your own notoriety.

Twitter, Facebook, and your blog (please get one) are indispensable assets for you as you press forward with your audience-enlarging schemes. Unfortunately, you'll need to know people—business associates, acquaintances, clients, random people—which is yet another strike against the aspiring public speaking hermit. I'm sorry: The more I think about it, presentation success is not for recluses.

The more you build your network, the more people might see your presentation. But how do you really generate more views?

Incorporating social media and modern technology into your presentation is a surefire approach to generating real, meaningful buzz on the Web regarding your presentation, message, brand, or anything else you want to advance in the public realm. I mentioned this in the chapter on reaching Millennials. With each passing month, a greater percentage of every audience will possess a smartphone that is constantly accessing the Web, while more and more members of your audiences are going to be fighting the urge to return the favor by updating the Web on the trivial details of their daily lives. So why not use this reality to your advantage? Dole out your Twitter tag name and take a poll or survey during your presentation. Have individuals post a comment on a blog you've posted pertaining to the subject at hand. Instead of telling them about your web site, walk them to it by asking them to take out their devices. You'll prevent unsightly episodes of iPhone withdrawal even as you shamelessly promote yourself and whatever it is you are doing.

The Internet has a way of recognizing and spreading these efforts. If you allow them to, interested and engaged members of your audiences will share content—even your presentation, if you've already posted it on SlideShare.net—with their networks. The opportunities are endless—even more so if you've created a truly inspiring message and deck.

I know it sounds easier said than done, but at the end of the day, one's successful web presence is predicated on frequency and buzz. The more active you are in these social media channels, the more you will reap from your use. Morning talk shows are filled with so-called experts on a variety of social topics who literally knighted themselves through the savvy promotion of a random blog idea. It's one of the most reliable ways of getting a book deal, public speaking engagement, or other media appearance today. Limiting your delivery to the physical stage is a profound injustice if your message is truly important. Get on SlideShare.net and start slidecasting. The world is waiting!