A Simple Guide To Teaching What You Don't Know.
Ever wanted to speak at a conference, but didn’t know what to talk about? The answer is simple, teach what you don’t know.
Ever wanted to speak at a conference, but didn’t know what to talk about? The answer is simple, teach what you don’t know.
Find a topic that interests you but doesn’t make sense.
Even better if you can’t find any good tutorials—this means you’ve found an opportunity!
Even better if you can’t find any good tutorials—this means you’ve found an opportunity!
Write down all the questions you have.
This is key. You will never understand your future audience more than right now. Capture what it feels like to know nothing about your topic.
This is key. You will never understand your future audience more than right now. Capture what it feels like to know nothing about your topic.
Research and find the foundation.
Look for the basic blocks of knowledge to build on. Any “aha moments” while researching are a sign to write it down.
Look for the basic blocks of knowledge to build on. Any “aha moments” while researching are a sign to write it down.
Search for connections.
Build on your foundation by finding essential truths. Try to see where you can explain 2 or 3 ideas in a single neat package.
Your goal is to connect ideas and then compress them into the smallest form that makes sense.
Build on your foundation by finding essential truths. Try to see where you can explain 2 or 3 ideas in a single neat package.
Your goal is to connect ideas and then compress them into the smallest form that makes sense.
Look for the story
You need a narrative to pull your audience through this complicated topic. An overarching story will keep them on the path even when things get extra complicated.
Provide your audience with easy to remember metaphors for retaining knowledge.
You need a narrative to pull your audience through this complicated topic. An overarching story will keep them on the path even when things get extra complicated.
Provide your audience with easy to remember metaphors for retaining knowledge.
Find a hook.
Too many talks start with who I am, where I work, what my talk is about, etc.
Cut all that.
Instead, grab the audience with a hook, an unanswered question that leaves them wanting more.
Too many talks start with who I am, where I work, what my talk is about, etc.
Cut all that.
Instead, grab the audience with a hook, an unanswered question that leaves them wanting more.
If you enjoyed this thread and want to learn more about focus, productivity, ADHD, and design/development—follow @jessejanderson and subscribe to my Extra Focus newsletter:
extrafoc.us
extrafoc.us
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
