Recently, I caught a blog link on LinkedIn, of one SQL

Server professional talking about his experience speaking at a SQLSaturday, and

I thought I would not only share my own experience, but invite all of you who

ever spoke at a SQLSaturday to share yours as well.  In fact, I originally thought it was one of

the many T-SQL Tuesday topics, which I think is a great one. (hint, hint). Now

not everyone reading this actually ever spoke or presented at a SQLSaturday

before.  You may think only SQL Server

MVPs and experts are presenters, but that, while the majority is not

necessarily the case.  The whole idea of

speaking and presenting at a SQLSaturday is to give back to the community, and

share your knowledge with other aspiring SQL Server professionals.

I for one can say, that I am exhilarated when I speak before

an audience of eager learners.  Sure, I

always get a little nervous right before I present, but you learn to control,

if not conquer, that fear.  It mostly

happens when I’m doing a new presentation topic that I haven’t done before,

even if I know the material well.  Also,

I kind of prefer mid-mornings, and not late afternoons, because there are so

many people that want to talk to you, mingle and socialize, I’m usually

unfocused on conversation, and thinking about my presentation.  In fact, the pre-Pearl and post-Pearl are

probably two different people, although he’s wearing the same clothes.  J

But, I think that’s rather normal and expected that once I

finally give that presentation, I come down a few notches and can relax, visit

the sponsors, talk to friends and attendees, as well as answer questions much

more readily.  My first question, before

I engage my fellow presenters in a long drawn out conversation is, out of

kindred respect, “Did you do your presentation yet?”  That way, if they didn’t, I usually just say “hi,

speak to you later, good luck”, and then back off.  I’ve seen the speaker room many-a-times with

folks making finishing touches to their slides and demos.  The last thing I want to do is step on their

toes. 

Let me just say, you don’t have to be an expert veteran

speaker to get up before a crowd of folks to talk about SQL Server.  Of course, practice makes almost perfect, and

l actually use my presentations to myself learn about or expand my knowledge

about a topic.  I know that if I have to

present on a topic, I ought to make sure that I have a good handle on it.  My experience is I love interacting with

attendees in class, and have no issues if one or more attendees know something that

I may not, or asks a question that I may not be sure of the answer.  Many times, I’ll invite the one who asked the

question to see me at the end of the presentation (so I can give him a piece of

my mind – how dare he ask a question I don’t know the answer to! J)  Of course, I’m kidding here.  I like to speak with them after, so I can

review the question, get their contact info, and often research the answer, and

follow-up with them to get them the answer they sought.

Overall, unless sometimes I have an unforeseen circumstance

beyond my control, like a demo devil, screen gremlin, or bug-a-boo, my feedback

is generally very positive.  My number

one goal in a presentation, is to share my knowledge with the attendees.  Often, I give a presentation that non-DBA, developer,

wannabe DBA, or accidental DBA can appreciate, as they are the ones that IMHO, that

benefit the most from such presentations and material.  If you have the expertise, and the nerve to

do it, I would encourage you to challenge yourself, and give it a try.  Hey, it’s not Carnegie Hall, and you might

just catch the fever, and never look back! 

But remember, sharing your knowledge is a great way to contribute to the

SQL Server Community!

Speaking of SQLSaturdays, and speaking at them, one of the most

frequent question I have been getting for the last six months or so, whether it

be by email, twitter, phone, or way of a SQLSaturday appearance is, “So, when

are you guys going to have another SQLSaturday in New York City?”  So, the one question that stumped the chump,

has made me pine for the day that we can say, it’s coming!  Well, all I can say is, if you watch this

blog space, I may have something to say about it, REAL SOON! And, finally, I

can have an answer 😉   SQLSaturday NYC

2015 – ah, how awesome does that sound?