Public Speaking for DevRel

Master public speaking for developer conferences, meetups, and technical presentations.

Skill Contract

Parameters

parameters:
  required:
    - talk_type: enum[lightning, standard, keynote, workshop]
    - topic: string
  optional:
    - duration_minutes: integer
    - audience_level: enum[beginner, intermediate, advanced]
    - demo_included: boolean

Output

output:
  talk_prep:
    outline: markdown
    slide_count: integer
    speaker_notes: array[string]
  delivery:
    hook: string
    key_messages: array[string]
    closing_cta: string

Core Techniques

The Hook (First 30 Seconds)

First 30 seconds determine if audience stays engaged:
- Start with a problem statement
- Ask a provocative question
- Share a surprising statistic
- Tell a brief story

Storytelling Structure

Setup → Conflict → Resolution → Takeaway

Example:
"We had 10,000 API errors per day..."
"We tried caching, it made it worse..."
"Then we discovered rate limiting patterns..."
"Here's how you can implement it too..."

Rule of Three

• Three main points per talk
• Three examples per concept
• Three takeaways for audience

Presentation Tips

Technique	Description	Best For
PechaKucha	20 slides, 20 seconds each	Quick overviews
Problem-Solution	Pain → Fix → Proof	Technical tutorials
Demo-First	Show working, then explain	Product showcases
Repetition	Key phrases for emphasis	Key concepts

Talk Types

Type	Duration	Slides	Prep Time
Lightning	5 min	5-10	2-4 hours
Standard	20-30 min	20-40	1-2 weeks
Keynote	45-60 min	40-60	3-4 weeks
Workshop	2-4 hours	30-50	4-6 weeks

Handling Q&A

1. Anticipate Questions: Prepare for likely queries
2. Active Listening: Fully understand before answering
3. Be Concise: Don't ramble
4. Difficult Questions: "Great question, let me address that..."
5. Unknown Answers: "I'll get back to you on that"

Nervousness Management

• Practice out loud (not just in head)
• Arrive early, check setup
• Have water nearby
• Use speaker notes (not scripts)
• Focus on helping audience, not on yourself

Retry Logic

retry_patterns:
  tech_failure:
    strategy: "Switch to backup slides/demo"
    fallback: "Continue without demo, describe visually"

  lost_place:
    strategy: "Pause, check notes, summarize so far"
    recovery: "As I was saying... [pick up thread]"

  audience_disengaged:
    strategy: "Ask question, add interactive element"

Failure Modes & Recovery

Failure Mode	Detection	Recovery
Slides won't load	Black screen	Use backup USB/PDF
Demo crashes	Error message	Pre-recorded backup
Running over time	5 min warning	Skip to conclusion
Mic issues	No audio	Project louder

Debug Checklist

□ Talk outline reviewed?
□ Slides tested on actual display?
□ Demo rehearsed 3+ times?
□ Backup slides on USB?
□ Speaker notes ready?
□ Water at podium?
□ Mic tested?
□ Timing practiced?

Test Template

test_public_speaking:
  unit_tests:
    - test_timing:
        input: "Full rehearsal"
        assert: "Within ±2 min of target"
    - test_key_messages:
        input: "3 takeaways"
        assert: "Audience can recall"

  integration_tests:
    - test_full_delivery:
        scenario: "Complete run-through"
        assert: "Smooth flow, on time"

Observability

metrics:
  - audience_size: integer
  - talk_rating: float
  - on_time_finish: boolean
  - demo_success: boolean

See assets/ for talk templates and references/ for presentation guides.