I must have given my second worst public speech (with the worst also being my first a few years ago) today. It was actually my 16th speaking session on marketing, but I guess I can still be taken by surprise.

What happened?

I was supposed to speak about a very successful web project I authored a few years ago and helped further develop this time. No big deal, I gave this case study a few times before ...

This time, however, the audience took me by surprise. Evidently, they weren't marketers. Even worse, they were the users --- the target audience we're marketing to with that project.

So, here I am, ready to give a speech on marketing, when I suddenly realize that I really can't tell them how they are being marketed to. I really can't give them away the secrets that are making the project so successful with them ... can I?

All this went through my head in a manner of seconds. Well, I still had to give that lecture. The confusion and shock did their work and the lecture was horrible, at least in my mind.

What can you learn from this? Never ever start giving a speech before finding out who your audience is. I haven't made this mistake before, but I guess there's a first time for everything.

It also might have had something to do with the fact that I hosted and moderated a one-day seminar yesterday (and also spoke at it) that took all or most of my energy.

Here's the second lesson: Make sure you at least have some energy before giving a speech. Yeah, a no-brainer, I know.

How about the seminar yesterday?

Personally, I don't think it went to well. We finished after 6 PM, 1 hour late. Even worse, our schedule was so tight that I had to "eliminate" two speaking sessions (my own, unfortunately, but I just couldn't say no to the other speakers I had lined up) ... and still we were late.

There were some other things that could have been much better ... but, the people loved it. 95% said they would come to the next seminar we organize (The Business Daily I work for), and everyone was happy with the content.

So here's lesson number three: When organizing a seminar, it really doesn't matter what you think. The people matter. If they liked it, it was good. If that means they liked a session you didn't, it doesn't matter. They're right, you're not.

I don't mind admitting I was wrong.

I hope I'll remember some of my lessons myself:) Wish me luck for tomorrow, another speaking session coming up ...