AWS New Voices

What is AWS New Voices?
The New Voices Program is a fresh initiative designed to identify promising speakers from the AWS Community Builders network and refine their public speaking skills. With guidance from experienced community speakers who volunteer as coaches, participants receive hands-on training to elevate their presentation abilities.

In a zoom setup with multiple breakout groups for discussions, around 100 individuals practice their ideas and methods for developing a talk or workshop they plan to present in the future.

It's a desired class and run by enthusiastic, fun and "jazzy" hands members of new voices and aims to give people who attend 4/5 sessions a badge of recognition for their efforts.

An example problem
*How would you explain "the cloud" to someone who just teleported from 1625? *

1. Breathe
   We start with a 4-7-8 breathing exercise were we inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Getting everybody comfortable in the new space.

2. Improv Time
   Public speaking can be seen as an impossible challenge to most, but a method called "Yes, and..." keeps your audience engaged and can act as a good starting structure to your talk.

3. You can aim for a certain audience but don't assume
   When explaining the cloud to someone new they might have no idea what angle you are coming from while others might get bored of an overly simple explanation. Finding the ground between educational and engaging is something only practice and feedback can improve.

4. So what is your audience thinking?

• Who are you?
• Why should I care?
• How will this help me?

Addressing these 3 questions as quickly as possible is key to success. Understand everyone's time is the most important thing to them. Communicating that you're going to solve a key problem you have personally faced will add a lot of credability right at the start of a 10 min lightning talk or a full 40 min session with Q&As.

Practice and get feedback

We did a quick ‘show-and-tell’ session, picking a random object within arm’s reach. Speaking about what you know gives early confidence in your abilities, so that with proper planning and research you'll find able to speak to any topic your passionate about!