Last month, I gave my first professional presentation at MACCE's Annual Meeting. It was about something I’m deeply passionate about — AI — but that didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous. I most definitely was!
I worried about all the usual things new speakers do: forgetting what to say, dealing with tech issues or just going blank in front of a room full of chamber execs. (Spoiler: I think I skipped a slide, and did have a couple clunky moments trying to jump between slides and browser tabs to do the demos. But guess what? The world didn’t end.)
What surprised me most was how quickly the nerves went away once I got going. My only real focus was this: make it clear, make it approachable.
That’s something I care about deeply in my work as an SEO Copywriter (though I often call myself a Content Clarity Expert, because my goal is to make things easier to understand) — especially when it comes to AI.
Making AI Feel Less Intimidating
One of my goals in my presentation was to show that you don’t need to know how to code or program to use AI. It’s really about being able to clearly explain what you’re trying to achieve. In fact, I used AI in a bunch of ways to get ready for the talk that might just surprise you!
Ways I Used AI to Prepare
I didn’t just use AI to help with the slides. I used it for just about everything — from organizing my thoughts to calming my nerves. Here’s what that looked like:
- I started with a past version of the talk.
Eternity had given this presentation before, so I watched a recording and used Otter.ai to transcribe it. That gave me a base to work from instead of starting with a blank page. - I stayed organized using ChatGPT Projects.
Instead of getting lost in one long, never-ending chat, I created a Project in ChatGPT. I uploaded files (like the transcript) and managed all my prep conversations in one place. It kept everything tidy and easy to come back to. - I turned the transcript into something that sounded like me.
I pasted the transcript into ChatGPT and asked it to help shape it into talking points that felt more conversational — more me. Since I’ve been using it for a while, it already knows my tone, so I didn’t have to give much context.
But if you’re just starting out, you can try something like: “Help me shape this into talking points that feel conversational? Here's how I naturally speak...” Then add a few examples of how you'd phrase things. - I practiced out loud — like, a lot.
Using ChatGPT’s voice mode I read my script out loud and got real-time feedback. (You just click the little headphone icon and start talking.) It gave me gentle pointers — like when I was talking too fast, or sounding a bit flat, even suggesting natural pause points where the words needed a moment to land. - I also talked to SAM.
As in, Eternity’s SAM — our custom GPT built for mindfulness. I was feeling a serious wave of impostor syndrome, and it helped me work through my nerves. Just having something to talk to made a real difference. - I asked AI for style advice to help plan my presentation look.
I even asked ChatGPT to act as a fashion consultant and help me decide what to wear. (There were a few surprised laughs in the audience when I shared this use of AI!) I told it my style, what I tend to like and dislike and even mentioned a few speakers whose style I admire. It then helped me source some outfit ideas!
Proof I survived! (and even enjoyed it!)
(photo was taken by someone in the audience during my talk.)
The Unexpected Benefits of Using AI to Prepare
For someone like me who can get easily overwhelmed by complexity (hello, my OCD and anxiety 👋), AI has actually become a calming presence. It helps me organize my thoughts and feel more prepared. That’s the kind of real-world benefit I want to share.
The biggest win? Several attendees told me afterward they appreciated the practical examples — that they could actually see how these tools would be useful in their day-to-day work.
My belief: AI isn’t about replacing people. It’s about amplifying what we’re already doing. It’s a tool that can feel personal and practical, not intimidating.
Simple Ways to Start Using AI Today
If you’re curious about exploring AI but not sure where to start, here are three small ways to dip your toes in:
- Let it help you choose a gift for a friend.
Just describe their interests or personality. It’s like having a personal shopper with unlimited ideas — and way less pressure! - Try Scribe AI to document an internal process.
It creates step-by-step instructions just by recording your clicks as you go through the motions. It’s a lifesaver for documenting tasks that feel automatic after years of doing them — especially if that knowledge ever needs to shift to someone new. - Use ChatGPT to brainstorm a social post or customer FAQ list for your business.
A simple prompt like "What are five common questions new customers might have about a dog grooming business?" can help get ideas flowing. This is a very simple prompt — and that’s okay. Especially if you’re new to AI, starting simple is a great way to begin.
There’s an art to crafting strong prompts, and I’ll share more on that in future blog articles. For now, this is a great place to start experimenting.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
Curious where AI could support you next? Explore our AI consulting services or just reach out and tell us what you’re wondering about.
We’re ready to jump in, wherever you want to start!
