I thoroughly agree!
Let's look at what it takes to publish, and present.
1. good title
2. a good abstract, written about five months in advance
3. oh, the paper!
4. designing the advertisement for the paper, the slides
5. the delivery.

We all remember the difference between theory and practice, right?
In Theory, there isn't any!
However, in Practice, it takes a lot!

I was asked to judge papers several years back and was sitting with another SAS-L regular
who is also a successful author and presenter. We were comparing notes at the end of the session and he said: "You don't take prisoners, do you?!" On several lines I had marked zeros.

* more than 7*7 words per slide
* turned back on audience to read slides
* opened a SAS session to show How This Works

A Gentle Reminder: only you and the people on the front row
--- are there any? ---
can read what's on the screen.
From the second row on back it's all 4-point type == Unreadable.

And I wonder why I haven't been invited back to judge!

I was present when a famous SAS press author, whose initials translate to Master,
turned around after reading his 10th slide and found over half his audience had walked out!

I agree with Ms Aanderud:

* buy the new books about presentation goodness; and practice
* get a subscription to http://www.stockphotos.com/; and practice
* get comfortable with the advertising pitch explained on each of your slides.
* and practice, without reading your notes,
until you can deliver your speech three times in the same amount of time.

Ron Fehd SUG author