What we can all learn from Randi Zuckerberg

I’ve just spent the morning looking at video clips of Randi Zuckerberg after Chris Adams raved about what a great person and presenter she is.

I had a vague knowledge that Randi was the sister of Mark Zuckerberg and that she was the Director of Marketing at Facebook. I also knew she was coming to Brisbane for a big summit soon – but I had never seen her in action (either live or on video).

A very quick explanation for you – if you are reading this blog for the first time.

Who is writing this?

I’m Tony Biancotti – an Australian  journalist turned communication consultant and I learn lots from former Hollywood exec and Facebook exec Chris Adams (who now lives in Brisbane). Chris and I catch up every month or so and I capture his views (on business, presenting, pitching etc) on camera. I write the text (my opinion)  in these posts and Chris gives his opinion in the video.

OK back to the post…

Randi with brother Mark

After Chris’s glowing recommendation of her (in clip below) I was curious to see Randi in action – and so I’ve been busy studying scores of clips of her presenting, being interviewed and even performing as a singer!

Randi is coming to Brisbane to present at the 21st Century Financial Education Summit – which runs from September 15-17.

Chris worked with Randi on The Facebook Diaries – so when he says we can learn a lot  from her, he has first-hand experience.

A couple of things you can easily borrow from Randi

I’ve studied her style in some clips that follow. I encourage you to watch her in the clips and borrow two of her techniques:

  1. Randi’s delivery is very measured and easy to listen to.  It’s not just what she has to say – it’s how she say it. Her brother Mark has a fast and rapid-fire delivery that could tend towards fast “mumbling” – Randi’s style is very measured and she enunciates her words so clearly.
  2. Randi has a great sense of  “audience”. In an interview aimed at college students, she chooses examples and language that suit her college audience. In another clip in an Australian media interview, it seems she has “done her homework” being able to cite appropriate Australian examples.

Here’s Chris on what we can learn from Randi Zuckerberg. Even if you can’t get to see Randi present in person, you can learn lots (as I did) from watching her on-line! Chris is a seasoned conference speaker in his own right – but even he gets better by studying and learning from speakers he admires – including Randi.

As Chris says – Randi is a “hardcore expert” AND she has this very accessible, warm and human style. You can judge for yourself in the clips that follow.

Some links to where you can see Randi in action

There are scores of clips on youtube of Randi in action – presenting and being interviewed. Here are links to 3.

1. This is a link to an interview where Randi’s ultimate audience is college students – see how she delivers in a style suitable for that audience.

2. This is a link to an Australian media interview – for those interested in the Australian angle of her work. It’s a good interview!

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3. This last link is to an older presentation (2010) on creativity.

Thanks Chris for your recommendation that I study and learn from Randi! It was time well spent.

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