Need a Speaker?

Are you looking for an enjoyable speaker for your event? I impart real-world, helpful Macintosh, software, and Internet knowledge and skills, while also entertaining and inspiring your audience. I love speaking and welcome travel.

Besides my professional experience, I have a few other experiences that make me unique as a speaker. At 26, I hit the road with a backpack and travelled around much of the world by myself for 3 years. This gave me and undertanding of other places and cultures. For example, in Japan I spent time at TV stations and in Thailand I spent time with government officials. I have also been a substitute school teacher in several areas around Long Beach and Orange County in California. Integrating my travel and life experiences, I became a popular, requested teacher.

Hear Me Right Now • Speaking Experience • Topics • Contact Me

Thanks very much for coming and talking last night.
I've been creating web sites for 10 years, but still learned a lot.
~Bob B, After SBAMUG meeting — March 28, 2007

We very much appreciate the efforts you put into moderating our November panel on Wireless technologies. Your great stories kept things moving right from the moment you entered the room. Thanks again for your help in making this a worthwhile event. I received nothing but compliments on the valuable information and excellent presentations.
W. Roger Lux, President, AITP-LA

First, you'll want to hear how I sound

Here are some of my radio segments. Each opens into a new window and automatically plays.
(The look and feel of this new window is juset temporary.)

Computer News segment** — 9-1-07: Getting top wi-fi speed on all 10.3 & 10.4 Macs.
(You get the gist of the show but parts are edited.)
Computer News with Jeff Levy, every weekend.
Listen to the recording of Deborah Shadovitz speaking about the first 802.11n solution for PowerMacs and the first Intel Core Duos. This was on KNX1070. (2mgs, almost 9 min.)
Computer News segment** — 7-28-07: The Apple iPhone. (1.5mgs, about 10 min.)
Listen to Deborah Shadovitz discuss the iPhone reality after one month.
(You get the full gist of the show but Jeff's call and other bits are edited.)
This aired on knx1070.com every weekend.
Computer Wars* — 4-27-07: What you get out of the box (1.7mg, 6 min - Play
Computer Wars* — 4-13-07: Moving files from Win to Mac (5.7mg, 7 min) - Play
Computer Wars* — 4-6-07: DRM follow-up (Deb told to take a bow), then transferring files to a new computer (2.5mg, 7 min) - Play
Computer Wars* — 3-30-07: Apple and DRM (6mg, 7 min) - Play
Computer Wars* — 3-23-07: Getting to your files (5mg, 6 min) - Play
Computer Wars* — 3-2-07: Wi-fi (7.8mg, 8.5 min) - Play
Computer News segment** — 5-27-07: Interactive discussion with Jeff Levy. An introduction to contextual menus for Mac users, remembering life with one button, and other timely discussion. (8mgs.) - Play
Computer News segment** — 3-31-07: Playing WMF. (4mgs, 5 min.) - Play
(Jeff's call is edited, only open and close is here.)
As guest of Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy on KFI — 4-23-05,
to talk about the MacGathering (4.4 mgs, 5 min.) - Play
As guest of Ric Allan and Doran Barons on KPFK — 4-23-05,
to talk about the MacGathering (3.7 mgs, 4 min.) - Play

*Computer Wars was a regular part of The Nightside Project, on KSL News Radio 102.7, Salt Lake City and environs, every Friday evening.

**Computer News With Jeff Levy is the longest running computer show in Southern California. This was on KNX 1070am. I was a guest every 3 weeks.

Thank you again for your support of WOCMUG.
The audience was so engrossed with your presentation I think they would have stayed until the wee hours. I have had the very positive feedback from everyone I have talked to.
I hope you'll continue your support of our group.

~Lynn Goodrich, Group Leader

People who have the kind of depth of knowledge that Deb possesses are unique as speakers, writers and trainers. Deb's experience as a journalist and author have nurtured her talent for speaking clearly on complex technologies. As a writer, or a speaker, Deb is an exceptional addition to any roster.

~Cliff VanMeter, QuickTiming.org

Some of my topics

Helpful computer-use tips.

I was at your Mac Beginnings sessions and it was a pleasure. You know so much and teach it well — and your voice is so friendly and easy to listen to that I could have stayed all day.
-A man from Northern California during Macworld Expo

Computer Efficiency
Whether you're on Mac or Windows there are some basic things you can do that will boost your productivity.

I penned Mac Efficiency 101 and now write Mac Efficiency™ for OS X and did Mac Efficiency seminars for several years. I also speak of this with computers in general at business meetings.
Efficient Word Processing

We really enjoyed having you on Tuesday. We'd like to have you out again. it seems that the interest is intense.
Dave Luther, Speaker Liaison, American Business Women's Association - Oct 11, 2007
Many of us use a word processor but not correctly. Knowing some basics will save a good deal of time and therefore money.
(In 2007 I even did this without a projector. Each of the 20-30 women approached me to tell me they really learned something and "got" what I was saying about formatting in Word and felt they now knew how to do it.)
How to look good in email
We use email for business correspondence, list participation, job hunting, even to seek our ideal mates. Yet many people actually unwittingly make themselves look bad! Your friends may not realize. Fellow list particpants will just blow you off. And you won't get that job. Make sure you, your employees, your associates are putting their best feet foward in cyberspace.

Website planning and design.

Thank you for your presentation on Web sites at the Mac users group in Redondo Beach the end of last month. Your critique of my web site was especially helpful. I was so inspired, I have spent the last week working on my site. I know there is still room for improvement but I definitely like it better. I look forward to your next presentation.
Thanks again, (Mrs) Chris B.

What you need to know if you're thinking of having a business website (or maybe even one just for yourself).

I've been building websites and writing about building them for as long as the web's been public. Far too many times, people have asked me why their site is not achieving what they need — even when they've paid a "designer" a lot of money.

I don't want to see that happen to more people, so I provide the understanding that can help people who are heading toward sites of their own. I cover basic planning, an understanding of how to get found via search engines, how to build a site that users will want to use, and whatever else comes up.

This seminar is helpful to anyone who is thinking of building a website, especially if they'll planning to hire someone. The audience is certain to learn a lot of stuff that's sure to save them time and money.
Making money with your website.

Dear Deborah,

Thank you so much for taking hours out of your busy schedule to present Making Money With Your Website to our Macintosh user's group. Presenters can oftentimes be hit or miss — and you and Mario Salinas were definitely a hit.

You came with an outline and a handout, you laid out the options and steps in a logical progression, and you intermixed your own experiences as a recent MacGathering organizer and longtime GoLive guru throughout to keep it real and not just theoretical.

The information you provided was invaluable, saving people hundreds of hours and potentially thousands of dollars in setting up their website to generate a little revenue. I hope others will ask you for this presentation -- you're worth every dollar!

Sincerely,
Doan Stafford, Cochair QMUG/LA, October 14, 2003

Speaking Experience

Trade Shows

MacGathering™
Various seminars at Macworld Expo east and west for several years.
Macworld Live, broadcast from Macworld Expo show floor
MacFair LA
Internet World
User Group presentations in various locations, covering many topics

Business Groups

Rotary Club
Business groups
Law firms

Radio

Computer Wars! A live segment of Nightside, Friday nights on KSL 102.7 FM, out of Salt Lake City, Utah from March - May 2007. Deb, the Mac Gal vs PC guru Jeff Levy for Windows. Audio below.
Computer News With Jeff Levy — regular guest every few weeks. Jeff invites me to talk about some aspect of the Mac on this long running computer show that covers almost all of Southern California. KNX 1070am from noon-3 Sat & Sun. Audio available, some below.
MacRadio — The Mac Night Owl LIVE: The Night of Panther
Audio available
Computer Radio — KSKA FM 91.1 in Anchorage, Alaska
Audio available
KFI radio's Karel show, MacDaddy segment

Other

Party hostess
As the creator of the The Party For The People, I hosted this party as part of the Macworld after-hours festivities in 2004, 2005, and 2006. I introduced the event, ran the trivia contest, etc.

In 2007, I retired the original party and co-founded the Mac Mingle, hosting this party.
User Group Meetings
I've played an active role running Mac user groups since 1993, taking part on stage in various roles from doing prize drawings, to playing MC, to Q&A, to being the guest speaker.
World Without Borders chats
Discussions ranged from what it's like to be a writer to how to use the Mac, to software tips.
In-store software demonstrations
Syosset High School program speaker
Provided 1-2 hour presentations about my travels. These presentations supplemented the school's social studies curriculum.
Santa Monica Youth Hostel's Budget Travel Workshops
Real-world travel seminars to inspire others to explore the world, or to help those considering travel.

Hello Deborah,
I was at your Mac Beginnings sessions and wonder if you might allow me to pass on some of your wisdom to my local group. ... It was a pleasure to be there. You know so much and teach it well — and your voice is so friendly and easy to listen to that I could have stayed all day.

-A man from Northern California, January 9, 2002, at Macworld Expo

Deborah is a wonderfully entertaining speaker on all topics. She is chock-full of answers to your questions. You may want to take notes. I'm expecting to pick up some tips myself! We are glad to welcome Deborah back to SBAMUG!

-Dr. Dave Nathanson, SBAMUG President

Your presentation showed us not just your outstanding knowledge of Adobe GoLive, but also your unique insights with the Mac and of course your great sense of humor.

The [Adobe GoLive] demo was just the right length, not too short nor too long. By the member feedback I've received, you left a very good impression on all as well as the software shown.

Once again thanks a bunch. Join us again any time.

-John Bernardo, SBAMUG Treasurer

IMHO, Deb Shadovitz gave us one of our best meetings ever. Even those who never want to create a web page learned enough to understand how a web page "works" and appreciate the value of good web page design.

~Elaine Stannard, SMOG VP and Program Chair

Caught one of Deb's [Macworld Expo] workshops on Friday and thought she was delightful. Thanks for the heads-up, I might have passed her by without the mention. She's also got a great web site.

~ posted to an email list, July 23, 2002

For the complete list of my speaking engagements, please see my Schedule page.

How to contact me to speak

If you'd like to consider having me speak at your event, please send me an email. Let me know what you have in mind, what your resources are, and what you timeframe is. Be sure to provide a URL for your organization. And don't forget to provide your contact information.