For the novice: A demonstration is about performance as well as science. A little bit of flair and a little bit of personalization will make your demonstration memorable.

Flair can be as simple as donning a lab coat and safety glasses before your demos. (Somehow, a lab coat makes anyone look like an expert.) You don’t need an Einstein wig but you want to communicate that you enjoy what you’re doing. Speak as though you’re really interested in what you are saying (modulate your voice, accentuate the important points, etc.), and look directly at the person you're addressing as much as possible. Pick out the shy kids in a crowd and bring them forward to try the demos. It takes work but it will be fun!

By personalization, I mean that you must tailor what you say and how you say it to the immediate audience. If you’re doing a salt taste test for pre-schoolers, taste the salt first yourself, then make a face. Some will be brave and follow your lead, others will be shy. That’s OK. It’s fun to make Mom or Dad or their teacher try the taste test if their youngsters are shy. Once the taste the rock salt, explain that this is the same stuff we put in a salt shaker and that every time they salt their French fries they’re putting a mineral on their food. At demonstrations for adults you can add in more detailed explanations of the science behind the demo. One important note: don’t assume that adults have seen these all demos before – most people, even many geologists, have never seen tenebrescent, hackmanite or tasted hanksite.

If you are doing a number of demonstrations at a time (such as you might at a trade show or mineral show booth) you should make up signs with a few sentences of explanation. Answer some of the common questions (what is this mineral? what is it used for?). Specimen labels and signs are important. They save your throat at the end of the day because you won’t have to repeat an explanation over and over to each new visitor.

Having an assistant or two can be critical to a successful demo. Work as a team, when one demonstrator is talking, the other can be preparing the next demonstration or talking to another group of visitors.

You also need adequate space: two or three tables minimum at a booth with a back table to keep some supplies out of reach. Don’t get too crowded, especially if you are doing flame tests, using hot plates, or hitting minerals with hammers.

Try to keep your demo table neat, clean and uncluttered. You’ll be surprised how quickly a booth or a classroom can get messed up. When I’m doing salt taste tests, or vermiculite exfoliations, I’m soon up to my elbows in mineral chips and dust. A small portable “Dust-Buster”-type vacuum helps keep the mess under control. When a lull in traffic occurs at your booth, take a moment to vacuum up.

If possible, give away free samples. Even mundane rock samples can look good if put in a small zip-lock baggie with a neatly printed label. Put the name of your company on the labels, too. (Note: the give-aways don’t have to be your own company’s products.)