Public speaking can get you out in front of more people in a very short period of time. Even if you are nervous about speaking in front of a group, see it as a challenge and do it anyway. Always let your list know exactly when and where you will be speaking. This builds your credibility and also gives them the opportunity to meet you in person.
The important thing to remember about speaking is to already have something planned so you can speak on a moment’s notice, to know who your audience is and what they want to know, and to always have a way for the people to connect with you after you have spoken.
Have your signature topic ready at short notice. This is a topic you have prepared in advance and have practiced on multiple occasions. I have a twenty minute speech and presentation that I have now delivered more than thirty times, both at professional events and at local ones. Twice I have been asked to speak with less than an hour’s notice. Both times I was able to speak with poise and authority on my topic.
You will want to have a call to action when you speak. This means that you want the people listening to you to have a reason to connect with you at a later time. The best way is to have something to give away that they would like to have, such as a video, audio, or short report on your topic.
It’s best to have a short, catchy, easy to spell and remember domain name to be able to mention while you are speaking. The audience will write it down while you are speaking. Mention it more than once and tell them what they will receive. Explain that they will need to give you their first name and email address at this site. Most people are accustomed to that procedure by now, so they will not be confused or offended by this.
Knowing who your audience is will also make a difference in how and what you present to them. If my audience is not tech savvy, I give a slightly different version of my presentation to them. I do not water it down; instead, I omit the more technological aspects and include more user friendly aspects of my topic.
The idea is to present my information and to let everyone know who I am and what I can teach them.
Hi Connie, I enjoyed reading your article, it’s insightful and very well explained. I share your thoughts, as a matter of fact, recently I also had my own comprehensive shot at tackling public speaking anxiety, please have a look!
Thank you, Nick