What is it about public speaking that makes most of us run for cover? Is it the…
Sweaty palms, stomach butterflies, rapid heartbeat, inability to take a deep breath, dry cotton mouth, or all of the above?
The physical reactions that humans experience when they are asked to stand in front of a crowd are a direct result of the fear we feel of making a fool of ourselves in front of our friends and colleagues. We’ve all been there, right? Nobody wants to look stupid.
Over the last few months, I’ve spoken to senior-level executives and small business owners to find out what their concerns are when it comes to this important business skill.
Senior-level executives are also worried about how their companies will be represented in the future if the staff is unwilling or unable to prepare, present, and professionally interact in public speaking situations.
Many small business owners shared that they’ve tried speaking in the past but had such a horrible experience they are reluctant to “get back on the horse” again. Not knowing how to speak in a public forum is what concerns them the most, despite the fact that they know public speaking skills will give them a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Here are some simple things to keep in mind.
- Know your audience – be keenly aware of whom you are speaking and most importantly, why you are speaking to them.
- Get a handle on the logistics – be prepared to rehearse the event in your mind even before the event happens. Have a “Plan B” ready if crisis strikes, and it will!
- Organize your information – decide what your audience must know about the topic, what they should know, and what is nice to know but is not necessary.
- Be prepared to handle questions and answers – anticipating what your audience might ask by recognizing “what’s in this presentation for me” is the first step in successfully managing this part of any speaking engagement.
Great public speaking skills will set you apart from your competition but superior skills will catapult you to branding yourself as an expert in your field! Get plugged into a seminar or course today!
So, how do you prepare for public speaking events?