Marion's Communication Tips

Public Speaking for Chickens

Want to know a secret that will catapult your career or business? Learn how to speak in public.

Picture yourself managing a project. Your boss asks you to give an update at the staff meeting, or higher yet, at a board of directors meeting. This is your big chance. Or maybe you own a biz and you've been asked to speak to an audience chockablock full of potential clients. Wow, what an opportunity! The only thing between you and you having amazing impact on your biz, is your fear of public speaking.

"Give presentations" is one of the proven tips I share in my "Raising your profile (and adding value) in the Workplace" session. Presenting in front of clients, colleagues, bosses and employees positions you as the pro you are. When delivered with finesse and polish, public speaking shouts volumes of your professionalism ... and it shines the spotlight squarely on YOU and your expertise.

TIP: Give presentations to raise your profile (and add value) in the workplace. 

I received an email recently from a woman in Michigan. She was interested in learning how to quell her fear of public speaking. She was smart because, as a small biz owner, she recognized the benefits of giving presentations to groups, conferences and venues that gathered her target audience. What was stopping her was her fear. She's not alone.

Do you ever suffer from cottonmouth, sweaty palms and shortness of breath when you stand in front of a group and speak? If you don't, wait - it’ll happen at some point, and when it does, here’s a few tips to keep your fears in check and face your chicken within:

Tips to tame the chicken within before you do a presentation:

• Meet and Greet: Nothing calms nerves like getting to chat with as many audience members in advance as you can. Then, when you deliver your speech or presentation, you’re not talking to a group of strangers – you’re talking to individuals you’ve already met.
• No one wants to hear a lousy speech: Tell yourself that every single person in that audience wants to be wowed (who wouldn’t?). Their mindset is already on your side. They’re cheering for you.
• Serve your audience: Believe that your message is valuable to your audience, that you are imparting information they need to know or from which they will benefit. It’s all about service.

You have limited energy, so decide where you want to spend it.

If you let it all leak out through nerves, you'll have very little energy left to give your audience. Instead, consciously channel it to serve your audience and to get your message across. You are simply a vehicle for that message. If you're nervous about speaking in public, focus your mind and energies away from yourself and turn to the needs of your audience. What information do you have that someone else needs? Figure that out and how you can provide what they're looking for, and you're halfway there.

Face your chicken within, learn how to public speak and prepare to see your career and biz fly high.

Until next time, here's to ...
Better communication, Better business, Better life,
Marion Grobb Finkelstein
COMMUNICATION CATALYST
Keynote Speaker / Corporate Trainer / Author
www.MarionSpeaks.com
Marion@MarionSpeaks.com
www.facebook.com/MarionSpeaks  

PS: Are you planning a conference, employee gathering or management retreat and looking for presenters? I'd love to submit a proposal for your consideration. Please contact me Marion@MarionSpeaks.com