Many folks speak just fine in a group of five or six people, but put them in front of the room and they freeze. I know how it is because I was that way when.
It was a long time ago, and I was learning how to teach first aid at The American Red Cross. Wow, was it hard. My first time up in front I just stood there and shook. So, please understand, when I say this is good for your business, right now for you it's like taking medicine, tastes terrible but does good things in the end.
If you want to get better at this here are a couple things you can do.
- Join Toastmasters. Where ever you are there's bound to be a chapter near you. There you can get better at this with others who were just as scared as you are when they started.
- Do more networking, and when it's your turn to speak stand up. Just the practice of standing in front of a group, no matter how small, will increase your confidence. Make no mistake, this is all about confidence. When you've done this for awhile, you will wonder what you were ever afraid of. Practice really does make perfect.
- Work with someone who is a good speaker and share presentation duties. You might present a short portion of the program, greet people as they arrive, or introduce your partner.
- Just do whatever you can to speak just a little bit once a week, or once per month.
These techniques can work for you. Soon you will be speaking and making presentations with poise and confidence. There is nothing more attractive in a speaker than self confidence and you, my friend, will soon have plenty of that. Yes you will.
Please click the title of this post and let me hear from you. Your comments are most welcome.
Be well. happy holidays.
