What do you do if your confidence in public speaking is holding you back as an E-Learning professional?

Often I hear people saying public speaking is worse than death itself. Fear not! Here's a roadmap to boost your confidence, 1. Understand your fear 2. Knowledge is power i.e. mastering your e-learning topic. 3. Practice makes progress by rehearsing your presentation out loud. 4. Embrace positive visualization by imagining yourself delivering a successful presentation. 5. Focus on the audience by thinking of the value you're bringing to them. 6. Seek support & training e.g. consider joining public speaking clubs like Toastmasters, where you can practice in a safe & supportive environment. 7. Start small & build momentum e.g. volunteer for shorter presentations. 8. Celebrate victories by acknowledging your progress no matter how small.

Keep in mind that everyone experiences nerves about public speaking to varying degrees, whether they admit it or not. Acknowledging your fear is the initial step, recognizing that others are likely aware of it too. If you're anxious about public speaking, practice is key. The solution, as many know, is to engage in more public speaking opportunities to improve.

Public speaking can begin with small steps, such as participating in video calls with small groups or joining audio only calls right here on LinkedIn. You don't have to host these calls; simply joining them and gradually building confidence is key. Start by raising your hand and asking questions. Prepare your questions in advance and take your time. Starting with audio calls, where there's no video, can be a great initial step toward overcoming nerves about public speaking.

When you are first starting out, talk about things you are an expert in. When you know the content, it is easier to be more confident.

Encouraging audience questions is an excellent way to engage them. Speak a little less and allow the audience to contribute context. Prepare some questions in advance, using simple question words like who, what, when, where, why, and how. Additionally, have some phrases ready to facilitate interaction and keep the conversation flowing smoothly.

Don't feel like you have to drag the participants along with you. Turn it over to them. When a question is asked, acknowledge there is a lot of great knowledge and experience in the room. Ask the participants their thoughts on the question. This will engage your audience, give you a little break, and make it more fun for everyone.

One of the best aspects of our current time is the abundance of live events hosted by content creators and educators. Begin by joining these events and listening to topics that interest you. As you gain confidence, start asking questions related to the topics discussed. Eventually, consider hosting your own events or co-hosting with others. The key is to take action and address any fears by gradually stepping out of your comfort zone.

The fear of public speaking can be crippling, especially for non-native English speakers. I can relate, as I've had to deliver presentations in Spanish here in Mexico, which is not my native language. The fear of making mistakes can hold you back, especially in crucial meetings. Remember, many listeners may also speak another language, and you're often your harshest critic. Practice is key, and with time and effort, improvement is inevitable.

Acknowledge the Issue: Recognize that public speaking anxiety is common and can be overcome with practice and perseverance. Seek Professional Development: Enroll in public speaking courses or workshops tailored for professionals. Practice Regularly: Start small by presenting to friends or family, then progress to colleagues or online communities. Consistent practice builds confidence. Utilize E-Learning Resources: Leverage online platforms offering public speaking modules. TED Talks, Toastmasters, or YouTube tutorials provide valuable insights and techniques. Visualize Success: Before presentations, visualize yourself delivering with confidence. Positive mental imagery can alleviate anxiety and enhance performance.

??Mirror was my best friend during the initial days! ??I don't say I was doing really great with all those opportunities I grabbed! There are days where I went mute with no words??, days when I was making no sense on the topic??, but none of these should hold you back or let you down from the next opportunity. ?? Practice makes one perfect! You get to practice only when you participate in the opportunities coming your way ??So make it a practice to take up any assignment you can and start speaking.. it is completely alright if you are wrong or making no sense or afraid of crowd or anything it might be! Anybody who judge you would have faced this phase at some point of their life. You'll be in their position some day in future??

To be honest, you need to put in the work and get better at public speaking, especially in the current corporate landscape. It’s definitely achievable with minor tweaks to your weekly tasks. So don’t fret! Start small. Speak up during team meetings and don’t shy from voicing your opinions. Once you’re comfortable doing that, participate in webinars and group sessions within the company on external/internal topics and actively contribute to the topics by unmuting yourself during the Q&A rounds. Then, volunteer to conduct sessions on topics of your expertise so that your confidence is boosted. Set a weekly time in your calendar to reflect on your progress. Once you nail this, apply the same to eLearning projects.