How can entrepreneurs overcome their fear of public speaking?

Find the right "first experience" ???? The right people, and a smaller audience first. Just to get started. No script, talk about something easy for you. That you know inside out. Use prompts if needed. Hold cards in your hands. No one will care. Anyone who wants to do public speaking but are just too scared, usually will have a story to tell. People want to hear, solutions to problems, life changing experiences and something positive or even crazy. My fave kind of people are those who can be themselves, have a laugh and never take themselves too seriously. That's the audience I want. You can do this on stage too. I did. I NEVER thought I'd do it but feel the fear and do it anyway!!!

Be prepared. Know the initial 2 minutes by heart. Practice your flow. Engage the audience. Focus on your knowledge more than filled slides . Once you know your stuff, everything else becomes easier

Know your product to the core. Study your audience well. Involve audience. Use limited slides. Memorise the initial 2 minutes. Enunciate . Practice . Speak like a trainer

Think of public speaking not as a daunting task but as a powerful tool to share your vision, influence others, and open doors for your startup. It's a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice. Start small, perhaps by speaking at local community events or hosting workshops. This not only builds your confidence but also puts your startup in the spotlight, creating a buzz in the right circles. In the digital age, your voice can travel further than ever before. Online webinars, podcasts, and virtual conferences are not just platforms to conquer your fear of public speaking; they are goldmines for networking and collaboration. Every speech or presentation is an opportunity to showcase your startup's expertise and values.

Public speaking is a popular fear, but also a crucial skill for entrepreneurs. In my experience, these are some practical tips: - Know your presentation inside out - Practice in front of a mirror and film yourself - Get creative with imagery - Include only one idea per slide, keep it simple & clean - Connect with the audience beforehand (for example on LinkedIn ;-) or introduce yourself once you arrive at the venue - Use breathing techniques, drink water before you go on stage And most importantly: the audience is on your side! Don't think of them as your enemy but as your friend. They want to see you succeed on stage!

I remember first ever speech of my life in school days. I was helped by a mentor to write it down and then was asked to memorise it, word by word. I did that reading it aloud and practicing many times. Mentor helped me to adopt speaking speed (words per minute), tone, body language, etc. I went to podium sweating and pounding heart and started speech. In half way, I forgot rest and just ended. Students clapped as they had no idea of length of my speech and I escaped big embarrassment. Initial speeches I memorised and practiced word to word. Then I gradually reached to a level where I’d carry notes, bullet points, and then make my speech from these points. So deliberate practice - improving slightly with every talk - is a key.

In my experience, preparation and practice are the bedrock of success in any endeavor. These two elements form a virtuous cycle where preparation lays the groundwork for effective practice, and practice, in turn, informs better preparation. This cycle elevates skills, boosts confidence, and ensures that when opportunities arise, you're ready to seize them with competence and grace. Whether it's delivering a pitch, launching a product, or entering a competitive market, the rigorous application of preparation and practice differentiates the outstanding from the merely good. They are the silent partners in the narrative of every great achievement, often overlooked but always essential.

Preparation and practice will always give a confidence in your delivery. Rehearsal by making notes and scripts will add further value and keep your delivery focused, and you will be able to keep audience engaged.

I have trained a large set of PhD students and public speech is a key part of the role. Some students (very few) can do it from day one. Most require intensive practice to get to the point where they can do it. I find practicing with increasing size audiences is the trick. I teach my students to practice by themselves, but the trick here is to talk out loud as if they were in a large auditorium. Then practice presenting to a tiny group (2 or 3) but sit them as far away from you as possible. Practice using your voice, and the distance to the audience. Do it for low-importance, low-consequence events regularly, and it will become a normal activity.

Let me give you an example of what it means to be prepared. If you use PowerPoint, you should be able to do your entire program without it. Many times in my career the projector has broken right before I'm about to give a keynote or training program. If you can't deliver the speech superbly without the PowerPoint, you should not be up there. Same goes for workbooks. If you get to the venue and the workbooks are not there, you have to be able to deliver the program without them. It will be extremely difficult. But you can't just cancel the training because you can't deliver the class without the workbook. You have to give them some sort of value. I know this is a high bar, but you must be able to get over it.

Mindset, mindset, mindset before you utter the first word. Having coached hundreds of people around nerves and public speaking, the core strategy is to reprogram the scripts running in their head, the judgements and what is often projected onto an audience. Nerves are a coping mechanism from earlier experiences - fight/flight. They never support the speaker.. so root it out, dig it out, name it, reframe the meaning of speaking in public, run a better story in the head and watch those nerves dissipate! I figured it out and taught it to hundreds of people using NLP. Without this step, no breathing, relaxation techniques will support a speaker as much. Change the story, change the speaking experience. Tried and tested!

Instead of viewing public speaking as a daunting task, see it as an opportunity to share your passion and insights. Remember, your audience is there to listen to you because they believe you have something valuable to say. Embrace this chance to make an impact. Looking ahead, I see public speaking becoming an even more integral part of the entrepreneurial journey. In a world where personal branding and thought leadership are increasingly important, being able to effectively communicate your ideas is crucial.

The only way to really overcome the fear is to feel the fear. You do not outwork a fear or talk it away, you feel through it so that it can be released.

Nerves are energy and that means it can be reframed. Telling yourself that the energy you feel is because you’re excited for the opportunity turns it from a negative to a positive. Now the energy helps instead of hurts.

One of the most common fears that people have is public speaking. But public speaking is also a valuable skill that can help you advance your career, communicate your ideas, and influence others. That is why I am passionate about helping people overcome their fear of public speaking and become more confident and effective speakers. One of the ways I do this is by organizing and hosting events where people can practice their public speaking skills in a supportive and friendly environment. These events help people manage their nerves, improve delivery, and get feedback from other speakers and experts. I also share tips and techniques on how to prepare, structure, and present a speech that engages and persuades the audience.

I spend time with the audience before the speech. If possible, I find someone I can connect with days before. Get to know them and then you will have both someone to 'talk' with, in the audience and likely stories to weave into your presentation that the audience can relate to.

I like to start my presentations with a few icebreaker questions. I usually ask simple questions that everyone can answer. For example, I might ask, 'How many of you have at least 0.5 FTE dedicated to pricing in your organization? Please raise your hand.' This helps create a sense of community among the audience members who are in similar situations. It also gives me insight into how experienced my audience is with the topic. It's a win-win: the audience gets engaged, and I understand how in-depth I should go with my presentation

I’ll speak to some of the audience in the front rows or along the aisle. A simple introduction helps ease my nerves by reminding me that most of the audience is rooting for you. It also helps break the ice to get them to ask questions. “Anything in particular you’re hoping to take away from the dialogue today?”

Don’t overthink it. Your audience wants you to do well and enjoy what you have to say. You wouldn’t have been invited to speak otherwise! In my experience the best public speakers bare their souls showing us who they are. The truth frees you up to be emotional, powerful and funny. Humour above everything will make you memorable as it’s the one thing that connects us all as humans.

I've found that putting myself in the audience's shoes greatly reduces my jitters. The audience is there to learn something, experience something, be inspired by something. This takes the pressure off me as a presenter and places it on the content. The content is something that I naturally have a mastery of (aren't we all the experts of the content we are there to present?). Since I have a passion for the topic, and because the audience is hungry for it, I've found it easier to connect with and tune into the audience. I've used pregnant pauses, asked general group questions, changed the cadence of my voice, and dove deeper into areas that seem to resonate more with the audience and I've found it gets easier with practice.

Learning from feedback in public speaking is important for entrepreneurs. Feedback offers valuable insights into how your message is received, helping you fine-tune your communication style and content. It allows you to adapt to your audience's preferences and needs, making your presentations more effective and impactful. As an entrepreneur, constant improvement and feedback is a direct path to growth. It helps you build credibility and trust by addressing any areas of improvement.

In my experience the best way is to: Rehearse before a mirror. Ask , someone to video graph you and then replay to see where you fumbled. Make a note of your body language and whether you are fidgeting and getting nervous in the video. Practise, practice till you feel you are perfect. Finally go and speak with full confidence by making eye contact. If required initially ,you can hold the lectern to steady your nerves . Please feel free to add . #ASmusings

Absolutely, feedback is a valuable tool in mastering public speaking. It's like having a mirror that reflects not just your image but your progress and areas for growth. But remember, it's also important to not be overly critical of yourself. I find that balancing feedback with self-compassion is key. Appreciate your efforts and the journey you're on. Sometimes, the harshest critic can be yourself, so learn to acknowledge your strides and use feedback as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block!

In my knowing embracing feedback is key to mastering public speaking. It's a tool that helps pinpoint areas of strength and those needing improvement. Constructive criticism, whether from peers, mentors, or self-review, is invaluable for growth. It boosts confidence and hones skills. Remember, feedback is not just about finding faults; it's about recognizing achievements and setting the stage for continuous learning and improvement. Always listen, reflect, and evolve

Treat Talks Like MVPs ?? View your audience as beta testers of your 'speech product.' ?? Ask for targeted, constructive feedback—think of it as user reviews. ?? Reflect on comments; identify trends to refine your next version. ?? Review recordings to spot strengths & weaknesses. ? Celebrate what works, tweak what doesn't. ?? Embrace feedback loops for continual improvement—turn anxiety into action!

One thing I found extremely helpful is to start small and low risk. Instead of signing up for the next TEDx talk, perhaps grab your favorite book of poetry and read aloud 1 poem at a local open mic. Assess the experience and challenge yourself a bit more with your next speaking opportunity.

A great way to gain experience in a safe and friendly environment is to join Toastmasters. It's a global not-for-profit organisation with thousands of local clubs around the world. Just Google "Toastmasters club near me", reach out to them and go along to the next meeting. Check them out - they are the experts in teaching public speaking and leadership skills.

Actively seeking opportunities is essential for conquering public speaking fears. Volunteering for speaking engagements, no matter how small, provides practical experience. Participate in workshops or courses; they offer a safe space to hone your skills and receive feedback. Joining a public speaking club, like Toastmasters, can be immensely beneficial. It not only gives you a platform to practice regularly but also connects you with a community of speakers from whom you can learn. Remember, each opportunity, whether a success or a challenge, is a step forward in your journey to becoming a confident and effective public speaker.

Preparation and practice are your best friends when you want to be a more confident speaker and presenter. Seeking opportunities to speak is a great way to get that practice under your belt. If you're very anxious about it, start small — go to networking meetings where you need to give your elevator pitch at the beginning. Then, as you get more comfortable, volunteer to give a lesson on something about your product or service. If you can reframe speaking as teaching, it might make it feel more natural or authentic.

The greatest tool for conquering public speaking fears isn’t found in a book, it's found in action. The key is simply to begin—step up and speak out. With each word you voice, confidence grows and fear shrinks. Dive in and let experience be your guide!

>Say YES to opportunities - the more you live on the edge of your capabilities, the more they become core capabilities >Work with a COACH - share the fear with someone who can give you confidence and help you succeed >Keep it SIMPLE - focus on the 3 things you want to say. You can remember 3 things, and the audience won’t remember more than 3 things

If you have never done it, it's going to be overwhelming. So don't wait till you get a BIG break. Speak to a small group first. Pick a topic that you're familiar and passionate about. For example, it can be about a childhood hobby that taught you a life lesson. Slowly increase the size of the group. No one starts by being a great speaker from day one. Take a long term view.

CHILL its a pitch you are not begging for your life Look at is as a talk with your parent about getting something you need and make it fun

Join Blue Nile or Jupiter Toastmasters to learn public speaking skills. They meet regularly and provide a friendly environment for practicing public speaking in a constructive and encouraging way.

Years ago, I was fearful of public speaking and to be honest, I still get nervous to this day. But it is a different type of nerve now...it's not about being on stage, it is about wanting to always do my best. One thing that I always try to remember is that I have an opinion that I am able to share. I also know that not everyone will like what I say, or my style and that is ok. Be confident with your thoughts and your nerves will lessen so you can focus more on your message.