The “Why,” The Fear, and 6 of My Best Tips to Be a Smashing Success As a Professional Speaker

From an outsider’s perspective, you’re new to public speaking. But underneath that outside shell,?you were born for this.?You, my friend, will thrive in this industry because you have something exceptional to say. You have knowledge to share. You started at the beginning, trudged through the messy middle, powered through when others were raising white flags, and came out on the other side standing tall.

And now you have a passion for sharing your insights with others.

I regularly work with speakers in my?coaching academy , and one of the first questions I ask every new client is “What made you want to become a public speaker?” Although I get many different answers, they all share a common denominator?…?the desire to help people.

We also like to chat about visiting exotic places, the interesting people you meet, and the perks of frequent flyer miles — but we’ll save that for another day.

Speakers are the ultimate?givers?of this world.?You?are becoming an ultimate giver of this world. A desire to educate, a mission to uplift people, a calling to share something exceptional — these are just a few qualities of every great public speaker. Utilize your unique qualities and don’t just show up…?show out!

Hold tight to your “why.” If you’re passionate about helping others and leaving your mark on this world — that’s hard to hide. And when you’re working from a place that is rooted deep within you, it’ll guide you through?all the feels?that come with this wild but exciting and rewarding rollercoaster of a ride.

A Fear of Public Speaking is Common and Here’s?Why

First of all, if you don’t have an award-winning story of how your class presentation is?still?one of your top ten most embarrassing moments, kudos to you.

And I think we could all swap stories about that?one?wedding reception speech that undoubtedly stole the show (don’t lie–you recorded it).

Glossophobia, or a fear of public speaking, is a common phobia. And it is believed to affect up to 75% of the population. While some individuals may feel a slight nervousness at the very thought of public speaking, others experience full-on panic and fear.

Now… your fear might not come from a place as gruesome as this, but it’s still something you face when you’re just getting started. Just know that even a small amount of nervousness is inevitable — even when you’re well into your journey. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it all wrong or you’re not cut out for it. You’re human. It’s normal. And you’re still?rockin’ it!

Some of the most common fears associated with public speaking include:

• Self-doubt
• A tough crowd
• A fear of the unknown (something unexpected might happen)
• Imposter syndrome
• Technical difficulties?(even the clicker!)

There’s no denying that overanalyzing the small details is one of the quickest ways to have you second-guessing yourself. And thinking of things that could?potentially?go wrong easily sends you into a spiral. Combine these with worrying your jokes aren’t funny enough or that pesky imposter syndrome and well… you walk on stage with your boots shaking. There — I said it.

But hear me out. This is a?mindset — as much as you may think it’s reality. When you’re new to the world of speaking, you want every detail of your presentation (and yourself) to be on point. You simply want to succeed. And hey — there’s nothing wrong with that!

The key is making sure that this altered mindset doesn’t hold you back or slide in the way of you believing in yourself. Because the?reality?is that you’ve already won the race worth talking about.?Remember why you’re here??You’ve already done the work. You’ve already come out on top — now it’s time to talk about it.

Even If You Have Extreme Anxiety With Public Speaking — Start Small. You Still Have A Story To?Tell.

Yep. Even the sweaty palms and rapid heartbeat kind of anxiety. Or maybe it’s more of a paralyzing panic and overwhelming fear.

I’ll say it again. It’s a?mindset.?Even the best speakers actively work on sharpening their presentation skills. And sometimes, starting small is?the exact?method it takes to get you from newbie to the next Tedx Speaker.

So what do I mean by starting small? Webinars are a fantastic place to start if you need a little extra nudge warming up to a crowd. If being in front of a live audience initially creates public speaking anxiety, start out behind the screen and in front of a camera. (YES — turn your camera on!)

Here’s a fact: The value or level of impact you bring to your presentation doesn’t depend on your physical location.

You can pack the same punch online just as you can in person. I started to research some handy stats to back this up, but I’ll keep it short — 2020.

Showing up IRL (isn’t that what the cool kids say these days?) bears a lot of benefits. But webinars are no different! Think about it. You might be reaching a larger audience than you would with an in-person event. No geographical barrier stops someone from logging onto their computer in their comfy clothes to hear what you have to say.

Generating new leads is still on the table. When somebody signs up for your webinar, their interest automatically places them into the?“high-quality lead”?portion of your audience. Structure your presentation to prompt more information from your attendees. You can use chats, polls, or Q&A’s to familiarize yourself with their needs.

However you choose to start small, just remember?you’re still making an impact.?And whether you realize it or not, you’re impacting yourself as well. These initial steps plant those seeds of confidence. Actively working to power through your fears allows you to grow into broader environments. And in due time you’re scoping out the?big stage?prior to your presentation.

And speaking of confidence — I know a thing or two. Grab your notebook and your favorite pen.

Six Public Speaking Tips To Highlight Your Confidence

I have a?plethora of tips ?to share with you. But for the purpose of this article, I’ve pulled my top six to help you show up as your best self and?own the mic ?like the pro you are.

1. Provide the?“Why”?from the very beginning.?Grab their attention from the start by telling them?why?what you have to say is important. Their time is valuable. Tell them what they get when they listen to you and you’ll have them all ears instead of jotting down their to-do list.
2. Reduce your use of fillers.?Umm. So. Well. You know.?Those words!?They’re a crutch when you’re transitioning between different aspects of your speech. Slip one in every now and then so that you’re still a human being, but don’t lose your audience’s interest (or worse, your credibility) by heavily relying on them.?Bonus tip: When you feel one of these fillers coming on, just pause, and say nothing. It adds effect.
3. Use your gestures with intention:?When your body language is aligned with what you say — it showcases your passion for the topic you’re speaking on. Remember, this applies to both live and virtual presentations.?Bonus tip: Avoid rubbing your hands together, having a stiff posture, or appearing uncomfortable. This can seem as if you’re uninterested or lacking confidence.
4. Practice those key phrases:?Your goal is to resonate with your audience with keywords and phrases. Use your tone to add emphasis. Give your audience something to remember every time they hear?___________.
5. Watch your speed:?You’re not an auctioneer and you’re not Flash from?Zootopia. There’s a sweet spot — you just have to find it.?RSVP?is an?excellent method ?I put together for checking your speed.
6. Direct the attention of your audience:?And do it regularly. Here’s the deal — your entire audience isn’t going to listen to?every single word?for the whole duration of your speech. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s the truth. Get creative and say something to spark their attention. Some examples are “You’re going to love this one…” or “Grab your pen because you’re going to want to write this down…” This guides your audience in the right direction.

When you’re starting out, it seems as if everyone knows the secrets to an impactful presentation but aren’t sharing anything beyond general advice. Spoiler alert:?I spill the beans!?If you’re ready for 1-on-1 presentation skills coaching and to learn the secrets of the most confident communicators,?click here ?to learn what it’s all about.

Subscribe to my podcast?Own the Microphone ?and join us every Thursday. Get valuable insights from other professional speakers and communication experts to help guide you on?your?journey.

Bottom line — you were born for this! Every speech will be a different experience. The temperature of your audience will change with each presentation. That’s the nature of the game. But you grow from each and every one — and that’s the beauty of it!

Click?HERE ?to check her availability and to book Bridgett. It will be the best time you have ever spent in search of a motivational speaker. Guaranteed!

Becoming A Public Speaker: The “Why,” The Fear, and My 6 Greatest Tips For?Success

From an outsider’s perspective, you’re new to public speaking. But underneath that outside shell,?you were born for this.?You, my friend, will thrive in this industry because you have something exceptional to say. You have knowledge to share. You started at the beginning, trudged through the messy middle, powered through when others were raising white flags, and came out on the other side standing tall.

And now you have a passion for sharing your insights with others.

I regularly work with speakers in my?coaching academy , and one of the first questions I ask every new client is “What made you want to become a public speaker?” Although I get many different answers, they all share a common denominator?…?the desire to help people.

We also like to chat about visiting exotic places, the interesting people you meet, and the perks of frequent flyer miles — but we’ll save that for another day.

Speakers are the ultimate?givers?of this world.?You?are becoming an ultimate giver of this world. A desire to educate, a mission to uplift people, a calling to share something exceptional — these are just a few qualities of every great public speaker. Utilize your unique qualities and don’t just show up…?show out!

Hold tight to your “why.” If you’re passionate about helping others and leaving your mark on this world — that’s hard to hide. And when you’re working from a place that is rooted deep within you, it’ll guide you through?all the feels?that come with this wild but exciting and rewarding rollercoaster of a ride.

A Fear of Public Speaking is Common and Here’s?Why

First of all, if you don’t have an award-winning story of how your class presentation is?still?one of your top ten most embarrassing moments, kudos to you.

And I think we could all swap stories about that?one?wedding reception speech that undoubtedly stole the show (don’t lie–you recorded it).

Glossophobia, or a fear of public speaking, is a common phobia. And it is believed to affect up to 75% of the population. While some individuals may feel a slight nervousness at the very thought of public speaking, others experience full-on panic and fear.

Now… your fear might not come from a place as gruesome as this, but it’s still something you face when you’re just getting started. Just know that even a small amount of nervousness is inevitable — even when you’re well into your journey. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it all wrong or you’re not cut out for it. You’re human. It’s normal. And you’re still?rockin’ it!

Some of the most common fears associated with public speaking include:

• Self-doubt
• A tough crowd
• A fear of the unknown (something unexpected might happen)
• Imposter syndrome
• Technical difficulties?(even the clicker!)

There’s no denying that overanalyzing the small details is one of the quickest ways to have you second-guessing yourself. And thinking of things that could?potentially?go wrong easily sends you into a spiral. Combine these with worrying your jokes aren’t funny enough or that pesky imposter syndrome and well… you walk on stage with your boots shaking. There — I said it.

But hear me out. This is a?mindset — as much as you may think it’s reality. When you’re new to the world of speaking, you want every detail of your presentation (and yourself) to be on point. You simply want to succeed. And hey — there’s nothing wrong with that!

The key is making sure that this altered mindset doesn’t hold you back or slide in the way of you believing in yourself. Because the?reality?is that you’ve already won the race worth talking about.?Remember why you’re here??You’ve already done the work. You’ve already come out on top — now it’s time to talk about it.

Even If You Have Extreme Anxiety With Public Speaking — Start Small. You Still Have A Story To?Tell.

Yep. Even the sweaty palms and rapid heartbeat kind of anxiety. Or maybe it’s more of a paralyzing panic and overwhelming fear.

I’ll say it again. It’s a?mindset.?Even the best speakers actively work on sharpening their presentation skills. And sometimes, starting small is?the exact?method it takes to get you from newbie to the next Tedx Speaker.

So what do I mean by starting small? Webinars are a fantastic place to start if you need a little extra nudge warming up to a crowd. If being in front of a live audience initially creates public speaking anxiety, start out behind the screen and in front of a camera. (YES — turn your camera on!)

Here’s a fact: The value or level of impact you bring to your presentation doesn’t depend on your physical location.

You can pack the same punch online just as you can in person. I started to research some handy stats to back this up, but I’ll keep it short — 2020.

Showing up IRL (isn’t that what the cool kids say these days?) bears a lot of benefits. But webinars are no different! Think about it. You might be reaching a larger audience than you would with an in-person event. No geographical barrier stops someone from logging onto their computer in their comfy clothes to hear what you have to say.

Generating new leads is still on the table. When somebody signs up for your webinar, their interest automatically places them into the?“high-quality lead”?portion of your audience. Structure your presentation to prompt more information from your attendees. You can use chats, polls, or Q&A’s to familiarize yourself with their needs.

However you choose to start small, just remember?you’re still making an impact.?And whether you realize it or not, you’re impacting yourself as well. These initial steps plant those seeds of confidence. Actively working to power through your fears allows you to grow into broader environments. And in due time you’re scoping out the?big stage?prior to your presentation.

And speaking of confidence — I know a thing or two. Grab your notebook and your favorite pen.

Six Public Speaking Tips To Highlight Your Confidence

I have a?plethora of tips ?to share with you. But for the purpose of this article, I’ve pulled my top six to help you show up as your best self and?own the mic ?like the pro you are.

1. Provide the?“Why”?from the very beginning.?Grab their attention from the start by telling them?why?what you have to say is important. Their time is valuable. Tell them what they get when they listen to you and you’ll have them all ears instead of jotting down their to-do list.
2. Reduce your use of fillers.?Umm. So. Well. You know.?Those words!?They’re a crutch when you’re transitioning between different aspects of your speech. Slip one in every now and then so that you’re still a human being, but don’t lose your audience’s interest (or worse, your credibility) by heavily relying on them.?Bonus tip: When you feel one of these fillers coming on, just pause, and say nothing. It adds effect.
3. Use your gestures with intention:?When your body language is aligned with what you say — it showcases your passion for the topic you’re speaking on. Remember, this applies to both live and virtual presentations.?Bonus tip: Avoid rubbing your hands together, having a stiff posture, or appearing uncomfortable. This can seem as if you’re uninterested or lacking confidence.
4. Practice those key phrases:?Your goal is to resonate with your audience with keywords and phrases. Use your tone to add emphasis. Give your audience something to remember every time they hear?___________.
5. Watch your speed:?You’re not an auctioneer and you’re not Flash from?Zootopia. There’s a sweet spot — you just have to find it.?RSVP?is an?excellent method ?I put together for checking your speed.
6. Direct the attention of your audience:?And do it regularly. Here’s the deal — your entire audience isn’t going to listen to?every single word?for the whole duration of your speech. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s the truth. Get creative and say something to spark their attention. Some examples are “You’re going to love this one…” or “Grab your pen because you’re going to want to write this down…” This guides your audience in the right direction.

When you’re starting out, it seems as if everyone knows the secrets to an impactful presentation but aren’t sharing anything beyond general advice. Spoiler alert:?I spill the beans!?If you’re ready for 1-on-1 presentation skills coaching and to learn the secrets of the most confident communicators,?click here ?to learn what it’s all about.

Subscribe to my podcast?Own the Microphone ?and join us every Thursday. Get valuable insights from other professional speakers and communication experts to help guide you on?your?journey.

Bottom line — you were born for this! Every speech will be a different experience. The temperature of your audience will change with each presentation. That’s the nature of the game. But you grow from each and every one — and that’s the beauty of it!

Learn more ways to improve your presentation and communication skills by subscribing and listening to?Own the Microphone ?podcast. You will get real strategies from Bridgett McGowen and her guests on how to own the microphone and deliver a message people love.?

Visit?Amazon ,?Barnes and Noble , or wherever you like to purchase your books to order a copy of?Real Talk: What Other Experts Won't Tell You About How to Make Presentations That Sizzle, 2e?for all of the presentation skills strategies that Bridgett uses.

Visit?BridgettMcGowen.com ?for more resources and services built on Bridgett’s more than two decades of experience as a professional speaker.?

If you are ready to share your message on a larger stage,?BMcTALKS Press ?is ready to make your dream of becoming a published author a reality.