Lately, I've had some major problem at public speaking gigs I've been giving. Now that giving presentations to groups about my business is routine, I've come to realize that I'm getting into some bad habits. They're hurting my business goals, so I've got to change them. If you are starting to speak regularly to groups
Here are a few:
1. Being increasingly annoyed at the time it takes to travel to a speaking engagement. Living in a major metropolitan area like NYC with its various islands and required bridge crossings, a 25 mile drive can take up to 3 hours each way. Is the opportunity to speak to a networking group or association meeting worth the effort and expense? Other folks living in less populated areas will also need to travel to speak as they cast a wider net
The obvious answer is a resounding "Yes!" Each speaking engagement builds your list, and can result in new clients every time if you deliver a strong talk well. But it is harder to connect and perform effectively if you're feeling irritated and and preoccupied internally.
Solution: buy some cds for a business course or book you're studying right now. In addition to your presentation materials, bring plenty to keep you productively occupied to and from the speaking gig. It may mean carrying an extra bag, but it's well worth it.
2. Cutting arrival time closer and closer to the starting point. This is a big no-no, which can result in being late if something unexpected happens. I have a confession to make. It happened to me last week. Oddly enough, even though my blood pressure was skyrocketing, I still got a couple of clients from the event. But there was a price. The organizers were clearly angry, and I'd be surprised if this group invited me back again.
Solution: Putting in an hour of a time cushion, and giving an extremely conservative estimate of the time it will take to reach your public speaking engagement. Be disciplined about this!
3. Barely practicing the presentation. Maybe you can get away with this, but unless you're giving the same talk several times a day or week, not practicing at all could hinder you from giving it your best.
Solution: Stick to running through your speech three times from start to finish, especially if it's under 30 minutes. The shorter the presentation, the more succinct it needs to be to communicate your message within the allotted time.
Getting bored with your signature talk? You may want to change your speech around for your own interest, but consider this. Is it an effective speech? Is it boring your audience? Are you still making the best impact you can with your current structure? If objective answer to the latter three questions is yes, then keep your speech intact.
Solution: Come up with a creative alternative to challenge yourself during your future speaking gigs. A former client who had to do repeat the same corporate presentation to different vendors for days on end came up with this one: have someone choose an odd word to incorporate into the presentation while still sounding natural. My favorite? Sasparilla!
Ultimately, your goal is to arrive at your public speaking gigs a little early, feeling positive with a calm mind, and ready to give your best, not just in appearance, but from within yourself.
Lily Iatridis of Fearless Delivery, has a proven track record and knows the key elements in effective and engaging presentation. Her expertise is in supporting professionals to get their message expressed clearly to deliver the biggest results in their live and online presentations. Secrets and strategies such as "how-to" shortcuts, personalized instruction and even packaging the presentation are just some of the skill sets that Lily brings to her audience to create a fearless and effective delivery.
If you've ever been nervous in front of an audience, please download Lily's free ebook, "5 Steps to Neutralize Difficult Audience Members– Without A Power Struggle!" In this ebook, Lily shares simple strategies that will put your mind at ease, arm you with useful strategies, and entertain you with some stories of her own bumps along the path to public speaking success.
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