Words that strike fear into the hearts of many people: ‘Could you just say a few words?’ or ‘Happy to do 10 minutes at the next Town Hall?’
As an introvert extroverting for a living, I made peace with the need to speak in public long ago. While we often think of the big formal presentations to 100+ colleagues, it can also include:
- Updates at management meetings
- Hosting webinars
- Team meetings
- Birthday / leaving / presentations
- Workshops
- Family events
Some you have time to prepare for, others you don’t. I was fortunate to have some great presentation training sessions early in my career. It helped provide structure and the confidence to find my own style.
I’ll even confess that after years of doing it, sometimes – just sometimes – I LIKE speaking in public!
But, it’s definitely a skill I need to keep up to date and that is more challenging now I’m self-employed.
Building confidence through a Speakers Club
What has helped massively is joining Loughborough Speakers Club. It’s part of a national association that provides a structured programme of prepared speeches, on subjects you choose, that teach essential skills and build confidence.
Standing at a lectern with just your notes and no PowerPoint to refer to challenges me in a different way to a work presentation. It’s about truly learning the art of speaking versus presenting.
In my first year I’ve learned three key lessons in public speaking:
- Slow down and embrace a pause. This allows your key messages to land.
- Think about my body language. Are there gestures that will support, but not distract from, my message?
- Speech construction and delivery. Of course, there’s the beginning, middle and end. But it’s also about:
- The power of three – a technique proven to make ideas presented more engaging and memorable
- Using words to create pictures
- Speaking with conviction
There’s much more to learn but the above have truly enhanced my public speaking and presenting.
Impromptu speaking
I particularly enjoy the challenge of impromptu speaking where you must speak on a topic for 3 minutes with no preparation. It’s taught me composure in a relatively pressured situation and allowed me to build my confidence in a supportive environment.
At the start I would nervously look to the lights indicating how much time had passed, willing the red light to come on before I ran out of words entirely.
Now, I take a moment and think about the topic; how I will construct a short speech; and take time during the speech to compose myself. Before I know it, the red light is on and I’m having to wrap up my mini speech.
It’s amazing how much can change in just a few months of practise in a safe and supportive setting.
More than improving your speaking skills
The best part though, is connecting with such a diverse range of warm and welcoming people at each meeting. It’s wonderful to hear about the many interesting and varied subjects they present on, demonstrating passions and interests and often providing inspiration for further learning.
I’m also delighted to see that in UK schools speaking and presenting in public is now more routine, taking away the fear factor. Indeed, the youngest member of our speakers club, just 11 years old, already has a confidence many adults take years to gain.
Public speaking is something that can be learned and, like with anything you are learning, requires practice. It’s why joining a Speakers Club is the perfect forum to do this and I encourage you to find your local group.
Whether you love or loathe public speaking (or, like me, are somewhere in the middle), it’s got something for everyone – including some very nice biscuits during the break!
What’s this got to do with marketing?
Well, there’s not many marketers that can avoid speaking in public, even if they would prefer to. When I started working as a consultant I decided that I wanted to do more than offer my specific services for a fee. I also want to highlight ways in which marketers (and non-marketers in this case) can improve their skills.
In a shameless plug, I am of course available to help small businesses develop their marketing and grow their business. Find out more about my marketing services.
Note: I don’t receive any incentive to promote the Association of Speakers Clubs. I’ve just found it so helpful and want to highlight something that many people aren’t aware of but could find of use.