I don't even find public speaking that terrifying, and I still found these tips super helpful. They also helped me confirm my approach! Thanks for this.
This is great, Chris. I still stand by the trick I learned at 19: Walk on stage with a smile and look at people in the eye until they break it or smile back. It only takes 3 or 4 folks, and then you own the space. And always be humble and human. There will always be people there who want to love you and people there looking for flaws. But everyone will know when you are being genuine. Can't wait for your TEDx! xo
Hearing your experience with public speaking always gives me hope that one day I might be able to do it without my brain going completely blank, my talking way too fast or my voice shaking uncontrollably. Great tips in here for sure.
These are all great tips! As a trainer the last 20 odd years I can tell you that the number 1 way to get better is to practice. I started off speaking extremely quickly and blurring my words together. Over time I learned how to breathe and organize my thoughts. The 1 thing that really broke me through was a specific word I had issues with - predecessor. I worked on that word until it was easy to say. That was my white whale apparently.
I once had the good fortune to be in a room with a very experienced speech coach who was helping presenters work on each aspect of their speech. We were preparing to present and pitch to the Canadian Olympic Committee to choose Vancouver/Whistler as host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics--you know how that turned out! However, watching him work with each of the speakers--all famous people and not inexperienced speakers, was fascinating. Watching how much they improved after working with him was remarkable. The one tip I remember him telling them, and you've listed it here, is about telling a story. Weaving a personal story into whatever it was they were trying to convey to bring the audience into your bubble. These are all great tips Chris. Well done.
I don't even find public speaking that terrifying, and I still found these tips super helpful. They also helped me confirm my approach! Thanks for this.
This is great, Chris. I still stand by the trick I learned at 19: Walk on stage with a smile and look at people in the eye until they break it or smile back. It only takes 3 or 4 folks, and then you own the space. And always be humble and human. There will always be people there who want to love you and people there looking for flaws. But everyone will know when you are being genuine. Can't wait for your TEDx! xo
Great tips, Chris!
Hearing your experience with public speaking always gives me hope that one day I might be able to do it without my brain going completely blank, my talking way too fast or my voice shaking uncontrollably. Great tips in here for sure.
These are all great tips! As a trainer the last 20 odd years I can tell you that the number 1 way to get better is to practice. I started off speaking extremely quickly and blurring my words together. Over time I learned how to breathe and organize my thoughts. The 1 thing that really broke me through was a specific word I had issues with - predecessor. I worked on that word until it was easy to say. That was my white whale apparently.
I once had the good fortune to be in a room with a very experienced speech coach who was helping presenters work on each aspect of their speech. We were preparing to present and pitch to the Canadian Olympic Committee to choose Vancouver/Whistler as host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics--you know how that turned out! However, watching him work with each of the speakers--all famous people and not inexperienced speakers, was fascinating. Watching how much they improved after working with him was remarkable. The one tip I remember him telling them, and you've listed it here, is about telling a story. Weaving a personal story into whatever it was they were trying to convey to bring the audience into your bubble. These are all great tips Chris. Well done.
An eye roll is a great icebreaker. Learned that from my old man [he regaled Holiday Inns from Dorchester to Des Moines as a corporate trainer].