Not Speaking Up? What Are You Passing Up?

Are you satisfied with collecting “likes” for writing stuff on social media? You know that’s not all you need to have people know, like and trust you. Eventually, you will need to speak to people—onscreen now, but eventually, in person. Are you passing up valuable exposure right now to potential clients and customers because you’re not speaking to them?

Where are they? What Zoom meetings do they attend? Do you participate with those groups? Do you need to introduce yourself to all those Zoom faces? Can you speak about your business at those meetings? Can you make videos to highlight your business? Do you think you’re too nervous? I can help.

This week I will be recording my first online course! Soon, you will be able to download me—you know you’ve always wanted to. The recording date looms large. Yes, I’m nervous. I’m full of butterflies and excuses.

Butterflies: I finally know what they feel like. Speaking to a live audience of 15,000? I know how to do that. The little red light of the camera? So much more intimidating for me. So now I get it when you tell me, “I’m really good in one setting, like one-to-one. But in a group? Nerves.” I can help you. Excuses: my mind does not shut up. “Is the studio air-conditioned? I need to find out.” “My hair isn’t the right length right now to be recording a video FOREVER!” “If I had more time, I could shed the quarantine fifteen—well, five of it …”

The only thing I can do is follow my own tips on speaking when your mind says you’re nervous:

1. Never write out your speech word for word. That’s a surefire path to disaster, because if you trip up on one word, you lose your way completely. Also, if your head is buried in your papers, you cannot make eye contact to connect with your audience—in this case, the little camera eye. And you know how important that is.

2. Use bullet points. Each bullet point will stand for a “thought group.” Each name will stand for a story that you tell. Use note cards. The cards must be stiff enough so they won’t crinkle or make noise in your hands. Don’t play with them. All you need is a note card with a thought group on it, the title of the story, or whatever is coming next. The audience then feels secure you know what comes next.

3. Practice! Work from your bullet points a lot so that you know what comes first, second, and third. This is where people mess up. They don’t want to practice. It takes time and effort. Practice is not only the way to Carnegie Hall. It’s the only way to master your material, so that you look like someone your audience wants to work with. I can help you. Please call me for a complimentary 30-minute call to explore how you can speak to grow your business. And you will never again pass it up by not speaking up.

[Image Credit: The Red Eye Portal]