public speaking

You either love it or hate it. I never in a million years thought I would have a career that required me to speak in front of a ton of people on a daily basis. I can remember getting sick before giving a speech in college! Once I realized that I didn’t have a choice, I had to get comfortable with public speaking whether I liked it or not. Believe it or not, I started enjoying it! Here are a few tips that helped me overcome my fear.

1. Get comfortable with talking about yourself. Stay humble, though! Know yourself and your purpose. Confidence is key! Write down your “about me” or opening statement and make it your own. Do this enough times that you can say it to anyone, anywhere, at any time. 
2. People won’t remember what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel. Someone told me this years ago and it stuck with me. Whatever you are speaking about, use passion, experience or humor to connect with your audience. Give an example, metaphor, or story that relates to them.
3. Be prepared. Know the topic and crowd. You want to tailor your speech to the audience and know your topic. Most of the time, if you are prepared, you know more about the topic than anyone in the room. If you aren’t prepared through research, learn how to read the room! Knowing how to read between the lines is an important skill. This may mean showing up early and controlling how much you talk. Listen and watch!
4. Keep practicing. Accept that there will always be public speaking. The sooner you accept it, the better speaker you will be!