Speaking in Public
Believe it or not, but one of our deepest-held fears is getting up in front of an audience and speaking to them. Having said that, it is one of the greatest skills you can ever master because once you do, you can call yourself a communicator, which is a vital sales skill.
But what is it that people are afraid of? There are two things.
I'll forget what I was going to say.
I'll make a fool of myself.
Let's deal with the second one first. Everybody in the audience is rooting for you to succeed. Whatever happens with your presentation, you've succeeded and shown courage. Even if it went badly wrong, it's just a learning experience, and you'll do better next time.
As to the first fear, the only person who will know you forgot something is you. You will either realize that you've forgotten something, or you won't. If you don't, no one in the audience will know. If you do realize it, you have a choice. Either come back to it later or just ignore it. No big deal either way.
Speaking from a vast amount of experience speaking to an audience, I will tell you that it is one of the biggest buzzes you will ever get. Once you get over the nerves, it is an amazing feeling, but you only get good at it by doing it a lot. I got my initial experience with Toastmasters International, and I highly recommend it.
#artsales #motivation
When I was in my teens I was very active & did VERY well in 4-H. About the only thing I didn’t achieve was going after the PUBLIC SPEAKING RIBBON. I had chalked up Champion Ribbions in everything I did from sewing, baking, crafts & even shoes a friends pig for at the State Fair because she was sick. I had no idea what to do with that pig (I hated pigs!!), had some quick simple instructions & I was given a stick & out into the show ring piggie & I went…very ill prepared, scared to death, and not wanting to disappoint my friend with a low score. I put my shoulders back, stood tall, said a quick prayer. I just kept nudging that stubborn pig around the ring with a big confident smile the entire time. All I really wanted to do was hide! UNBELIEVABLY, I was awarded a 2nd place ribbion ( AT THE STATE FAIR where competition is the best from all over the state!) & had wonderful review notes on my score card from judges. They were more impressed with my smile & confidence than how I controlled that pink pig with black spots!! I’ve carried that experience through my life now at 68. When ever I am in a position to do something I’m uncomfortable with, like talking in front of a group, I put on my big smile, stand tall & act like I know what I’m doing and SOMEHOW 10-20-30 mins have gone by, my audience is still paying attention & smiling back….AND I CANT TELL YOU MORE THAN 15 words I said. Someone high up in the 4-H organization somehow figured out I had never done Public Speaking & challenged me to conquer that fear by joining the Public Speaking Team my last year in 4-H at 18 yrs old. I agreed 8 hated that I had other team mates depending on me to bring in a good score. The team from our county always had done well in competitions & at the State level. I chose to talk about my Art & Art in general complete with displays & visuals (no one else did that). My voice shaked & quivered the entire time, but I stood tall & never stopped smiling! On my index cards I only had the different subject matters & a few listed high points not to miss. I KNEW MY SUBJECT MATTER INSIDE & OUT & just winged it every time. I slaws earned a 1st place ribbion locally & regionally & at the State Fair I won the Grand Champion Ribbion. I am one who if studied & tried to memorize a script I would 100% mess it all up & my nerves would have gotten to me.
Soooo …..STAND UP TALL, SMILE, be CONFIDENT, KNOW YOUR SUBJECT (or at least act like it & sound like you do), You’ve got it made after that. Just relax & let your vision flow.
Teresa
@Teresa D. Milburn Kelly When you said "My voice shaked & quivered the entire time," I can tell you with 100% certainty that it didn't. That was all inside your head. I know this from the first time I spoke in front of a large audience, because I had the same reaction, but a close friend told me afterward that I was as confident a public speaker as she had ever seen. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for reading that looong life experience I shared. And for your observation!!!
Teresa
Of course.