Many of my clients describe their experience of public speaking like a horror movie: heart-racing dread, vivid nightmares, an intense desperation to escape, and a fear of being destroyed.
Believe it or not, the experience of preparing and presenting does not need to torment you as though you were a babysitter hearing creepy noises in the basement. It can be a swashbuckling adventure into the unknown, complete with a mission, discovery, passion, and rewards. Instead of heart-racing dread, you can have heart-racing excitement, along with epic storytelling; humor; total engagement of heart, body, and soul; and an urgent sense of purpose motivating you! Not only can it feel as if you are in an adventure movie, but the content of your speech can also be so much better. It can be powerful, memorable, and make an impact.
Everyone has to speak in front of an audience at some point, whether in a personal or professional capacity. The ability to capture and keep an audience’s attention is a powerful skill, and it doesn’t have to be one you’re born with. Your Guide to Public Speaking will help you learn, practice, and improve, regardless of your current degree of competency.
No matter what you are asked to present (a proposal at work or a wedding toast) or who’s asking you to speak (your boss or your best friend), you want to be able to engage the task with confidence and enthusiasm. If you’ve never received any kind of training on how to approach public speaking or how to dynamically share your message with an audience, you’re not alone.
I’ve been coaching and leading public speaking workshops for people from many different industries for more than a decade. I know how lost and overwhelmed many people feel. I’ve also witnessed my clients evolve beautifully and grow their confidence, skills, and courage. In this book I’ll share a variety of strategies and tools for establishing a positive mindset, using your voice effectively, and shaping the content of your speech thoughtfully.
Whether you struggle with mindset, metaphors, monotone, or what to do with your hands, this easy-to-read guide will set you on the path toward public speaking success. Presenting with excellence requires you to stay continually present in each moment. This book will outline how to cultivate the art of staying present, which leads to that magic ingredient—presence. You will learn how to own your talk and own the floor. Whether you are speaking at a large conference, in a small internal meeting, at a lecture hall, on a conference or video call, at a wedding hall, or on a podcast, you will understand how to command your arena while still going with the flow.
Your Guide to Public Speaking will coach you on how to create an engaging journey for your audience so that they leave the experience changed in some way. Perhaps they will want to fund your project, choose to join your cause, or see the world differently. You can achieve these goals and more when you authentically and passionately share your message with an audience…and enjoy doing it!
