Why THIS Fear Could be Holding You Back (And How to Obliterate It!)
“The only thing to fear is fear itself.” – Franklyn D. Roosevelt
Fears can be powerful and insidious.
Some people steer clear of the ocean out of fear of shark attacks. Others are deathly afraid of things that creep and crawl. And some avoid heights at all costs.
While potent, these fears generally don’t hold us back from excelling in business. But there is one fear that has a direct impact on our ability to grow and prosper professionally – glossophobia, more commonly known as the fear of public speaking.
It may surprise you to learn that it’s the number one fear in America, ranking higher than loneliness and even death.
The statistics show that as a nation, we are afraid of making a fool of ourselves in front of others.
Unfortunately, if you’re an entrepreneur and the thought of speaking before a crowd makes you queasy, you’ve got a problem.
And it’s worthwhile investigating a solution.
Here’s why:
One of the fastest, most effective ways for business entrepreneurs to boost sales is public speaking.
When you avoid public speaking, you lose out on opportunities to demonstrate your expertise and thought leadership in your industry. You also miss opportunities to build valuable new relationships, network and engage prospective clients. When you stand behind a podium to deliver a presentation, people take notice. For many, public speaking is a powerful and persuasive sales tool.
I’ve always enjoyed sharing strategies and experiences with new audiences, large and small. As soon as I dive into the business and sales topics I’m passionate about, I feel confidence and at ease.
But public speaking doesn’t come naturally to everyone.
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to be a natural public speaker to reap the rewards of public speaking. Some of the most fascinating and compelling presentations have been delivered by individuals who fear public speaking. Fear of public speaking doesn’t limit your success. Powerhouse performers Barbara Streisand and Adele both suffer from stage fright – yet they’ve built brilliant careers as performers.
You can learn the skills and develop the confidence necessary to speak in front of an audience. You just have to be willing to get out of your comfort zone and do the work. The stronger the fear, the greater the challenge. But the benefits are well worth the effort.
Here are 5 strategies that will help you improve your public speaking skills this year:
Just Do It. It will be uncomfortable at first, no question about it. But if you don’t take the leap and find opportunities to speak publicly, you’ll never improve your skills and develop more confidence.
Start slow and easy, practicing your presentation in front of friends and family. As your confidence builds, continue to push yourself to speak to larger groups. Discomfort is a catalyst for growth.
If you find the idea of speaking to a large group of strangers daunting, attend networking events and speak with new people one-on-one or in small groups. This will help you break out of your shell.
The first few times will likely be hard, but I promise you: the more often you do it, the easier it gets.
S-L-O-W Down.
Often, nervous public speakers are so afraid of silence that they rush to fill the “gaps” between their speeches and sales pitches with words like “um”, “y’know” and “like”. These filler words take away from your presentation and the power of your message. Those who resort to them frequently come across as confusing or unprepared.
The secret to avoiding unnecessary filler words is to make a conscious effort to speak slowly. By slowing down and pausing to gather your thoughts, you give your audience an opportunity to hear your core messages and reflect on them.
Don’t forget to breathe!
Another strategy that will help you slow down is conscious breathing. Taking a few breaths before you begin helps to quiet your nerves and steady your heart if it’s racing. Just a few deep breaths can dramatically improve your composure and therefore the quality of your presentation.
It’s also important to remember to breathe throughout your speech. Take a breath after you conclude each sentence. It may seem like you’re speaking too slowly, but this technique actually gives you the ability to deliver your content more clearly and your audience the opportunity to digest your message.
Engage your audience.
Another key to holding your audience’s attention is maintaining consistent, audible volume and an engaging tone. If you let your volume drop, your message gets lost in translation. Never put your listeners in a position where they have to strain to hear you speak. Don’t trail off at the end of your sentences, mumble, or speak too quickly. It’s equally important not to shout at your audience! To ensure that your message is being delivered in a comprehensive, captivating manner, s-l-o-w down, smile and enunciate your words.
Never “wing it”!
When people are unprepared to present to an audience, it shows. Out of fear of rambling or not knowing what to say, they read off cue cards or their slides word-for-word, resulting in a less-than-engaging delivery. The more familiar you are with your material, the more “off the cuff” you will sound. Rehearse your material until presenting it is second-nature and you’ll build confidence.
Rather than bringing an exact script, bring notes or an outline that you can quickly glance at to jog your memory. That way you’ll be able to maintain eye contact and you won’t be thrown off if you lose your place.
Take my advice: Speak from experience. When you talk in your own words about things you’ve experienced and strategies you’ve used, you’ll sound authentic and capture your audience’s attention.
Add personality.
If you want to put your audience at ease and in good spirits, share a smile. Even if you’re nervous and don’t feel like smiling, fake it until you make it. Before starting your presentation, offer your audience a smile. At least a handful of people will smile back, helping you feel more relaxed and confident.
Once you’ve warmed up your audience with a smile, do your best to maintain eye contact throughout your presentation (this is why it’s so important to know your material!) Doing so will help keep your audience engaged. If you can, infuse some humor as well. This will help your audience relate to you and your message.
If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again.
Very few people are naturals when it comes to public speaking. Excelling at public speaking takes practice. The more consistently you practice and the more often you present, the better your delivery will be. Consider joining Toastmasters, a non-profit educational organization with local clubs worldwide that focuses on helping members boost their public speaking and communication skills. Practice speaking in front of friends and family and attend networking events where you can introduce yourself and share strategies with unfamiliar people. Record yourself delivering presentations on video so you can play them back and reflect on areas of improvement. Last but not least, seek out as many speaking opportunities as you can. Consistent actions produce results.
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If fear of public speaking is holding you back in business, you’re absolutely not alone. At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I have helped many entrepreneurs learn to use speaking and networking opportunities as a vehicle for building relationships, producing leads and closing more sales.
As an entrepreneur you have expertise of value to your target audience. Let 2017 be the year your voice is heard, new connections are formed and the seeds of a Legacy Business are planted.
Fear can stand for “Forget everything and run” or “Face everything and rise”. The choice is yours. Choose the latter and we’ll walk the road together, paving a path to peace of mind and profitability.
Contact me today at celeste@celestegiordano.com.
Up Next: You’re Invited
We invite our local community to visit us on March 15th for the evening social from 6-8:30pm at the 1818 Club for the WGC Atlanta Chapter meeting, with guest speaker Scot Ferrell. Pre-registration for the event is $25.00. Click here to pre-register. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact celeste@thewomenofglobalchange.com.
We are also opening up several other chapters across the United States. I am honored to help launch the Toronto, Ontario Chapter in March, 2017. To become a presenting sponsor or sponsor at this premier Toronto event, contact Celeste Giordano here. For additional information about WGC, please visit our website!
Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “double-plus” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with almost 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.
To learn more about Celeste, click here.
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