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3 Tips to Get Over Your Fear of Public Speaking (So You Can Enjoy It, Serve Many and Profit!)
Many of you in my community are or want to be speaking on big platforms. Over the last several years, I’ve been able to speak internationally. I won’t say it’s been easy or without any fear. It may look that way from the audience now, but that’s because I’ve developed these 3 steps.
1. Always have a backup plan.
If there’s technology involved, there’s always the potential for something to go wrong. Look at what happened to Micheal Bay recently when a teleprompter failed. He walked off stage. Believe me, it’s crossed my mind to do the same, but since I always prepare for the worst and hope for the best, I’m always ready.
Some ways to backup include:
- If you use powerpoint slides, have a printed version ready. You may not need them, but it can help you adhere to the structure of your content.
- Put your slides on a thumb drive, upload them somewhere on the internet and have another copy on your laptop.
- If something goes wrong and the stage isn’t ready for you to begin presenting, have some questions at hand to ask your audience. This happened to me last weekend when I spoke for the National Speaker Association. I had to “tap dance” a little while everything was being set up, but I’d made some notes about what other speakers had talked about and some questions ready to ask the audience.
- Make sure there is a backup microphone and you know how to work it before you’re being watched by attendees.
2. Focus on the attendees you CAN serve.
Not everyone in the audience will be a perfect fit for your information. Some will think “Oh, I already know this stuff”. Some audience members won’t like you, that’s just the way it is. This is not the time to fall into “people-pleaser” mode and try to have something for everyone. The times I’ve felt the most fear have been when I’m focusing on “what will they say” instead of on “how can I serve the attendees who want/need what I have to share?”
Answering questions after my talk for the National Speakers Association.
I developed the following little trick when I first began using video. When I saw myself on video, I hated it. Like when you hear your voice on a recording for the first time… yikes! It made me extremely self-conscious and I almost stopped using video. Then, I decided to focus exclusively on my best friend, who was my ideal prospect for the self-empowerment videos I was recording. That helped me to get out of my head, stop judging myself and turned my attention to “How can I help her?”
It’s made all the difference in my speaking, on video and in real life. Now, I rarely feel fear when I focus on those I can help. On the contrary, I actually feel enthusiastic and excited to speak and share!
3. Always be tweaking.
Here I am with Product Launch Formula creator Jeff Walker
As a speaker (on video or on the platform) there’s always something you can learn from each experience. Learn and tweak, learn and tweak so
that each time you connect more with your ideal people. (And of course, don’t forget to invite them to be a part of your community!)
These tips work, so please use them!
Last weekend, I got some great feedback from my talk, from attendees (who are professional speakers!) as well as other speakers at the event. In fact, Jeff Walker – king of the product launch – spoke right after I did, mentioning me about 12 times during his talk! Yes, I’m a geek and a fan of his, so I counted. 😀
Is there some way you’ve gotten over your fear of public speaking?
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Great Tips! I have been in two college public speaking courses. These tips are relevant forever, anyone looking to do public speaking should take heed.
Anthony Wells
TheFreelanceSpotlight.com
Anthony, Thanks! I’m embarrassed to say, I actually bombed a college public speaking course I took. I was super scared and it showed. It would probably have helped if I was actually passionate about what I was speaking on… 😉
As always you deliver Maritza!
Thanks for the great tips that will be helpful as I engage in more speaking opportunities this year!
Thanks Teawna! I’m SO excited to see what happens for you as you get on more stages this year and help women live big, bold, legendary lives!
Great Tips Maritza! I love your suggestion for a back up plan. I learned this one the hard way recently when I was trying to record an episode for my podcast and the recorder didn’t work! UGH! The crisis was adverted quickly, but would have been much more challenging in a live public forum. It was a lesson well learned! Thanks for the great post!
Yikes! Thanks for the warning on that one, Celest… I’m starting a podcast this month (did I just say that out loud?!) and I will definitely put *double check that the recorder is working* on my master check list!
Best of luck on the podcast! I look forward to listening in. 🙂
Fantastic tips! I love the idea of focusing on the people who want to hear what you have to say as opposed to worrying about the people who don’t care or don’t like you. It’s so true, you will not be able to please everyone!
Great article.
Thanks Paul, As a recovering “people-pleaser”, I still have to remind myself of this one from time to time… 🙂 And it really works for me to feel confident and loving from stage just thinking about “my peeps” in the audience!
Sometimes you need someone you admire and trust to say something in a way that clicks – kudos for doing just that, Maritza! I still battle some massive fears with my videos so it’s refreshing to hear a pro like yourself talk about ways you conquered all that self doubt we battle as solopreneurs out there. It’s the inspiration needed to get that last video on my To Do List recorded today. 😉 Power on lady, you ARE serving those that appreciate you, so keep at it….
Dre,
Thanks SO much for your comment – it lets me know I’m on the right path! I think what the following quote says is true for many (including me!):
“The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel” ~ Steve Furtick
It happens to everyone. I think entrepreneurs who don’t talk about their fears, struggles and failures are doing a disservice to their followers. And, the more we get through these negative things, conquer them and then share how we did it – the better for everyone to share more of their unique light! Superhug!! <3
LOVE that quote!! Couldn’t have said it any better, Maritza! (Big hug back!!)
I am so glad I came across this article! It will be very useful for me as I think about future speaking possibilities – I do believe that with a bit of preparation we can all face our biggest fear – public speaking! Thanks for providing such great content here – I plan on diving into all of it!
So true Sara… a bit of preparation can go a long way! And I’ve found that each speaking opportunity brings several more, so all you have to do now is get #1!
Many thanks, Maritza! As I plan to be a public speaker, I will take your tips to heart.
These are great tips and are perfect for my audience. Thanks for sharing! I really liked the advice of focusing on the audience. As soon as a speaker starts thinking about themselves, things start going wrong. But, focus on just delivering that message and communicating with those who are present, and it becomes a conversation, not a “speech” and that is when people really come alive.
Sandy, great point! “it becomes a conversation” what a great way to think about it!
Oh and when I said perfect for my audience, I meant I’ll be sharing this a lot! 🙂
Maritza, clearly you really enjoy sharing your knowledge and experience with the audience. I think the audience can ” feel the good energy” along side the great content. Thank you.
Hey Maritza, as someone who’s feared public speaking in the past (and still do to a degree) these tips are great, perhaps a little advanced for me as I start my speaking career. I plan to start a podcast in the next few weeks. What would you suggest for someone just starting out?
Hey Jamie,
Believe me, I understand fear and public speaking. After getting over panic attacks, I became a speaker!
Very cool about your podcast and I would say definitely use Tip #2 – Focus on your listener to help you get out of your head and into their heart.
And if you want to transition into speaking in a fun, easy, low-threatening way, I suggest checking out your local meetups who have the ideal people you could help and offering a talk to them.
Maritza, what solid advice. As someone who had done a bit of public speaking in various capacities I would concur with all of your points. So true. The other things I would add is persevere, it really does get easier as you become more confident and know your material well (however, don’t over rehearse).
Well I came to the right place at the right time. I have been working on my public speaking and actually need to give a talk tomorrow. One of the mentally I have now taken is with this mantra “You can’t be afraid when your not focused on yourself.” The more I can focus on teaching and helping others then I less to me nervous.
Love your blog, keep up the great content.
Cool Alex! Hope you do a great job (and have a great time) with your talk. As I know your work, I know you’ll help a lot of people!