Professional Speaker
I would never have imagined that one day that I, Beverly, would be a public speaker.
I hated giving presentations. When I was younger I struggled with stress and public speaking. My voice would quiver. I would speak a mile a minute. My nervousness was obvious.
Some people report that they would rather be naked in public than have to deliver a speech to their peers. I would have absolutely agreed with this statement. The stress was unbelievable and public speaking was best to be avoided whenever possible.
How Did I Lose The Stress Of Public Speaking and Become A Professional Speaker?
What I learned was that speaking effectively in public and professionally is rarely a natural talent, but it is one that can be learned. When you have a passion for your topic, and you immerse yourself in that topic to become an expert, the stress becomes secondary to the message that you want and need to deliver.
Even as an expert, expect that your heart will race, your hands will sweat, that your throat will become tight, and that your mouth will dry up. This will help you to ignore those signals when they do occur.
Remember that you don’t have to be perfect. You just need to be able to deliver your message. Preparation and rehearsal will help to smooth out your delivery.
Finally, during the speech make eye contact with members of the audience. Greet them, appreciate them and in the end thank them. They really do want you to be successful and they are all that truly matters.
Beverly’s Hot Tip for Celebrating Professional Speaker’s Day:
I am proud to be a professional speaker. In fact, I am a Certified Professional Speaker and I belong to the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. If only my high school English Teacher could see me now.
Great speakers have a passion for their message, know their material and are aware of how to take care of themselves to ensure that their voice and their body helps to communicate their message as opposed to detracting. Even if you are not a professional speaker, by keeping your speaking challenges in perspective and practicing good speaking habits you can decrease the stress associated with public speaking.
Happy Professional Speakers Day!
If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!
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