Public Speaking & Presentations
For the slightly nervous to the truly terrified
“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech“- Mark Twain
Do your knees knock at the thought of standing before an audience?
Do you have to give presentations despite it?
Do you miss out on opportunities because you avoid public speaking?
1-2-1 training & coaching can help you manage your nerves, gain confidence & even learn to enjoy speaking & presenting
Why you need to present with confidence
In today’s workplace there are ever-growing demands to speak in public & deliver presentations. It may be intrinsic to your role, such as for lecturers/teachers and public relations officers. However, many people who did not expect to have to speak before an audience are now expected to do so, for example:
- at team meetings & to other departments
- to cascade training through their organisation
- to represent their employer at external meetings
- to give presentations to existing & prospective customers
Also in today’s competitive job market, you can expect to have to deliver a presentation when you apply for a job - and not only at senior level – some of my clients who have just graduated from university have had to prepare presentations when applying for their first job.
Performance anxiety & stress
The ability to speak with confidence is a vital asset, whether for work or in social situations, and sometimes there is an overlap, such as at work receptions & parties internally or with customers. Yet many people, regardless of age or seniority, experience performance anxiety and stress whether addressing, 2, 20 or 200 people! Poet, Mike Rosen, sums up pre-speech nerves with humour:
"Ladles and jellyspoons! I come before you to stand behind you, and tell you something I know nothing about".
Reducing anxiety, gaining confidence
There are many ways to reduce anxieties around presenting before an audience and here are a few of them.
Your preparation, including researching, writing and the layout of your notes, are crucial. After all, in the words of Benjamin Franklin:
“to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail”. The knowledge that you are well prepared and really know your material is half the battle.
Also think carefully about the structure, content and your choice of words. Remember your audience has nothing to refer to; they are reliant upon you to take them on a journey so make sure you keep them with you to the end. Is it logically structured? Are you pitching it at their level? Will they understand the terminology? Is there too much jargon?
Then there is your relationship with your audience. Many speakers are over-reliant on powerpoint and if the slides can speak for themselves, there is little purpose in having a speaker. So focus on creating a relationship with your audience. Show them you are interested in them, “hook” them into your speech with questions, quotes & brainteasers, ensure your body language is pleasantly confident, be assertive and respectful in answering their questions to you and finish on an upbeat note.
Tip of the day: In particular practise your opening lines. The more familiar and relaxed you feel at the outset, the more likely the rest will fall into place.
Coaching for public speaking and presentations
I work with my clients to enable them to design and deliver confident, engaging speeches and presentations, poviding the opportunity to practise the delivery and giving feedback and guidance on skills and techniques.
Contact me - Lucy Seifert Life Coach London - today on:
Tel: 020 8922 3140
Mob: 07956 663151
Email:
info@lucyseifertcoaching-training.co.uk
