I’m going to use the “F” Word today.

I know I’ve already made some of you uncomfortable.

You don’t like that word directed at you.

If you direct it to others, it’s not well received.

The Truth: Failure Gets a Bad Rap!

We learn far more from our failures than things we do correctly the first time.  This certainly applies to Public Speaking and Presenting.

One of my mantras is:
“Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.”
No one has everchallenged me on it.  Many agree they should take and make as many Speaking Opportunities as possible.  If they do, they will grow their businesses, advance their careers, and increase their leadership roles.

Speaking Opportunities are also Learning Opportunities.
Things we learn from public speaking are often not from
presentations going smoothly and without any flaws or snafus. Sometimes, it’s quite the opposite!

Many of the public speaking skills I have came about because I forgot, messed up, or didn’t even know about using them in presentations.

The Introduction

Examples:
I write my own Introduction.  It’s an integral part of the speech, and what every speaker should do.  Mine follows the guidelines of a good Introduction and does a nice job of setting me up as the next speaker.  There is some humor built into it and usually does a great job of connecting me to the audience before my Opening.

All morning I had been giving a number of small workshops at a manufacturing firm.  In the afternoon, the entire company gather together for the main meeting of the event.  I handed my Introduction to the VP of Sales who was to Introduce me.  He goes stage center, looks briefly at my Introduction, wads it up in his hands and says, “We all know Fred!  Come up and give us your presentation!”

Bummer!

I had to do some quick thinking and improvising because I never expected him not to read what I had given him!

That was a HUGE Lesson.  Ever since, I email the Introduction to the emcee in advance of the event, asking them to review it and contact me with any questions.  I explain that it is an important part of the presentation.  I make it a point to see them before the event and, again, ask if there are any questions.

I was delivering a presentation at a Chamber of Commerce Luncheon that consisted of thirty-six slides.  Everything was going smoothly until I pressed the button on my remote to advance the slide to number eight.  Suddenly, the screen went blank!

My computer was working fine, as was the projector.  Because this was a luncheon meeting with a tight schedule, I didn’t have time to reboot the equipment and see if that would fix the problem.

Keynote's Light Table View

Fortunately, as a backup, I always print my slides in Keynote’s Light Table View (for PowerPoint users, it’s called Slide Sorter View).   This option allows me to place up to forty-two slides on one sheet of paper.  Since I use mostly images, rather than bullet points and text, it was very easy to look at the image of the slide and know what to talk about.

I quickly found out that having a backup plan and using it is not as easy as I had hoped. (It was almost Big Sweat instead of No Sweat!) Luckily, I really know this material, and the presentation continued and was well received.

The lesson I learned was that having that “Plan B” was not enough.  I needed to practice with the Light Table View, also.

I’ve taken this concept a step further, and now have the Light Table View printout next to the computer when delivering presentations and find it gives me the “overview of where I am” better than looking just at the Presenter Display View on my mac.

Keynote's Presenter's Display View

Presenter Display View (Presenter Tools in PowerPoint) is a tremendous tool for presenting that I also learned by “not knowing” how to get the “screens arranged” correctly.

I was presenting in “mirror” mode, where the image on the screen is the image projected. This is nice, because the presenter can face the audience and not turn their back to see what the audience is seeing.  Better than this is the Presenter Display View which lets me see:
• What the audience sees.
• The next slide.
• Notes.
• The time or a timer.

You can see the advantage this view offers.  However, it took trial and error and research for me to figure out how to get the screens, mine and the one the audience sees, arranged correctly.  I’m not a techie and the learning was frustrating.  But the reward of having it work correctly – tremendous!  I’m able to deliver a far better presentation using this tool.

Failing to make this work initially, forced me out of my confort zone to learn something new – Good!

I read a quote once that rings true: “Learning begins at the edge of our comfort zone.”  It’s also a fact that when we get out of our comfort zone, it becomes larger!

Perhaps it is the word “Failure” that must be addressed.  It has a negative connotation.  If we substitute the word, “Experiment,” the “Failure” doesn’t seem like such a big deal.  We don’t expect “experiments” to always have positive outcomes.  A “failed experiment” takes us closer to the results we are seeking because it let’s us eliminate one process, idea or technique.  This is a good thing - correct?

Until we say, “Our experiment was successful because it brought us closer to a solution,” let’s

Embrace Failure!

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

Related posts:

1. Have a ‘Plan B’ Because When the Screen Goes. . . There are several lessons here: Murphy’s Law rules! It’s not...
2. Speakers, There’s NO App for That! Because of the Fear of Public Speaking, many in leadership...
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St. Louis (KSDK) - It could be a wedding toast or a class assignment in high school or college. Most of us get anxious when we’re asked to talk to an audience.

It’s the number one phobia, called glossophobia. When it comes to talking the talk, many people would rather get a root canal or an IRS audit than make a speech.

Click the video player above to watch the report.

Fred Miller’s book is No Sweat Public Speaking!, and among his tips: people remember the first and last thing you tell them, so Have a strong opening and a strong close to your speech, have confident body language, remember that the audience is on your side and they want you to succeed.

KSDK

Transcript of Interview

Kay Quinn: …or it could be a wedding toast, or a class assignment in high school or college.  Most of us get anxious when we’re asked to talk to an audience, and Art Holliday here has a story about the fear of speaking in public.  75 percent of us are afraid to talk in public.  You and I aren’t — aren’t among those people.

Art Holliday:  The number two phobia is fear of death; but the number one phobia is fear of speaking in public, okay.

Kay Quinn:  Wow.  Can you imagine?

Art Holliday:  It’s called glossophobia. And when it comes to talking the talk, many people would rather get a root canal or an IRS audit than make a speech.

It’s time to talk about talking.

Fred Miller:  Yikes.  Me, speak in front of a group?  Oh, my gosh.

Art Holliday:  Welcome to Cave Springs Toastmasters where an author and a teenage film maker face their fear.

Male1: Very afraid.  I have a big fear in public speaking.

Female1:  You know, I did have a little bit of a fear in public speaking.  But, like, Fred said today, practice, practice, practice.

Art Holliday:  Fred Miller is an author who coaches people how to speak in public.

Fred Miller:  If your reaction to a speaking opportunity is more Yikes than Yes, you’re not alone.  Lots of people have a fear of public speaking.

Art Holliday:  Miller says he is used to calming nervous narrators.

Fred Miller:  I’ve coached lawyers, and doctors, and CEOs; coached a bride — father of the bride to be.  I think he started having panic attacks the day his daughter got engaged, thinking about giving that toast to the bride.

Art Holliday:  Even presidential candidates can experience tongue turmoil.

Governor Perry:  I would do away with the education, the commerce, and let’s see.  I can’t.  The third one, I can’t.  I’m sorry.  Oops.

Art Holliday:  Fred Miller’s goal is oops for your confidence when you work the crowd.

Fred Miller:  Kind of feel like your naked all alone, vulnerable?  That’s just it.  You’ve got to get used to it.

Female2:  The first speech, oh my gosh, my legs were shaking; and now I ‘m on speech seven and-

Male4:  I’m not very good at public speaking and, plus, I’m very shy.  I just realized well, this is the best opportunity to come here and learn.

Male5:  Thank you Mayor, and fellow Reglinians.

Art Holliday:  Fred Miller says you can go from knee-knocking nervousness to a knock-your-socks-off presentation.  All you have to do is–

Fred Miller:  Speak, speak, speak.  If you want to be a swimmer, swim.  If you want to be a baker, bake.  The learning is in the doing.   So, if you want to be a speaker, just get up and speak.

Art Holliday:  Just make sure you hold onto your script.

Now, Fred Miller’s book is “No Sweat Public Speaking!”

Among his tips:

• People remember the first and last thing you tell them, so have a strong opening and a strong close to your speech.
• Have confident body language.  Remember that the audience is on your side and they want you to succeed.
• And Miller is a big fan of Toastmasters International, which helps improve public speaking and leadership skills.  There are 77 Toastmaster organizations in Missouri and Illinois within 25 miles of downtown St. Louis.  So, a lot of people are aware of their fears and they’re trying to do something about it.

Kay Quinn:  Yeah, you’ve go to remember we’re all just human, right.  So, you’re going to make mistakes from time to time, or slip up, and I love the Don Knotts’ thing.  Oh, that is so funny.  That’s classic.  It’s priceless.  Thank you so much, Art.

Art Holliday:  Thank you.

[00:03:20]

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

Related posts:

1. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
2. Speakers: Brand Yourself with – “No Sweat!” I've worked very hard on my "No Sweat!" Brand: ”No...
3. The Magic Pill that Makes You a Great Presenter! There's no easy way to get rid of the Fear...

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YourYour Elevator Speech is a Mini-Presentation 

CLICK to Open Booklet

The term, Elevator Speech, implies it’s something that won’t take very long to deliver.  If someone’s only going to be in an elevator with you till the next floor, it may be less than a minute.  It’s not an exercise to take casually.

Just as an Elevator goes up one floor at a time, the Elevator Speech should be delivered “by the floor.”

At each stop, the verbal and/or nonverbal signal to look for is, “Tell me more.”

Everyone doesn’t want to go to the Top Floor with you.  Some don’t want to leave the lobby! There is no need to waste time and energy taking them all the way up.

The Elevator Speech can be a good tool for Qualifying and DisQualifying prospects.

The Elevator Speech starts simple. As interest and time permit, it is expanded.

Again, not everyone wants to go with you to the Top Floor and you don’t want to take everyone there.

Let’s get in the Elevator and start going up!

1st Floor  -  Describes Who You Are
Hello! My Name is Fred Miller.
That may be all someone wants to know about you – Your Name.

2nd Floor  -  Describes What You Do
I’m a Speaker, a Coach and an Author.
That’s what I do.
Hopefully, they want to know:
What I speak about.
What I coach.
What have I authored.

On this floor, very briefly, tell them what you do.  Don’t give a lot of details.

3rd Floor  -  Describes Your Expertise
The Title of my Book is, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
How to Develop, Practice, and Deliver a ‘Knock Your Socks Off!’ Presentation with -
No Sweat!

This is where you tell something about why you have expertise in what you do.

4th Floor  -  Why They Hire Me
Businesses and Individuals Hire Me Because they want to improve their Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.

I prefer the words Hire Me rather than:
“I work with people who. . .
“I help people. . .
Hire Me lets them know I get Paid to do this.
Hire Me can be an excellent Dis-Qualifier.

The word “because” is important.  It has a positive psychological impact on the recipient.

5th Floor  -  More Why They Hire Me
They do this because:
We perceive really good speakers as Experts.
Perception is reality.
We like to work with Experts.

Here, expand on why they hire you.

6th Floor  -  More Information
They know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.

You may not have time or need to deliver more information, but it’s good
to have it as an option.

I could follow this up with,
“Are You Taking and Making Speaking Opportunities?”

That could continue the conversation.
This is an Elevator Speech, not a Sales Presentation.
If this leads to a meeting and a conversation, I’ll ask it at that time.

7th Floor  -  I Deliver
I show them how to Develop, Practice, and Deliver a ‘Knock Your Socks Off!’ Presentation with – No Sweat!

The “No Sweat!” is part of my Branding.  If you have a “Brand” it’s this is a great place to use it!

8th Floor  -  ASK!
“You probably don’t know any companies or people who could use the services I offer,
Do You?

Asking the question this way will catch them a bit off guard and usually get them thinking.
Their answer could be a prospect.

Somewhere on the ride up, the person you’re delivering to, is curious enough to tell you they want to know more and have a conversation in the future.
If not, ASKING them is the next best thing to do.  What have you got to lose?

Be aware that an Elevator Speech, just like any presentation, consists of two Components:
Content and Delivery.

Plan your Content.
•  Read The Elevator Speech Booklet.
•  Very little, but pertinent information, for each “floor.”
•  Continually refresh it. Change is constant.
• You learn new skills and have new experiences that can be
valuable to mention.

Delivery is Verbal and NonVerbal.
Verbal: The way the words are spoken.
•  Speak clearly and distinctly.
NonVerbal, Everything else.
•  Smile.  It’s universal and gets a positive response.
•  Make eye contact to show honesty and sincerity.
•  Stand tall and lean in slightly to listen and/or shake hands.
•  If appropriate to shake hands, give a firm handshake.

Now, work on Your Elevator Speech.
Then, if you’re inclined, go to the Comments Section, please, and
share Your Elevator Speech!

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.

They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
Connect/Follow me:
FaceBook
LinkedIn
Twitter
314-517-8772

Related posts:

1. Speakers: Brand Yourself with – “No Sweat!” I've worked very hard on my "No Sweat!" Brand: ”No...
2. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
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AP You Gotta Do It Yourself!. . .and 

There’s NO App to download that will make you a Great Speaker and lessen the Fear of Public Speaking.

Because of the Fear of Public Speaking, many in leadership positions pass on taking and making Speaking Opportunities and delegate the task to others.  That’s Nuts!

You should not hand a Speaking Opportunity off to someone else. Steve Jobs never did, and it’s one of the reasons Apple grew to be one of the most successful and innovative companies ever.

What would you think of a President, Prime Minister, or any leader of a country handing
off their annual “State of the Union Address’ to others?  It would not be seen as a positive move, would it?

Leadership is executed through superb communications!

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know My Mantra:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities!
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities!
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities!

Those who present well are perceived as Experts. Perception is reality, and we like to work with Experts.  (Experts can command higher prices for their products and services, also.)

People who take and make Speaking Opportunities grow the perception they are Experts. They grow their Businesses, advance their Careers, and increase their Leadership Roles.

We expect leaders to be good presenters.  Some are; many are not. If the leader is not comfortable delivering presentations, make it a goal to learn how!

Public Speaking/Giving a Presentation is a skill that is learned.  Just as no one is born knowing how to ride a bike, work with a computer, or drive a car, no one is born a public speaker.

There are many things a person can do to learn these skills:

• Take Public Speaking Courses.
• Join Toastmasters
• Read blogs and books on Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
• Observe professional speakers.
• Listen to great speeches.
• Watch videos on Presentation Skills.
• Hire a personal coach.
• PRACTICE delivering presentations.
• SPEAK!

Two activities stand above the others:

• Practice! – Practice! – Practice!

• Would any serious athlete just “Show Up”
  for the big game, match or meet? – NO!
• Spring Training, Summer Camp, Winter Camp,
  Workout – Workout – Workout!
• Would any serious musician, singer or actress just “Show Up”
  for the big concert, show, or play? – NO!
• Rehearsal – Practice – Rehearsal!
• Why would someone think they can just “Show Up” for a presentation and “wing it?” – NO!
• Practice! – Practice! – Practice!
• Steve Jobs was the consumate presenter.
  If he had a 90 minute Keynote Presentation scheduled to introduce a new Apple product
  or service he would practice for weeks!
• That’s the amount of time someone who was the best-of the-best would spend on preparing for a speech. How much prep time should you and I spend developing and practicing a presentation?

• Do it!  Present!
• “The Learning is in the Doing!”
• You can do all the intellectualizing you want about being a Public Speaker, but the real Learning is in the Doing!
• There’s no other way!
  Jump into the deep end of the pool (get in front of an audience) and start swimming (presenting).
• What’s the worse that could happen?
• You bomb!
• BIG DEAL!  Who Cares?
• It’s a drop in the ocean of your life.  It’s nothing!
• You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
• Jump in and Do It!  
• I GUARANTEE:
  “The worst speech you’ll ever give -
  will be far better than the one you never give!”
• Let me know how it works out!

Related posts:

1. Speakers: Brand Yourself with – “No Sweat!” I've worked very hard on my "No Sweat!" Brand: ”No...
2. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
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MDo you have a spare tire in your trunk?  If you do, and I hope so, do you know if it’s properly inflated?  Do you have a jack to lift the car so the tire can be changed?  How about a lug wrench to remove the bad wheel and install the good one?

Have you ever changed a tire? (I don’t mean calling the Auto Club and waiting for the service truck to arrive!)  I know many of you haven’t.  So if you had the misfortune of getting a flat in the middle of nowhere and had a properly inflated tire in your trunk, and all the tools to make that change, you might have to grab your manual and figure how to change that tire – correct?

Having a ‘Plan B’ doesn’t mean implementing it is going to be easy!

Murphy’s Law, if something can go wrong it will go wrong, applies to the world of Public Speaking and Presentations, also.

I always have a ‘Plan B’, and often a ‘Plan C’.  But, like having that spare tire, I never really expect to need it.

I often use Apple’s Keynote software to develop and present slides in my presentations.  My backup plans (spare tire and tools) include:

• Copying the presentation to the ‘Cloud’.
• Copying the presentation to a thumb drive.
• Converting the presentation to PowerPoint in case there is not another mac available should mine not work and copying that file to the ‘Cloud’ and a thumb drive.
• Checking that someone will have a PC or mac available as a backup should mine fail.
• Checking that they have either PowerPoint or Keynote on that backup computer.
• Hopefully, checking that my version of those programs will work on their version.
• As I write this, I probably should have the software program on a backup drive, also, and hope their operating system will be able to load and run my software version.
• Printed copies (yes, plural) of the Light Table View of the slideshow.
• Light Table View allows the printing of several sizes of thumbnails of all slides.  I’m able to place up to 35 slides on one piece of paper.  Because my slides are mostly images, with very little text, I can look at the slide and know what words I should be speaking.  If you use lots of text, and you should not, those thumbnails would have to be larger than ones with just images on them.
• Navigator View can also be printed.
• This shows the slides and any relevant notes.

Bottom Line:
Are you prepared for something that usually doesn’t, but could go wrong, in an instant? As I stated, I’ve always had that ‘spare tire’ but never expected to use it.

I’ve got a presentation this week and, if you’ll forgive me, I need to print out that ‘Plan B’ Light Table View and put it in my ‘trunk!’

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com

Related posts:

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2. The Magic Pill that Makes You a Great Presenter! There's no easy way to get rid of the Fear...
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AudienceThe AUDIENCE!

Speakers: It’s not about you!

It’s all about your Audience!

Successful Companies are Customer Centered. 

• They focus on the Customer; the needs and challenges their customers have.

They focus on meeting those needs and solving those challenges.

That means:

• The Medical Community is Patient Centered.
• The Educational System is Student Centered.
• The Hospitality Industry is Guest Centered.

To be successful in the Public Speaking / Presentation World we need to be
Audience Centered!

The audience didn’t come to see and hear you.  They did come to learn!  They came to learn about the subject you are speaking on.

If you switch your focus from the audience to you, you’re in trouble -
You’re in Big Trouble!

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com

Photo Credit: Marcel Acosta

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That’s worth repeating:
“The worst speech you’ll ever give,
will be far better than the one you never give!”

Many are held back from speaking because of the
Fear of Public Speaking.
They mistakenly think:

• They have to be perfect.
• They’ll make a fool of themselves.
• The audience won’t like them.
• They’ll forget something.
• The previous speaker was so much better!
• The audience knows more than they do about the subject.
• They have nothing worthwhile to say.

FYI: Deputation | noun
a group of people appointed to undertake a mission or take part in a formal
process on behalf of a larger group

A Big Thank You! to fellow speaker and blogger, John Zimmer, Manner of Speaking,
for bringing this great video to my attention.

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know:
Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities.
He shows them how to
Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com

Related posts:

1. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
2. The Magic Pill that Makes You a Great Presenter! There's no easy way to get rid of the Fear...
3. “I Have Nothing to Speak About!” You don't know what you know! The truth is, sometimes:...

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Nonsense!  Nonsense

One of the main reasons people have a Fear of Public Speaking is they think they have nothing to say.  They believe anything and everything that could ever be said on a subject has already been said - and probably, many many times!

They imagine the audience will know more than they do about the subject and will consider their valuable time is being wasted.  They’ll be bored to death, give them a hard time during the Q&A, and perhaps leave before the presentation is completed.

Nonsense!

I came to this realization after a friend emailed me a question.  I don’t recall what it was about, but I knew the answer and shot it back to him immediately.

Shortly, I received a return email that said, “Wow!”

I responded, “What’s so Wow!”

His reply: “Sometimes, your knowledge base is so wide and deep,
You don’t know what you know!”

That statement had a huge impact on me, and I’ll bet it just did on you, too, correct?

The research shows that sometimes:
Your everyday is someone else’s payday!
Your everyday is someone else’s Ah Hah Moment!

Something you’re very aware of, do naturally, and don’t even think about could be an real eye-opener for others!

Almost everyone does have something of value to present to an audience.  One of the problems is we are too close to our own wisdom and often it takes an experience like my “What’s so Wow?” to realize it.

For instance, I write, speak and coach on the subject of Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.  People have been talking and presenting for thousands or years.

What, except for some recent  technology issues, could I possibly speak to an audience about?  

Lots of things!

One of the reasons I know this is that although I’ve been studying Public Speaking and Presentation Skills for many years, I am continually learning new things!

Here are more reasons you Have something to say:

• Individuals are at different stages in their learning of a subject.
• Sure, some may know what you know, and possibly more, but many in the audience are newbies.
• You’ll be giving them far more information then they’ll be able to absorb the first time it’s introduced.
• Reinforcement.
• This is one of the best ways we learn.  Repeat – Repeat – Repeat
• Are you upset when you hear something you already know?  I’m not.  It might make it top of mind and something I can use now.
• Said differently.
• Often, we don’t GET something the first time we hear/see it.
• Sometimes, we don’t GET IT until we hear/see it presented in a manner different then we were exposed to it before.
• Example: I read a Post a few months ago saying “a lectern is a physical and emotional barrier between the audience and presenter.”  That was a “flash of the obvious” for me.  I know that!  However, I don’t have that information in my book (I will!) and didn’t have a slide for it in my slide deck (I do now!).
• Things do change!
• What the audience once learned may no longer be true.
• Some things, like technology, are changing exponentially.
• Example: Most of us have a computer, or a cell phone, more powerful than the computer the Apollo 13 crew had!
• If you’re continually updating the knowledge of your subject, the odds are you’ll be learning, and able to present, new information to your audience.

For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know: Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
He shows them how to Develop, Practice and Deliver Knock Your Socks Off Presentations! with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com

Related posts:

1. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
2. The Magic Pill that Makes You a Great Presenter! There's no easy way to get rid of the Fear...
3. Nonverbal Communication Trumps. . . Nonverbal Communication trumps Verbal Communication. Having your total presentation in...

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Survey after survey lists it at top of the ‘Fear List’ most people have.  Some say they would rather die than stand in front of an audience and deliver a speech.  Unfortunately, it holds many people back from reaching their true potential.

It is a fear worth confronting and overcoming.

You might be the world’s leading authority on a subject, but if you can’t present that expertise to others in a manner that educates, entertains, and explains it well, you won’t achieve the goals that should be yours!

The research shows: “Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career and Leadership Opportunities.”

I have coached individuals from all occupations and educational backgrounds.  They’ve ranged in age from fourth grade student to seniors.

Their occupations are varied.  They include:

• CEO
• Author
• Lawyer
• Entrepreneur
• Father of the bride
• Mid-level manager
• Commercial airline pilot
• Internet marketing expert
• Beauty Pageant Contestant
• and many others from a variety of occupations.

I have found no common denominator for this fear.  Since it affects, at one time or another, up to 75% of the population, I don’t believe there is one.

Why do we have this fear?

1. Out of our Comfort Zone 
First of all, for most people, speaking in front of a group takes us out of our comfort zone. Most of our talking is one-on-one; and much of that is on a telephone!  It’s easy to understand why having fifty to hundred or more eyeballs looking at us would give an uneasy feeling.

Standing in front of an audience, and being “in the spotlight” is not, for most, an everyday event.  Add to this the fact that you are the only one talking and, for the most part, have to rely on reading nonverbal communication for the effectiveness of your presentation.

2.  The What Ifs?
What if:

• I mess up?
• they don’t like me?
• I’m not perfect?
• they start laughing at me?
• the last speaker was way better than I am?
• stop paying attention to my presentation?
• they ask me a question I don’t know the answer to?
• someone knows more about the subject than I know?
• and one of the biggest what ifs
• What if I’ve got nothing to tell them that they don’t already know?
• Nonsense!

A good friend once said, “Often, you’re so close to your own knowledge base that
you don’t know what you know!”

• Your every day could be someone else’s payday!
• Your every day could be someone else’s Ah Hah moment!

You definitely have something to say!

Talk about:

• your passion.
• your job.
• your greatest success.
• your biggest failure.
• your travel experience.
• your family.
• your hobby.
• your dreams!

3. The Fear of Failure!
Failure gets a bad rap!  Instead of avoiding things we might fail at, we should embrace those opportunities.

Think about yourself.  Have you learned more from what you’ve done correctly or from things you’ve ‘failed’ at?  I assume, like me, it’s the things you didn’t do so well.  First you’re upset.  When you cool off  you analyze what went wrong and how to fix it.  When something goes correctly, you probably don’t give it a second thought, and perhaps, think you’re “just good!”

Most very successful people say if they had to do it all over, again, they would:

• Fail early.
• Fail often.
• Sometimes, fail BIG!

If you have a Fear of Public Speaking, it is normal.
You are not alone.  75% of the population has this fear.  There’s even a word for it – glossophobia.  Glosso is from the Greek meaning tongue, and phobus meaning fear.

The important thing to remember is that it is a Word, not a disease.  It can be controlled! For strategies to lessen this fear read my other posts and/or buy the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Thanks for visiting my Post!
For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know: Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
He shows them how to Develop, Practice and Deliver Knock Your Socks Off Presentations! with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com

Related posts:

1. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
2. The Magic Pill that Makes You a Great Presenter! There's no easy way to get rid of the Fear...
3. Delivering a Presentation:
   Using Notes Vs. a Mind Map Mind Mapping is a non-linear, visual, brain storming tool. I...

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Glossophobia:
The Fear of Public Speaking Listen!

It’s a Word, not a disease.  It can be controlled.

• You are not alone. There is comfort in numbers.  75% of the population have this fear.
• Don’t tell the audience! Do that, and it could become a self-fulfilling  prophecy. They want you to be successful and are glad you are delivering the presentation and not them.
• Know your stuff! There is a “confidence in your competence” that lowers anxiety.  Always study the latest on your topic and you’ll have that confidence.
• Arrive Early and Meet & Greet! It is amazing how much easier it is to speak to people you’ve already met.  To make the Meet & Greet easier, insist on people wearing Name Tags.  Name Tags reach out and pull people in.  They close the gap between people and make the Meet & Greet exercise faster and easier.  Audience members also appreciate having these to Meet & Greet each other!
• Give the audience a Road Map of what you’ll be presenting.  Tell them the order of your presentation and when and if you’ll be handling questions.  (The best location is before your closing.)  People like to know what to expect.  Knowing they know the agenda will lessen your anxiety and eliminate hands being raised in the middle of your talk.
• Constantly Take the Temperature of the audience. Look for eye contact, positive facial expressions, and body language indicating your message is being understood.  Knowing the recipients are GETTING IT! is positive feedback and lessens the Fear of Public Speaking.
• Practice! – Practice – Practice! This is the BIG TIP! Nothing replaces practicing.  The best of the best practice one hour for each minute of presentation.  (One hour per minute is not a misprint!)
• Have Notes or a Mind Map at hand. There is nothing wrong with having notes!  You know your stuff and don’t want to leave anything out of your presentation.  Notes refresh your memory.  (A Mind Map is a non-linear, visual, brainstorming tool.  It is what I use to develop, practice, and deliver presentations.)
• Be Prepared for Anything and Everything!  “Stuff Happens”, and knowing you have backups and all contingencies lined up, in case “the wheels come off,” will ease your anxiety.  (I know one person who always worries about the projector bulb burning out in the middle of his presentation and not having a spare handy.)

 

This stuff works!

Thanks for visiting my Post!
For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: http://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!

About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know: Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
He shows them how to Develop, Practice and Deliver Knock Your Socks Off Presentations! with -
No Sweat!

Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com

Related posts:

1. The Magic Pill that Makes You a Great Presenter! There's no easy way to get rid of the Fear...
2. Fox News interviews Speaker/Author, Fred E. Miller Audio John Pertzborn, co-anchor of Fox News AM Show in...
3. Delivering a Presentation:
   Using Notes Vs. a Mind Map Mind Mapping is a non-linear, visual, brain storming tool. I...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.