My response:
“Do you ever speak to an Audience of ONE?”
I’m sometimes asked a question like this when approaching a group about being a guest speaker.
It happened recently when the meeting planner told me, “We have a group of people who are sole proprietors in their businesses. Quite a few work from home. They have no staff and rarely, if ever, speak in front of groups. Honestly, most of them would quickly pass on an invitation like that anyway.
The only ‘Speaking’ they do is one-on-one sales presentations to prospects, and follow-up conversations with clients.
What, if anything, would your ‘No Sweat Public Speaking!’ talk have to offer them?”
I understood the point she was making. Many people will never give speeches to groups.
However, the Ability to do Public Speaking has many benefits.
It improves an individual’s One-On-One Communication.
I mentioned that her membership does this all the time.
It’s a great Confidence Builder.
If you get over the great ‘Fear of Public Speaking’ you’re more likely to successfully tackle other fears.
When you get out of your comfort zone – it becomes larger.
We expect Leaders and Experts to be good presenters.
The perception of people who present is that they are experts.
Perception is Reality!
All things being equal, I’d rather deal with an expert, wouldn’t you?
The members of this association, when they think about this benefit, may actually decide to seek speaking opportunities.
Important to All who ever have an Idea they want to Communicate: The Goal of All Communications; Spoken, Written, or Visual, is the same. We want the recipient(s), as quickly as possible, to “Get It!”
They may not agree with all our message.
They may not agree with any of it.
However, unless they “Get It!”, there can’t be an intelligent conversation going forward.
Taking this idea further, and to point of how Communications relates to Selling: If Prospects Don’t “Get It!” – They Don’t Buy!
There are Two Components to a Speech, and All Conversations (even one-on-one!):
Content – the message
Delivery – presenting the message
Delivery has two parts:
Verbal: your voice and how it is used
Non-Verbal: gestures, facial expressions, posture, etc.
It’s not just the words, but how they are presented.
Bottom Line for this Post: Speak in front of Groups, and you will improve all your skills for speaking to Individuals – I know you do that all the time, don’t you?
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About the Author Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”
Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, andPresentation Skills.
They do this because they know:"Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities."
They also know:We perceive really great speakers to be Experts. We like to work with Experts.
He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver Fantastic Presentations! with – NO SWEAT!
Services:
Keynote Speaker
Workshop Facilitator
Breakout Sessions
Personal and Group Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching
Crafting Your Elevator Speech, Floor by Floor with – NO SWEAT!
Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.
We are All Self-Employed!
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If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about this post or other posts please contact me: Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com.
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