Become a Better Speaker
In many of my workshops and seminars, folks ask me how they can move into speaking. So I thought I would offer a few tips for anyone with a burning passion to stand in front of a group - even if you are still working on your public speaking skills.
Here goes…
1. Start speaking! Anywhere, everywhere to gain skill. You can speak (for free if you are new to the industry) at colleges, student career days, associations and local events.
2. Tape yourself speaking - then watch the tape on fast forward. I did this 15 years ago and my hand gestures looked as if I was waving down a plane! Sometimes you just don’t have a clue what you do with your body. When 8 to 900 people are looking at you talk - its a good thing to know.
3. Know your topic, know your topic, KNOW YOUR TOPIC. It serves no one if you are not an expert on your subject. You may end up nervous, get lost on questions and give up too early…..never fun.
4. Quit thinking people are judging you! That is speaker doom. Once in awhile I will notice someone looking really deeply at the way I parted my hair, but in most cases (and I have spoken in front of thousands of people) they are listening to YOU. Maaaayybe the first 2 minutes, but the rest is content and delivery….which brings me to the last item…
5. Pull yourself together people ARE starring at you! KIDDING! Be real, be yourself, feel good, dress according to the event (one notch dressier) just in case you misread "business casual". And above all HAVE FUN.
Public speaking is fun! 
