When asked to present to the Professional Speakers Association of New Zealand I initially thought it was a bad idea. I'm not trained, I don't follow a script, and I know I talk too fast.
Always up for a challenge though, what was the worst that could happen?
The theme of my talk was how to manage emotions when nervous, and how to drive new business if you are a speaker. Apart from covering how to remain calm in challenging situations, and how to deal with our new world and all of its challenges, I also spoke of how to manage worry.
When it came to professional speaking, here are the key messages I left the audience with:
ℹ️ You can either stun the audience by knowing a lot about one thing, or knowing a little about a lot - you must choose your expertise.
🤝 When negotiating with a client, avoid setting a rigid bottom line—it could cause you to miss valuable opportunities. For example, we started working with one organisation at their agreed fee - and they are now our most valuable client.
⚠️ Never go in too hard with anything - whether it is your fee, your presentation style, or simply wanting to impress.
👀 Never be too relaxed - often we think we've done a great job, and then we relax and say something stupid. Many of us of done this I am sure!
💥 What is your WOW factor - is it your point of difference, is it your expertise or experience? What is one thing they can use immediately, or what will make them want to see you again?
☝️ Contrary to popular belief it is not about the speaker, it is about the audience. Forget the flash introduction about yourself, they are not there to see you - they are there to listen to what you have to say!
🥸 Be yourself - if we practise too much or follow a recognised pattern that most speakers use it could become a robotic presentation.
🎭 Real people want to see real people, you need to be relatable - your message could get lost if you sound too polished. Being professional and having confidence is one thing, putting on a staged show (acting) is quite another.
The techniques above can also be applied in everyday life. Whether you're running a business, managing a team, or simply someone who wants to improve themselves; these strategies can be a helpful guide.
Life is full of challenges—some we anticipate, others take us by surprise. By practising how to handle the challenges we expect, we build the skills needed to tackle the ones we don’t see coming. Strengthening these abilities can make a significant difference when life throws the unexpected our way.
I am still receiving wonderful feedback from the presentation for the PSANZ.
If I can do it, so can you.
Let’s talk!
Practice For The Unexpected.