Are you scared of presenting your work? 

The best way to get comfortable speaking in front of a group is to practice speaking in front of a group.

This month I will be kicking off another Speak with Impact Lab, a 5-week in-person workshop on public speaking and presentation skills. 

Speak with Impact Lab is a small group course designed to get your ideas out of your head and coming out of your mouth so you can be articulate even when you’re nervous. 

It provides a safe space to practice presenting, refine your content and learn how to calm your nerves so you can nail your presentation when it matters most. 

Over the course of 5 weeks, you will develop strategies to manage your fears and engage your audience so you can:

• Persuade clients and teammates that you thought through solutions and already arrived at the best option

• Be confident in your message so you don’t get sent back to the drawing board

• Respond effectively to questions without melting into a puddle of nerves

What this means for you is at the end of 5 weeks, you’ll have your presentation written, rehearsed and ready to go so you can showcase your work and finally get recognized as an authority. 

Want in? Details are here.

When I told a business acquaintance that I was starting improv classes, she replied “I bet you’re great at that.”

This struck a chord. She assumed that I was already great at improv or that it came naturally because I teach people about public speaking.

I felt myself tense up, believing for a moment that I should already know everything there is to know about improvising. Then I remembered why I signed up for a class.

I wanted to learn. Improv is fun, and hard, and awkward. Like anything else, it takes practice.

I get up in front of groups regularly and teach workshops, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still learning.

For some, performing comes naturally, For others, you might dread being the center of attention. But you don’t have to be a natural performer to be a great speaker.

I just finished an 8-week Improv class at Magnet Theater and I wanted to share 7 life lessons I learned from improv:

1. Doing silly things with strangers is fun - sure it’s awkward but it's also hilarious and it builds trust.

2. You don't have to know everything. In fact, it's a huge relief when you realize you’re supported by a team of other people who can help you figure things out

3. When in doubt, mirror what your partner is doing - imagine if you applied this concept the next time you’re in a situation where you don’t know the answer.

4. Listening is vital. As a naturally quiet person, listening was already a strength but knowing you have to respond to what your scene partner is doing makes you pay attention on a deeper level.

5. Let go of control - if you spend all your time planning what you’re going to say, it might be completely irrelevant by the time it’s your turn. You might miss the most important details, you might miss all the fun.

6. Commit - you might be unsure but if you look certain it will be easier to get other people on board.

7. Pretend - if you’re scared, do it anyway. Pretend you feel confident. Eventually you will.

Improv is simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating.

It’s the same with public speaking.

I can recall a time when improv would have been my worst nightmare and now it feels fun.

So remember, however you feel about your presentation skills today, those feelings can change.

If you’ve been thinking about taking improv classes, check out Magnet Theater.

If you want 1:1 support to improve your presentation skills and create content that resonates with your audience, I’d love to help.

Book a discovery call to talk to me about coaching.

This might sound crazy, but the subway is a perfect place to practice your public speaking.

What?! Yes, that’s right!

I practice while I’m commuting and I encourage clients to practice on the train, in the car, or while you’re walking to work.

This is my favorite life hack for all the folks who don’t think they have time to practice.

Imagine how productive your commute could be if you used 10 or 15 minutes of your travel time to practice a presentation instead of scrolling through social media.

People often ask if I’m worried about looking crazy. NOT at all.

This is New York City and there are far weirder things! No one is paying attention.

If you’re self-conscious, put in your headphones – people will think you’re listening to music.

This is a great technique to get used to distractions. You can even record yourself practicing while you’re on the subway or waiting at an empty section on the platform.

Want a few more practice ideas you may not have thought of?

1. Take an Improv class.

2. Go to a city council meeting and talk about an issue in your neighborhood.

3. Host a dinner party and practice your presentation for friends.

4. Practice for your neighbors. It’s a great way to get to know people.

5. Practice for your dog, or your cat or your lizard.

Want to get expert guidance and practice with a professional?

Book a time to talk to me about coaching.

3 Simple Strategies to Increase Audience Engagement

When I saw Grace Bonney speak at Creative Mornings, she talked about the importance of in-person connection. She said:

"Real people matter, real life experiences matter, and what happens on the internet matters a whole lot less."
 

You can apply this same idea to presentations.

What happens on your slides matters less than the relationship you build with your audience.

You audience wants to know you’re talking to them so the next time you’re speaking in front of a group, focus on connection.

You’re allowed to be nervous but don’t let nerves paralyze you and turn you into a robot at the front of the room.

Use these 3 simple strategies to build connection:

1. Look Them in the Eye

I know it can feel scary standing at the front of the room with all eyes on you. If you’re nervous or shy, eye contact might be the last thing you want to focus on. But consider this:

Your audience wants to know you’re talking to them.

So look them straight in the eye.

People often ask how to make contact with a big room of people. Here's a Tip: Look at one person at a time and tell them a whole thought. Then, move on to another person and tell them your next thought. With practice it will get easier. 

2. Smile

If you’re nervous and don’t feel like smiling, do it anyway. 

Smiling helps you relax.

It triggers different hormones in the body and when you smile, people in the audience are more likely to smile back at you. It creates positive feedback loops and if you're having fun so will your audience.

 

3. Be curious

Find out who your audience is and make sure your topic interests them. For instance, you might research them in advance and find out their profession, age range, and educational background. Once you know more about the audience, tailor your content to suit them.
 

Want more strategies to build your speaking confidence?

Sign up for 7 Steps to an Engaging Presentation so you can stop freaking out and start being the authority.