Public speaking has long been touted as one of the most powerful forms of communication. Particularly for those of you who are entrepreneurs, public speaking has an even greater benefit: it allows you to gain new prospects, new customers and clients, often immediately after a presentation. Called a signing speech, you can easily create a massive impact for your business with just one presentation. But what do you do if you are afraid of public speaking? Talking as a way to market your business is out of the question for you?
Nope! You can do it.
If you’d rather be in the audience than on stage because you feel nervous in front of a crowd, you’re not alone. Let’s make you feel more confident about your presentation so you can earn more money and see all the rewards that delivering your Signature Speech can bring. The only powerful technique? Display.
World-class elite athletes regularly use visualization to perform at their best when it matters most. Brent Parkhill, owner of Flexx Fitness Personal Training and Sports Performance in Aurora, Illinois, who regularly uses visualization techniques with his clients, says, “Visualization allows the body to prepare for a physical challenge so you can achieve your goals.”
Additionally, Law of Attraction enthusiasts and experts, including Kamin Bell, author of Journey to Abundance, explain how experiencing a moment in your mind and a sensation in your body can cause that same positive experience to manifest when you are later in the real-life situation. Bell says, “By feeling what it feels like to be confident as you see yourself giving a speech in your mind, you make that feeling of confidence more likely when you’re giving your next speech.”
Here are some tips for using visualization effectively:
- Prepared: Sit in a comfortable and quiet place. Eliminate all distractions, phone, computer email ringing, etc.
- Close your eyes: This technique is done entirely in your mind. Keeping your eyes open could distract you from your exercise.
- Picture of each detail: Imagine the room where you will be speaking. Look at the chairs, the tables if any, and everything else in the room. See the audience smiling and enjoying your presentation.
- incorporates All your senses: Think about how the temperature in the room feels; smell the aroma of hot coffee being served on the tables if you are speaking at a banquet; taste the fresh water in her mouth just before it is announced that she will speak; listen to the applause as you are introduced; and look at the details around you.
- Imagine yourself feeling comfortable, safe and calm: Now turn your attention to your body and your emotions. Imagine any and all of your typical nervous symptoms melting away in favor of a warm, uplifting feeling of self-confidence and joy at being able to share your unique message with the people in the room who want to hear what you have to say.
- Check your speech: Imagine yourself going through every part of your speech, feeling comfortable and confident with the audience enjoying every moment.
- Stay in that calm and happy feeling: Sit with that feeling for a moment and let it permeate your being.
Using this simple visualization technique is what will help you eliminate the fear of public speaking once and for all so you can be successful while marketing your business with your own Signature Speech.