Public Speaking Archives

The 4 Best Responses to I Need a Better Price

Jul 28, 2022 | Public Speaking

There are many ways to approach negotiation when you are looking to buy something, however, what happens when you are the seller. How are you able to negotiate the price as the seller? Do you find yourself caving?

Or are you able to stand your ground on a regular basis? You should know the best tactics to ensure that you are making the best profit possible on your products. This is everything that you need to know as a seller to ensure that you can offer some of the best responses to buyers who are always looking for a better price.

The Issue at Hand: When a Seller Caves

In the 1970s researchers began looking at the effect that a seller had to deviate from a list price. The thought was that when they were collaborating with sellers who had the higher pricing authority that they would be closing better deals overall. However, there were many commissions that were based on the margins, and it was best for the seller to get the best deal possible with each of the buyers.

One thing that was very surprising however when looking at all the sellers who had the most authority, they had the lowest profits of all the other sellers who were a part of the study. The high authority sellers were 11% lower in margin and had around 13% few sellers than those who had lower authority in the field and had less ability to negotiate on the pricing. When looking at the issue, it came down to really two things buyer tactics and the seller’s behavior.

“You never achieve success unless you like what you are doing.”

Dale Carnegie

When looking at the long-term patterns, that meant that sellers were caving too often. This caving led to many terrible things for sellers like:

Bad deals are a lot more about price dropping than you might think.

There are many other things that are wrapped up in the entire story of bad prices such as contingencies, cancellation terms, more products and service requests. Buyers are aware of all the kinds of quotas and other factors as well that sellers are having to reach now.

With all these senses of urgency on the seller, sometimes they are not thinking straight. On thing that is important to be aware of is that when you are anxious, it is going to change the way that you are interacting and the way that you are approaching negotiations.

Pro Tip

Put yourself in your buyer’s shoes.

Your Solution: Be Ready for a Trade

When you are in the middle of negotiations. You need to make sure that you are always ready to get something for what you must give. That means that you need to be ready to make trades.

There are a few things that you need to remember when you are making a trade. You need to always trade and not cave.

Many of the best negotiators find fresh solutions when they can find new ways to add value. Here are a few of the best responses out there for you to be able to practice.

Action Item

Explain to the customer what minimum price you can offer and add variables and options, like flexible payments, different feature packages or a more affordable model.

When you are collaborating with buyers who are mentioning issues of any kind whether they are related to your process or anything else. Here is what you need to remember.

Always look for decision-makers.

When you are selling a product that allows for any kind of negotiation, you want to make sure that you are speaking to the right person. You need to ensure that you are negotiating with a person who has the influence that you need so that you are not going to be wasting any time or effort.

You also need to know that you are going to be able to produce something the first time if you are dealing with someone who asks for a lower price. You need to always perform your due diligence and ensure that you are in front of the right people so that you will be able to make sure that you have the right decision before you name a price.

Always be confident.

Make sure that you are always putting yourself in the shoes of your buyer’s that means that you need to think about what they are thinking if you have anxiety. You can see why they are wanting to get a lower price. You will see also that when you are collaborating with prospective buyers, they are watching for all your nonverbal cues as well as your regular ones.

They are going to be wanting nothing but confident cue from you. You want to be confident and not overconfident. You are going to turn people off if you have the wrong attitude.

“In fact, the confidence of the people is worth more than money.”

Carter G. Woodson

Have a single discount.

There are all kinds of options for you to think about when you are creating discounts for your products. However, when you are thinking about a way to price things for your customers you want to make sure that you are not using anything that will seem arbitrary. That means that you need to ensure that you have a single discount that you can use, and it will allow you to always earn a profit.

Know when to stop the negotiations.

When you are collaborating with prospective buyers, you will see that there are many people out there that would rather get something for free other than pay for something. However, that will mean that you are not making a profit.

Considering that you are business that needs to make moneys, you need to now take an offer that is lower than you are asking. You need to ensure that you are aware of every discount that happens, and you are not going to set yourself up not failure by not running a successful business.

Make sure your value proposition is clear.

As a seller, you need to make sure that you can share with your customers because it is that they should be buying from you. Most of all the buyers out there are noticeably short sighted and are not able to see beyond the price. The thing that you need to show them is that they are going to be able to save and you want to make sure that you can show them as well any other add on that are a part of your product.

Pro Tip

Enlighten the customers on the value they’ll get.

Always allow the seller to make the first offer.

When you are talking to a prospect and they want to make the first offer when you are speaking to them, you will know who you are dealing with and any of the issues that they are facing. What that means is that you need to be in a good place when it comes to all the negotiations out there. When you listen to them, you will be able to give them the best solution that they are looking for.

You are also going to be able to give them a much better deal based on the price that they are looking for. You may also be able to think about a way to help them without having to haggle at all. When you have a price though that the buyer says is too high, what do you do then?

When it comes to someone objecting to the price it is not what you think it is most of the time. It is important to understand what is being said there and how.

Can we do it for less?

When it comes to the buyer who is looking for a discount because they got one in the past, you need to make sure that you tell them the price is firm. Many of them may be looking just to find a cheap solution and may not understand what they are paying for. You need to explain the full value of the product and highlight what they are getting in a way that they cannot ague.

Money is a Problem!

They cannot find a way to pay more than they have in the past, you need to ensure that you are explaining the ROI to the prospect so that they see what is coming with it. When you are sharing the value of what it is that you are implementing, they should be willing to pay more. You also want to take the time to share a case with them of a client who had a remarkably analogous situation so that they can see the value.

I Have Other Options!

When you are in the business world it will become noticeably clear that there are all kinds of competitors out there for everything. A part of that is that it means it is possible for there to be many other bargaining chips for you and for your buyer.

You want to ensure the buyer that you are in a place where you have priced things as affordably as you can. If you are still not convinced, you want to make sure that you are able to offer the integration of more support or another thing to add value to the product.

Call Me if You Lower the Price.

This may sound like they are bluffing, but it is a way to make sure that you are holding your ground. That is especially important because you are working to always ensure that you have the best solution for the customer and that takes time. Sometimes you must just walk away.

Contact Us

Please send an email to support@mitchcarson.com for inquiries.Click Here

How to Improve Communication Skills at Work – 12 Steps

Jul 27, 2022 | Public Speaking

A person can present many talents at their place of work, but without proper communication skills it can be difficult to progress within a company. Improving communication skills at work does not require any special talent or gift. What it does require is the proper mindset and the effort to apply what you have learned to the work environment.

What follows are 12 steps that you can take to bolster your communication skills. Of the 12 steps available, 8 are things that you can employ right now.

The other 4 will require some outside help to make it work. The steps will cover presentations, written and oral communications, how to manage conflicts, and more.

Know What You Want to Achieve

It’s one thing to say you want to improve your communication skills, it’s another to know what direction to take. The first step should be research. Find the people that you admire for their communication skills and work to understand how they are so successful.

This can be someone that you work with directly or perhaps someone famous for their communication abilities. In any case, you should make notes of their attributes which includes the following.

– What makes that person stand out in communicating with others?
– How do they start their presentations?
– How do they initiate and maintain eye contact?
– When conflicts arise, how do they handle them?

By seeing what others are doing, you can better understand the areas in which you need to improve.

“Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.”

Earl Nightingale

Focus Communication Skills to the Moment

Life is about moments, so you should employ the right set of skills and techniques to the situation at hand. This means customizing your communication efforts to the person or audience that is present. The old saying that brevity is the soul of wit applies in most communication situations.

Make your emails, speeches, and presentations short and to the point. Focus on one or two points at a time. And allow for feedback and interaction. That is how great communicators work.

Pro Tip

Whether you want to be in business, information technology or any other field, good communication skills will help you succeed.

Create Opportunities to Communicate to Others

If practice makes perfect, then the more opportunities you must communicate with others, the more you will improve your communication skills. So, ask your boss about allowing you to present something at the next meeting.

It can be a simple update on the work you are doing, but the more opportunities you have to speak in front others, the better you will improve your communication skills. And this in turn will open bigger opportunities.

Know the Audience

Great communicators calibrate their communication to the situation at hand. This starts by understanding the objective of the meeting or situation that you are in. The objective should be the focal point of your communication.

For example, if a meeting is about solving a single issue, then do not bring up other issues. Know the objective and know your audience. Fit the style of communication you will use to the event.

There is a big difference between making a speech in front of a large group and talking to a co-worker. And remember that communication is a two-way street. Know when to speak and know when to listen and respond to what others are saying.

Action Item

Use specific language, avoid spewing out too many acronyms.

Initiate the Interaction

In situations where others are presenting and opening the floor for questions, ask one. It may be a small, even rather insignificant questions, but it’s the place to start. By staying silent all the time, you are missing out on the opportunities to bolster your communication skills.

Just start with one question. Voice a small opinion. Keep it brief, but you will notice that what seems to be quite trying at first will become second nature in future meetings. Just be sure you are to the point and not rambling when you speak.

“Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.”

LL Cool J

Listen

As fundamental as speaking and writing, listening is crucial to being a good communicator. To become a great listener, you must focus on the important details of what others are saying, incorporate that into your response, and then present your views based on what they have said.

It’s a simple thing, but listening is vital to connecting to your audience. By being focused on what others are saying, you can greatly improve your communication skills.

Tell a Story

It may seem like a timewaster at first, but if you can employ a concise story that applies to the situation, you can really make your points come across with far greater clarity. The story can be something you saw at work, something you heard on the news, or from any source. What’s important is that the story needs to tie directly into the point that you are making.

Admittedly, this is the most difficult aspect of communication. Telling stories is more than simply relating facts. You are weaving together a tale that must be visualized by those who are listening. But if you master this, then you can greatly improve your efforts at communication.

Give Credit

Letting people know how much they are appreciated is one of the best methods to boost morale, increase productivity, and create a closer rapport between you and your audience. Point out when someone has contributed positively to the group or organization. It can be a small thing, but it will have a big impact when you do it properly.

Pro Tip

Always use accurate words to express context.

Additional Steps

You now know the basics. What you need to do is get the proper feedback to help identify areas that can be improved. You can do that with the following.

All these tips seem simple enough and you do not have to use all of them. But you should get some feedback on what you are doing. Otherwise, it can be easy to overlook an area of weakness that needs improvement.

Put the steps together and you will develop the ability to bolster your communication skills. This will speed the progress of reaching your career goals.

Contact Us

Please send an email to support@mitchcarson.com for inquiries.Click Here

10 Keys to Speak Confidently to Leadership

Jul 26, 2022 | Public Speaking

Although speaking in public is one of the most common fears that people face, speaking to your boss or to the leadership of your company is arguably even more common. It does make sense that speaking to those who hold your career in their hands can be a nerve-wracking experience. But it does not always have to be that way.

As with speaking to anyone in authority, it takes the right set of skills and practice to create a more comfortable situation. This in turn will help get your message across while lowering the tension that you are probably feeling.

What follows are 10 keys to speak confidently to leadership. You can employ any or all these keys in your communication efforts for maximum effect.

Get to the Point

In other words, start your remarks with what will benefit the company. This means putting the benefits right up front in your remarks. Structure the presentation as the goal being achieved and then explain how it will happen.

The actual details of how to obtain the goal is secondary, but important support of the main benefit. Put the outcome first when you are making a presentation to your leadership.

The details of how it happens will support the results and provide more information. Just remember not to linger too much on the details. Your focus should be on what needs to be done, not all the nuances of how it should be accomplished.

Pro Tip

Be Good at Your Job. Think of it from your boss’s point of view.

Speak Confidently and at a Moderate Pace

One of the biggest issues that nervous speakers face is going too quickly. You lose credibility the more you rush through your words. Instead, uses pauses at the right points in your presentation.

This will highlight important points you want to make. Plus, it provides time to calm down and gather your thoughts to present the next point.

Also, try to avoid using filler words such as “um”, “you know”, and the like. That will help gain credibility as well.

“Your voice will enter corners your eyes will never see, so speak up.”

Ibrahim Mustapha

Understand the Audience

The more you know about the people who are there, the better you can hone your presentation. This means using language that best relates to the leadership, so you can make your points the most effective.

This means that the amount of jargon you use, which are words associated with specific knowledge, should be calibrated to the audience. When in doubt, make the words more general and relatable.

Action Item

Choose Your small-talk topics wisely.

Body Language Matters

What you say can be greatly affected by how you appear. Even in today’s virtual world where all people can see is your face, you still must display a strong body language on the screen. You can do this by having the camera at eye level, sitting up straight, and keeping your hands out of sight.

Hand gestures are okay if they help make your point in a meaningful manner. Just remember not to slouch, lean too far back, or look like you want to be anywhere but where you are at.

Create a Story

Telling a story that backs up your point is one of the most effective means of communication. Relate an example that puts your remarks into focus, so the audience understands what you are trying to get across. For example, instead of talking about issues in a general way, use a story that illustrates what the issues are doing in the workplace.

Cite a specific interaction with a customer instead of just saying something is a problem. By doing that, it will hammer home the point right away and back up your argument to leadership.

“Simple and to the point is always the best way to get your point across.”

Guy Kawasaki

Be Positive

It’s true that fear is a good motivator but being positive is much more effective. When presenting issues that are facing the company, you should craft the presentation as if this is an opportunity and not a dire warning.

Even if the problems you are addressing are dire, by shaping the presentation as a positive, you can provide direction that inspires the leadership. This will help get your points across better and even motivate action to take place.

Be Kind

It can be easy to devolve into rudeness or not being mindful of your audience. By taking the approach of being kind, you not only improve the presentation, but you also instill confidence as well. Rudeness or being curt only raises suspicions that you are not confident in what you are saying.

By taking the kind approach, you bolster the confidence behind the words. You create the impression that what you are saying is not only real, but that it can withstand criticism.

Watch the Uptalk

Uptalk is when your voice goes up an octave or the tone is pitched higher which makes your sentences sound like questions. Uptalk can eat away at the authority you have built up in your presentation. Instead, work to bring the tone down at the end of your sentences.

Getting rid of uptalk is not easy, but if you practice your presentation as if you were politely giving your dog commands, that can certainly put you in the right place. Just try not to tell your audience to “sit”.

Pro Tip

Understand the Expectations and Learn the Details

Keep It Concise

You can get to the point quickly, but you can also stay there too long. Be concise with your presentation so that it gets across everything you want in the shortest amount of time. You should speak at a moderate pace and not rush through your words.

But less is more when making your presentation. Being concise means you can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. You can leave time for questions at the end.

Interact When Necessary

For the most part, you should present your material in a compact, concise manner to get your points across. But you should also be prepared for questions. Interaction is a vital part of communication. It is generally best to have such interactions at the end so that your entire presentation can be made in a timely fashion.

However, you may incorporate short questions to your audience that helps you make a better connection. For example, questions such as “how many of you have experienced issues with …?” can invoke a quick response that helps broaden out the impact of your presentation.

Contact Us

Please send an email to support@mitchcarson.com for inquiries.Click Here

Why Do Public Speakers Make More Money Than You?

Jul 19, 2021 | Public Speaking

This is a question that I get asked a lot: “Why do speakers earn so much more money than you?” It is a fair question and it deserves a reasonable answer.

First, let’s look at why earning money has ever been important to humans. In all the cultures of the world, people have always been trying to improve the state of their lives by earning money or augmenting their income.

We hear stories about people who live in extreme poverty who still managed to send their children to school.

Now, let’s say you are in a similar situation to the poor people of the world. You have goals you’d like to achieve. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that if you worked hard enough, you would eventually get there? That someday you might be able to buy your own home and have your own car?

“A good speech should be like a woman's skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.”

Winston S. Churchill

Well, if you’re like most people in the world, this is pretty much impossible. You might earn a little bit of money here and there, but compared to what you’d have to give up, giving up is a much better choice.

This is where the importance of income comes into play for public speakers. These speakers can actually command huge incomes simply by giving a speech.

In fact, some of the most famous stars in the world earn their entire living from speaking, traveling, or creating a company from their speeches. The same is true for authors, athletes, doctors, lawyers, etc.

This raises a very good question: How did the rich and famous get to where they are without any effort on their part?

The answer is simple: They made themselves rich through hard work and dedication. There are a lot of people in the world who think that public speakers just come to speak, give a speech, and then disappear into the void of oblivion. This could not be further from the truth.

Action Item

Film every talk so you get the most value out of it. Post the talk online. Share it with your networks.

In order to become a speaker, you first need to learn how to speak. You need to practice your craft and polish your skills until you’re perfect.

After that, you need to build your portfolio, or your portfolio consists of all the speeches and workshops you’ve ever given. You can also sell your speeches and writings online, and network with other speakers and experts.

This way, when you give a speech at an event, no one will know who you are or how much you’ve made through your previous speeches and writings.

Pro Tip

Practice is the way to overcome fear.

Once you have built up your portfolio and your business, you can then use the hard-earned money to give speeches and presentations.

Most speakers make between six and eight thousand dollars per hour, so don’t let this number mislead you. This is simply the tip of the iceberg.

The best public speakers in the world make well over a hundred thousand dollars per hour, which means if you were to ever do an interview on an evening news show, and you were to compare the amount of money these speakers make to the salary of an average college student, you’d find that these speakers would have made much more.

If you want to get paid for giving a speech, you can certainly do it.

Contact Us

Please send an email to support@mitchcarson.com for inquiries.Click Here

How Do You Put Together Motivational Speaker Branding?

Jul 16, 2021 | Public Speaking

A lot goes into putting together motivational speaker branding. You need to have clear, concise messaging that sticks in people’s minds. It needs to be memorable and unique so that you stand out from the other speakers who are doing what you do.

And of course, it needs to touch on your strengths and set you apart as a leader in this space. In this article, I’ll discuss how to put together motivational speaker branding for yourself or someone else!

What is the speaker's style, personality, and a voice like?

A speaker who wants to be seen as an authority and expert in their field.
Speakers should share anecdotes from the stage that demonstrate how they are qualified for this position of authority.
If you can create moments where people connect with you on a personal level, then it is more likely that they'll go away feeling uplifted or inspired by what they've heard.
Find ways to make yourself stand out at every opportunity possible through managing tone (whether serious or lighthearted), language choice (determined by region), or topic selection.
Try to mention your credentials while you're on stage - share a story from the past and use it as an example of how you can speak with authority.
There are plenty of opportunities for speakers to build their personal brands.
This includes everything from social media presence (in particular LinkedIn) through speaking style or quality.
Promote yourself in any way possible, so people know who they'll be listening to when they buy tickets for future events or come along to see you speak live at venues around the world.

“He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense.”

Joseph Conrad

How are they different from other speakers on the same topic

Action Item

Create and maintain a speaker website.

What are the most important qualities of a motivational speaker?

What are some of the most common techniques used by motivational speakers to connect with an audience?

Using their personal experiences and stories to get the point across. If they have ever been in a situation similar to one that someone else is going through, there's usually high empathy between them both which helps build rapport.
Keeping things lighthearted but still serious enough, so people know what you're talking about or at least care enough not to tune out completely. You need balance in order for it all not to be too heavy or overwhelming because then nobody would want any part of your message!
It's important for motivational speakers' interactions with audiences when speaking live include: eye contact, smiling, and lots of hand gestures!

Why should people go to this event instead of others?

People usually attend a motivational speaker event because they want to be inspired or filled with hope. They may also have been feeling low and need some advice on how to bounce back from their current situation.

Other times, people come for the sole purpose of hearing new ideas about how to overcome challenges in life so that they can take away practical strategies which will help them feel more in control of their lives again.

A lot of audiences are looking for different things when attending these events, but one thing is always clear: whatever it is you’re looking for, this type of content has something relevant for everyone!

What is their backstory, and what makes them qualified to speak about this topic?

The backstory of a speaker is often the most compelling and memorable part of their presentation. A lot can be learned just by listening to someone’s story.

As you’re developing your brand, consider what makes each person different from other speakers in this space. What does that make them qualified to speak about? How do they bring value or provide unique perspectives?

What’s the speaker’s story? How did they end up in this space? What made them want to pursue a career as an inspirational speaker or subject matter expert? Have we done anything to address any personal obstacles that have been faced on their journey (e.g., disabilities, lack of mentors)?

“It’s much easier to be convincing if you care about your topic. Figure out what’s important to you about your message and speak from the hear.”

Nicholas Boothman

Who influences them and how do they use that influence in their speaking engagements?

Many speakers are influenced by other motivational speakers that they’ve listened to or come across. How do you use this same influence in your own engagements?

There’s a lot of pressure on the speaker, and it can be hard for them to know how much is too much when talking about their influences.

What ways have you seen influencer branding work best in regards to speaking engagement: You may want to talk about something like what an audience member might not expect from someone with your background - maybe discussing some facts they didn't realize before hearing you speak.
It could also mean posing questions back at the audience during your presentation or Q&A session - if they're unfamiliar with who has been influential for me as a speaker, they may have had a similar experience with someone they've listened to or come across. How do you use this same influence in your own engagements?
What can speakers learn from the influencers that are attending their event: There's no right answer, but it might be helpful for them to hear what other attendees think and why - just like any speaker would want feedback on their presentation content!

Pro Tip

Claim your space and showcase your skills.

What are some common topics they give speeches on?

A motivational speaker will typically speak on topics such as the power of positive thinking, achieving your goals, and using discipline. Other common subjects include success in sales, leadership skills, and time management.

Final words

Your personal branding is the way that others see you. It’s how they come to know and understand who you are, your values, and what you’re all about. A great speaker can have a lot of success with effective branding and it doesn’t need to be complicated in order for it to work!

Learning more about yourself will help make this process easier – if nothing else, just ask family or friends what words they would use when describing who you are as an individual; their answer might surprise you!

Contact Us

Please send an email to support@mitchcarson.com for inquiries.Click Here

10 Tips to Gain Confidence in Public Speaking for Introverts

Jul 13, 2021 | Public Speaking

Public speaking can be overwhelming for anyone, but introverts often find it especially challenging. Small talk with strangers or talking to large groups of people can feel like an insurmountable task for someone who has a social anxiety disorder. However, there are ways to build confidence and get started in public speaking if you’re an introvert.

This blog post will offer 10 tips on how to gain confidence in public speaking as an introvert.

Practice your speech beforehand

You may be thinking, “who has time to practice their speech beforehand?” The good news is that you have plenty of opportunities to do so. You can work on your public speaking in the car, at home, while walking around town–anytime and anywhere!

Practice rehearsing out loud until it sounds like a natural flow from start to finish.

“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Find a supportive friend or family member to listen to you practice and give feedback

You already know you can’t get over your fear of speaking in public on your own. You need a friend or family member to help you practice so they can give feedback and point out any mistakes you made during the speech.

Know that it is okay if you mess up - just keep going!

The first thing you should know is that it’s okay if you mess up. The most important thing in public speaking is to keep going – as long as what you say after the mistake has value, then no one will care too much about your previous error!

Action Item

Find a supportive friend or family member to listen to your practice and give feedback.

A lot of people find public speaking nerve-wracking, and introverts are no exception. The first thing you should know is that it’s okay if you mess up – just keep going! It isn’t a bad idea to have an “oops” plan beforehand for when things go wrong (have a friend in the audience who will help or bring your speech on index cards).

Face the audience with confidence, even if you're not feeling confident inside

Face the audience with confidence, even if you're not feeling confident inside. The more eye contact you make with your listeners or viewers, the more likely they'll be able to connect with what it is that you are saying and find common ground.
Smile! When people see a smile (especially on camera), they feel happy too. And remember: everyone in the audience has been quietly sitting there for as long as 10 minutes waiting for you to speak, so don't rush through your presentation because of nerves; take all 10 minutes just like any other speaker would.
If at all possible, stand up while speaking behind a podium--this way, your voice will project better throughout the room without relying solely upon mics which can cause feedback issues.

Smile Before, During And After Speaking; People Will Be More Receptive To What You Have To Say

A smile doesn’t just make someone feel good- it can also make you seem more confident! Smiling increases your self-esteem, putting you in a better mood which makes others like the things you say more. A study found that people who smiled during their presentations were perceived as more confident than those that did not.

When talking with an introvert, try smiling at them to help put them at ease when speaking to crowds or handling large groups of individuals.”

“Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you.”

Les Brown

Speak from your heart, rather than reading off of notes or a script

When you write, your brain is scanning the page to find meaning. When you speak, it’s a direct connection from your mind to other people’s minds. When we read words aloud, our brains start looking for ways to make sense of them and often get distracted by what could be going on around us instead.

That means that when we attempt public speaking without using notes or a script, there are fewer distractions in their head.

Pro Tip

Don't Read Unless You Have to.

Speak with conviction
Make eye contact
Be passionate about what you're talking about
Use pauses for emphasis
Practice, practice, practice!
Know your audience and speak to their needs. Speak in a way that will resonate with them.
Put yourself out there without worrying about what other people may think of you. You're not making speeches in public; you are simply talking to people who want to listen (and, more importantly, need to hear) what you have to say!

Give yourself time in between public speeches so that when it's time for another one, they won't feel like the first one all over again

Give yourself time in between public speeches so that when it’s time for another one, they won’t feel like the first one all over again. This will also allow you to get your thoughts together and make any necessary changes before presenting them to an audience.

You’ll start feeling more confident with each speech because no matter how long of a break you take from speaking publicly, by the 10th or 15th speech, nerves should have dissipated substantially.

Tell yourself "I can do this"

The first way to gain confidence in public speaking for introverts is by telling yourself, “I can do this.” It’s important that you believe in yourself and your abilities before the day of your presentation. If you start feeling doubts or worries about the possibility of failing at some point during your speech, remember what got you here – YOU!

You have worked hard and are prepared for this moment; no one else has been through it like you have. The only person who knows how difficult it was to get where they are right now is them. So tell themselves, “I am going to kill it!” with conviction because if there’s anything an introvert needs when they speak publicly, it’s a little more self-confidence.

Talk about something that interests you

Now, when you’re talking about yourself and your interests to people, this is something that will make them more interested in you.

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.”

William Morris

Keep breathing! It helps calm down nerves

Public speaking is a form of performance art, and that means you’ll have to get in the zone before starting. One way to do this is by breathing deeply–it will help calm down your nerves.

Take deep breaths through your nose for at least 10 seconds each time, then exhale slowly through pursed lips or nostrils (whichever feels more comfortable) for another 10 seconds. Keep doing this until you feel relaxed enough to speak.

Action Item

Face the audience with confidence, even if you're not feeling confident inside.

Before walking into the room

When waiting outside of the speech venue beforehand, take some deep breaths as well so that when it’s time to start speaking, you won’t be totally out of breath and find yourself gasping for air halfway through your talk!

Final Words

You may be surprised by how much you can accomplish with a little practice. So go ahead, get up there and speak! It’s worth it to make your voice heard. Be sure to subscribe for more tips on self-care as well.

Contact Us

Please send an email to support@mitchcarson.com for inquiries.Click Here