The Research Shows:
“Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities!
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities!
Speaking Opportunities are Leadership Opportunities!
I am a Speaker, a Coach, and an Author.
I’m also a Reader!
By reading great books on Public Speaking and Presentation Skills, I’ve immensely increased my knowledge of my craft, and improved my presentations!
I’ve placed brief reviews of two recent tomes in this Post. They both helped me. Reading them will benefit you, also!
I have coached a number of people who, because of the Fear of Public Speaking, have passed on Speaking Opportunities. They watched others, who took those opportunities, receive recognition, promotions, and salary increases. Many felt they did better work and were more qualified, but the “Speaker” received the leadership opportunity.
If you’ve been in this situation, you’re not alone. Many people have a Fear of Public Speaking.
The Biggest “What If” is:
What If I’ve got nothing to say that anyone would ever have an interest in hearing?
Lots of people have that What If?
They shouldn’t! Each and every one of us have life experiences and knowledge others would benefit from having presented to them. Often, we can’t see that in ourselves.
It could be a wedding toast or a class assignment in high school or college. Most of us get anxious when we’re asked to talk to an audience.
It’s the number one phobia, called glossophobia. When it comes to talking the talk, many people would rather get a root canal or an IRS audit than make a speech.
Just as an Elevator goes up one floor at a time, the Elevator Speech should be delivered “by the floor.”
At each stop, the verbal and/or nonverbal signal to look for is, “Tell me more.”
Everyone doesn’t want to go to the Top Floor with you. Some don’t want to leave the lobby! There is no need to waste time and energy taking them all the way up.
The Elevator Speech can be a good tool for Qualifying / DisQualifying prospects.
The Elevator Speech starts simple. As interest and time permit, it is expanded.
