How to Quickly Overcome Your Fear of Speaking

Creating visibility is the mainstay of your business and is an ongoing process. There are a number of ways to indirectly create visibility that should be done on a regular basis - advertising, direct mail and your website, for instance.

Your physical presence however, is the most dynamic and effective way that you can make long lasting connections with your existing, as well as potential clients.

The opportunity to be 'face to face' with ANY size group, is one that should always be seized. When prospective clients see, hear and meet you, they are more likely to use you and tell others about you---networking at its' very best!

Whether a quick, ten-minute introduction of yourself and your services or a more extensive talk or presentation, speaking allows you to get your message out in a more personal and energizing way.

10 Great Venues for Speaking:

1. Real estate meetings: weekly sales meetings; monthly marketing meetings; annual sales event
2. Chamber of Commerce: seminars
3. Home furnishing, Consignment store or accessory store demonstrations
4. Women's groups: luncheons
5. Community College: adult education classes
6. Trade Shows: real estate related; Home and Garden
7. Local Library: most have a variety of programs for the public
8. Title and mortgage company-sponsored meetings: for real estate agents
9. In-home before and after parties
10. Spousal programs: during business meetings and tradeshows

Tip #1: Talking Tools
Depending on the time you are being allotted, you can use a variety of presentation aides to help ensure that you get your message across clearly, as well as providing valuable, "take away" information for the attendees.

Always remember, "It's about them, not about you." You are not there to be a walking, talking commercial for your business. You are there as an expert on redesign/staging who is sharing some ideas and remedies to solve their decorating dilemmas.

1. Use Your Professional Portfolio (1-3 people)

2. Take a "Before and After" Picture Board with Easel (small groups, minimal time)

3. Use a Flip Chart with key bullet points pre-written (medium size groups, 20-30 minute time frame)

4. Utilize a Power Point Presentation (larger groups, longer programs)

NOTE: It's always preferable to use some form of visuals---whether speaking to one person or one hundred. Always provide a 'take-away' of some sort, like an information-rich handout that includes helpful and easy to implement tips and ideas. It doesn't have to be long, but it does need to be bring valuable information to your audience.

Tip #2: How to Improve Your Skills

As with any skill, one of the best ways to improve is by just doing it. With speaking, this means getting yourself in front of as many audiences -whatever the size, as possible.

1. When there are opportunities for informal speaking-such as introducing someone at a meeting, volunteer for the job.

2. If you're presenting a program or giving a demonstration, make sure you ask audience members to give you feedback by filling out an evaluation form.

3. When possible, consider taping yourself practicing or giving presentations. You can then see or hear for yourself the areas where you may need to improve.

4. There are a variety of seminars and classes that can help you improve your speaking skills. Check out continuing education program, consider a speaking course offered by Dale Carnegie Training or join Toastmasters, a non-profit organization that helps people develop speaking skills. Toastmasters clubs typically meet once per week, and provide the opportunity to practice speaking. To find a local club, visit www.toastmasters.org

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