Rehearsing

The first and only time I went to a Toastmasters group they had me get up and talk for 5 minutes on what travel would be like in the year 2010. That was 20 years ago. The only reason I went to the Toastmasters was my mentor Ed kept telling me I had to get over my fear of speaking and I thought the group might be helpful. It wasn’t!

Then I went to a National Speaker’s Association meeting and I was so intimidated by the stories the members told about their level of success I didn’t return for about five years.

One of my Elite Leads members agreed with me about the lack of professional speaking programs and we started our own group. It was great! We brought in people who had an expertise in various areas like creating back of the room sale materials; getting PR; interviewing on the radio, etc.

Eventually I started my own SpeakEasy group where there was actual structured curriculum. I’ve probably taught more than 100 Elite Leads members how to develop their own professional speaking techniques.

And rehearsing is one of the most ignored techniques of becoming a great speaker. One of my speaking coaches told me when I had delivered my presentation at least 50 times, I would no longer look like I was rehearsed.

When you’re able to deliver your presentation and make it sound spontaneous, you’re well rehearsed.

Speaking for an Audience for the First Time

The first time I spoke to a group, the Lion’s Club in Walnut Creek, you might remember, I had no time to prepare anything! But I got through it, rather than disappoint my mentor.

I was a quick study though and when my mentor picked me up the next month, I had made an outline and had rehearsed my presentation no less than twenty times. My second speaking gig was at a Rotary Club in Concord. The average age of the group was in the mid-sixties. Their idea of comedy was way beyond my sheltered upbringing comfort zone. But there was my mentor, standing by my side, shielding me from those who were more over the top than the rest.

It was finally my turn to speak, I actually couldn’t wait to get started (so it would be over) and after being introduced, I cleared my throat and began my twenty minute presentation on how to use the business community to get more business. When I was finished several people came up to shake my hand and thank me for my time.  The next few presentations were a blur and each one became a little easier.

I began to apply various techniques I had observed from other professional speakers line Brian Tracy and Tom Hopkins. I tried to remember to use my hands for emphasis, move beyond the point at which I began speaking, look people directly in the eye without staring and all while remembering what I wanted to say! Whew! There’s a lot to remember! But I did remember and after speaking once a month for a year I began to truly enjoy the process.