6 Steps to Developing Business with Public Speaking

The last thing an introvert wants to hear is the value of public speaking. Yet as business developers, they confess, the best way to gain sales is through relationship creation. And standing in front of a group to help them experience who we are is a huge relationship enhancer, and the best use of our time. All it takes is practice. Practice done perfect isn't expected. Practice done well is worth exploring.



I work with introverts to help them present effectively - and adjust their performance, because so many introverts have come to me with business development needs or the need for a quick review of their efforts before they speak at a community service event. Keeping their communication style in mind, introverts are great speakers for any audience, based on their thorough understanding of their topic and their easy manner. We can start with the areas they want to focus on, give them an overview of 6 areas to focus on, or just start with a One Hour Presentation review. It is the introverted professional this coaching or review is designed for.

Although our focus is often on preparing our message (as it should be), it is also crucial to prepare ourselves mentally for delivering it. Not only several days in advance when we are honing our message for this particular audience, but also moments before we begin speaking. The most critical time for a speaker to be "on game" is before they get up and get going.
So let's consider what it takes to get what we want from public speaking, if what we are really after is business or community trust.



6 steps to developing business with public speaking

1. Get clear who your best audiences are.
It isn't good enough to say YES to just any audience group who needs a speaker. Get clear about who you want to spend time in front of, based on who you are really looking to do business with. The anybody/everybody idea about seeking business is too overwhelming and strays from good business focus practices. Think this through. If you are opting to get up and go to an audience, make it worth your time and energy.

2.Hone your message. So many speakers offer themselves while being unfocused, unprepared and unpolished. Perhaps this has been the turn-off which motivated you away from speaking in the past. It needn't be. The point of getting in front of audiences is to be clear about what they want - some type of help. Avoid the selling. This isn't what they want.

3. Deliver the goods. Make sure the goods are the tools to ease your audience's understanding. It's all about our listeners/new relationships. Can they hear us? See us? Understand us? If not, our delivery needs some tweaking. Consider the number of ways you can make this work for them, and of course, for you.

4. Connect with purpose. The edge all speakers and presenters have rests with this simple technique. It involves practicing ways TO CONNECT. It involves understanding the 4 communication styles. And it involves connecting in ways that work best for the listener's style you're with. Once you're aware of these things and begin practicing them, your ability to influence is HUGE.

5. Project for impact. Sure you need to be heard. You also need to be trusted. What are you projecting? Consider all the ways audiences discern what our character is about.

and finally,

6. Break down the behavior patterns that get in your way of being an effective communicator. Speak using any of the 3 most engaging attitudes - enthusiasm, curiosity or humility.



All 6 steps are key whether we are standing in front of groups, sitting at a conference table, or having coffee in a bistro. For thorough guidance in planning, preparing and actually practicing the steps, contact Merri. Begin the process by clicking on the post title above. It's time to get away from your computer and the limits of your office environment. Get up and go get business!