Why do you think you have been asked to speak?
Does the organizer really want to humiliate you?
Do you think you have nothing interesting to say?
Of course not. If you have been asked to speak is because people are really interested in hearing what you have got to say.
Lets repeat that. Your audience are not interested in you, theyre interested in what you have got to say.
You are giving this public speech because you are the expert. You know information or you have an opinion that your audience would like to hear.
Your job as an expert is to present your information and your opinions in a coherent way. That is what should be centre stage, not you.
You are the expert, they asked you, not someone else. They want you to succeed.
Prepare yourself well
Before you even begin preparing your presentation, try to find out the answers to these questions. Knowing the answers will make you feel more self-confident.
1. Who are my audience? How many people? What are their special interests? Why are they there?
2. Is there a theme to the meeting/conference? Who else is speaking? How does my presentation fit in with the others? Where am I on the agenda?
3. How will the room be set up? What equipment will I have?
4. How much time do I have?
5. Who is introducing me?
6. What is the dress code?
The more information you have, the more you can envisualize the event and feel in control.
2. Is there a theme to the meeting/conference? Who else is speaking? How does my presentation fit in with the others? Where am I on the agenda?
3. How will the room be set up? What equipment will I have?
4. How much time do I have?
5. Who is introducing me?
6. What is the dress code?
The more information you have, the more you can envisualize the event and feel in control.
