Find a Dream Audience, me?

Last updated on January 24th, 2015 at 06:32 pm

I love the saying “go big or go home” but I am in that quandary now. This opportunity has been in the works for a while now, and although the official work has yet to start, the big new is that I have been invited to be a speaker.

At an international conference in Las Vegas.

For a crowd of approximately 300.

Crap.

Just a few short years ago, at my weekly business networking group, I would have heart palpitations when my time to speak came around. Keep in mind, this “speaking” would be approximately 45 seconds long.

Regardless, this is how my preparation went–

1. write idea down the night before
2. practice in the car on the way
3. take a sip of water when I there were 2 people to go before my turn
4. take LOTS of deep breaths
5. stand up and try not to shake so my voice wouldn’t warble

Fast forward to just a year back, and I was President of the group, running the meetings on a weekly basis. Did my nerves get any better? A Little bit.

The preparation shifted to a bit more notes, and less shaking, but I was still freaking out a tiny bit every time I stood at the head of the table. Ask anyone in that group and they all tell me the same thing – they had no idea I was so nervous. They say it didn’t show. They may be too kind to tell me otherwise.

How the hell did I get myself into this? Be careful what you wish for.

In my many books, internet gurus, webinars and business growth research there is a thread that I picked up on in order to achieve the multiple streams of income I so desire.

Become an industry expert.

Tim Ferriss talks about this in 4-Hour Work Week. Seth Godin talks about “being remarkable” – worth remarking about.

I can not take full credit for getting to this point, as most people would attest. I am so prevalent in Social Media because of the time and energy Cath puts into helping us build this business and making me look like a rock star. My favorite feedback that I’ve received at least once a week lately is “You are everywhere!”

Cool feeling. Now time to deliver.

Do I know what I’m talking about yet? Nope.

Getting my mind around that crowd, who they are and what can I give them that will be the most useful and applicable is in the works. All I have to do now is purge the standing-on-stage-naked nightmare and all will be well.

Are you heading for a speaking event? It doesn’t matter if its 10 or 1,000, here’s my initial plan to get prepared for the spotlight:

• Find some great books on public speaking. I’m lucky to be surrounded by like minded people and have already raided their libraries. I’ll be offering reviews of the ones I find most useful in the coming months.
• I’ll be running to Toastmasters (and dragging 8 Women Dreamer, Catherine with me). There are too many successful professional speakers that have succeeded due to the support and guidance that Toastmasters offers.
• I have some incredible professional presentation advisers that generously offered their help in grooming me for the presentation.

Have you had a similar experience – speaking to a big crowd that required big preparations? How did you prepare? Do you have books to recommend? Did you find an expert or coach that helped you rock your presentation?

I look forward to telling you how this progresses and to hear your stories – good and bad!

Find your dream audience this week –

Heather Montgomery