Speaking Tips: Public Speaking - Self Confidence Building

Have you have any idea of how many free public speaking guest speakers are needed to fill the requirements of meetings held around Australia every week? Thousands. Yes, it is thousands! Over 2,000 Probus Clubs and a similar number of National Seniors Clubs each meeting once a month. Then there are the service clubs such as Rotary, Lions, Apex, Masons, etc. all of whom meet weekly. Then you have your Church Groups, VIEW Clubs, Historical Societies, the list really does go on. Thousands, yes thousands- and everyone of them with a speaker-seeker looking for someone who is willing to address to their group, meeting, or organization. All of these organizations are after 'fee free speakers.' 

You’re a Toastmaster who wants to grow in competence, confidence, and experience? Then go outside of Toastmasters. You won’t regret it. And it won’t take you away from the Toastmaster “continual learning” experience. It will, however, broaden your horizons as to what you can do with your ever-improving talent as a speaker.

Yes, it’s different. Sometimes very different. In a Toastmaster environment you generally know your venue, how it’s going to be set up, who will be there, and where you fit into program. Outside of Toastmasters, you gain valuable experience in not being reliant on others. There won’t be an experienced Toastmaster Executive to see everything goes smoothly for you.

There’ll be times when you have to be assertive, laying it on the line what your requirements are. You mightn’t get a formal introduction by a master-of-ceremonies. “You’re on now, mate,” has been said to me more than once over the years. You might not get a vote of thanks.

When you get to the venue you may need to move tables, ensure the microphone lead is long enough, make sure the organizers have arranged for that glass of water near the lectern. You might need to move people forward into those empty front rows (there are assertiveness techniques in doing this) You could even need to move to a speaking position completely.

There’ll be times when you have to be assertive, laying it on the line what your requirements are. You mightn’t get a formal introduction by a master-of-ceremonies. “You’re on now, mate,” has been said to me more than once over the years. You might not get a vote of thanks.

When you get to the venue you may need to move tables, ensure the microphone lead is long enough, make sure the organizers have arranged for that glass of water near the lectern. You might need to move people forward into those empty front rows (there are assertiveness techniques in doing this) You could even need to move to a speaking position completely.

On the other hand, you might be welcomed in a really professional way: looked after, wined and dined, introduced with appropriate aplomb by someone who really knows what he or she is doing, and be given a nice little present for your trouble.

I first went outside Toastmasters in 1982. I started in earnest in 1995 and have been at it ever since. I love it. So, too, will you.

So take the challenge. Go outside Toastmasters. And bring what you’ve learned back to your club that you might help others do the same. And like Maxwell Smart you’ll be able to say…I’m speaking outside ”And loving it.”

As you can see, this article is mainly written for members of Toastmasters' International. Nevertheless, I feel that if you really are interested in gaining public speaking confidence, some of the advice I've given you hear on how to get into free public speaking - the freebie circuit - and the assertive techniques provided, will stand you in good stead.

I hope you gained useful information from Speaking Tips. Public Speaking - Self Confidence Building.

Keep smiling.

Tom.