Public speaking- would you take to the stage for your brand?

Brace yourself, because in this blog (and on the podcast you can listen to below!) we’re diving into the world of public speaking. We’re going to explore the incredible benefits that public speaking can bring to your life and business. Stick around; you might just discover something game-changing!

I know there are countless ways to promote yourself and your business – social media, PR, marketing, the list goes on. Shameless plug alert: I even wrote a book about it – “Small and Supercharged: Small Steps to Supercharge Your Brand on a Budget.” But today, let’s focus on public speaking. Before you roll your eyes and click away, hear me out.

I didn’t like public speaking

I wasn’t always a fan of public speaking. In fact, I actively avoided it for a long time. The mere thought of standing in front of people, baring my soul, was enough to make me break into a cold sweat. My journey to embracing public speaking wasn’t love at first sight. It took time, nerves, and a bit of self-discovery.

I think it all started at a a brand launch where, despite its success, I felt crippled with nerves- to be very honest, I wanted to be sick the whole time, which wasn’t ideal at all. From this point on, I decided public speaking wasn’t for me. The chimp in my brain, as explained by Professor Stephen Peters in “The Chimp Paradox,” wasn’t a fan. And so I turned down opportunities or avoided them altogether.

What changed? I applied for a TEDx talk…

Fast forward to 2018.  I got bored of myself and this block, so I applied to give a TEDx talk. Surprisingly, I got it. My topic? Supporting rural communities with social media. Standing on that stage, facing my fears, I realised the worst-case scenarios were manageable. The experience was a turning point, and I started to see the potential public speaking held.

Since that TEDx talk, I’ve spoken at various events –  universities to conferences, podcasts to live streams. The nerves evolved into excitement. Public speaking elevated my exposure, credibility, and authority in my field. Even feeling a bit sick was worth it all.

I’m not saying that the ‘cure’ to feeling nervous about speaking in public is a TEDx talk. In all honestly, this could have gone the other way, but there are lots of other ways you can start. Podcasts are a great way, as they are pre recorded videos moving up to live sessions on social media.

Podcasts are really easy because they can be edited and although (hopefully) a LOT of people hear them, it’s just you chatting to yourself or one or two others.

As you gain confidence in one space, you can expand and maybe look at webinars, speaking to smaller audiences, and then speaking to bigger audiences as a natural progression.

Why bother with public speaking?

Besides expanding your reach and exposure, it can directly translate into professional opportunities. I’ve been approached for collaborations and received invitations to contribute to articles, all stemming from my speaking engagements.

Whether you like it or loathe it, it’s hard to deny that public speaking is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. It’s not just about the immediate buzz but the long-term benefits – increased exposure, enhanced credibility, and a platform to share your expertise authentically.

To those of you contemplating public speaking, know this – it’s okay to feel nervous. The first step in anything new that you do is rarely your best, but it’s a crucial one. Embrace the journey, learn from each experience, and watch as your confidence grows. I’ve been there, and if I can do it, you really can!

Shameless plug – I talk about public speaking in the book mentioned above! You can bag yourself a copy of Small & Supercharged the book through Amazon. Enjoy!