Make Marketing Suck Less

The Secret to Improving Your Speaking

Psst! I have the secret key to improving your public speaking. Want to know what it is?

It's shocking. I mean mind-blowing in its stunningness.

Here it is:

Getting feedback

You might think “I already know that, Michelle.” True, but are you acting on it? Are you getting evaluations every time you speak?

I've had several conversation with aspiring authors and speakers bemoaning the fact that they can't book more speaking gigs. The coversation goes someting like this:

“When you get feedback from you gigs, how does it look?” I query.

“I don't ask for feedback.”

“Ok. Do you have a public speaking coach?” I ask.

“No, I don't need one. I'm a naturally talented speaker. ”

“Excellent! Well then, you must have amazing testimonials,” I say.

“No, I don't ask for testimonials. Should I be?”

“Then your speaking videos must be getting a lot of views and positive comments.”

“Well, I don't have any videos on my website.”

“So how do you know you are a talented speaker?” I hestiantly query.

“Because I think I am, and I got an A in my public speaking class in high school.”

And I'm a super model because I think I am super hot – sure I don't book any modeling gigs but my mom once told me I was pretty.

Lois Creamer who specializes in helping speakers book more business recently wrote that as a speaker:

You need to be in the business of continual improvement.

Which means getting feedback and lot of it. Feedback is undeniably important if you want to become a professional speaker of speak for your profession. It's the only way to improve and insure that you are reaching your audience. If you are not soliciting feedback, your speaking career is not going to be as bright as it could be.

Where can you get feedback?

Hire a public speaking coach

If you are serious about a speaking career, the best investment you make in yourself is hiring a presentation coach. It is the fastest way to improve your speaking and your content. You will get in-depth feedback on your speaking style, your content, how best to engage your audience and how to overcome barriers that hold you back from speaking success.

I can say this because I hired a public speaking coach while working toward the world championship of public speaking. Atlhough I didn't make it to the big show, I wouldn't not have advanced as far in the competition if it wasn't for my public speaking coaches. I had multiple coaches!

I also have a business coach who helps me develop my vision, my signature talk, and packages. Having someone who gives you the feedback you need is essential to success.

Invest in your speaking success.

Develop a feedback form

If you are booking speaking gigs, be sure to solicit feedback from the audience. Develop your own feedback form. It can be simple. Ask what you did well, arease for improvement, and what they would like to see more of in your presentation.

Bonus: You can also ask if they want to be signed up for your mailing list! Feedback and marketing all in one.

Click to download my feedback form – adapt it to your needs!

Join Toastmasters

Toastmasters is a great organization to join in order to improve your speaking skills. It is a time commitment  Your speaking won't improve as quickly as hiring a coach and you won't be able to give longer presentations, but you will get great feedback from variety of people. As a Toastmaster, I love all the different perspectives I get about the presentations I am working on.

When you are traveling to your presentation destination, you are going to need help along the way. Feedback is essential in order to assess your speaking strengths, understanding the barriers that hold you back, organizing and developing content that engages your audience and becoming a dynamic presenter.

I'd love to hear your feedback success stories. How has coaching or Toastmasters improved your speaking skills?