In this engaging talk, Omar, an expert in public speaking, shares his transformative journey into the world of stage speaking. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and confidence, offering practical tips for newbies. Omar discusses how starting with small gigs can lead to bigger opportunities and the power of honing in on specific topics. Listeners learn about the necessity of persistence, networking, and the benefits of recording speeches to create an impressive speaker reel. It's all about embracing the path to public speaking success!
Building a solid foundation in public speaking is essential, as professionalism and preparation significantly impact future opportunities.
Proactively seeking speaking opportunities and networking with event organizers can lead to unexpected engagements and future invitations.
Deep dives
Introduction to Public Speaking
Starting a speaking career requires a foundation of public speaking skills, even for beginners. While one doesn’t need to be exceptional from the outset, a basic level of professionalism is crucial to avoid discouraging further speaking opportunities. Engaging with resources like the book 'Steal the Show' by Michael Port offers practical insights into public speaking, including delivery techniques and confidence-building strategies. Emphasizing the importance of preparation, aspiring speakers are encouraged to practice and seek training to enhance their abilities before taking the stage.
Finding Opportunities to Speak
Aspiring speakers need to proactively seek out opportunities to present, especially in local or small events like lunch-and-learns. Creating a short talk and recording it can serve as a valuable tool to showcase one's speaking capabilities to potential conference organizers. Networking with local conference organizers and expressing a willingness to step in if speakers drop out can also lead to unexpected opportunities. Following up with organizers after the event can foster relationships that might lead to future speaking engagements.
Continuous Improvement and Growth
As speakers gain experience, continuous improvement becomes essential to stand out and become memorable. Investing in formal training and courses can further refine skills and ensure that each subsequent performance is better than the last. Speakers are encouraged to produce a speaker reel that compiles their best performances, providing evidence of their capabilities to potential event organizers. A commitment to learning and improvement can help speakers build a strong personal brand and secure recurring invitations to future events.
If you’ve never spoken on stages before and feel unsure about how to get started, worry not! Omar shares his personal journey of how he got started with speaking engagements and gives valuable insights on what works and what doesn’t, as well as tips on how to put your best foot forward and make the most of your opportunities on stage.
Remember, speaking on stages can have a tremendous impact on your business and brand. So invest the time and effort to develop your speaking skills and seize opportunities to showcase your expertise. Click Play at the top of this page!