{In Your Write Mind Workshop}: Public Speaking for Authors

Hosted by Judi Fleming

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
You NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression. Make it count!!!

SKILLS:

• Learn to project your voice
• Take a deep breath and project from your gut not your voice/throat.
• Make eye contact with your audience so that they feel included and engaged.
• Don't be shy! Put on your "public speaking" persona.
• Pitch (of your voice should be friendly and welcoming) Pause (count to 3 and think about what you want to say. Audience won't recognize pause) and Patience
• Body language -- always be approachable.

AUDIENCE:

• An audience of one is still an audience.
• You have an audience all the time except when you're sleeping.
• Everyone is your audience -- passerby asking for directions to the restroom, clerk at the grocery store, kid's teachers, etc.

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! Out loud, not in your head. Stand in front of a mirror and practice.