How to Revive Your In-person Public Speaking Skills (and Reduce Anxiety) in 2023

How to Revive Your In-person Public Speaking Skills

Even if you used to be comfortable speaking in person, the pandemic has changed a lot.

In my career, I imagine I have given over 1,000 public presentations. As a former fundraiser and current professional communications & DEI strategist, it is a part of my reality. At least twice a week, every week, for the last 17+ years I have stood before or video conferenced in for crowds big and small to relay the mission and vision of an organization I deeply believe in, or to advocate for a big idea, and present compelling data analysis.

In the last two-and-a-half years, many of us were unexpectedly relegated to a home office and mountains of screen time. This meant that common in-person presentations were conducted from the comfort of home, behind a screen, and with the aid of copious notes — sometimes in pajama bottoms. I directly experienced this shift.

[FREE GUIDE:Change Communications During Mergers and Acquisitions]As a communications strategist, I spend 50% of my time pitching ideas to others and presenting information to influence decisions, change minds, and drive business. I welcomed the comfort of pitching and presenting on a screen and in my home with notes because I am a deep introvert and it takes all my energy to present. Being home alleviated some level of pressure and calmed my public speaking anxiety (which few people believe I experience, but I do). As many workplaces reopen their doors, the return to the office means a return to in-person pitching and presentations.

Like me, many of you likely face similar phobias and need practical tips to get back into practice. And certainly, many of you can resonate with the atrophy of once common skills that feels more poignant during the unprecedented times COVID-19 has thrust upon all of us.Continue reading here...