There’s no such thing as confidence. There’s only preparation and readiness!

And then trust that you can riff to a practised plan. Preparation meeting the moment.

I had this reaffirmed deeply on Thursday at The Marketing Society’s brilliant Changemakers Conference at the cavernous Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster. 

I’m always honoured and excited to be asked to speak at these big events. And then in short order, an anxious ‘due diligence” kicks in accompanied by a big dose of impostor syndrome. I wonder why I said yes! But I know I will be proud, I did it if I put one foot in front of the other with my ritual for preparation. 

I’m sure I’m not alone in this, so here is my Step-by-Step guide to prepping for a Big Talk… 

After a briefing chat with the organisers I start an Apple note and fill it with initially random thoughts. I test these out for a few weeks, and then start to pull them into a timeline (much harder in this case when the talk is 20 mins.) 

I run it aloud and talk it in my head until take off and landing feel right – they need to feel exciting, energising. A talk needs a strong lift off and a clean landing that you can trust no matter what happens. 

And then because Linda at the Marketing Society included audience participation, I briefed my kind volunteers.

The pressure starts to build in my head at this point – I get nervous about transport, hair appointments, arrival times, the critical details. The 24 hrs before is about the early night, getting ready. 

It may seem like hair is a small and critical detail – but when the hair is boosted my confidence is too. I’m in the character of a confident speaker. It shifts something. So does a great suit – sorted in the summer (thank you Alessandra at Selfridges!)

But always when I walk into the venue and see the huge stage, I feel my stomach do that rollercoaster lurch. You NEVER feel ready – you just act like you do… Then all you have is trust in the preparation, trust in the moment. You just have to let go – trust you’ve done enough. Trust the support team – listen to their advice, trust the sound team as they mic you up. Check out the stage, test the clicker, the details are right (it’s always in the details in the end)

The last few minutes always feel intense before kick off. I channel the actors advice, air on face, feet on floor, clothes and skin.

Moment by moment.

Walk out on stage.

Appreciate the audience, the space – get present in this room in this moment.

Name why this matters to the audience – don’t assume they know – frame it for them.

Then go! Dive in Have fun….be playful and present to fellow “players” onstage and with the audience response. Riff a little even if it feels risky. Trust the moment.

Watch the clock.

Land the plane on time – deliver the close.

“Thankyou”

And always hand the mic back!

As you step off stage consciously let your system ramp down, pay attention to breath and body. Your mind will want to race and judge what just happened. Let it be now – it’s done! Simply focus on being grateful to everyone who made it happen (it takes a village). 

And relax and enjoy the other speakers as the adrenaline rush slowly reduces… 

Hit reply and share how you cope before and after public speaking. Do you get that rollercoaster lurch in your stomach?

Have a great week!

Caroline. x

P.s – In other news, the wait is almost over! My new course Master Your Speaking is so very nearly there! We’re just making the last few changes to ensure it is perfect for you. We will be launching on Friday 29th November together with a brand new website! Keep your eyes peeled that week for a special Black Friday offer!

Don’t miss out on my special offer, sign up to the waiting list below for the early Black Friday discounts.