Want to stop second-guessing yourself every time you grab a mic? Let’s fix that. Confidence isn’t magic—it’s a muscle. And like any muscle, it grows with reps. Here's your no-fluff formula for showing up like a pro (even if you're sweating through your shirt): 1. Know your stuff.Winging it is not a strategy. Prep like a boss. Know your topic, know your audience, and organize your thoughts in a way that actually makes sense (no rambling rabbit holes, please). Run through it like you're headlining a TEDx talk—even if you're just presenting to your dog. 2. Don’t perform. CONNECT. Stop trying to impress—start trying to serve. Your audience doesn’t want perfect. They want real. Audiences can see and feel your sincerity, and likewise, they can spot a phony a mile away. So stand tall, breathe, smile, and speak like you give a damn. Eye contact. Voice with some oomph and energy. A few hand gestures that don’t look like you're landing a plane. You got this. 3. Reps = Results. Confidence shows up after you do. The more you practice, the less you panic. Start with small rooms, low stakes, and friendly faces. Then go bigger. Collect feedback like gold. Refine, repeat, and remind yourself that you’re the expert in the room. 💪 Bottom line? You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to be prepared, present, and willing to keep showing up. Confidence will catch up to you.

Hey Fast Track Speakers! Whether you're just starting or a pro, keeping your audience engaged is crucial to a great performance. Here are some tips for ALL levels: 💡 For Beginners: As a beginner speaker, one of your top priorities should be creating interaction. When you first start out, the audience might not know you, so you need to work a little harder to keep their attention. Here’s how: - Ask Open-Ended Questions: Rather than just telling your audience what to think, get them to think for themselves. Asking questions invites participation and keeps them engaged. For example, "How many of you have ever felt like your message was lost on your audience? What did you do about it?" Questions like these spark curiosity and make your talk feel like a two-way conversation. - Share Relatable Stories: People love stories because they connect emotionally. Sharing a personal story or anecdote related to your topic allows the audience to see you as more than just a speaker – they begin to see you as a person. This humanizes your message and builds rapport. - Use Visuals to Support Your Points: Even if you’re not tech-savvy, simple visuals like slides or props can keep the audience engaged. A picture or diagram can break up the monotony of words and bring your message to life. 💡 As a seasoned speaker, you already know how to handle a crowd, but the challenge is keeping things fresh and engaging every single time you speak. Here’s how you can continue to elevate your audience engagement: - Incorporate Stories and Metaphors: Even if you've used them before, each story can hit differently depending on the context. Tailor your stories to reflect your audience’s experiences. For example, in a corporate setting, you might share a story about leadership; in a conference setting, a story about overcoming challenges in your industry. Using metaphors can also help drive home complex ideas. "If your career is a race, your reputation is the fuel that keeps you going."

This is SOO GOOD! I'm so glad you've built this roadmap for success!

"Smooth seas do not make a good sailor." Nervous before a speech? Forgot your lines? Tech glitch? Great! Every bump is building your courage muscle. You don’t need perfection to start—just the guts to show up. Let the wobbles make you wiser. The fumbles make you fierce. You're not just learning to speak—you’re learning to lead from the mic. 💪💪💥 #NewSpeakerNerves #BuildingConfidence #SpeakerInTraining

Yes, it's an urge for those who are just starting out to put everything you know in to a presentation for your audience so you can be perceived as providing "value." I know. I understand. I did that, too ... in the beginning. Quick tip coming at ya'—especially for my beginner speakers who might be tempted to stuff every last thing they know into their talks. 🚨 Spoiler alert: that's NOT the move! 😅 But please resist that urge. Why? Your audience doesn't need an information avalanche—they need clear, impactful, actionable nuggets. 🥇 Think of your presentation like a delicious meal at your favorite restaurant. You don't want the chef dumping EVERYTHING from the kitchen onto your plate, right? (Umm… awkward!) 🍝🍔🍰 Instead, serve up just enough to satisfy, engage, and leave your audience hungry for more. Bottom line: Less really is more. Tell me—have you ever felt tempted to overstuff your talks? Drop your thoughts below! 👇