When I was in high school, given the choice between giving an oral report and a written one, I always choose the written report. In college, I did the same thing. My reason: fear. I was terrified of public speaking.

When I graduated from college, my father gave me some advice. He said, “If you want to succeed in the business world, you will need excellent presentation skills. Take a job that will give you the chance to practice speaking in public.” 

I listened to my dad. My first job after graduate school was in the training department of a bank, designing and presenting supervisory training programs. At the first workshop I was to teach, my co-presenter didn’t show up. I was on my own. All I remember about the workshop is that I got through it. Afterwards, I made the decision to learn all I could about presentation skills. I never wanted to feel that kind of fear again.

It’s 20 years later and today I do public speaking almost every week. And I love it. Why? Because along the way, I learned some secrets, which I will share with you.

But first, forget the advice you got about picturing the audience naked. It doesn’t work. It’s not real, and it doesn’t do anything to help you connect with your audience - which is your ultimate goal.

Decide what you want to have happen as a result of your presentation. By focusing on what you want to convey you start to forget about yourself and move into thinking about your goal. Do you want to impart information? How can you do that clearly and concisely? Do you want to motivate your audience? If so, what do you want them to do? Do you want to persuade your audience? If so, persuade them to do what? After you determine your goal, you can figure out how to get there.

Put yourself in the audience’s shoes. Why are they there? What do they know about the subject? About you?

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