Public speaking is professed to be the #1 fear in life.  As an entrepreneur, I find this practice to be the #1 way to grow business. I also happen to have a different definition of ‘fear’ than most people – my definition is that fear is simply the lack of information.

Information is power.  Once we decide that we want something – and we identify how bad we want it – then we typically begin to gather information to achieve that end result. It is no different with our skill set.

Once you identify what it is you want/need to learn to take your business to the next level, it’s time to start information gathering. That’s what I did this past weekend when I attended the Women of Faith Farewell Tour in Columbus, Ohio.

I had attended this conference a number of years ago but with the sole intention, then, of personal fulfillment. This time, I went with mixed emotions and mixed intentions. As I work to take my professional speaking skills to mastery level, I knew that I was going to actually be in the presence of Masters when it came to getting on stage and being amazing.

I was not disappointed. The six women who started the Women of Faith tour 20 years ago were present and at their very best. It was time for me to take notes and there are 4 practices that stood out for me, in particular.

#1 – LOVE WHAT YOU DO. It was keenly obvious (is that good English, LOL?) that each of these women were in their element. They love God. They love spreading the word of God. They love speaking to women of faith. The joy was not only written all over their face – they projected that love and joy for the full amount of time they were on stage (and off…….because they were sitting off to the side, on the ‘porch’, throughout the whole conference and we could see them singing, dancing, hugging, laughing on the jumbotron screens).

#2 – BE A STORY TELLER. Each of the speakers mastered the use of stories to get their message out. The stories ranged from the well- known little sticker on the top of a new can of Ajax, to going through the adoption process for a child, to the life experience of depression which included time in a mental institution. The stories were sometimes just plain funny and up-lifting and, at other times, very deep and dark and somber – but always taking us out the other end to the light, the joy and the transformation. That was the key – the masterful use of personal stories. And yes, people DO want to hear about your trials and tribulations – it gives them hope and inspiration when you are real and people can relate to you.

#3 – BE YOURSELF. What I particularly enjoyed was watching the different styles of these masterful women. One used songs throughout her presentation (she had the voice of an opera singer), the other shared her story by way of a ‘sit down interview’ with the master of ceremonies, and yet another shared her story by way of drama – and she was absolutely hilarious, and yet profound. There were times that you could hear a pin drop in that arena (and there were 11,000 women in attendance!!!!) because her stories were so raw and real and relatable. You’ve just got to be yourself, find your own style and get the message out there.

BONUS #4 – BE CONNECTED.  Now, this practice is not necessarily for everyone but it sure works for me. Throughout the conference, there were invitations to connect on social media – hashtags were advertised everywhere. And so, being a ‘connecting’ kind of person myself, I was tweeting my little heart out (most of you know I love to do that anyway – particularly so I can share the experience, the lessons, the music and the photos with those of you who I know would love to be there too but, for whatever reasons, could not be). That IS the power of social media. Now, know that these professional speakers are all in the late 70’s and 80’s – so, seeing posts from them on social media, I thought, were all being done by their team. And that’s ok – I have a team who do that for me, too.

The icing on the cake for me, on our long drive home, was when I sent a tweet to one of the speakers (Marilyn Meberg) – and poof, before I knew it, she had tweeted back! I replied – and then, again, so did she. Now I thought that was not only fun – but pretty classy, too. I figure she was also travelling home and taking the time, en route, to review the comments and photos from the audience. I, personally, was thrilled and appreciative that she made the effort to reply to me.

   As a speaker, if that is something you like to do then know and realize, from my own comments here as an audience member, that it is appreciated. People like to be validated (and that includes me!). Yes, I can be called a ‘groupie’ and I’m ok with that. When I am a huge fan of someone, I am a HUGE fan and am happy to promote them and their work.

As a professional speaker myself though, I learned a lot from the ‘Masters’ and will take those lessons to my own stage. Thank you, Women of Faith!

I not only learned a lot – but I also look forward, with great expectations, to the ‘next generation’ of Women of Faith launching next year. In fact, I have set the goal to BE one of those Women of Faith on the stage next year. There. I said it out loud. Who, out there in the universe, can help me in my efforts to make this happen? (Also know that, behind the scenes, I am also ‘working it’!!!!)

‘Dreams don’t come true – plans do!” – Larry Winget

What is your best practice as a speaker?

Please share your thoughts!