I was at a business networking event recently where two businesses got the chance to do a 10 min presentation slot each to promote their products and services. Later a bowl came round for business cards and as you’d expect I made sure I put mine in. The idea was that another two would be picked to present at the next meeting. There must have been about 90 businesses represented there that day but only 29 cards ended up in the bowl! I was intrigued to find out why and asked the organizer later. “ Oh, we’ve done quite well today” she said, “ usually we get less than 20. Most hate the prospect of standing up and presenting and will avoid it at all costs.”
So in this case 68% of business passed up on the chance but it can be as much as 79%.
What a wasted opportunity to market your business for free …. to over 90 businesses!
If you have ever been in the same sort of situation where you are reluctant to do a 10 min presentation, or know of people who are, then this reluctance could be costing you money in missed opportunities and losing you sales. And if you have a limited marketing budget speaking at events is a hugely effective way to market yourself and your business…. at no cost.
So why do so many people pass up this chance to attract more clients? Usually it’s the fear.
Not the actual fear of speaking, because we all do that most of the time…. it’s the fear of feeling foolish, being embarassed, drying up, not knowing what to say etc etc.
So how can you deal with this?
Would you learn to fly a plane without expert help? No, and it's the same when learning to present confidently. There are lots of easily learned tools and techniques that can help you to completely get rid of the fear which means that you become truly confident at presenting yourself and your business so that you can take advantage of every such free marketing opportunity in such a way that people just want to do business with you.
There are hundreds of books and courses, both on-line and off-line, in presentations skills and lots of trainers and coaches out there to help you and just as in any other sector they have varying degrees of expertise and it has to be said some of them do not walk the talk!
When you're looking to work with someone on presentation skills here are a few questions it is worthwhile to ask:
1. Do they regularly present themselves?
2. Do you enjoy listening to them?
3. Do they instantly engage the audience and keep their attention?
4. What experience do they have- how long have they been doing it for and what sized audiences do they present to?
5. What training do they have as a trainer? ( just doing it is not enough).
The last one in some ways is the most important because there are many people out there who are very good at what they do but not good at training others to do it. (A friend of mine is a very experienced driver but a dreadful driving instructor!)
When you work with a great presentation skills trainer and coach you will find out how enjoyable it is to speak in public and when you get rid of the fear you can then be one of the 21% of businesses who will get maximum advantage from every free marketing opportunity and that will really make you and your business stand out.
