1st Turning Point

Posted By 1st Turning Point Guest Columnist on August 31, 2009

Michael Charton, Author

by Michael Charton
1st Turning Point Guest Columnist
Copyright © 2009 Michael Charton

You have the published copy of your book in your hand.  Isn’t it a great feeling?  You feel something is missing though.  You realize no one is buying it.  You speak with your publisher who tells you the publicity department is YOU!—By the way, we have arranged a book talk and signing for you in one month’s time.

“What?!” you exclaim.  I am a writer. I write, I do not speak to groups.  If I wanted to speak to groups I would do that.  I am afraid of speaking in public.  They will think me a fool and not buy my book.  What if I faint in front of the audience? Is THAT what I want to be remembered for?  As a writer, the imagination takes off, and all the worst case scenarios crop up like evil trolls.

Wait a moment.  Nothing has happened yet.  You are allowing your worst fears and demons get in your way of telling the world about your writing.

In the next few paragraphs, I am going to tell you how I got started in public speaking, what I overcame, how I began speaking to small groups and even began to enjoy it.  I will leave you folks with some tips, a questionnaire, and contact information.

My first plunge into public speaking was exactly twenty years ago.  I was asked to speak to a small group.  I went in the room and mentally counted, (it is not nice to point after all), and the “small” group had fifty people in it!  I guess definitions of small vary.  I made it through, because I was sitting behind a table in a rural retreat conference center.  If anyone heard my knees knocking, well, write it off to the woodpeckers in the trees outside.

Fast forward two years.  In my next job, I had an outside speaking assignment at a senior living facility.  It had oxygen tanks for the seniors who need them.  The oxygen tanks are not supposed to be for the hulking, young ex-weightlifter speaking in front of them.  A fine newspaper article THAT would have made, “Librarian Passes Out in Talk to Senior Citizens.”

Something had to be done.  I had been told about an organization called Toastmasters International, whose purpose is to help people improve their public speaking skills.  There was an advertisement in the newspaper for a local club.  I attended and, no matter how intimidated, decided to join.

I have been in Toastmasters for almost nineteen years.  I have cut back, because of the writing, which I enjoy more.  It did not take me nineteen years to become comfortable.  I am always networking and can learn something.  My original goal was to stay until I was in my comfort zone and move on, and there is nothing wrong with that.  Take a look at the website, http://www.toastmasters.org to learn more.

It started with the first speech, called an icebreaker.  Four to six minutes.  It was the longest six minutes of my life.  I gave my speech without notes, but for those who remember Hogan’s Heroes, I rolled my eyes and played Schultz for six minutes rolling my eyes.  An icebreaker is autobiographical. I had twenty in the audience.

The introductory manual takes you through basic skills, such as organizing a talk, using gestures effectively, among other things.  There are many manuals, from the basic manual, read by everyone (would be the required college courses such as English 101), to the advanced manuals (being your major).  For example, one manual covers speaking on television.

I found myself slowly changing and becoming more competent and even enjoying it.  I never thought that would happen.  The largest group I ever spoke to was 450 people and that was in a foreign country where many did not speak English as a first language.

It has been an interesting journey.  Please allow me to share some tips.

If you are afraid, do not feel bad. According to Ripley’s believe it or not, public speaking is the biggest fear Americans have.  If it gives you any idea, death ranks sixth.  Few people out there are going to make fun of this fear as most of us have it.  Now that you have a book in print, you are at a crossroads. If you want to sell your book, you now have to take the leap.  The trip is scary, but there is always a guide.

Your first book talk is probably going to be in a local bookstore.  In an independent bookstore, it is easy to become friendly with the owner and even ask to have a signing.  A chain bookstore normally invites you.  Still, you want to work out the setting, see where you will be speaking to get a feel.

The day of your signing, eat lightly.  By the way, I expect you to be nervous.  Why? No nerves, no adrenalin.  You want to make the butterflies fly in formation instead of crippling you and use the adrenaline as energy.  If you tell me you are NOT nervous, I will think you are either overconfident, or do not care.

Make sure you are the first there.  Do not make the grand entrance when everyone is seated.  Being there first gives you a chance to introduce yourself to everyone who comes in.  Ask them what seem like mundane questions, such as “How far did you have to drive?” or “What brought you today?” This does not have to be a formal speech.  Give a book talk.  When you are speaking with them, if someone says that they liked a certain part of the book, read a passage from that section.

A book talk is actually a little easier than many other speaking engagements.  There is a good chance many have already read the book.  They want to meet the person behind the book.  There are others who have not read your work.  This is your chance to sell them.

When I say sell them, that is what you are doing.  When you go to a bookstore and have limited disposable income, how long do you spend debating whether you will purchase a particular book? Your book talk is an instant attempt to grab those folks.

The good thing is the people who come want to be there.  You have the interest.  Are you afraid?  Yes, but these folks coming to your book talk and signing want you to succeed.  As I stated earlier, most people are afraid and are just relieved you are up there speaking, not them.

Ask questions of your audience.  This is the perfect opportunity to not be a talking head.  It does not have to be a lecture.  There is no reason this should not be just a discussion among friends.  Go with the flow.  This is one of the easiest types of talks to change things on the fly.

Gestures:  I found as my public speaking evolved, they come with time.  Gestures give you a way to release some of that energy.  Don’t think about them as you are speaking, with practice, they become natural.

If you stumble or forget something you had prepared, move on.  If you do not call attention to it, your audience will probably not notice.

How long should you speak?  Again, a book talk is an easier form then many public speaking events.  As long as you have questions and interests, that is how long it should be.

Another difference with a book talk is you are not just delivering a talk and walking away.  You want the folks who attend to keep in touch with you.  You can develop friendships with them.

Therefore, understand that to publicize your work, you will need to speak about it.  If you find your fear of public speaking cripples you and holds you back, join a Toastmasters club for however long you feel you need.  Again, a book talk is easier than many others.  Just be approachable and leave with friends.

I am glad you took this journey with me.  Below, I want you to ask me any questions and if you would like, answer the questions I have.  My email address is michael.charton@gmail.com.

1. Do you have a book out?
2. Have you given book talks?
3. Do you enjoy doing book talks? If no, why not?
4. If you are afraid, what is your worst fear about public speaking?
5. What symptoms do you get if you have to speak to a group?

I have built this to give as a talk to various groups and would be happy to speak with you about it.  Again, please ask any questions you need.

Categories: All authors, Guest Columnist, Marketing
Tags: Book Talks, Michael Charton, Public Speaking, Toastmasters