If you’re working on your speaking craft, one of the most helpful things to remember is that you will make mistakes when speaking. You’ll fumble a word. Forget what to say next. Totally freeze up for a second. These things will happen, and usually, they won’t be noticed by anyone other than you.

However, there are some mistakes that can and should be avoided early on in your speaking journey. Let’s talk about what those first-time speaking mistakes are and why you should try your best to avoid them.

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The structure of your talk

There are three common mistakes beginner speakers make when it comes to the structure of their talk. The first mistake? Not taking your audience on a clear journey.

You want your talk to flow well and sound like a story — not a list of bullet points. Where’s the fun in that? A story is more interesting and engaging. It also delivers a better transformation and message to your audience. They should be at one point at the beginning of your talk and at a different point by the end. And your talk should stay a certain course along the way.

Another mistake is delivering way too much information. It can be tempting to give your audience all the details to make sure they understand your theme or point. But when in doubt, say less. It’ll mean more.

The third mistake is favoring data over emotion in your talk, or vice versa. Aim for an equal balance of the two.

Onstage delivery

Now that we’ve covered the structure of your talk, let’s move on to the delivery of your presentation. I already mentioned a few common mistakes in the introduction, but these mistakes are ones you can avoid with practice.

Number one: talking too fast. I know, I know. If you’re shy and nervous, it’s easy to unintentionally speed up so you can get it over with! But take a deep breath and slow down. Work on your pacing when you practice. You want your audience to absorb and understand what you’re saying.

Number two: not looking at your audience. Don’t spend the entirety of your talk staring at your slides! You’re there to connect with your audience. Look at them. You don’t have to picture them in their underwear or anything. I like to visualize hanging out on a couch with one audience member. That calms my nerves and shifts the focus from me to them.

Number three: not being yourself. The audience is there to see you and hear your talk — not someone else’s. So, if you’re nervous, let ‘em know! If you’re feeling extra confident because you achieved a goal in your business, share it with the audience!

Speaking strategy

Finally, let’s go over beginner speaker mistakes outside of your actual presentation. These are super easy to make when you’re just starting your speaking journey.

If you’re saying yes to every speaking opportunity you’re offered, you may be wasting your time and energy. Focus instead on speaking opportunities that are right for you and your business. Saying no can be hard, but I promise that more and better opportunities will come your way.

When we talk about making public speaking profitable, many assume we’re talking about how much an event will pay you to speak. That’s not always the case. Your best bet is to look at each speaking opportunities individually and ask yourself, “What is my strategy for this event? What outcome am I most likely to achieve? How can I make this work FOR my business?”

For some events, this may look like brand exposure and credibility. For others it may be getting infront of your ideal clients or being paid a large speaker fee for your time.

No matter what - do NOT assume, always ask. Even if you have the best of intentions for a great outcome for the event, you don’t know what’s possible until you ask. Don’t assume there is or is not a budget for speakers. Always ask!

Finally, always aim to turn one speaking engagement into three more. Don’t treat each opportunity as a one-and-done thing! Keep in touch with event organizers, podcast hosts, or people you meet before and after your talks. Some of the best speaking opportunities are right under your nose and easier to book than you think.

It’s okay to make mistakes

I hope these tips don’t scare you away from becoming a speaker! Remember that you can’t get better if you don’t get started. You have to start somewhere, and you don’t have to be perfect right out of the gate.

We all make mistakes! Making these mistakes doesn’t mean you should give up on speaking. In fact, speaking is a great tool for growing your business. Wanna know how it can benefit your biz? Watch How to Scale Your Business with Speaking and I’ll tell you!