Say it like you mean it

By JULIE MIDDLETON.

Afraid of standing up and speaking in public? You suffer from glossophobia - the fear of speech, or more to the point, having to deliver one in public. And you are not alone.

"Research tells me, and every book I've read tells me, that humans are more afraid of public speaking than dying," says Auckland actress and executive trainer Maggie Eyre. "We would rather be in the coffin than give the eulogy at the funeral."

But you can get over your fear, with a little help from Eyre's first book, Speak Easy: the essential guide to speaking in public (Harper Collins, $29.99).

In a chatty, non-technical book, the Encore Communications account director covers everything from finding your voice to posture and rehearsing, as well as specialist speeches for functions such as weddings, funerals and colleagues' farewells.

Eyre, who has a good number of New Zealand chief executives on her books, knows how you feel when you have to face a gaggle of expectant people.

Despite her evident confidence, she admits that public speaking once scared her stiff and can still make her nervous. But becoming a prefect at school in her teens made her realise "that speaking confidently in front of an assembly and class was part of the leadership role".

You just have to deal with it.

A lot of the fear rests in "our own negative belief systems. It has an impact on how you speak and how you project yourself. We're afraid of judgment, of looking silly in business when we have a responsibility to the business culture or the brand or the organisation."

That fear obscures a fact that many never consider.

"The audience never wants to see you fail, because if you fail, they feel embarrassed," says Eyre.

The solution is to fake it till you make it. "Project confidence, even if you don't feel it inside," says Eyre. "Over the years I've learned to act as if I'm confident although I might be shaking in my boots. After a while, you start to feel you are the confident person you're pretending to be."

The "fake it" mantra is one of 10 key tips the book outlines. Here are the other nine:

Believe in yourself "The audience will believe you if you show them you're confident and comfortable in front of them," says Eyre. "Be positive. Use positive self-talk - 'my audience wants to listen to me and I am relaxed and confident, I know my material'."

Share true stories "Don't play it safe - empower your audience, stimulate change in the mind of your listener," says Eyre. "Tell your own personal and professional story.

"Be yourself, be anecdotal, tell stories and be real. Sure, you've got to toe the business line, but involve yourself."

Plan and prepare well "Procrastination is a killer. Take time to do the necessary research before writing your speech.

"Do a little every day, even if it's just jotting down a few notes. Leaving preparation until the last minute will make you stressed and the speech won't be as good.

"Winston Churchill estimated it took him six to eight hours to prepare a 45-minute speech. Serious speakers need at least 45 to 60 minutes of preparation time per minute of speaking."

Know your key messages "What do you want audiences to remember from your speech? Write them down and memorise them. You can then weave these key messages into your storytelling"

Rehearse in front of a colleague or friend "Have a complete run-through," says Eyre. "A rehearsal is vital for your self-confidence ... sports teams practise before the big day. It's very simple - if you don't rehearse ... you won't have had the opportunity to discover any unexpected problems."

Warm up before speaking. Stand up, with feet shoulder-width apart, and breathe deeply, Eyre says. Do some bending and stretching, some star jumps. Movement gets more feel-good endorphins to the brain.

And, yes, warm up your voice and jaw, just like an actor or singer. Repeat phrases such as "unique New York" or "red leather, yellow leather" or blow raspberries.

Seek out and accept training "Don't wait for a really important speech to practise your public speaking. Presentation skills courses abound - make the most of them."

Be well-informed and read the paper every day This will expand your knowledge and vocabulary.

Find a mentor "Everyone needs someone to believe in their talent."

Watch star speakers Among those to watch, says Eyre, are Body Shop founder Anita Roddick ("passionate, enthusiastic and inspiring"), South African political leader Nelson Mandela ("he had presence") and British MP Glenda Jackson ("her ability to communicate with ease is exceptional").

The number one Kiwi speech impediment, says Eyre, is lack of preparation, closely followed by reading a speech from behind the lectern and keeping your eyes down. "Eye contact is really important."

Number three is having all the text of a speech on screen behind the speaker, "so there's no room for engagement between you and the audience".

Fourth is the classic New Zealand rising intonation at the end of sentences, which makes them sound like questions.

So is it necessary to make people laugh when giving a speech?

"I tell clients not to tell jokes because inevitably you will offend somebody," cautions Eyre.

"I think it's great to make people laugh, but send yourself up - be careful about other people. I've had people make fun of me when they've been making speeches and I have not appreciated it. You don't know what people's sensitive points are.

'My best humour is when I don't plan it - say, when I make a mistake."

* We have 10 copies of Maggie Eyre's book Speak Easy to give away. Send an email outlining why you need her help to the careers editor. Humour will probably help your chances.