You have a public speaking presentation coming up. How can a mentor help you deliver with confidence?

The first thing you should do with a mentor is to record yourself speak and share it with them for feedback. A mentor can help you see what you don't see. That's the best way to gain a clearer understanding of what you're already good at and what you can improve.

In my experience, mentors have given me another point of view, which has been so valuable as I’m so immersed in it. They’ve provided reassurance and guidance that what I’m saying and how I’m saying it is good and offer advice to continually improve to build my confidence. The first thing I do is run through my talk with a mentor and have an open mind to the feedback I receive. I practice and time myself, I control my breathing and slow the pace down. A mentor is a reassuring guide throughout.

Having a mentor is indispensable for me when it comes to public speaking, particularly since English is my second language. I must be extra vigilant about the content. My mentor offers invaluable guidance, shares techniques and strategies, provides rehearsal support, and boosts my confidence. One tip I'd like to pass on, especially for those speaking English as a second language, is to speak slowly. Many of us tend to speak faster in our native language, leading to stumbling when speaking English. I'm currently working closely with mentors and look forward to sharing my progress in the next 12-18 months.

It is very hard to fully understand the impact you have on other people without constructive feedback. A mentor will help and support you in a way that video or other recording of your performance can not. Relational support in any craft is of very high value, but twice as important when it comes to a craft involving communication

Identify your unique speaking style, strengths, and areas for improvement. Practice vocal exercises to improve clarity, projection, and modulation. Experiment with pacing, tone, and inflection to convey emotions and engage your audience effectively. Receive constructive feedback from your mentor on your vocal delivery and areas for enhancement. Explore techniques to overcome nervousness and build confidence in expressing yourself authentically during presentations.

Mentorship is a valuable relationship in any industry. Mentors can help you hone in on your message. They can give you pertinent advice when it comes to delivery, tone, and confidence. You have to posses a mindset that says I will own the stage, but a mentor can assist you on the journey to finding your authentic voice. I love mentors because they don't hold back and you know its coming from a place of respect and a genuine want to see you succeed.

Public speaking coaches and mentors help you in many ways. Here are some ways in which I help my coachees: 1. Identify their strengths & weaknesses when it comes to the content & delivery of their presentations 2. Help them identify engaging & inspiring micro stories that they can weave into their narratives 3. Be their live audience & critic as they practice with me 4. Help them polish & strengthen their scripts with powerful words, correct their body language, help them practice voice modulation & deliver their speeches with impact. 5. Motivate them, practice confidence building & positive mindsets with them - yes, these can be learnt & practiced 6. Listen to them actively & tweak content & delivery styles keeping their comfort in mind

Engage in regular speaking practice sessions with your mentor to refine your delivery and presentation skills. Receive guidance on structuring your presentations effectively, including crafting compelling openings, organizing key points, and delivering memorable conclusions. Practice delivering your presentation in various settings, such as mock presentations or small group settings, to build confidence and adaptability. Receive constructive feedback from your mentor on your speaking style, body language, and overall presentation effectiveness. Utilize rehearsal techniques recommended by your mentor to enhance your delivery, such as visualization, breathing exercises, and recording yourself for self-assessment.

REFINE YOUR PRESENTATION The emotions that immediately flood you when a speaking engagement edges closer can be overwhelming and arresting. Having a mentor listen to your presentation can help ease the nerves. A good mentor can help you craft an unforgettable presentation. They are able to help moderate you vocal presentation, guiding you on where to peak and simmer, when to stay brief and when to linger. A mentor can help you eliminate wordy phrasing that clutters your point and they can highlight key parts of your presentation that could serve as a perfect intro, a gripping climax, or a thought-provoking conclusion. Consider using a mentor!

As a mentor, understand the why your public speaking mentee is nervous, scared,anxious, fearful - and design the coaching approach for the mentee specific needs -that is tailored for them specifically. My fear was rooted in my fear of not speaking right because as a child I had a bad stuttering problem. This speech impediment required speech therapy weekly for all of grade school. This contributed to my being shy. I slayed this fear with great mentors along the way… if they could see me now… the smile and hug from them in my success would fill me up!

Receive personalized coaching from your mentor to identify and address any confidence barriers or self-doubt. Practice positive self-talk and visualization techniques to reinforce your belief in your abilities as a speaker. Set achievable goals with your mentor to track your progress and celebrate your successes along the way. Engage in confidence-building exercises, such as role-playing challenging scenarios or delivering impromptu speeches, to build resilience and self-assurance. Reflect on past successes and lessons learned with your mentor to cultivate a mindset of growth and resilience in the face of challenges.

Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, can significantly hinder confidence. Effective communication is paramount, focusing on both content and delivery. Mastery of these aspects enables more confident communication. There's a distinction between presenting information and genuinely communicating it. While presenting often involves concerns about appearance and perception, true communication stems from understanding the material and connecting with the audience. Guiding individuals to prioritize communication over presentation helps alleviate anxiety and build natural confidence.

Participate in speaking opportunities and presentations, then debrief with your mentor to reflect on your performance. Analyze both successful and challenging speaking experiences to identify areas for improvement and growth. Receive constructive feedback from your mentor on your strengths and areas needing development, based on real-world speaking engagements. Discuss strategies with your mentor for leveraging past experiences to enhance future presentations, including refining content, delivery techniques, and audience engagement tactics. Continuously adapt and refine your speaking approach based on insights gained from practical experience and mentorship discussions.

Seek guidance from your mentor on effective networking strategies. Attend relevant events and join online communities. Utilize introductions and recommendations from your mentor. Actively engage and maintain relationships with industry contacts for collaboration and career opportunities.

A mentor transforms public speaking challenges into opportunities for growth. By fostering your personal and professional development, they help you find and express your authentic voice, enhancing your connection with audiences. Their insights sharpen your communication, leadership, creativity, and resilience—skills vital beyond the stage. With tailored feedback and unwavering support, a mentor builds your confidence, guiding you from preparation to applause. This journey with a mentor doesn’t just make you a better speaker; it equips you with life skills, turning speaking engagements into impactful experiences.

Engage in personal development activities recommended by your mentor. Reflect on feedback and experiences to identify areas for personal growth. Set personal development goals aligned with your speaking aspirations. Seek mentorship and guidance to navigate personal challenges and cultivate resilience. Embrace opportunities for self-discovery and self-improvement to enhance your overall well-being and effectiveness as a speaker.

Remember, you are giving value to your audience. You're helping them, be it learn something new, or change their lives! You are there for them, and they are there for you. If they weren't interested, they would be binge watching Netflix rather than attending your event. Besides, how well do you know the subject? If you're faking it, well, I can't help - and in a way I'd like to dissuade you from doing it. But if you know your stuff, then you will tell it to them the same as you would tell it to me. Would you feel embarrassed in that case? I bet not! Imagine, now you have the chance to do that at scale!

When you're working on a keynote or presentation, often you have tunnel vision. Focus is a good thing, but a mentor/public speaking coach can offer a different perspective that enhances your message. Two heads can be better than one.

Based on the recent experience, Mentors can help identify the pitch flow, if there are gaps how to be addressed. How to make sure audience continue to pay attention of the public speaking. Please just bring in the curiosity, not just by talking about what's in the slides.

Unless your mentor is a skilled speaker, they can probably give you feedback, but they won't know (really) how to help you implement the feedback and improve. Practicing in front of a mirror is garbage advice, don't waste your time. If you don't have a skilled speaker who can really coach you, record yourself and watch. I know we hate doing that because we come face to face with our weaknesses, but it's the only way to get better. I would say, go through your whole speech (not just the slides) at least 10 times.