How to market your book if you suffer from Glossophobia?
Ask yourself if you notice the following symptoms when you are asked to speak in public:
- Sweaty palms
- Heart thumping
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Even panic
For some of us, it started in school, when we hid behind a
book, hoping the teacher would not call on us. Maybe that's a clue to
why some of have a fear of public speaking, Glossophobia. Are we afraid
that what we don't know will suddenly be exposed to the world?
Regardless the origin, an overwhelming percentage of us dread the
thought of speaking in public.
Many find it hard to speak up in a
team meeting in the workplace, even knowing everyone around the table,
let alone standing up in front of hundreds. Some actors talk about
having to face down the related demon - stage fright - the fear of being
in front of an audience. Singers have voiced (pun intended) their fear
of forgetting the words, a vision of the audience laughing at their
discomfort. The fear of public speaking even includes having to make a
speech at a wedding, or deliver a eulogy at a funeral.
If you are
anything like me, you know the fear that well crafted and rehearsed
words will fail us and prove elusive as we look out at the sight of
upturned faces, waiting in expectation. We are feeling the fear that
they are waiting for us to fall on our face, that we will make like a
fool?
I rehearsed a wedding toast until I had it perfected for my
audience of one, in the mirror. Then came the time to raise a glass to
the bride and make the toast. For the briefest of moments my mind went
blank, fearful that...
The toast worked and was a success, but many reading this will recognize and understand the terror of such a moment.
Those
of us who are practitioners of the writing craft know how hard it is to
search for the right words for our story. Writing is sweaty work, but
we have the luxury of thinking about what we want to say in the privacy
of our own thoughts, with only the screen of our computer for an
audience.
When we are in a group we sometimes freeze at the thought that someone will ask a question? What if we get the answer wrong?
I
watched a group of interns making rounds with their teacher. He snapped
out questions about a patient's symptoms and they were expected to give
the exact, correct answer if asked. As soon as one young doctor-to-be
stammered the rest snickered at his discomfort.
Those are examples
of just some of the times we face the dread, but there are many reasons
for our fear of public speaking, glossophobia. If the story ended
there, as nothing more than an outline of the sum of our fears, it would
not have a happy ending. There are ways, however, to face the fear and
overcome it. It may not be possible to banish the fear altogether,
rather to recognize it, channel it, and use it.
Isn't there a cure?
Imagine
the financial reward for the scientist who discovered the cure for
glossophobia and developed a capsule we could take, a capsule
overturning our fear of public speaking, and giving us the facility for
talking in front of others.
Until that scientific discovery comes
along, we have to rely on other ways to overcome glossophobia.
Fortunately, there are things we can do.
When I was hired for a
new job once, it was good news and bad news. The good news was that I
was hired, and the salary was good too. The bad news...I was expected to
do a lot of public speaking. I had sweaty palms just thinking about it.
I let my finger do the walking and looked up a public speaking coach.
The cost was worth it. I trained in front of a camera and was able to
evaluate my look, voice and gestures. The best of all, I realized I
didn't look too bad doing it.
My coach also gave me two good tips
on scripting. "Type large, and use the top half of the page," he said.
"Read it aloud, and highlight where you need to take a breath." Reading a
speech out loud, several times, allowed me to spot awkward phrasing and
other potential problems.
It sounded so simple. Then he added two important tips.
Tip number one, never be under prepared. Start planning well in advance. Have three or four talking points and stick to them.
Tip number two, never be over prepared. Yes, it is possible to over think and give a presentation sounding like a robot.
He
told me that scripting and preparation will not chase the nerves away.
The coach said that if I wasn't feeling pre-speech butterflies to be
concerned. He said I needed that inner energy, it was necessary to
channel it for a great speech.
What about you and the media?
Wow, glossomediaphobia.
While you're being interviewed on a live television show is not the time for your first lesson in dealing with the media.
Let
me set the scene. Unless you are a media veteran, imagine being greeted
as you walk into the station, are directed to the studio, asked to sign
over all rights allowing them to put you on the air, rushed to the
green room, and finally walking, or are pushed, out to the set, your
time to be on camera. Before your interview begins, a stranger will walk
up to you and fix a microphone to you. Cameras will point at you from
many angles, there is a neon feel about the lighting, lights blinking,
electrical cords will be draped all around, and someone will be looking
at a clip board and pointing at you. The host will say something like,
"Relax, there's nothing to worry about."
But, if you are like me,
you are anything but relaxed. You're worried that you will be asked a
question you can't answer, apprehensive that you will stammer and say
something dumb, or worse.
There is a way to channel your nervous energy and be prepared for that day.
First,
I always make sure the person interviewing me has background
information about me and the novel I want to talk about. If the
interviewer picks questions from that information, I'm on safe ground.
After all, it's about me, someone I have to know quite well over the
years.
Next, I know what I want to say. I always have three
talking points I want to cover. I know it's hard to put into practice,
but remember a reporter or interviewer may control the questions they
ask us, but you and I control the answer.
Here's a real life
example. As a part of an educational campaign about Clinical Depression,
I was being interviewed by a radio host about coping with depression
over the year-end holiday season. Part way through the interview came a
zinger.
"What's your view on electro-shock therapy?" his question was a surprise.
I admit to a mini brain freeze and said, "While that may be a topic to explore later..."
"...
Why don't we talk about the holiday season, and why some people feel
depressed, while it is a happy time for many?" I took charge and the
interview was back on the talking point I wanted to make.
Finally, give yourself permission
Give
yourself permission to pause, to make a mistake, to stumble for a word,
and to be nervous. Those are traits that make us sound human and real.
You
also need to give yourself permission to have fun. It's a great feeling
to walking away from a podium, or walk off a television set, to take
off the headphones after a radio interview, knowing you did your best.
If
you can face your public speaking demons in front of an audience it
will be something you can easily use when you walk through the door of a
bookstore, ready to talk to the owner about carrying your novel.
We
change behavior after we first become aware of the need to change. Then
we can start to find new ways and try them out. That is something you
can do about your fear of public speaking.
With due apology, we can borrow a line from AA. "Hello, my name is Chuck, and I am a glossophobic.
Finally, take a deep breath and visit www.toastmasters.org and find a safe place to learn the joy of public speaking.
Write well my friend, and enjoy the talking about it.
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