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Thomas: Today, we are going to talk about one of the scariest and most powerful tools in the book promotion tool belt: public speaking. There’s a reason nearly all top nonfiction authors are also public speakers, and even many novelists find speaking key to driving book sales.
If public speaking scares you, do not worry. Joining us today is Aurora Gregory, coauthor of Get Picked: Tips, Tricks and Tools for Creating an Irresistible Speaker Proposal (Affiliate Link). She is a communications trainer who helps speakers overcome fear, level up their skills, and book more gigs.
Why is public speaking so important for Christian authors?
Aurora: Public speaking lets you engage readers in ways no other format can. When you’re on a stage or in front of a group, you can share your message with many people at once, meaningfully and memorably. You can network in a hallway, but not with a whole room at the same time. Speaking puts your message in front of a group so they can absorb it and act on it. You have to get on a stage, take the microphone, and talk about what you’ve written, why it matters, and why it matters to that audience.
How do authority and emotion drive book sales?
Thomas: A microphone gives you authority. Hearing you speak builds credibility and, even more important, an emotional connection.
There’s a reason the longest lines at your book table are after you speak. You can get more people asking for a signature after one talk than after a dozen bookstore signings. In a store, you have no built-in authority or connection. You’re just a stranger. But if you’ve just given a powerful talk, people want your signature. They don’t care they’re paying full price. They want the copy you sign because it connects them to you.
Aurora: Absolutely. I tell aspiring speakers to have a book. If you do your job from the podium, the audience wants to take a piece of you with them. Even if they took notes, they still want more. Your book gives them that.
Speakers should be authors, and authors should be speakers. Together, they build relationships and move your message forward to the people who most need it. When you speak, you’re often in front of the sweet spot of your readership. Being on stage matters. You’re already with a friendly audience that wants to hear from you.
How can authors overcome fear and manage nerves?
Thomas: Some people know speaking is powerful, but they’re terrified. The old joke says people fear public speaking more than death, so they’d rather be in the coffin than give the eulogy. I don’t think that’s true, but what helps someone overcome fear so they look forward to speaking instead of dreading it?
Aurora: One great thing about this moment is that there are many places to practice before a live audience. Pitching yourself as a podcast guest is a speaking opportunity. Start there. You’re talking to one person, not an entire room, and that can calm butterflies.
Also, recognize the difference between fear and nerves. Fear is worry about what might happen. Nerves are energy you’re not sure how to use.
If fear is your issue, give yourself incremental ways to practice. Prepare a talk and rehearse it. Toastmasters is great for that. The program builds skills and provides feedback from a friendly audience.
If nerves are your issue, use techniques to settle yourself before you take the stage, then let the remaining energy fuel your delivery. I speak regularly and still get nervous. To calm my nerves, I arrive early, greet people as they enter, ask why they’re there, and make a few new friends. When I start, I focus on those friendly faces. Once I find my flow, I widen my focus to the rest of the room.
What role do courage, faith, and nerves play in public speaking?
Thomas: You’re kinder than I am. I’d say, if you’re afraid, do it anyway. Fear isn’t a good reason to avoid something. Courage is doing the right thing, whether or not you feel afraid.
If you’re a believer who wants to advance the Kingdom, perfect love casts out all fear. Ask God to give you love for your audience. That love will compel you to present, fear or not.
And nerves help. I give my best talks when I have a little nervous energy. No nerves usually means lower energy, and that makes it harder. Nerves also push me to practice and prepare more. They’re an ally.
Aurora: Agreed. You have to dig deep and, like Joshua, be brave and courageous. Love your message and your audience enough to build the skill of public speaking. It’s a skill, so it can be learned.
Accept that early performances won’t be great. Your first won’t be as good as your fifth or your tenth. Love your audience and your message enough to do the work to improve as a public speaker. That effort helps with both fear and nerves.
How can practice improve your speaking skills?
Thomas: What makes a good speech isn’t a secret. You can learn techniques like storytelling, but so much of speaking is practice. Deliberate practice is best, either at Toastmasters, where you get feedback, or by listening back and critiquing yourself.
When I started, I set a monthly goal to speak six times somewhere for someone. I wasn’t picky. If someone at church needed announcements, I volunteered. I did living-room talks for three or four people. I practiced with my family, and they were brutally helpful, taking notes and giving feedback. It transformed my speaking and built my confidence.
There’s no shortcut. No one is born good at speaking. In fact, no one is born speaking. My baby daughter has had one word for months: “mama.” I’m still waiting for daddy. She’s practicing constantly. She just started saying “amen” after we pray, which is adorable. The point is, you learn by practicing.
Why is it important to keep going even when you’re not perfect?
Aurora: Very few people are naturally dynamic, show-stopping speakers. My first speaking experience was an eighth-grade speech contest. I didn’t win, but I learned the power of public speaking.
Early in my communications career, I wasn’t a good presenter. We did lots of rehearsals, and I often stumbled. The actual delivery was better, but I still wasn’t good. I loved speaking and had done it since I was 13 or 14, but practice was what helped me improve.
Perfect is a moving target. I’m always learning. I bet you are too, watching other speakers and thinking, “I like that so, I’ll try it.”
When you pitch or get invited to speak, accept that the first few times may not be very good, and that’s okay. You can’t get good unless you get past those first few. Keep stepping out. It will get better. You’ll get better. Your audience will appreciate it.
How should speakers think about their audiences?
Thomas: I know people want a shortcut, like a five-minute class that makes you amazing. The secret is practice over time. There’s no substitute.
Aurora: I remind myself often that no audience shows up hoping to see a speaker fail. Your audience is for you. They want to hear what you have to say and see you do well. If you can internalize that, it will help you.
We’ve all seen speakers struggle or get the dreaded tickle in the throat. Audiences are sympathetic. They’re not rooting against you.
Internalize that. It will calm fears and energize your practice. Your audience is your friend.
What can speakers learn from hecklers and difficult audiences?
Thomas: This is especially true when audiences choose to be there. That’s different from a room of fourth-graders stuck in class.
Most authors speak to voluntary audiences who are rooting for you and want to learn. That’s easier than speaking to a hostile crowd. I’ve done hostile rooms too. I did street preaching and spoke at political events with mixed groups. I’ve been heckled and once had hundreds chanting against me.
It’s not as bad as you think. Heckling is like hot tea; it’s too hot to touch but not too hot to drink. When a heckler shows up, the room often rallies to support you. They identify with you more.
Some of Jesus’s best lines came in response to hecklers. People tried to trap him with questions, and it backfired. When asked about paying taxes to Caesar, he said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” People who know little about Jesus still know that line. It came from a hostile setup.
You’ll likely give hundreds of talks before your first heckler, unless you seek hostile audiences. Even then, good can come from it. Street preachers pray for hecklers because they draw a crowd. One heckler can turn three listeners into thirty. “Thank you, Jesus, for this heckler. Now help me answer well.”
How can authors invite Jesus into their speaking?
Aurora: Your encouragement to see Jesus in your speaking is so important. About ten years ago, I was invited to present to senior leaders at a large company. It was a small audience of power brokers, and I was understandably nervous. I was also nervous for the person who hired me.
I prayed for calm and sensed the Holy Spirit say, I am right here, sitting in this chair. Through a series of seat changes, no one ended up sitting in that chair. That image was so calming. Sometimes you just have to ask Jesus to join you.
Remind yourself regularly that he gave you the message you wrote in your book. He did not bring you this far to leave you. He will be with you in live events, livestreams, and even when you host your own Facebook Live. That is a speaking opportunity too. He stays with you. Your message matters to him as much as it does to you. Do not leave him out as you prepare to step up and speak.
How can fear lead to boldness?
Thomas: Two pastors and an electrician were debating the best way to pray. One said that to stand and pray is to honor God and stay awake. The other said the best way was to kneel to show more respect. The electrician said, “I pray best when I am hanging by my feet from a wire about to die.” There is truth there. Doing something scary can supercharge your prayer life. God meets you in that fear and gives boldness.
How can you craft a proposal that gets you picked?
Thomas: Some listeners are ready for the next level. They want to get gigs or better gigs. What should go into a proposal so that decision-makers pick you?
Aurora: The proposal is crucial. If you do not do it well, you minimize your chances of being selected. You really start your speech with your proposal.
Here are five things to focus on so you stand out, especially in a competitive call for conference speakers.
Understand Your Topic
First, have your topic well in hand. Your book shapes your topic, but you should refine how you present it for a specific audience. Zero in on their pain points and challenges. You may pitch only a portion of your book.
Focus on Your Title
Second, focus on your title. It is a tiny bit of copy with big power. You start selling with the title. If it does not grab the reviewer, they may not read your description. You can use the title of your book, but also craft a clear, compelling subtitle that signals the takeaway.
Tell a Story
Third, tell a story in your description. You will likely get 100 to 200 words. Within that, show a beginning, middle, and end. Demonstrate you understand the problem, offer a path forward, and paint the outcome.
Demonstrate Connection with the Audience
Fourth, include a bit of your journey to show you connect with their audience. Let the reviewer see why you resonate with their people.
Demonstrate Your Credibility
Fifth, explain why you are a credible expert to deliver this talk. This is different from your bio. In a sentence or two, establish why you are not just a person who can talk about this, but the person who should.
If you can capture all of that in your proposal, while staying within the conference’s requested format, you greatly improve your chances of being selected. It shows the event planner that you understand their goals and want to help them achieve them.
Focus on those five elements. Get feedback from others, have them read your proposal, and invest real effort into these short pieces of copy. They’re your sales tool. Your proposal speaks for you when you can’t be there in person to explain why you deserve a spot on the agenda.
Why is your title so important?
Thomas: Titles are critical not only to get accepted but also to fill your room. At conferences with multiple sessions, you are competing for a speaking slot and also for attendees to attend your session.
I go to an unconference in Austin where anyone can pitch a talk in 30 to 60 seconds. Attendees vote, and the winners get to speak. At the end, they vote for the best speaker. To win, your title needs to attract people so that your room is packed with people who will later vote for you.
I have learned a lot there. One thing that helps is promising a benefit or transformation that your session delivers. Another is triggering curiosity. If your title creates a curiosity itch that only your talk can scratch, reviewers say “yes,” and attendees choose your room.
A simple trick is to use a question word in your title: why, how, who, or where. Questions often force compelling, curiosity-sparking wording.
How can you craft a catchy title?
Aurora: Sometimes your topic does not lend itself to obvious creativity, so look for plays on words or a current catchphrase. Bring creative energy to that short stretch of copy.
My all-time favorite title is one I did not write, but we include it in Get Picked: Tips, Tricks, and Tools for Creating an Irresistible Speaker Proposal (Affiliate Link). The run-of-the-mill version was Educational Teaching Techniques for the Modern Classroom.
The catchy version was How I Cured Nose-Picking with Duct Tape and Other Crazy Ideas That Improved Learning.
Who would not want to know how she did that?
Thomas: Brilliant. It opens with a question word and triggers curiosity. The first title is generic. The second is specific, surprising, and irresistible.
What advice do you have for women speaking in church contexts?
Thomas:. In Christian publishing, many speaking opportunities are at churches or connected to churches. Many women struggle to break in. As a woman who speaks in the church world, what advice do you have for female listeners who want to book mixed-audience opportunities that may seem to go to men only?
Aurora: First, be confident in your message. If you have confirmation that God gave you a message for both men and women, stand in that. Do not waver because of what you see.
Practically, make sure your content really is for both genders. From your cover to your stories and examples, prepare material that serves everyone.
When you research opportunities, look for churches with a history of having women speak to mixed audiences. There is no point knocking on a door that will not open. Go where you are welcome. That may mean looking outside your specific faith tradition, and that is okay. If you are confident in your message, go where God opens a door.
Also, be open to a broad range of stages. Build your profile with podcasts that host guests of both genders and tackle gender-neutral topics. Pitch summits and livestream events.
Create your own events. Today, you can have an audience anytime you want one with Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or Instagram. If you need to build a community that includes both genders, do it. Be faithful with what you can control. That faithfulness will open other doors. Do not be deterred or discouraged. Believe in your message and share it with the people God gave it for.
Why should speakers think beyond the traditional stage?
Thomas: When Paul went to a new town, he first went to the synagogue. Often, he was kicked out. He did not quit. He went to the Gentiles and adapted his message.
There are so many speaking opportunities people overlook. New technologies appear constantly, and early adopters get an edge. Podcasting counts too, both as a guest and as a host.
There are also real-world opportunities. Meetup.com is a great source. It lists local groups on every topic imaginable. Reach out to organizers and offer to speak.
Ask God who your Gentiles are. If Group A rejects you, go to Group B.
What opportunities do speakers often overlook?
Aurora: Many of us wait for someone to come to us.
The most overlooked opportunity is building your own audience with your own livestreams. You can truly host your own show on Facebook or YouTube. It feels strange at first to talk into a camera, but you are speaking to someone. Make that connection.
Podcast guesting is also underused. People do not always know how to pitch, or they do not listen with an ear for how they could serve a host’s audience. Be proactive.
Do not sit back and wait for invitations just because your book is on Amazon. That is not how it works now. Create opportunities.
It takes a mindset shift. Push past self-doubt. Do not compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. There was a time when they were not very good and did not have an audience either.
Take action. The children of Israel would not have entered the Promised Land if they had not gotten up and walked. Walk into the world of public speaking. You will find a reward.
Connect with Aurora Gregory
- GetPickedToSpeak.com
- AuroraGregory.com
- Aurora on Facebook
- Twitter: @auroragregory
- Instagram: aurora_gregory
I am a marketing communications consultant and work with entrepreneurs and authors. At AuroraGregory.com. I have a short video training on how to mistake-proof your speaker proposal. I would love to connect and answer questions. Reach out through either site.
Sponsor: Christian Writers Institute
The Course of the Week: Public Speaking for the Writer
Author and speaker, Jack Cavanaugh, explores how writing and speaking go hand-in-hand, and may help you sell more books. As either a fiction or nonfiction writer, honing your speaking skills prepares you for radio interviews and other speaking opportunities. Cavanaugh teaches how to develop your speaking skills and discusses the important elements of a verbal presentation.
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