This workshop is designed for people with confidence problems or little experience of speaking in public. Maybe you have to speak as part of your job role, or maybe you anticipate having to do so when you get that next promotion or job! This will enable you to deliver a basic presentation in a structured, confident, professional manner that will impress your audience.

If you lack confidence and feel anxious about speaking in public, don't worry! Glossophobia (fear of speaking in public) is the most widespread phobia in the world, and some studies suggest that up to 75% of people suffer from it to some degree (visit our Fear of Public Speaking page to read more about it and see a number of great exercises that will help you). There's nothing wrong with feeling anxious or nervous. As they say in the X-Files, 'you are not alone' .

We've helped hundreds of people in your situation to get up on their feet and deliver the type of presentation that you think is beyond you at the moment. It's not. All you need is a little bit of help, and we're here to give it to you. I won't pretend we'll turn you into a professional speaker overnight, but I will turn you into someone who can confidently get up on his/her feet and delivery a well-structured presentation without collapsing into a quivering heap.

At our Basic Skills workshop, everyone will be at the same level of experience as yourself, so you don't have to worry about being 'out of your league' or surrounded by people who are ten times better than you. You'll all be in the same boat, and you'll actually find their presence supportive. There's only a small number of people on each workshop (maximum 6) so you'll get to know the others over coffees and lunch and when it's your turn to deliver a short presentation, you'll be doing it in front of friends.

Workshop Content

Confidence

For many people, this is the most important bit, for if you don't have the confidence to stand up and use them, having all the skills in the world is irrelevant. With the tips, techniques and secrets you will learn, I am convinced your speaking confidence will increase tenfold. Using proven techniques from Neuro Linguistic Programming (click here for more information about NLP), I'll show you .

• easy to use exercises so you can banish your anxieties and fear almost at will. Imagine being able to 'conjure up' a state of bulletproof confidence any time you need one.

• how to use your nervous adrenaline productively, and channel it into positive action.

• how to calm yourself immediately before you get up to speak.

Body Language

Research has proven that the most important visual aide you ever use isn't a flipchart or a PowerPoint slide ... it's YOU! Obviously that includes your appearance, but most of your visual impact comes from your body language. Your gestures, posture, body movement and facial expressions all play a major contribution in getting your message across. Over 50% of the message your audience picks up comes from your body language.

• how to stand and move so that you appear far more confident than you actually feel. If we can't get rid of every last trace of nervousness, we can at least hide it from the audience!

• the best ways to establish and maintain eye contact so that both you (and they) are comfortable.

Preparation

Thorough preparation is probably the most important contribution to a speaker's success, yet most people don't do nearly enough of it. Cast your mind back on how many times you have seen people attempt to 'wing it' and then crash and burn. You can NEVER over-prepare. Imagine being able to 'take the stage' secure in the knowledge that you are prepared for any eventuality, that no matter what happens, you'll deal with it. You'll learn what to do:

• days before your speech or presentation

• the night before.

• the last couple of minutes before you get 'on your feet'.

Presentation Structure

You'll learn how to structure your talk so that it is logical and easy to follow. Imagine being able to draw your audience irresistibly towards a conclusion that culminates in the achievement of your objective.

• the importance of having clear objectives (everything in the speech or presentation should relate to these)our speech or presentation

• how to identify the CAB (Clear Audience Benefit)

• 6 main ways to structure any talk or presentation, and which is best for you.

Using Your Voice More Effectively

We'll cover how to use your voice and improve your vocal delivery. Most people only use a fraction of their vocal range in terms of pitch, intonation, speed and volume. As you think about that now, how impressive would it be to be able to vary all of these so that your voice is not only more pleasant to listen to, but also more powerful, compelling and persuasive. You'll do simple exercises to learn how to vary your:

• volume

• pace

• intonation

Opening Powerfully

Research has shown that the first 90 seconds are key to getting your audience's attention. Yet if you think about it now, 99% of speakers waste most of that time with boring, instantly forgettable, mundane rubbish such as greeting the audience, thanking them or apologising for being nervous (a cardinal sin in my book - I know people do it to gain sympathy, but it screams LOSER!). You'll learn:

• 5 powerful ways to open that will grab your audience by thethroat right from the start, giving them a compelling reason to pay attention and listen to you for the rest of your talk.

Closing

After the opening, the second most important part is the close - you may recall a number of speakers you've heard who simply drifted to a pathetic, limp-wristed halt. What would it be like if you could close with a bang so you're guaranteed to get your audience to take action?

• 4 powerful ways to close that will help you achieve your objective (which is what it's all about, after all).

• how to handle Q&A sessions confidently and fearlessly.

Workshop Outline

The workshop starts at 09.00 and finishes at 17.00, with a one-hour break for lunch.

Before attending the workshop you'll be asked to prepare a 5 minute presentation on a work related topic. You'll be asked to present it first thing in the morning, to give us a benchmark as to your current skill level . Then mid afternoon, you'll be given time to rewrite it in the light of what you have learned during the day, and re-present it to the rest of the delegates. Though this might seem daunting right now, imagine how much more confident you will feel with all that you've learned on the day. And if you're going to practice (and make mistakes), isn't it better to do so in a friendly, supportive atmosphere rather than in work?

Believe me, you won't believe how much more confident you feel by the time you get on your feet.

Cost / Booking

The prices above include morning/afternoon tea and coffee.

Read our full Terms & Conditions

As most of my time is spent speaking at conferences and running in-house workshops for companies, we only have a few public workshops per year. Details for the next ones are shown below. Click on the name of your chosen city and you will be taken to our online booking system.

To arrange an in-house Basic Speaking Skills workshop for your company, contact us to discuss your requirements without obligation.

NB: Due to the success of the Advanced Skills seminars, no Basic Skills seminars are scheduled for the immediate future. Email us with your name and location and we will contact you when a new schedule is published.

Alternatively, click here to be taken to the Advanced Skills seminar page. Many inexperienced speakers choose to 'go for broke' and attend an Advanced seminar. All of them (without exception) have been glad they did, and have said their progress was unbelievable. And because of our money-back guarantee (see below), you're completely covered; if you decide the seminar was too advanced after all, you can have your money back!

Amazing money-back guarantee

OK - I understand if you are skeptical that I can improve your confidence about speaking and are maybe reluctant to invest in one of my workshops. So just in case you have any doubt that my Speak Like A Pro© Basic Speaking Skills workshop does what I claim, I want to make an unconditional, cast-iron, no-quibble guarantee. Here it is:

Why am I willing to do this? Well, firstly, I've aimed my guarantee at the 99% of people out there who are honest, not the 1% who are dishonest and will take advantage of my generosity.

Secondly, I'm confident in what I can offer. I've offered this guarantee to everyone who's ever booked me to speak at a conference because I know I can deliver, and have never had one person take me up on it.

I look forward to seeing you at one of the seminars,

P.S. As you re-read the above, you may begin to wonder whether this is really too good to be true, or think that it might work for others but not for you. I assure you that the ability to Speak Like A Pro © can be learned! I think you'll find that you'll be amazed at the progress you will make in just one day.

P.P.S. My cast-iron money-back guarantee means you have nothing to lose; if you attend one of my Basic Speaking Skills workshops and don't feel tenfold more confident at the end, just tell me and I'll refund your money, no questions asked! This is a LIFETIME guarantee!