For many people, the idea of speaking in front of a room full of people sounds about as fun as a root canal. However, business owners and salespeople alike shouldn’t disregard this method of attracting new business, because more often than not, it’s worth the effort.
In a recent Wall Street Journal article, the reporter cites Dale Carnegie Training as a great way to boost one’s public speaking prowess. Scott Miller, founder of B2Bee LLC in Cincinnati, said that before taking a Dale Carnegie course on professional selling and then practicing his newly developed skills in front of technology groups, he was “deathly afraid of the experience.”
“Being prepared for a 45-minute talk followed by 30 minutes of Q&A helps develop the skills of preparedness and organization that all entrepreneurs need to succeed.”
Now, Miller teaches a class at Miami University and presents in front of many different groups. In one instance, he was able to secure beta testers for his company’s new invoicing software. Those testers then became customers.
Simply putting yourself out there can be a great way to build buzz about your company.
Another major advantage to speaking in front of a group of people is that you become the expert. The audience is there because they want to be, and they appreciate the fact that you’re taking the time to impart some of your wisdom on them. The more relevant the information, the more valuable you are, and the more likely they are to trust in your services.
And unless the course is specifically positioned as such, take your presentation beyond the “101” level, meaning it’s important to share information that attendees might not be able to get anywhere else. Use specific examples and anecdotes from your own personal experiences that help illustrate your point.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Central & Southern New Jersey. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @CarnegieJersey.
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