Risks in Public Speaking

By Mary Hill

“I am a writer, Jim, Not a Public Speaker!”  

I used to get so nervous when I thought about standing in front of a crowd and giving a speech. My voice quivers. My hands shake and I couldn’t look out at the audience or make eye contact.   

I can still remember one of the first times I spoke in public. I spoke before the regional chapter of the National Federation of  Business and Professional Women.  My county’s BPW chapter had recently honored me with the county BPW’s Woman of the Year award. Each county BPW sent its Woman of the Year to compete in regionals. The regional winner would then compete for the state honor as Woman of the Year.

I introduced myself as a professional journalist and even said that I write far bettter than I speak.   I had sweaty palms holding my note cards. The afternoon just went down hill from there. I stumbled though my speech and then watched as my competiton started their speeches and made mince meat out of me. 

As I listened to the best presenter giving her speech, I felt outclassed.  She was a vice president of community relations at a major regional hospital, and I was a lowly reporter for a tri-weekly newspaper. I was chosen as the local winner because of my service on the newspaper and my voluntary service on the Salvation Army Board of Directors. I felt really honored but unworthy. I remember having so little self confidence at the time.

Almost 18 year later, I know I would be able to give a better presentation. After leaving the journalism field, I mastered in library and information science and went on to be a school media specialist. I also served on my state association of school librarian’s book award committees. As a member for three years, I had to speak at our state conferences each year about the book award nominees. As a school librarian and technology trainer, I organized and taught workshops on the latest in educational technology. 

Now, I am returning to my journalism roots and looking for opportunitites to work as an online freelance writer and blogger.  I have joined the BlogHer network and hope to one day attend another conference at which I hope to get the chance to redeem myself as a professional, public speaker.

I am still a writer first, but I believe with my experience I will do much better at my next speaking engagement.