MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

Totally agree MJ. I suffer badly from stage fright and regularly had to address audiences of up to 1,000.
Definitely getting the front row with some people who can at least pretend to be interested in what I was saying was a massive help.
As was getting a laugh early. Humor always relaxes me a bit.
So does a nip of whisky but I couldn’t possibly comment on whether I resorted to that.
Bob is an extrovert - he will have them eating out of his hands like Hattie with corn. I am very confident of this!

Yes! Great points I always use a little obviously self-deprecating humour. It deconstructs my otherness and loosens us all up.

 

[Ribh]

Yes! Great points I always use a little obviously self-deprecating humour. It deconstructs my otherness and loosens us all up.

I resort to dorkiness. It makes everyone so grateful they're not me.

 

[BY Bob]

Will you have opportunity to run through with the others beforehand?

With an audience that big you won't capture them all. You don't need tips, but just in case here's my top tip for such an audience: Make sure someone familiar and encouraging is in the front row so you can easily pick up a smile every now and then.

I've got other tips but you've probably already heard them all.

Yes we have a run through in 2 weeks. Of all the dumb things, I need a new headshot (photo) for the program. I never considered that. I have had one taken in 20 years.

Like this

Maybe without the muss on my face.

 

[BY Bob]

The confidence picked up from that one face can be internalised and projected out towards the others.

I will be there without knowing anyone else I did not meet at the speakers mixer the night before. I am a formally trained and very experienced public speaker. I've just never done this format before. It is usually me at a podium. I also have not done anything like this in about 4+ years because of changing jobs and Covid. So I am quite nervous.

Any thoughts, hints, reminders, etc. are all appreciated

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes we have a run through in 2 weeks. Of all the dumb things, I need a new headshot (photo) for the program. I never considered that. I have had one taken in 20 years.

Like this
View attachment 3224483

Maybe without the muss on my face.

All my headshots are pre-pandemic and show me with coloured hair. I was one of the many who decided to not bother with hair colour any more.

Funny things is, sometimes people repeat things to me in case I'm hearing impaired. I guess grey hair = hearing impairment for some folks.

 

[BY Bob]

Please don't put expertise in quotes when you're talking to them, they'll hear it and wonder why you think it needs that emphasis.

I used quotes because I have been in this industry since last October but somehow I have become such an expert that I am on an industry panel at large conference.

 

[MaryJanet]

I will be there without knowing anyone else I did not meet at the speakers mixer the night before. I am a formally trained and very experienced public speaker. I've just never done this format before. It is usually me at a podium. I also have not done anything like this in about 4+ years because of changing jobs and Covid. So I am quite nervous.

Any thoughts, hints, reminders, etc. are all appreciated

Now I know those details, I wish I hadn't said anything.

 

[MaryJanet]

I used quotes because I have been in this industry since last October but somehow I have become such an expert that I am on an industry panel at large conference.

It's weird when others imbue you with it.

 

[BY Bob]

All my headshots are pre-pandemic and show me with coloured hair. I was one of the many who decided to not bother with hair colour any more.

Funny things is, sometimes people repeat things to me in case I'm hearing impaired. I guess grey hair = hearing impairment for some folks.

I am also much more grey than 20 years ago. I do however still have all my hair. Of course no one has resorted to speaking loudly around me yet. So I guess that's good.

 

[BY Bob]

Now I know those details, I wish I hadn't said anything.

Oh no, no, no. Please. I want any advice. I think I posted that I was doing it hoping you might have some.