Be Authentic

We talk about knowing your audience in the last blog, when you know your audiences you can tailor your speech to suit the audience so they can relate with you, with what you say and with your ideas.

Be authentic when you speak. What does that mean? It means..

​1. Be comfortable- Be yourself. If you can’t, the audience won’t be as well. This include being able to laugh at yourself (sometimes). I know of someone who made a mistake on stage and when he realized the mistake, instead of trying to cover up, he joked that it was a purposeful mistake to see who is awake and who is not. Turn an embarrassing moment into a light heated one and the audience will warm up to you.

​2. Be ‘personal’ by relating a personal story on the issue and the situation you are speaking about. Personal story sells. And being vulnerable enough to share your story is a way to be authentic. This not only creates a trust bond, it establishes credibility. 

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​3. Be natural - Be yourself, relax, like how you are always relaxed when you present your ideas and thoughts to your friends and family members. Why not on stage and to strangers as well?