If you’ve ever heard me speak—at a conference or in an online summit—you might be surprised to hear that when I was young, I had major stage fright. These days, public speaking is a regular part of my author career, but it didn’t come easily for me. In fact, in middle school, I turned down a role in the class musical because I couldn’t handle the thought of getting up on stage with a zillion eyeballs staring at me.
Now, I can stand in front of hundreds (sometimes thousands) of people and talk, but it wasn’t always like this. Before the TEDx talk, before all the conferences and events, I was just a word nerd who preferred curling up with her cat and writing about the imaginary characters in her head over interacting with real humans.
For many writers, the public side of our careers can come as a surprise. We all know we have to knuckle down and write our books. We all know we need to collaborate with editors and other publishing professionals, regardless of whether we publish traditionally or go the indie route. We might even fathom the idea of building an author platform, being on social media, or having a website.
But standing up and talking in front of people? At least for me, that part was unexpected. Oddly enough, it never bothered me to sing or play the violin in front of people. Because it was music, it didn’t feel as scary. But public speaking terrified me to my very core.
The DIY MFA book came out ten years ago (in 2016), and that same year I decided I was going to get over my stage fright once and for all. I realized that I would have to speak at signings and other events (both online and in person), so I made a deliberate and focused effort to become better at public speaking.
In case you’re an introvert like me, and you also need some help overcoming stage fright, here are a few things that worked for me.
1) Nail down the tech and logistics well in advance.
Right before getting up on stage is not the time to figure out any of the logistics. You should nail down all the logistical details like microphones and lighting well in advance. This way you can focus your attention on the speaking and not on the tech.
Over the years, I’ve learned what my preferred tech setup is. For in-person events, I like an empty stage (i.e., no lectern or table separating me from the audience), a lavalier mic (one of those clip-on mics you see on TV), and a clicker if I have slides. I like this setup because it allows me to walk across the stage and I feel more connected to the audience.
For online events, I have my desk set up and ready to go at a moment’s notice, with hard-wired internet, a cardioid mic, and my ideal lighting. The lights are placed so my face is lit, but I don’t get a reflection in my glasses.
Tip: If your computer is clunky and the camera isn’t very good, you can use an app like Camo by Reincubate to connect your phone to the computer and use its camera instead. This is what I did for years before I upgraded my computer this past fall. This is also helpful if you have a laptop, so you don’t have the computer’s camera pointing up your nose.
I also like to pre-plan my speaking ensemble. I have a set “speaking uniform” that I cycle through so I don’t have to think too hard about it. I always make sure I wear comfortable shoes for in-person events, and I avoid busy fabric patterns, especially on camera because they can cause a “flicker” effect.
2) Practice, practice, practice.
If you’ve been in the DIY MFA ecosystem for more than ten minutes, you’ve probably heard me talk about the importance of practice. This is true not only in our writing but in our speaking as well. When we practice something enough times, we build muscle memory around it—both mental muscle and physical muscle. This means when we get up in front of an audience, we don’t have to think about the microscopic details of the talk itself and can focus on being fully present in the moment.
When I’m gearing up for a speaking gig, I don’t just skim through my outline or slides. Instead, I get on my feet and pace around the room, saying the talk out loud. This is crucial because scanning through slides or reviewing a list of talking points is too passive and distant. I need to engage with my talk actively, so the words get ingrained in my mind. I don’t struggle to memorize the words because the very act of walking and talking through the script several times automatically crystallizes it in my memory.
I also experiment with and practice any physical gestures. I try out various permutations and drill those snippets over and over until the words and movements feel natural. The gestures also help me remember the words because the cadence of the sentences pairs with specific movements.
3) “Keep ten stories in your back pocket.”
I learned this from my friend and speaking coach Alexia Veron. When I first started working on my public speaking, she suggested keeping ten stories in my back pocket. This way, I didn’t have to write a different talk for every speaking engagement. Instead, I could use the same framework of a talk and swap out stories to fit. This technique allows me to customize talks to specific audiences without having to overhaul them entirely. I simply choose the stories and examples that are the best fit.
As writers, storytelling can come easily for us, but public speaking can be more of a challenge. If we think of a talk simply as a series of stories and “aha” moments put together, it can feel a lot less daunting.
Over the years, I’ve put together a series of “signature stories” that I can weave into a talk at the drop of a hat. These stories also align with questions I often get asked in interviews, so I can use them in that context as well. Think about stories that answer questions like:
- How did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
- How do you get your ideas (in general)?
- How did you get your idea for this particular story?
- What is one challenge you’ve had to overcome as a writer?
4) Repeat without being repetitive.
Listening is different from reading, and most people need to hear the same concept stated more than once in order for it to sink in fully. At the same time, you don’t want to sound like a broken record, saying the same thing in the exact same way over and over. This is why you want to find ways to repeat without being repetitive.
When I put together a talk, I use what I call the Why ➡️ What ➡️ How formula. I begin by talking about why a particular topic is important or relevant. An introductory story can help frame that “Why” and illustrate it. Next, I dive into the topic and explain it in depth. This is the “What” part of the talk. Finally, I show how to apply that topic, usually using a story or two to bring that process to life. If you watch any talk I give—a conference session, webinar, or interview—you’ll immediately see the Why ➡️ What ➡️ How formula in action. In fact, I’ve even used that format when preparing interview questions for DIY MFA summits or the podcast.
The reason this format works so well is because you’re essentially saying the same thing three times. First, you introduce the idea when you explain the “Why.” Then you dive deeper with the “What.” Finally, you show the application of it with the “How.” You’re repeating the same concept but in different ways, so it doesn’t feel repetitive.
Now It’s Your Turn:
You can adjust these techniques to fit your needs. Depending on your writing goals, you may not need—or even want—to give a TEDx talk or speak at major conferences. Even so, as a writer, you will still need to engage with your readers, be it in person or online, and it’s good to be prepared.
For example, at a book signing, you may be asked to read a passage from your book. Many of the above techniques still apply. You’ll want to know what the tech setup is at the location, and you’ll want to practice reading the passage several times before you get there, so you can nail the inflection and the pacing. Bring a copy of your book, or a printout of the passage. I like to print the passage in 16pt font so I can read it easily, and I try to limit it to three pages. This way, I can spread them side-by-side on the lectern and don’t have to flip through a bunch of paper while I read. This also ensures that I keep the reading short and sweet.
Another scenario you might encounter is if you get interviewed for a podcast or vlog. In this case, you’ll want to make sure you have the tech and logistics nailed down. You’ll also want to have those stories in your back pocket at the ready. I like to be consistent in my storytelling. This means for each story, I have a particular way of telling it. I use the same inflections and follow the same cadence. This way, the stories always stay true to my brand, and I don’t have to stress about remembering the details.
So, there you have it, some techniques I’ve used to make public speaking easier (and less terrifying). I’m thrilled to be participating in several online summits over the summer and fall; in fact, you’ll find one of them listed in the announcements below. If you watch any of those events, you’ll see these very techniques in action. After all, while public speaking has become less scary for me, these techniques are tried and true, and I still use them to this very day.
Until next time, keep writing and keep being awesome!
P.S. For more info on Gabriela Pereira, the founder and instigator of DIY MFA, check out her profile page.
