Do you get nervous when you have to speak in public? Do you wish that you could sound more confident and authoritative when you’re up there?
If so, then a public speaking coach may be the right solution for you. But how do you go about finding the right one? In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for finding the right public speaking coach for your needs.
1) Work out what your biggest public speaking challenges are
Before you start looking for a public speaking coach, it’s important to take some time to reflect on what you want them to help you overcome.
Sometimes you’ll just know. ‘It’s being nervous’ you’ll think to yourself.. But if you’re unsure, one of the best ways to do this is to video yourself giving a speech or presentation, and then watch the recording back with a critical eye.
Are you using too many filler words? Do you tend to pace back and forth too much? Are you making good eye contact with your audience? Once you have identified your challenges, you can use this information.
2) Speak to different coaches/agencies and see who you click with
The best way to narrow down your options is to speak to several different coaches/agencies. (Agencies are companies with several coaches who work for them.) Most will be happy to book in a free phone call to discuss how they might be able to help.
This will give you a chance to see who you click with and who can best help you meet your goals. When speaking to potential coaches, be sure to mention your challenges, ask about what methods they use, and how they tailor their coaching to meet the needs of individual clients.
Does the person on the other end of the phone make you feel more nervous? Or do they sound reassuring? Is this a coach or an agency you could work with? You will get a much better feel on the phone than just scrolling through their site.
3) Read the coach’s testimonials
Once you have spoken with them, read their testimonials. All good coaches/agencies will be able to share success stories from past clients.
Reading testimonials can give you an understanding of the coach’s ability to tackle your challenges, their methodology, and whether or not they would be a good fit for you.
It’s important to make sure that the coach you hire is someone you feel comfortable working with. After all, you’ll be spending time 1-2-1 with them and sharing personal details about your fears and concerns. You can read the testimonials for Vensa Coaching here.
4) Check their availability and pricing
You need to check that the coach you want is actually available when you are free! Public speaking coaches work at different times and some will be able to offer lunchtime, early morning and evening sessions.
You’ll also want to check how much they charge. Many coaches offer discounts for multiple sessions or packages so if you’re willing to commit to working with them and improving your skills then tell them and you may save some money!
5) Take the plunge!
It’s easy to wait around and keep thinking about it, but you’re not going to overcome nerves, build confidence and improve your speaking skills by putting off getting help. Once you’ve done your research and found someone you’re happy to work with, go for it.
A quick checklist before you book
Run through these before you commit to a coach:
- You can name the one or two things you most want to change.
- You have spoken to them, not just read their website, and came away feeling calmer rather than more nervous.
- Their testimonials describe people with challenges like yours, not just polished executives.
- They can tell you what a first session looks like and how many sessions they would suggest for your goal.
- Their availability matches yours, including evenings or early mornings if you need them.
- They work in the format you want, whether that is on video or in the room.
How Vensa Coaching works
If you would like to see how we measure up against that list, our one-to-one public speaking coaching page explains how sessions run, and you can read about our Director and Lead Coach, James Evans, before you get in touch. The free consultation call is exactly the kind of conversation described in step two.
