by Beth K. Vogt, @bethvogt

We’re writers, which means we write.

But sometimes we’re asked to speak at conferences or writers groups about – what else? – writing. Or about what we’re writing about: Life. Relationships. Faith. Fiction. Nonfiction. Doing so is a great way to connect with other writers, as well as potential readers. 

But some of us would much rather stay home and write than venture forth, prepared speech in hand, and talk. About anything. To any group – small, medium, or large. Definitely not large. 

We agree with what comedian Jerry Seinfeld said: “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that seem right? That means the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

If we stop and think about it, we’re afraid of what might go wrong while we’re standing up in front of all those people, and that’s why we avoid speaking opportunities. Or why we go all dry-mouth when we do say yes and find ourselves front and center stage with all eyes on us. (Not that I would know anything about this particular physical phenomenon.)

Here are some tips to help avoid potential pitfalls during a public speaking engagement:

1. Practice. And then practice some more. Give yourself time to rehearse your speech, not just once or twice before the actual event, but once or twice a day the week before the actual event. Stand in front of a mirror and use your PowerPoint slides – if you’re utilizing those – so you can time yourself. It’s not about memorizing your talk, but getting comfortable with what you want to say.
2. Arrive early. Avoid unneeded stress – both for you and the people putting on the event – by arriving at least 30 minutes early. That way you can figure out both the room set up and the technical needs for your presentation, and also deal with handouts and talk with people arriving early. It’s fun to interact with your audience during your presentation. Mention them by name or connect with them in some way based on something you learned before the workshop started.
3. Be prepared for technical difficulties. Well before the event, ask about what kind of tech support you’ll have: will they have a microphone for you (definitely needed for larger groups); do they support PowerPoint presentations? Always back your presentation up on a thumb drive. At a recent conference, I brought the needed adaptor for my Apple laptop, but the facility didn’t have the necessary adaptor for my adaptor. Because I’d also brought my presentations on a thumb drive, they were able to download the PowerPoints on to their computer. Problem solved.
4. Consider opting out of handouts. People can focus on handouts more than they focus on what you’re saying, thus limiting overall class interaction. Offer to email attendees your notes after the conference. Provide them with a form to fill in with their name and email. This is a good opportunity to let them sign up for your newsletter or blog (both optional). You can also use the form at the end of your talk to draw someone’s name to win a free copy of one of your books. People love to win something!

Moments We Forget  by Beth K. Vogt

Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine.

Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again.

Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

Beth K. Vogt

Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” The Best We’ve Been, the final book in Beth’s Thatcher Sisters Series with Tyndale House Publishers, releases May 2020. Other books in the series include Things I Never Told You, which one the 2019 AWSA Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year, and Moments We Forget.

Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Wedding Series by Zondervan. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us.

An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.