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Trudi Nicola's avatar

This resonates strongly. Part of my job is delivering training to schools. It terrified me at the start for all the reasons you’ve shared. I’m more used to it now, but I still feel those nerves! 💫

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I know. The nerves are the hardest to tame, but when you look at yourself as the expert on what you will speak about, those nerves pull back and leave you alone. But you have to think of yourself as the expert.

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Paul Caloca's avatar

Toastmasters! Public speaking is a skill to be learned. I’ve been a member of Toastmasters for 10 years and I keep going to hone my speaking skills and enjoy the community of others, like me, who still get butterflies in my tummy when called to speak yet pull off excellent performances when we step in front of the audience.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

That sounds like a good group to belong to, Paul.

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Paul Caloca's avatar

Works for me 😀

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C.J. Heck's avatar

😁

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Ken Macko's avatar

Love this story 😊

I can’t remember ever being scared to talk in front of people. As far back as I can go. Maybe it was coaching kids and dealing with parents at a young age. Or the College classes where presentations were part of the class. I never had problems doing Continuing Ed classes I taught for the travel industry through Junior Colleges, being it the computer classes or outright lectures. Making customer service announcements regarding transit service, on board train announcements. Radio communications. All kinds of stuff. It’s like it’s always been a part of what I do. Somewhere at the start I had to be scared poopless, I just can’t remember it !

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C.J. Heck's avatar

That’s good, Ken. You’re fortunate.

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Megan Youngmee's avatar

hehe. glad you had a wingman when you needed one. celebrating you.. cause Yeah you did. that's why i'm here. to learn from those who have done.

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Lauren Osornio's avatar

Way to go CJ! What a marvelous husband you have!

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Lauren, I’m afraid what my ex said that night to set me straight on public speaking, was the high point in an otherwise disastrous 15-year marriage.

Thanks though.

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Lauren Osornio's avatar

I get that.

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Sep 14
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C.J. Heck's avatar

You, too, Mark? I’m so sorry, but welcome to the club.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Maybe some day.

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Francesca Bossert's avatar

It’s always been my worst nightmare! I quit university before my final exams because I was terrified of the orals. Crazy.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Not crazy, Francesca. A lot of people have that horrible fear of public speaking.

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Francesca Bossert's avatar

I suppose the more you do it the easier it gets. And as your husband says, if you are passionate about your subject it’s easier too, possibly even fun. I may do a poetry reading soon…

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I’m okay IF I’m the expert on what I’m speaking about.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I think I would have enjoyed that, Mark. I did do a form of what you describe. Often the night before a school visit, I had to give a speech to the PTA and then after, answer questions., like an Author interview. There were a lot of questions off-subject and it was still fun. Sometimes, the media was there and they asked questions too.

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Francesca Bossert's avatar

I’d rather write😝

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I’m sure, Francesca, but the real money for an author is in the personal appearances.

1 Author School Visit between $500 - $750 /Day it’s based on experience. For up to five 1-hr. presentations.

Then you have book sales, too, for students and teachers. I always had the teachers send a pre-order form home with all the students so I knew how many books to bring with me.

It wasn’t unusual to make $1500 to $2000 for a day’s work.

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Francesca Bossert's avatar

Wow, I had no idea. I don’t live in an English speaking country, so opportunities like this would rarely arise, unless you were a famous author . It’s something I’ve sometimes regretted, but at the same time I grew up in Switzerland, with other advantages.

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Sep 14
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C.J. Heck's avatar

😁🤣😁🤣😁❤️

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C.J. Heck's avatar

You'll do well with people signing up for your book and watching your videos. I wish you well with it, Mark.

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