I had my first paid speaking engagement for the year and I rocked it.  I was confident, I knew my stuff and I didn’t even use my 15 pages of notes that I wrote. I know it was because of live streaming.

When I published my book, Building Online Relationships -One Reader At A Time, one of my promotion goals was getting myself in front of new people daily. Live streaming was a way to do it and tackle my fear of doing videos.

I was scared to death to go in front of the camera because I thought I had to be perfect – make up, hair, and nails everything immaculate.  With live streaming it was the total opposite you come as yourself mistakes and all. I decided why not throw on little lip gloss and be LaShaunda.

It worked because people came and listened to me. They made comments and asked questions and my confidence grew. Being in front of the camera I learned that I didn’t have to read my script word for word. I could just be me because I knew the subject I was sharing. I could get my point across without trying to read a whole paragraph.

I was invited by the St. Louis writers Guild to speak about marketing. I created a slide show presentation.  I was ready and tried not to show my nervousness.

When you live stream its something you do by yourself, no one is in the room. You’re looking at your screen – computer or phone. Being in front of a room of people is all whole different experience because the people are right there to interrupt you. With Live stream you can control the interruptions because they come across as comments.

I learned that I really like live presentations, because it keeps you on your toes. You must know what you’re talking about because people will call you on it.

Here are three things I learned while live streaming that helped with a live presentation.

1.    Have notes – Even a script will help you stay on track and something to glance down at to make sure you are cover everything you want to cover during your presentation.

2.    Look at your audience – They didn’t come to see you read off a paper. On live streams I always made sure to look at the camera.  During the live presentation I made eye contact with the audience. I also focused on one audience member to see her reactions to what I was talking about.

 3.    Ask if there are questions – During a live stream I always make sure to ask if anyone has questions.  I want to make sure it’s not all about me.  They might have things they want to know.  This works well in a live presentation because you get to see if they are listening and if they want more information. Sometimes the questions will give you new topics for your next live stream or presentation.

 I’m thankful that I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried live streaming because I don’t think that I would’ve been able to do a live presentation without reading my 15-page speech word for word.

I proved to myself that I was ready to move into the speaker arena and share my knowledge and feel confident about what I had to offer.

I recommend live streaming if you want to build your confidence in speaking in public and want to meet new people.  It’s a great way to start.

 How has live streaming helped you?