From Introvert to Confident Speaker: Tips for Navigating Public Speaking

You might recognize me as a simple person from my appearances on radio or TV, but I want to confess something to you. It was a very “scary” experience for me.

Of all the public speaking or media interviews, media interviews are the most nerve-wracking for me until today. I wasn’t an extrovert to begin with. Those who knew me when I was younger might have recognized me as an introverted person who was not good at socializing.

Maybe my experience as a lecturer gave me confidence to stand in front of a crowd and give a lecture. But being in a panel session still made me nervous because of the spontaneous questions that had to be answered together with the expert panel.

My first experience on TV was very disappointing for me because I panicked in front of the camera, and all the ideas in my head vanished.

Thankfully, the best way to overcome this fear and nervousness is to face it continuously until it disappears or reduces.

“Do What Scares You Until It Doesn’t.”

Here are some tips:

1. Come early.
2. Socialize with the audience, DJ, or moderator.
3. Understand the topic in depth.
4. Use notes if there are difficult facts to remember.
5. Always talk with friends about the same topic (face-to-face, not online).
6. Get used to Mindmap when preparing presentations. When giving an answer, imagine that Mindmap. Without a Mindmap, our answer may be disorganized.

In conclusion, being nervous during media interviews or public speaking is a common feeling, and it’s okay to feel that way. However, with practice and determination, we can overcome these fears and become more confident in our abilities.

By following the tips provided, such as coming early, socializing with others, and understanding the topic in depth, we can make sure that we are well-prepared and ready to face any challenge that comes our way. So, don’t let your fears hold you back. Instead, face them head-on and become the best version of yourself!

What about you?