NEWSLETTER

Authors often tell us that they’d like to speak at conferences, book fairs, and other venues to promote their books. But the thought of taking the stage is daunting.

With this in mind, I turned to expert Aleya Harris, an award-winning speaker and author of SPARK THE STAGE, for insights about how to overcome stage fright and deliver an engaging talk. 

Aleya’s advice includes:

Embrace Your Unique, Personal Story

Use one of your own experiences as a starting point for your talk. By sharing your story, you can create a genuine connection with your audience—an essential first step toward becoming a compelling speaker.

Begin with a Problem Your Audience Faces

When using your personal story, make sure that it addresses a problem that’s relevant to your audience. “People want to know it’s about them,” Aleya expalins. Use your story to demonstrate that you relate to their challenges and, ultimately, show how you’re the right person to guide them to a solution.

Find Clarity Through Practice

Learn the basics of stagecraft. Know where to stand, how to move, and avoid nervous gestures.The content of your talk may be clear, but your delivery is what makes it effective. Practice, practice, practice. It will go a long way toward building confidence and perfecting your talk.

I hope you found this information helpful. I would love to hear from you. Let’s explore how we can promote your book together.

All my best, Jane