“Where can I practice?” 6 places to practice your speaking skills
Those of you who have worked with me are used to hearing my top two challenges. Those of you who haven’t worked with me (and those who are about to) are going to read them:
“Step outside your comfort zone” and
“Seek out other opportunities to practice speaking.”
This is the only way to continually improve your presentation skills and make them stick.
So one client, rightfully, asked me, “Where else can I practice?” Good question, since we don’t always have opportunities to present at work, school, or as part of our outside interests.
There are many events in Chicago - and world-wide, too - where everyday people present, speak, or tell stories. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorites, and where I direct clients. I highly recommend you attend one or more of these events, then decide if you want to apply to speak. Always good to see what you’re walking into first.
My 20x2 Chicago Presentation: “Is It Possible?” I didn’t speak a word. I sang a few. It was scary. And amazing!
Ignite (Worldwide) - “Enlighten us, but make it quick” is the motto of this fun, informative, and fast display of presentations. Each speaker gets 20 slides. Each slide advances every 15 seconds. You’re done in 5 minutes. Speakers share their passions, hobbies, or knowledge.
Pecha-Kucha (Worldwide) - “The art of concise presentations.” This presentation format of 20 slides, 20 seconds each, was developed by architects who were tired of sitting through long (sometimes boring) presentations. The constraint of a less-than-7-minutes presentation forces the speaker to get to the point and make it interesting.
20x2 (Chicago and Austin) - 20 presenters get 2 minutes each to answer one simple (and intentionally vague) question. I presented in 2019, and stepped out of my comfort zone: I made a silent presentation, but played my ukulele. Then I sang. It was not comfortable. And I loved it.
Tuesday Funk (Chicago) - Chicago’s most eclectic reading series features writers, poets, fiction, non-fiction, and stories from a diverse swath of readers. This show is 21 and over, as it is held at a bar. First Tuesday of every month, and free.
Do Not Submit (Chicago and Suburbs) - A storytelling open mic throughout Chicago neighborhoods and its suburbs. Free, and open to all.
First Person Live (Arlington Heights) - Storytelling for adults in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. Each month’s show features a theme. Shows are appropriate for 18 and over.
This is not a comprehensive list; rather, it’s just a starting place. Any I missed that should be here? Let me know. Will you be appearing in one of these (or another) shows? Let me know! I’d love to be in the audience cheering you on.