Improving your public speaking skills is useless is you don’t keep up those skills. “Step outside your comfort zone” and “Seek out other opportunities to practice speaking” are the 2 old saws I give my clients. Today I tell you where to do this.

I took a stand-up comedy class. I did it mostly because it was the one art form I had never tried. I also thought it would be scary as hell. (It was.) As I observed my own journey with its frustrations, successes, and joys, I noticed the lessons I learned were applicable to corporate or workplace presentations, and public speaking.

Wonder why you get nervous when you have to speak? Do presentations at work make your nerves kick into high gear? Being nervous is normal. A bit of anxiety or nerves (aka stage fright) before presenting is indeed normal, and even good. Here’s how to manage it.

I approach each client and each job with empathy. But now, I can bring even more empathy. Starting this week, I’m taking a stand-up comedy class. And I’m going to chronicle the experience here each week with personal videos, sharing my journey.

Your speaker bio (aka, your Introduction) serves 3 purposes: 1) To establish cred. Your audience wants to know that you know what you’re talking about. What’s your background? Why are you the person to speak about this? How do we know you bring…

I’ll never forget the worst bridal toast I ever sat through. It was a July wedding. My husband was the best man. I was his date, seated at another table. I, of course, helped my husband plan and prepare his speech. We made sure it was heartfelt, kind, and succinct. The maid of honor did not do the same.