They say most people fear public speaking more than death, but I’m not buying it. If that were really true, wouldn’t there be thousands of people killing themselves every year right before they were scheduled to speak?
Then again, killing yourself can be a bit messy without an adequate weapon, so maybe that’s why people decide to go out there and speak after all. Fear of messes.
In any event, one thing I’ve realized recently is I’m not afraid to speak in public. I think it’s because I’ve goofed up so many things in my life, that I really don’t care if I goof up when speaking in front of a lot of people. What’s the worst that can happen? People are going to think I’m an idiot? Well…I can live with that. (Heck, I already do.) I do get a little nervous of course, but for the most part I enjoy communicating with groups and sharing things that are on my heart, which leads me to the point of this post.
I’ve done a bit of speaking recently and I’m looking to do some more in the future. Here’s a few soundbites if you’re interested in hearing more of me talk out loud in front of an assembled group.
Here’s a 5-minute video clip from that message, talking specifically about keeping hope while we wait on God (you might remember the screencaps I took from this a few weeks ago):
If you’re considering the possibility of having me speak at your function, here’s some more info for you:
Who: I’m comfortable speaking to men’s groups, youth groups, and churches. Not really comfortable speaking to entire groups of women or transgendered folks, but I’m not ruling it out either.
What: I’ve got a handful of messages I’ve worked through recently, a few of which I’m sure would be great for your audience. They’re mostly spiritual in nature based on a biblical worldview, and they usually involve me cracking a few jokes. I can also put something together based on a specific need you might have…I’m flexible like that. If you’d rather I just read straight from the bible, talk about the Boston Red Sox, or crack jokes for 45 minutes, I’d be more than happy to do that too. I guess that means I can be hired as a reader, a sports analyst, and a bad stand-up comedian.
Why: You should bring me in to speak because I’m a skilled communicator who can connect with your audience and share truths that will help them live better. Or at the very least I’ll make them laugh. And since laughter is the best medicine, I’ll be improving their overall health and reducing their out-of-pocket medical expenses.
No Seriously, Why: Because I’m a communicator. I feel like that’s what I’m supposed to be doing with my life, through both the written word and the spoken word. I hope some day to be doing a lot more of this, maybe even making a living from it. And if my career as a communicator were a pyramid scheme, you could book me now and get in at the top of the pyramid. Then you can quit your job and become rich.
When and Where: That’s up to you. Shoot me an email and we can discuss the particulars. Including reimbursement for my travel (if applicable) and remuneration for my services (if applicable).
Here’s the email address if you want more info: bryanallain(at)gmail.com
(and thanks for letting my shill myself for a few minutes…i appreciate it.)