If you identify as an introvert, as I do, then public speaking probably doesn’t come naturally to you. But as a community builder, public speaking is a must. It helps you connect with your community in a live, synchronous manner that written text cannot.
Especially the Fireside chats where you talk to a guest that your community members admire.
When I started hosting public conversations with guests people admire, I made 3 mistakes. It took me weeks to identify them. Here they are:
Try to be a good listener by saying “hmm” when a guest speaks
A lot of us do this in real-life conversations as well. But when I listened to the recording I realized that it created such a poor listening experience.
Counterintuitive. But I've noticed that the best podcasters don't do it either.
Ask poor follow-up questions or don’t ask them at all
Follow-up questions are critical in turning your chat into a conversation.
What's difficult about this is that you have to be completely present in the conversation in order to ask good follow-up Qs.
You cannot think about the next Q on your list. Or the time left. Or the previous response.
I think that is the most challenging as well as the most rewarding part of Fireside Chats. All you can do is listen and be curious. You have to be in the flow.
Be long-winded in my questions
I've seen that when I'm long-winded in my question, it infects the guest to be long-winded in their answer. You must be concise. Remember, guests mirror the energy of the host.
I’m sharing them with you so that you may skip them altogether and make new mistakes