My new book, One in Ten, has been published! Copies are on sale now through our website for just £10 – just click here.

If you’d like a taster, here’s a section of the book in which I tell the story of how I developed from a shy, nervous person who liked to hide at the back of the room (yes really!) into someone much more confident.

One of the best ways to promote a service business is by speaking about it in public. Giving talks and presentations, running workshops, even just standing up for a minute at a networking meeting to tell people what you do – all these are very cost-effective ways of sharing your messages about your business. Public speaking does not come naturally to most people. Fortunately, it’s a skill that can be learnt, mastered and enjoyed, by even the most nervous, self-conscious of people.

Once I started attending networking meetings, during the second year of business, I was able to meet the clients who wanted my services. By 2004 it was time to take my marketing to the next level, although I wasn’t sure quite how to do it. A wonderful person called Peter Thompson, a fellow business owner, came to my rescue.

“You really need to come to a Toastmaster’s meeting,” he instructed me. Having heard vaguely of Toastmasters, I made the assumption that many people make: “It sounds very American and full of people who already know how to speak in public.” Peter was still adamant that I should give it a go; yet my nerves and lack of confidence held me back. “Can you promise me that I won’t have to stand up at the meeting and talk to everyone, about anything, for any length of time?” I asked Peter. He promised that he would keep me safe and so eventually I agreed to attend.

At the meeting I listened to the other people give speeches. They were all obviously professionals; “Why did I bother to come?” I asked myself. Managing to hide at the back of the room, I was looking forward to sneaking away quietly, when suddenly, just before the end of the meeting, the chairman asked if the guests would like to stand up and say a few words about the meeting. “Peter, you promised I wouldn’t have to do this!” I just shrank into my chair, unable to move or think of even a few words of thanks to say. I slunk away from the event, promising Peter that he would never be able to persuade me to attend such humiliation again.

One of the traits of successful people is determination. Peter Thompson was determined that I should attend at least one more Toastmasters meeting. How did he manage to get me to the next meeting? I have no idea ? other than his determination to help me – and for that I will be forever grateful. At the second meeting, it dawned on me that not everyone at the meeting was a professional speaker. Why would top class speakers meet in a school hall to give short talks in front of about twenty other people? Of course, they were all like me – learning how to get over their nerves and present themselves effectively. That evening, I decided that Peter knew something I did not and that I should see what I could achieve from being involved. “Would you like to give one of the impromptu speeches tonight?” I was asked. From somewhere, I heard a voice that sounded like mine agreeing. How did that happen? I don’t remember what I was asked to speak about, and when the time came, I managed to walk to the front of the room, waffle on for about forty seconds, of the maximum two minutes that are allowed; and then I stopped. There were no more words; just silence. And then the applause started! Yes, I actually received a round of applause, just for getting up there in front of a room full of strangers and talking about who knows what! It was an amazing feeling of support and kindness. That applause from the people at that Toastmasters group made me see how supportive an organisation it is. Whatever you’re able to do, no matter how small the steps you’re able to take, there are people who will support and reward you for them. After all, everyone has to start at the same place – a place of nerves and low self-confidence – so they know just how you feel.

Over the next two years, I regularly went to meetings of that Toastmasters group, learning more about speaking at every event. I learnt that I love speaking to rooms full of people, sharing my ideas and thoughts with them; this allows me do what I love, which is teaching other people to grow their businesses. I learnt how to answer difficult questions from clients, prospects and journalists; this allows me to answer with confidence and clarity, continually showing the most professional side of my business. I learnt the best way to support other people on their journey into public speaking and increased confidence; this allows me to mentor people from the shaking, nervous wreck that I was once was, watching them and their businesses flourish and succeed.

Learn to speak in public so that you can share your passion for your business with other people.

If you?d like to read the full story, order your copy of One in Ten by clicking here.