I remember the day I was introduced to performance poetry, popularly known as Spoken Word poetry; it was a Thursday sometime in March 2011 at an open mic event held at a boutique hotel called, Bogobiri. There I was listening to different poets express themselves through well-articulated words and accents that gave them rhythm.

It was beautiful to watch but became quite terrifying when my friend asked me to perform one of the poems I had written on my blog. Me? Perform? There was no way I was going to take her seriously. Not because I didn’t have the words but because I didn’t have the guts.

I am an introvert.

If you’ve met me recently, you probably think this is a lie because I always have a smile on my face, I have a way of making people laugh, and I am ‘good’ at public speaking. But what if I told you that everything you see today has come from many years of being an introverted spoken word poet.

Being an introvert simply means you feel more comfortable focusing on your inner thoughts and ideas than what’s happening externally. You talk to yourself a lot and enjoy spending time with just one or two people, rather than large groups or crowds. And if you’re like me, you prefer to write down your thoughts than speak up.

When most people hear the word introvert, they often think of someone who’s shy or quiet and prefers to be alone. While that may be true for some, most introverts are far from shy; instead, they choose not to speak, especially in a room full of people they do not know because they don’t want to be seen.

Public speaking is difficult for introverts because it focuses everyone’s attention on the person speaking. The thought of standing in front of an audience to talk can send shivers down your spine. This fear largely boils down to the belief that introverted people simply do not make good public speakers. It’s a job for the confident, outgoing, charismatic chatterboxes who are naturally good at small talk.

So if you’re like me and you’ve struggled or are struggling with public speaking as an introvert, here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.

Be Yourself

The problem most introverts face when public speaking is that they believe they have to become extroverts to make excellent speakers. Introversion is not an emotion, it’s a personality type which means there’s not much you can do about being an introvert.

Don’t give in to pressure to appear like other speakers. Most Introverts are self-aware, so tap into that, identify your strengths and focus on them. If you’re not naturally funny or witty, don’t force yourself to be a comedian, the audience will see through you, and you will be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Public Speaking is a Performance …and that’s a good thing

Believe it or not, it is possible to put on a performance, while still being yourself. Speaking does not make you an extrovert; instead, it is simply a performance for a few minutes showcasing your most confident self (think Beyonce and Sasha Fierce). Simply envision a time when you feel strong and good about yourself and channel that version of yourself when speaking.

Focus on the audience

Most Introverts make excellent listeners and observers. Use this superpower to pay attention to the audience and connect with them. When I first started performance poetry, I wrote about myself, after a few years, I noticed that my ‘hit’ poems were ones where the audience could see themselves through my words.

The truth is, the best speeches are ones that give the audience what they want, what they can relate to; whether that’s solving a problem or reaffirming a belief that they have. If you place all your attention on being able to do this, you’ll be a lot less concerned with your own worries because the focus is now on the listener and not on you.

It’s okay to be nervous

It’s not the fear of public speaking that’s stopping you, it’s the fear of being seen, being in the spotlight and that’s okay too. Try calming yourself before you speak and taking a few minutes to recuperate after you’re done. Personally, I listen to calming music before I speak and when I am done, I find a quiet place to shake off the nerves (which usually is the nearest bathroom). Don’t focus on the nervousness instead find ways to manage it.

Practice, practice, practice

One of the best ways to get better at public speaking is to practice, whether it’s in front of a mirror, a friend, while taking a shower, or driving in traffic. Practicing helps you get used to the words and develop a natural rhythm when you speak…like poetry.

Smile and Speak Slowly

There is something about a smile that calms you as well as the people listening to you. Smile at your audience when you begin speaking. This will make you feel relaxed, confident, and connected.

Smiling helps control your speed when speaking as it slows your heart rate down and reduces anxiety. It also gives the audience a chance to really listen to your words, making your speech resonate more deeply.

As you can tell, I got on stage in 2011 and have since performed on different stages and spoken to different audiences. However, despite the many years of performing, I still get nervous every time I have to speak and often avoid the spotlight.

Remember, public speaking as an introvert simply means you are coming out of your comfort zone, and to do that effectively you have to be secure in who you are, so, own your ‘introvertedness’ while telling your story!

Good Luck!