Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:00:00]: Welcome back to the Happy Healthy Hustle! I'm your host, Dr. Christiane, and today we’re diving into the final episode of our visibility miniseries. If you’ve been following along, you know what we’ve covered: we talked about podcasting—using your voice to build trust and authority—and publishing—getting your name in print to expand your reach. Today, we’re tackling the most powerful visibility tool of all: public speaking. And here’s the thing—when you speak, people listen. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:00:31]: There’s no faster way to establish credibility, connect emotionally with your audience, and position yourself as a leader in your field. And yet, so many people avoid public speaking. I get it. Maybe you’re thinking: “I’m not a natural speaker,” or “I hate being on stage,” or “What if I mess up?” That fear of embarrassment is real. And let’s be honest—many people don’t even know where to begin or how to get speaking gigs. I've been there. And I’m here with you today to share some tips. So let’s get into it. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:01:14]: For years, I believed public speaking was only for the naturally charismatic, the extroverted, the super confident. I thought, “If I’m not a high-level, inspirational speaker, then I don’t belong on stage.” But here’s what I’ve learned: public speaking isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up and sharing your knowledge in a way that helps others. So today, we’re busting the myths around public speaking, and I’m going to show you how to get started—without the overwhelm. And yes, petite practice will absolutely play a role in building that confidence. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:02:01]: Let’s get to the truth: public speaking isn’t just about big stages. It’s a skill—one that develops through small, consistent actions. The petite practice approach shows us that confidence is built, not born. Here’s the truth I wish I’d learned sooner: confidence isn’t something you have or don’t have. It’s something you build—through repetition. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:02:33]: No one wakes up one day as an amazing speaker. Even the best started by speaking to small rooms—or even to no one at all. They made mistakes. They learned. That’s where petite practice comes in. If you want to own the stage, you don’t need to land a TEDx talk. You don’t need to be naturally outgoing. What you need is to start small. Speak in safe, low-pressure environments. Create micro-opportunities to practice—like doing an Instagram Live or leading a small team meeting. Make speaking a habit, so it becomes natural—not scary. You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to start. Let me share a story that changed my own perspective. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:03:55]: There was a time I would’ve done anything to avoid public speaking. I remember my first time speaking at an event—it wasn’t even a real gig, just me sharing a few thoughts at a networking meet-up. The moment I stood up, my hands shook, my mind went blank. I got through it, but I walked away thinking, “This is not for me.” Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:04:35]: I could have quit right there. But instead, I treated it like a petite practice. I didn’t wait for big gigs—I created small ones. I kept practicing in low-stakes situations. I let go of perfection and focused on one small improvement each time. I joined Toastmasters—highly recommend! I said yes to panel discussions instead of solo talks because they felt safer. I led small group trainings. I started doing Instagram Lives. Slowly, public speaking stopped being terrifying—and became one of the most powerful growth tools in my business. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:05:26]: If you’ve been avoiding public speaking, here’s what you need to know: You don’t need to be fearless. You don’t even need to be great right away. You just need to start practicing—consistently, in small ways—until it feels more natural. So—how do you start when you’re still nervous? Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:06:23]: Step One: Find low-stakes speaking opportunities. Before aiming for a keynote, start small. Host an Instagram or Facebook Live. Lead a short training for your community. Instead of a solo talk, join a panel. Even just recording a five-minute video once a week will help you get more comfortable. Repetition builds ease. Step Two: Master one signature talk. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel for every event. Create one strong 15–20 minute talk that highlights your expertise. Structure it: story → teaching point → call to action. Use it across different platforms—webinars, interviews, in-person talks. Practice it out loud, even in front of a mirror. Step Three: Pitch yourself. Once you’ve built some confidence, start pitching yourself for events and podcasts. With your signature talk in hand, you’re ready. Look for industry events, local meetups, or virtual summits. Reach out to podcast hosts. If you’ve written a book, offer to do a book talk or Q&A. Set a goal: send one pitch a week. Over time, those pitches lead to real opportunities. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:08:02]: So here’s my final thought: The more you speak, the easier it gets. Public speaking isn’t about being fearless—it’s about showing up consistently in small ways until it becomes natural. Every great speaker started somewhere. And so can you. Here’s your challenge: What’s one small speaking opportunity you can create this week? DM me on Instagram @doctorchristiane, I’d love to cheer you on. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:08:39]: Visit my website at doctorchristiane.com. Thank you so much for listening. This wraps up our visibility miniseries. If you loved it, share it on Instagram and tag me @doctor.Christiane. Ready to take your visibility to the next level? Grab my book trilogy at doctorchristiane.com: 📘 How to Master Your Goal 📘 Discover Your Superpower 📘 The Petite Practice Planner And of course—make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:09:12]: I’m Dr. Christiane, and I’m so glad you joined me today. Reach out if you have questions, I’d love to hear from you.