How I Flipped Public Speaking Fear into Visibility

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 talking about the most powerful visibility tool of all: public speaking. And I know—it’s a big one. When you speak, people listen.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:00:31]:

There’s no faster way to establish credibility, connect with your audience on a deep emotional level, and position yourself as a leader in your field. Yet so many people avoid public speaking. And I get it. Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m not a natural speaker,” or “I hate being on stage—what if I mess up?” That fear of embarrassment is real. And a lot of people don’t even know where to begin—“How do I get speaking gigs?”

I’ve been there. So today, I’m sharing tips to help you move forward with confidence. Stay tuned.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:01:14]:

Let’s jump right in. For years, I believed public speaking was only for people who were naturally charismatic, totally extroverted, and super confident. I thought if I wasn’t some high-level, inspiring speaker, I had no business being on stage.

But here’s what I’ve learned: public speaking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up and sharing your expertise in a way that helps others. So today, I’m busting the myth around public speaking and showing you exactly how to get started. Of course, we’ll also talk about how petite practice can help you build confidence—without the overwhelm.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:02:01]:

Public speaking isn’t about stepping onto a big stage. It’s a skill you develop over time with small, consistent actions. The petite practice approach to public speaking means confidence is built—not born.

Here’s what I wish I had learned earlier: confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t. 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 in the world started small—maybe speaking to empty rooms, making mistakes, and learning as they went.

That’s exactly where petite practice comes in. If you want to become confident and own the stage, you don’t need to land a TEDx talk. You don’t need to speak in front of hundreds right away—or be super outgoing.

What you need to do is start small. Speak in low-pressure environments. Create micro-opportunities to practice: an Instagram Live, a small team meeting—anything that lets you flex that muscle.

Speaking becomes easier when it becomes a habit. The goal isn’t to be fearless overnight—it’s to speak in small ways, often, so it becomes part of who you are. Let me share a story that changed everything for me.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:03:55]:

When I started speaking, I had a tiny habit that shifted everything. There was a time when I’d rather do anything than speak in front of an audience. I remember the first time I was asked to speak at a small event—it wasn’t even a real “gig,” just a few words at a networking meetup.

But the moment I stood up? My hands were shaking, 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 written it off. But instead, I treated it like a petite practice. I created my own tiny opportunities to keep speaking.

Instead of avoiding it, I practiced in low-stakes situations. Instead of aiming for perfection, I focused on one small improvement each time. I joined Toastmasters—which I highly recommend. I started saying yes to panel discussions because they felt safer than solo talks.

I led small group trainings. I practiced mini-talks on social media. I did Instagram Lives. Little by little, speaking stopped being terrifying—and became one of the biggest growth levers in my business.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:05:26]:

If you’ve been avoiding public speaking, know this: you don’t need to be fearless or perfect. You just need practice. Consistent, small actions build comfort.

So, how do you start—especially if you’re nervous? Here are three simple steps:

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:06:23]:

Step one: Find small, low-stakes opportunities.

Don’t aim for a keynote right away. Host an Instagram or Facebook Live. Lead a short training for your community. Join a panel discussion instead of doing a solo talk.

Try speaking for five minutes once a week—even if it’s just recording a video for yourself. Repetition builds ease.

Step two: Master one signature talk.

You don’t need a new speech for every event. Create one 15–20 minute talk that showcases your expertise. Structure it with a story, a teaching point, and a call to action. Use it in webinars, podcasts, and live events.

My tip: practice this talk out loud once a week—even just in front of a mirror.

Step three: Start pitching yourself.

Once you’ve built some confidence, begin pitching for events and podcasts. With your signature talk ready, reach out to summits, networking groups, and show hosts.

If you’re an author, offer to do a book talk or Q&A. My tip: send one pitch per week. Over time, those pitches lead to bigger opportunities.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:08:02]:

Final thoughts? The more you speak, the easier it gets.

Public speaking isn’t about being fearless—it’s about showing up, consistently, until it feels 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 and tell me—I want 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.

And if you’re ready to take your visibility to the next level, grab my book trilogy at drchristiane.com. The three books are How to Master Your Goal, Discover Your Superpower, and The Petite Practice Planner.

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.