Preach That Gospel! by Chuck DeBault

confidence noun -  assurance, self-assurance, confidence, self-confidence, authority, sureness freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities; "his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular"; "after that failure he lost his confidence"; "she spoke with authority"

Imagine this: you just spent an entire season working your fingers to the bone. You spent countless hours of hard work, blood, sweat and tears to win your class. You push your machine into the shop to begin preparations for next season. What did it take for you to get to this point? Money? Time? Practice? Yes it took all those things. But it also took confidence!
Sure you have it, every good rider or racer does. But what about when you are called upon to pick up your trophy at a banquet? Most riders lack the charisma and finesse that it takes to be a good public speaker. But that does not mean you can’t show confidence! There is nothing worse than mumbling or one-word responses. It makes you look uncomfortable and lacking self-confidence. In some cases it can even make you look unappreciative and undeserving.


I cannot tell you how many ceremonies I have attended where someone is asked a question and his or her response was disappointing and lack-luster at best. Yet on the track they were like a machine – solid, unaffected by elements and in command! Does this remind you of yourself? If so – ask yourself if this is what the people hosting the banquet want. Ask yourself if this is what the people providing the product or prizes that people work so hard to collect want. Then ask yourself this: is what sponsors want? I think we all realize the answers are a resounding ‘no!’. So why does it happen so much?

Well let’s face it; public speaking is not for everyone. However it is almost a requirement for any great racer. Public speaking does not have to be a production; it simply has to serve a purpose. The better you sound, act and respond when standing in front of a microphone will have a direct impact on the amount of time the media spends with you. And that is a huge part of marketing yourself.
Parents, teach your kids! When you go to a banquet who do you remember? Those kids who mumbled their way through their sponsor list? Or those who could look out into the crowd with confidence and name their sponsors clearly and proudly? It’s not tough. Preparation is as easy as practicing. And it’s part of your racer training, winning is hard work. Explaining to the world how and why you are winner is a responsibility of winners! Be proud, and be confident! Let your actions do your talking. Words only have value if the person stating them can sell what they preach!


I completed this editorial and put it up then realized I forgot a couple of important points. First off when we speak of banquets we are not simply discussing national events, you also have to respect your local series banquets. These people actually work harder to get prizes and awards than a lot of the larger series banquets. Show your appreciation by being a strong speaker and display confidence not only in your riding but in the series you dedicated so much time to!

Here are a few simple tips to successful podium speaking:

  1. Know your sponsors. There is nothing more disappointing to a sponsor than supporting your career all season only to be neglected on the biggest night of the season. They are the ones who helped make your position possible. Memorizing your sponsors shows you not only appreciate their efforts, but are looking out for their interests too. Learn them – period.

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  2. Know your own riding career. When asked about a specific race there is no need to recall it moment by moment, but at the same time when asked how your season went there is no reason to respond with “good”. How weak. A quick response such as “It was fun! It went by way to fast and I cannot wait for next season!” will go a lot further with your audience.

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  3. Dress up. Even if you are wearing flashy clothes or colored hair do so with style. Being trendy is cool. But even trendy clothes can be dressy. Don’t look sloppy or like your running to the mall. You (or your parents) just spent tens of thousands of dollars in many cases to get you on that podium. Grow up and look like someone who earned that spot!

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  4. Practice basic responses in the mirror. Right down basic questions and have someone ask them to you. Get used to improvisational questions. Let someone ask you questions and respond as if a microphone was in front of you. Become able to respond to even funny questions without losing control of your emotions.

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  5. Believe in yourself! I cannot stress enough that regardless of your comfort level you have to believe the message you are sending out. Without that everything else is a waste of time.

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  6. Smile! Stand up straight! Look at the person speaking to you and then into the crowd. These are people who admire and respect you. You already know many of them, work through the shyness!
Miss Christa Watson founder of QuadGirls has also provided a great write up on looking like a winner at one of the many upcoming banquets. It's entitled 'Dress to Impress'. Check it out here!
END
~~ Chuck DeBault
Chuck DeBault is the editor of AEM and an experienced photographer in the ATV world. You can find other information by Chuck in magazines like QUAD, ATV Insider, Quad & Jet and ATV Racin Extra. You can find his photography in most mainstream ATV magazines, advertisments and race reports around the world.



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