I'm a freelancer in a creative industry. A lot of my time is spent alone in front of my laptop doing the actual work, but I am often required to go into companies and discuss projects - there's often quite a 'pitchy' element to this at the start of something.
I'm not sure why, but I have become less and less confident at doing these in recent years. 😣 I feel shy and get nervous. I am usually fine when I get going - but I struggle to a) keep to the point and not blather on, and b) maintain eye contact with who I'm talking to.
Particularly with the eye contact thing, because I'm often outlining creative ideas, it just seems to follow that I'm look away - because I'm using my imagination as I speak, if that makes sense.
Can anyone advise on this? I just did a meeting and sensed that I wasn't coming across well, and have more coming up. Would love helpful tips!