Speaking up in meetings without losing your nerve

Format : Masterclass

Planned length : 60 min

Date : Friday 23 October 2026 at 7pm (UK time)

Platform : Zoom

Audience : Employees and managers who dread speaking in meetings

Presented by : Claire Martin (example)

Goal : Present a paid offer

What participants leave with

Running order

Script

#	Start	Length	Block	Slide
1	00:00 19:00	3 min	👋 Welcome and housekeeping	Slide 1 — Title
2	03:00 19:03	5 min	🪝 Why we lose our nerve	Slide 2 — The stress response
3	08:00 19:08	3 min	🙋 Poll: what holds you back	Slide 3 — Poll
4	11:00 19:11	12 min	📚 Technique 1: the 2-minute routine	Slides 4 to 6
5	23:00 19:23	12 min	📚 Technique 2: 1 idea, 1 example, 1 request	Slides 7 to 9
6	35:00 19:35	5 min	📖 Case study: the budget meeting	Slide 10
7	40:00 19:40	7 min	🎯 Going further: the Steady Voice programme	Slides 11 and 12
8	47:00 19:47	10 min	💬 Your questions	Slide 13
9	57:00 19:57	3 min	🏁 Recap and next step	Slide 14
	1:00:00	planned length: 1:00:00

1. 👋 Welcome and housekeeping

00:00 → 03:00 · 3 min · Slide 1 — Title

Good evening and welcome! I am Claire. While everyone is arriving, tell me in the chat where you are watching from.

The session lasts an hour. It is recorded and the replay will be emailed to everyone who registered. Ask your questions in the chat as we go: I am keeping proper time to answer them at the end.

📌 Check sound and screen sharing. Start the recording.

💬 Welcome : Welcome! Tell me where you are watching from 👋

💬 Tech check : Is the sound OK? Reply 1 if all is well, 2 if there is a problem.

💬 Information : The session is recorded: the replay will be emailed to everyone who registered and stay available for 7 days.

2. 🪝 Why we lose our nerve

03:00 → 08:00 · 5 min · Slide 2 — The stress response

You have probably been there: you have a clear idea in mind, your turn comes, and nothing comes out as planned.

It is not a lack of skill. It is the body's normal reaction to being watched, and it can be trained.

Tonight, we will look at three concrete techniques you can try in your very next meeting.

📌 Calm tone, smile.

3. 🙋 Poll: what holds you back

08:00 → 11:00 · 3 min · Slide 3 — Poll

A quick poll so I can adapt my examples. In meetings, what holds you back the most?

A) Speaking up
B) Being clear
C) Answering questions

Answer A, B or C in the chat.

📌 Read a few answers aloud.

💬 Poll : A) speaking up B) being clear C) answering questions: reply A, B or C

4. 📚 Technique 1: the 2-minute routine

11:00 → 23:00 · 12 min · Slides 4 to 6

Before you speak, your body needs a signal that it is safe. The routine has three steps: a long breath out, feet flat on the floor, and a first sentence prepared word for word.

Let us do it together now, for two minutes.

The prepared first sentence is the key: once it is solid, the rest follows much more easily.

📌 Do the exercise for real, camera on. 2-minute timer.

💬 Participation : Did you do the exercise? Rate how calm you feel now from 1 to 5.

5. 📚 Technique 2: 1 idea, 1 example, 1 request

23:00 → 35:00 · 12 min · Slides 7 to 9

When we are stressed, we say too much. The "1 idea, 1 example, 1 request" structure makes you get to the point.

The idea: what you want people to remember. The example: a concrete fact. The request: what you expect from the meeting.

Take 3 minutes to prepare your next contribution with this structure. Share it in the chat if you would like feedback.

📌 Comment on 2 or 3 suggestions from the chat.

💬 Link / resource : Download the "1 idea, 1 example, 1 request" sheet: https://steady-voice.example/sheet

6. 📖 Case study: the budget meeting

35:00 → 40:00 · 5 min · Slide 10

A case shared with the person's permission. Lea (example) had to defend her budget in front of her directors. She prepared her first sentence, a single idea and a precise request.

Her meeting took ten minutes instead of forty. This is not a promise: it is what happened for her, with her preparation.

📌 Stay factual, no generalised figure.

💬 Participation : Does this ring a bell? Write your next important meeting in one sentence.

7. 🎯 Going further: the Steady Voice programme

40:00 → 47:00 · 7 min · Slides 11 and 12

Everything I have shown you tonight, you can apply on your own, from tomorrow.

If you would like to practise with a group and get personal feedback, I run the Steady Voice programme: six 90-minute group sessions by video call, filmed exercises with my feedback and practical sheets.

It is for you if you speak up in meetings regularly. It is not psychological support.

The price is £330, payable in three interest-free instalments. The group is limited to 12 people so everyone practises in every session, and registration closes on the date shown on the page because the group starts right after.

After the first session, if the programme does not suit you, I will refund you in full by simple email within 7 days.

📌 Present calmly, no pressure. Link in the chat.

💬 Offer : The Steady Voice programme (content, dates, price, terms): https://steady-voice.example/programme

8. 💬 Your questions

47:00 → 57:00 · 10 min · Slide 13

Now it is time for your questions, about speaking up or about the programme. Write them in the chat and I will answer as many as I can.

📌 Objections list open.

💬 Questions : Time for your questions: write them here and I will answer as many as I can.

9. 🏁 Recap and next step

57:00 → 1:00:00 · 3 min · Slide 14

To sum up: the 2-minute routine, the "1 idea, 1 example, 1 request" structure, and a prepared first sentence.

Your next step: pick your next meeting and prepare your first sentence tonight.

Thank you for joining, and see you soon!

💬 Thanks : Thank you for joining! Your feedback in one minute: https://steady-voice.example/feedback

The offer

Steady Voice programme (example): Six weeks to practise speaking up in meetings, in a small group with personal feedback. What the offer includes: - 6 group sessions of 90 minutes by video call - Filmed exercises with individual feedback - The practical sheets for each session - Session recordings for the length of the programme It is for you if: - You speak up in meetings regularly - You can set aside about 2 hours a week It is not for you if: - You are looking for psychological support - You want a self-paced course with no interaction Included for every buyer: - A 30-minute one-to-one session before the group starts The price: £330, payable in 3 instalments. Guarantee and terms: After the first session, if the programme does not suit you, full refund by simple email within 7 days. You have 14 days to cancel. If you ask to start before that period ends, the part already provided remains payable. Registration closes on Friday 6 November 2026. The group starts the following week: registration closes before so the group can be formed. Number of places: 12. Group limited to 12 people so everyone practises in every session. All the details and sign-up: https://steady-voice.example/programme (terms of sale: https://steady-voice.example/terms)

Objections and FAQs

£330 is too much for me right now.I understand. The price covers six 90-minute small-group sessions and my feedback on your filmed exercises. You can pay in three instalments. If now is not the time, the free sheet and the replay already let you practise on your own.