Speaking publicly can be daunting, but with the right techniques, you can transform that nervous energy into a compelling and valuable presentation. The very first mistake people make is simply believing that “public speaking is scary”.
Chances are your mind is dramatizing things, and believe it or not, the audience’s expectations are probably lower than you think, so there’s no need to deliver a Grammy Award-winning speech. The most important thing you can do is make sure the audience receives valuable information.
We’ll share 8 practical tips to help you become less nervous on stage.
Let’s get started!
1. Understand Your Audience
Understanding your audience is important when it comes to delivering a successful presentation. Before you start preparing your talk, take some time to research your audience. Who are they? What are their interests? What are their pain points? What do they want to learn from your presentation?
Knowing your audience will help you tailor your message, language, and tone to resonate with them.
2. Use Bullet Points
One of the biggest fears when presenting is forgetting what you’re supposed to say. Instead of memorizing complete sentences, jot down bullet points that cover the topics you need to discuss. Make sure the simple bullet points are in chronological order. This method allows you to speak more naturally and organically. When you’re not tied to a script, your presentation becomes more conversational.
Believe it or not, trying to memorize a complete speech will give you much more anxiety than simply remembering the general idea of each bullet point. Tailoring your message to your audience's needs and interests is key to achieving strong audience engagement.
3. Believe in Your Core Message
Make sure your presentation has a clear core message that you’re passionate about. When you deeply understand and believe in what you’re saying, it significantly reduces your anxiety. You may be thinking, “I believe in my message but I’m terrified!”, and believe it or not, that’s you thinking about yourself rather than the audience.
If you believe your message has value, then you should feel proud that you have the chance to deliver that message in a clear and simple way. Believing in your message and delivering it clearly can significantly contribute to a successful event.
4. Simple Message
Simplicity can dramatically lower anxiety. There are always going to be a million things in your mind that you would like to say, or think would be fun to say, or interesting to talk about, but the most important thing you can do is simplify your message. Unlike work meetings where jargon and complex terminology are common, your public speaking should be simple and clear. Believe it or not, 2 weeks of prep in simplifying your message will be more effective than 4 straight hours of rehearsal the day before the event.
The only thing audiences really hate is listening to people talk with a lot of words but little substance. You can always muster respect by keeping your message as simple and clear as possible for your audience. Speaking for a long time doesn’t make your presentation more impressive.
5. Utilize a Confidence Monitor
A confidence monitor can be your best friend on stage. These devices display your slides or bullet points that only you can see, helping you stay on track without turning your back to the audience to look at the screen behind you. Keep the content on these monitors minimal.
They should serve as cues to keep your speech flowing, not as a teleprompter with full scripts. This setup encourages you to engage more with your audience and less with your notes.
6. Engage Through Eye Contact
When you’re on stage, the sea of faces can be overwhelming. Instead of gazing at the general room, focus on making eye contact with one person at a time. This technique makes the situation feel more like a one-on-one conversation rather than a speech to a crowd.
By addressing individuals, you create a more intimate connection, which not only calms your nerves but also makes your presentation more engaging for the audience. Making eye contact also allows you to gauge instant feedback from your audience, helping you adjust your delivery in real time.
7. Practice Deep Breathing Techniques
Before you step onto the stage, find a quiet place to practice some deep breathing exercises. Box breathing is particularly effective: inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four, and then hold again for four seconds. Repeat this for about 3-5 minutes.
This technique, done 10-15 minutes before your speech, helps to oxygenate your brain, calm your nervous system, and center your thoughts. It's a simple yet powerful way to reduce anxiety and prepare your body for the task ahead.
8. Managing Heart Rate
Even experienced speakers will experience a slight or significant rise in heart rate just before engaging an audience. This even happens in larger meetings as people anticipate their time to speak. This last-minute rise in heart rate is easier to manage if you expect it. Don’t fear your heart rate; it’s really just your body getting ready to perform. It can be a symptom of both excitement and fear.
The key is to simply not care what your heart rate is doing. Don’t be mad at your heart rate; embrace it. One trick is telling yourself the speech is over, YOU'RE DONE. How would you feel if you were done? Sometimes this gives quick relief just before speaking.
Conclusion
Implementing these strategies can dramatically decrease stage fright, allowing you to deliver your message with confidence and poise. Remember, the goal isn't to eliminate nerves entirely but to manage them in a way that enhances your performance.
With practice, these tips will become second nature, turning your public speaking from a source of stress into an opportunity for impactful communication.
