Did you know the majority of people faced with doing a formal speech or presentation feels some form of nervousness? You’ve likely heard the expression, “there is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Sure, easy for someone to say who doesn’t have a fear of speaking in public! The good news is there are simply ways to conquer your nervousness and be able to deliver powerful presentations.

Many people have a deep rooted fear of public speaking and this likely stems from a bad experience you have had in the past. Whether you remember this experience matters not. You can’t change what happened in the past, but we can change the type of presenter you’ll be in the future. Here are a few simple tips you can put into practice today to help you become a better communicator and a more powerful public speaker.

Practice

The easiest way to eliminate fear is to know your material inside and out. You don’t have to have every word memorized, but you should be well prepared having rehearsed your material at least 12 times. This may sound like a lot, but rehearse in the shower, on the drive to work, before bed, places where you can take 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted time to yourself.

Connect with your listeners

Although it’s important to make eye contact throughout your speech, ensure you meet a few people, face to face, prior to your presentation. If there is someone you connect with, locate their spots in the room. They can be your “friendly faces” in the audience and help make you feel more comfortable.

Know your audience

Remember, you have been asked to speak for a reason and no one in the audience is hoping to hear a boring presentation! The listeners want you to do well and they have come to hear you for a specific reason. When you are crafting your presentation, think about what the audience would like to hear and what is the most effective way of delivering that information to meet their needs.

Arrive early

Being on time is an obvious professional courtesy, but it also helps you keep your composure prior to your presentation. Getting there early allows you to see the room layout, check any audio/video equipment and allows you to set up and get comfortable with the room layout.

Something familiar

Props are used to enhance your presentation, but if they are something familiar, can also help you feel comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. If you can cleverly integrate something from your office or home you may just feel better having it around when its time to do your speech. Ensure that the prop relates directly to your presentation though and isn’t seen as a distraction for the audience.

Loosen up

Find a way to eliminate the nervous tension in your body prior to your presentation. Take a brisk walk or do a few stretches to increase the oxygen flow to your brain. Remember to take a few deep breathes prior to getting on stage and have a positive mental attitude just before starting your speech!

The only way to improve ones presentation skills is to practice. You can’t learn public speaking from a book! The more you practice, the more you are able to conquer those fears and become an outstanding communicator!

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Michelle Devlin, B.Comm is a professional speaker, facilitator and coach who works with corporations and individuals looking to improve their public speaking and communication skills. For tips and information about working with Michelle visit www.seriouslyspeaking.ca or call 780.918.6972.

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