Being nervous is very common when it comes to speaking in public. Some people’s nerves can help their performance, as the adrenaline rush makes them feel more alert and focussed. However, others suffer from side effects such as shaking and an increased heart rate, which can lead to rushed or mumbled speech.
If you’re one of the more nervous speakers, don’t panic. We have some simple tips and techniques to help you improve your presentation game.
Prepare
Reduce the need for worry by being as prepared as possible; practice your speech until it flows naturally. You can do this in front of friends, family or just the bathroom mirror. You can also prepare your mind using meditation and breathing exercises or by listening to calming music before your start. Find out what works best for you; you can then apply this to future situations that may be stressful for you.
Make it about your audience, not you
The best way to connect with your audience is to put yourself in their shoes and think about what they want to hear. Why are they listening to you? What is the most valuable information you can give them?
By moving the focus away from yourself and onto other people, it can calm your nerves and empathising with the audience will put them on your side. This is particularly useful if you are promoting a product or service.
Be aware of your body language
Standing in one spot and fidgeting with your hands will only exaggerate your nerves. Put yourself in a positive mind-set by standing up straight and making eye contact with the audience and most importantly smiling with them – your facial expressions communicate as much as your words do. If there is room to do so, move around a little and literally walk off those nerves. Walking will also open a natural break in your talk so you can regain your thoughts if necessary.
Silence is golden
It’s easy to rush through your speech when your heart is racing from nerves, but remember that your audience doesn’t know your speech as well as you do, so may miss key points. There are great advantages to taking breaks in your talk. Firstly, it gives you a moment to gather your thoughts and take a deep breath before moving on to the next point. Secondly, it offers the audience a chance to digest, and reflect on, what you have just said. Use those pauses as an opportunity to look around the room and make eye contact with your audience. If you find yourself saying ‘err’ or ‘umm’ a lot, swap this for silence as well.
Use the Q&A to your advantage
The Q&A after your speech can seem like the most awkward and intimidating part of your presentation, because it’s the most difficult part to prepare for. You can plan ahead by predicting the type of question you will be asked and practicing responses (as you would for an interview), however it’s important to realise that you won’t always have the answer. Try building rapport with your audience by admitting that you don’t know something, instead of trying to fumble an answer together – it’s a great way to break down barriers and encourage two-way communication.
Still a little nervous? Watch/listen to other people delivering talks. The Toastmasters Youtube Channel is a great place to start, as they offer some additional tips and techniques, such as speaking to an international audience, how to correctly use a microphone and how to gain a confident voice.
TED Talks are another great point of reference, as they cover an enormous range of topics and are presented very informally. Check out the most popular TED talks of all time here.