Presenting well, inspiring an audience and being effective in front of a group are powerful skills for some. For others, despite a level of natural ease in front of an audience, it remains a perpetual challenge.
As a certified Personal Empowerment Program trainer for Business and Professional Women, I often run workshops on this topic. Each time, I meet exceptional, competent and charismatic women whose self-confidence goes into a tailspin when it comes to public speaking.
If you've been thrust into the spotlight, don't panic! Here are 10 tips for fearless public speaking:
1. Know the room
Familiarize yourself with the room in which you'll be speaking. Arrive early, walk around the "speech" area, learn to use the microphone and visual aids.
2. Know your audience:
If the audience is completely unknown to you, greet a few members as they arrive. It's easier to talk to a group of friends than strangers.
3. Know your equipment:
If you're not familiar or comfortable with your equipment, your nervousness will increase. Make sure your visual aid and projection equipment are compatible and functional.
4. Relax
Take a breath! Be yourself. Don't try to be someone else.
5. Visualize yourself giving your presentation
Imagine yourself speaking in a strong, clear, confident voice. By visualizing yourself as successful, you'll achieve success.
6. Realize that the public wants your success
Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, message-driven and fun. They don't want you to fail in expressing what you have to say. Involve the audience.
7. Don't apologize
If you stammer or remain silent, stop, smile and repeat your sentence. If you lose your train of thought, say: "Where am I now?
8. Focus on the message and the audience
Put aside your anxious preoccupations and focus ostensibly on your message and the audience. Make eye contact with everyone in the room. Your nervousness will disappear.
9. Turn nervousness into positive energy
Be passionate about the subject of your presentation, using movement and body language to show your enthusiasm. Move around the room, if possible. In some situations you may have to stand at a podium, but learn to use hand gestures or the tone of your voice to draw the audience to you.
10. Practice, practice, practice.
It's experience that builds confidence, the key to effective public speaking.
The participants in my workshops have the opportunity to practice their presentation skills, get valuable feedback and have a lot of fun at the same time. It's comforting to know that you're not the only one experiencing this kind of problem. It's even more reassuring to practice in front of a sympathetic audience, to overcome your fears and regain your self-confidence.