Have you ever felt nervous before a big presentation? The feeling of sweaty palms, a racing heart, and a loss for words may be familiar.
You are not alone. 73% of the U.S. population feels anxiety about speaking in public.
Luckily, there are some easy tips you can use to help to calm your nerves before speaking in public. Read on to learn more about how to overcome your fear of public speaking.
5 Tips for Calming Your Nerves Before Speaking in Public
An important part of learning how to speak in public is learning how to deal with the anxiety that comes with it. The nerves you feel before speaking in public can be overcome by following the five tips below.Do some research on how to write a TED talk script, to be more prepared in your notes.
1. Be Prepared
Time spent preparing for a presentation is time well-spent. Make sure that your thoughts are organized into a cohesive order that gets your point across.
You may also choose to make notecards to guide you through your presentation. If you do this, be sure that you only list the main ideas on your cards. If your entire speech is written on the cards, you are more likely to read, which can cause you to rush through the material.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
Once you have prepared your presentation, it’s important to build in time to practice. Practicing with an audience can be extremely valuable in helping you prepare. Find a trusted colleague or friend who is willing to listen to your presentation.
However, be wary of over-practicing. Once you feel comfortable with the presentation, put down the notecards and take a break. Being well-rested is one of the best ways to prepare for a big event.
3. Breathe Deeply
If a moment of anxiety hits, make sure that you are breathing slowly, taking deep breaths. Anxiety can cause hyperventilation, which your audience might be able to notice.
Try focusing on long exhales. This is an effective breathing method to help with anxiety during public speaking because you can even do this while you’re standing in front of a crowd or waiting in the wings before your presentation.
4. Embrace Moments of Silence
Moments of silence usually spur anxiety, but they don’t have to. Instead, practice embracing moments of silence. More often than not, your audience will see the silence as simply a pause.
If you feel the anxiety creeping in, take a pause to gather your thoughts before moving forward.
5. Work With a Coach
If you feel stuck in a rut, a public speaking coach can help you to refine your skills. Working with a coach is a great way to get constructive feedback from a professional.
Your coach will help you to recognize when you need to slow down or speak more clearly. They can also help you to perfect your skills so that your presentation is as effective as possible.
Overcome Your Fears Before Your Next Presentation
Your fear of public speaking does not have to limit you anymore. Following these five tips, you can overcome your fear of public speaking and deliver engaging and effective presentations every time.
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