Totally Terrified of Public Speaking? 4 Tips to Cope
If
giving a presentation or public speaking strikes fear in your heart, I'll share
a few of my favorite tips for how can you face your fear head on and speak like
a pro in public.
Dr. Michael Telch of the Laboratory for the
Study of Anxiety Disorders in the Department of Psychology at The University of
Texas at Austin says that for most Americans, "The biggest fear is public
speaking, with 15 percent of Americans experiencing a dramatic fear of
it." Humor and statistics aside, how can you face your fear head on and
speak like a pro in public? I'll share a few of my favorite tips:
Know Your Audience
If
you're asked to give a presentation, the most important information you should
get ahead of time is about your audience. What's their background, how
technical are they, what industries or companies do they come from? By knowing
who your audience is (or isn't), you can tailor your content to them. By doing
this, your presentation, regardless of any nerves you may be feeling has a
better chance of resonating and adding value for your audience and they will
appreciate you for it. As an attendee, there's nothing worse than paying a lot
of coin to attend a conference and have presenters that don't know who they are
speaking for, or to. One great trick? Get there early and talk to a few
folks to get to know them a tiny bit then you'll have someone to connect to in
the audience.
You're the Expert
Remember,
people are attending your presentation to learn something. And, you know your
stuff or you wouldn't be up there. Avoid the rabbit-hole thinking that the
audience is out to get you and make you look stupid. They are there to gain
knowledge so give 'em what they came for. By knowing your audience, and your
stuff, you're halfway there.
Be Properly Prepared
Remember
the saying, "Being properly prepared prevents poor performance"? I'm
a firm believer in this one and definitely advise investing the time to put
together a solid presentation.
- Create your own slides: It helps if you're the one creating the slides and notes so you can use examples that you and your audience can relate to. When you have a connection to the examples you use, it makes telling the story (or the presentation) so much more natural and easy.
- Use lots of visuals: Spend quality time creating an engaging deck (remember to include lots of great visual examples because no one likes to look at an all text preso these days.)
- Rehearse! Spend an equal, if not greater amount of time practicing and rehearsing your presentation. Find a quiet place and do as many dry runs as you need to. Then find someone willing to listen and provide you constructive criticism and do your presentation for them.
By
feeling prepared you can lessen the factors that will make your nerves feel
frazzled come show time. You can also get coaching through a group like Toastmasters
International which
can really help you gain a sense of confidence and ease.
Have Fun
No
matter how nervous you feel, you will get through it so it's important to
remember to let yourself have some fun and allow your personality to shine
through. You don't want to be some stiff suit up on a podium that alienates
your audience.
You
can come up with your own ways of coping, from the old school imagining the
audience in their underwear, to a cool trick I saw Tyler
Willis from
Unified do at one of our VerticalResponse user conferences a few years ago; Tyler
brings his smartphone up to the podium with him and before he begins speaking,
he tells the audience he's going to take a picture of them. He then explains
that if, at the end of his speech, he gets three questions, he'll reveal why he
took the picture (Willis explains at the end it's because his parents don't
quite get "social media" and that people pay to hear him speak so he
sends them the pictures). He not only gives himself a few seconds to get comfortable
and have a little fun, he also breaks the ice and draws his listeners in from the get-go.
BY Janine Popick http://www.inc.com/janine-popick/does-public-speaking-strike-fear-in-your-heart-4-tips-to-cope.html
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