Speaking in front of a group of people can be daunting and downright terrifying for some professionals. But with consistent practice and diligent preparation, you can overcome your fears (and sweaty palms) and start delivering compelling presentations.

We’ve gathered a few tips from experts to help you get started on your way to slaying your public speaking engagements:

Nikól Peterman, certified empowerment coach, gave this tip for feeling confident while speaking publicly:

“Before you speak, take a moment to feel your body. Close your eyes and place your hand on your belly and just do deep belly breathing. Take three breaths before speaking. Another thing that can be really helpful is to feel your feet and make sure your knees are soft. It’s helpful to feel grounded. Conversely, when doing a podcast, you can bring that same attention to your feet. Uncross your legs to avoid cutting off blood flow. Grounding and support calms the body.”¹

Jesyca Hope, owner of Hope Communications Consulting, says to focus your nervous energy into an object:

“Find an object like a paper clip and bend and unbend it, wrap it around your fingers, or even make a little spring with it. Similarly, you can wrap a piece of cardboard around you thumb and fiddle with it, or even make little rips on your note paper or a book of matches. Such mechanics will help slow you down, steady you, prevent stuttering and more. It’s about how you use your energy, and it works.”²

Josephine Lee, third place winner of the 2016 Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking, encourages practitioners to remember that the audience is on their side:

“If you remember that the audience wants you to do well, that they’re on your side, it’s a much easier process. Focus on what you’re giving to the audience—as if you were giving advice or telling a story to your best friend—rather than on yourself and how you appear.”³

Brent Gleeson, keynote speaker at Merrill Lynch’s global leadership meeting, gave this helpful advice:

“It doesn't matter what you are talking about. There is always a place for emotion or humor, or both. I once gave a presentation about data analytics at a conference – boring! So I made sure to weave in plenty of humor to spice things up. I find self-deprecating humor to work the best. And if you are starting to get emotional, so what? Use it. The audience may not remember everything you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.”⁴

And, lastly, Conor Neill, senior lecturer at IESE Business School and an expert in communications, stresses the importance of practice:

“There are many resources available for those who decide that they wish to become influential.  However, nothing can help the person who does not practice. No tool is as powerful in allowing you to practice than the webcam. Make it a habit to switch on the webcam for three minutes each day and practice expressing yourself. Explain why your project is important. Explain why someone should work on your team. Explain your tips for success in your business. Practice your answer to ‘tell me about yourself?’”⁵

What are your go-to strategies when giving presentations? Drop a comment on our social pages and share your insights!

 

Sources:

1: “How to Wow an Audience.” March 6, 2019. ASICentral.  

2: “Practical Tips for Better Public Speaking.” Ruvo, Christopher. February 5, 2020. ASICentral.

3: “17 Public Speaking Tips That’ll Help You Crush Your Next Presentation.” Ziv, Stav. The Muse.

4: “20 Tips for Mastering the Art of Public Speaking.” Gleeson, Brent. November 6, 2017. Inc.  

5: “12 Tips For Public Speaking.” Neill, Conor. April 18, 2016. Forbes.