Speaking in front of a group of any size can be stressful. Anxiety and nervousness are bound to set in, and hearing the word “relax” isn’t always comforting. So, what do you do? Here are some tips for calming your nerves before a speech or presentation.
Know Your Audience
Preparation is the key to a successful speech or presentation. Start by creating an outline that speaks to the people you are sharing your ideas with. Section off each main point and ensure the dialogue flows. If you prepare your speech with your audience in mind, you’ll be more confident giving it.
Practice in Front of a Mirror
Practicing your speech in front of a mirror lets you see where your presentation is weak, where you get stuck, and where your nerves make you stutter. Practice again and again until your confidence is high. Quick tip: Saying words of affirmation out loud can also boost your performance. Just try it!
Drink Plenty of Water
When you’re nervous, your adrenaline spikes. This fight-or-flight response can cause dry mouth, which can cause you to stutter, say “um” a lot, or get tongue-tied. Prepare by keeping a bottle or glass of water handy. Take a few sips before and during the speech, especially if it is lengthy.
Practice Deep Breathing
Deep breathing will relax your body, ease your mind, and calm your voice. It’ll also lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels. You can check out breathing exercises online, including the 4-7-8 technique.
Picture Only One Person
Imagine you’re giving your presentation to one person. Zeroing in will make your speech more manageable, providing ease and calm. It works better than picturing everyone in their underwear!
Pro Tip – Avoid using “umm’s” in your speech. It’s better to pause without talking than use filler words while you search for your next statement. You will look more confident, and appear more clear and decisive!
I pretend I’m talking to my mom whenever I have a lot of people to talk to at one time. It works like a charm. I never feel nervous. In music class, they taught us to look to the very back of the room. It’s a great technique.