Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and even beneficial, but too much nervousness can be detrimental.
Here are some proven tips on how to control your butterflies
and give better presentations:
1. Know your material. Pick a topic you are interested in. Know
more about it than you include in your speech. Use humor, personal
stories and conversational language – that way you won’t
easily forget what to say.
2. Practice. Practice. Practice! Rehearse out loud with all equipment
you plan on using. Revise as necessary. Work to control filler
words; Practice, pause and breathe. Practice with a timer and
allow time for the unexpected.
3. Know the audience. Greet some of the audience members as they
arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than
to strangers.
4. Know the room. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area
and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
5. Relax. Begin by addressing the audience. It buys you time and
calms your nerves. Pause, smile and count to three before saying
anything. ("One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand.
Pause. Begin.) Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.
6. Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking,
your voice loud, clear and confident. Visualize the audience clapping
– it will boost your confidence.
7. Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you
to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining.
They’re rooting for you.
8. Don’t apologize for any nervousness or problem –
the audience probably never noticed it.
9. Concentrate on the message – not the medium. Focus your
attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on your
message and your audience.
10. Gain experience. Mainly, your speech should represent you
— as an authority and as a person.
Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking.
A Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need in a safe
and friendly environment.
Visit a Toastmasters meeting!
Toastmasters groups meet in the morning, at noon, or in the evening
in communities and corporations all over the world. No matter
where you live, work or travel, you’ll likely find a group
nearby.