Speaking in public does not have to be a traumatic experience - Author Lorraine Howell shares her tips
Fear of public speaking is the number one phobia on the planet!!! The first step in overcoming the fear or shyness is to recognize that it's a normal reaction. In fact, humans are wired for that kind of physical response when we find ourselves in new situations. It's the adrenaline that kicks in and gives us those butterflies. Then we experience the "fight or flight" response! Most of us label that reaction as stage fright, nervousness, or shyness. We have the same physical response to excitement.
So when I work with people, the first thing we talk about is making peace with that feeling. At the first sign of butterflies, I suggest people start saying "thank you!" That feeling is an important signal that something significant is going on. So appreciate the feeling, don't make that feeling the problem. It's not going to go away, so learn to see it as a good thing.
The next step is to be prepared for a presentation. It's a sign of respect for your audience and it's a good way to build confidence when you put time and thought into your speech. Find out who is in your audience and what they care about. This is where you consider cultural differences in language and customs.
If you offend people in your audience, you lose any opportunity you have to persuade them or move them to a particular point of view. Have a clear purpose for the presentation. What's your point? Successful speakers will make their points relevant to each audience so that people will feel that their time and attention was well spent. And practice your speech in advance, in front of another audience whenever possible. Or videotape yourself so you can see what others will be seeing.
If you are using visuals like PowerPoint, my advice is "less is more!" Don't load up the screen with a lot of text. And don't read the slides verbatim. For everything you want to put up on a slide ask "is this necessary?" or "does my audience need to see all of this to understand what I'm communicating?"
In terms of dress, be professional and dress in accordance with the image or impression you want to make. People will be making judgments on everything about you and if you wardrobe is distracting or inappropriate; they won't be listening to anything you say!!!
Network with Lorraine Howell author of Give Your Elevator Speech a Lift! and founder of Media Skills Training. E-mail: lorraine@mediaskillstraining.com or visit her website at www.mediaskillstraining.com for more information.
Paula
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Reader Comments (1)
It is very hard for me to make a presentation at work. I can't think of what to say and trip up my words. Later on I think of the right thing to say but it is too late. Thank you for this article.