From Stage Fright to Stage Energy
The Book of Lists reports that more Americans are afraid of public speaking than of death. Many proficient orators admit they still get nervous before speaking. Stage fright can significantly weaken speaking ability, and the anticipation of stage fright only makes matters worse. But there are ways to transfer your nervous energy into dynamic speech energy.
Be prepared. Know your topic inside and out. Study your audience: who will be there? Does the group claim a common identity on which you could capitalize? What does the audience want to hear? Being mentally prepared will boost your confidence.
Practice. Practice in front of a casual audience and then take their advice seriously. Your mock audience may include friends and peers. Practice in front of a mirror to improve your gestures, posture, and body movements. If you can arrange it, use a video camera and record yourself to see ways you can improve.
Make a checklist. Inventory what you need before the day of the speech, so you won’t forget things and can focus on performing rather than panicking at the last minute.
Check out the space. Check ahead of time that the technology you are using is compatible with your presentation space, that the podium is at the right height, and that everything works.
Dress confidently. Dress slightly better than you anticipate your audience will dress. This will help you build authority.
Stand up straight. Stand up straight with legs in a confident, slightly wide stance. Acting strong will make you feel more confident and help you build rapport with your audience.
Make eye contact. Try to establish and maintain eye contact with your whole audience, but remember a blank stare or hostile glowering is as bad as no eye contact at all.
Read your audience. Connect with your audience through eye contact and humor, and adapt to their body language. Building rapport with your audience will strengthen your confidence and being confident will build rapport.
Work it out. Transfer your nervous energy into physical energy. Don’t waste it. Excite your crowd through body movement, interaction with the audience, and voice inflection.
Hold something. Instead of pacing up and down, tapping your foot, or shaking your hands, have something small in your hand that you can squeeze (unnoticeably) to relieve any nervous energy. This could be a paperclip, poker chip, or post it with a quote for your speech. However, make sure your audience never sees the object.
When things go wrong. Because problems with technology are frequent and unpredictable, be prepared to give your presentation without slides or a microphone. If an unforeseen problem arises during your speech, act confident and move on. If a member of your audience is disruptive or rude, maintain your temper and treat him or her with the utmost professionalism. That way, you will win the audience’s respect and sympathy. Use mistakes to bond with the audience by laughing them off, rather than dwelling on them or over apologizing.
