Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. But too much nervousness can be detrimental. Here’s how you can control your nervousness and make effective, memorable presentations:
1. Know your material: Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use personal stories and conversational language - that you won't easily forget what to say. If you’re not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary
2. Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. Revise as necessary.
3. Know the audience: Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.
4. Know the room: Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
5. Relax: Ease tension by doing exercises.Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.
6. Visualize yourself giving your speech: Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be SUCCESSFUL. 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 don’t want you to fail.
8. Don’t apologize: If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience’s attention to something they hadn’t noticed. Keep silent.
9. Concentrate on the message – not the medium: Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.
10. Gain experience: Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking.
Art of Speaking Toastmasters Club
www.artofspeakingclub.org
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