Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety

Happy Sunday Friends!

I was thinking about the recent roast of Tom Brady on Netflix and was imagining how nerve-wracking it can be as a speaker on that stage. There's a moment when Kim Kardashian is speaking and she is being booed by the crowd. But she keeps her composure, and finishes her set. She stayed calm and composed. How many of us have the self-confidence to handle thousands of people booing us? Yes, I know that she's a celebrity who has been conditioned to receive all types of feedback, but so is (was?) Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and he bombed at the roast of Donald Trump.

On a side note, I never thought I would reference these three names on any of my content, but here we are.

For those of you who have some anxiety when it comes to preparing for a big presentation at work or gearing up for a speech at an event, the fear of speaking in front of an audience is something we all can relate to. But here's the good news – there are techniques to help you manage and overcome public speaking anxiety…

…and no, it's not picturing the audience in their underwear.

FYI - I only provide tips and techniques that I've tried firsthand, therefore, these are proven and practical.

Let's dive in: 

1. Preparation & Knowledge Are The Key

If you have been following me for a while, you will know that I consistently say preparation, knowledge and practice are cornerstones of confidence. Knowing your material inside and out means you won't be "winging" it on stage. Just like anything we do in life (interviews, vacation, parties), we plan and prepare. For public speaking, this means spending ample time researching, writing, and practicing your speech. 

Tip: Break your content into clear sections and rehearse each part until you feel comfortable.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice

Although Allen Iverson once complained about practice, it is the solution for anything that you want to perfect. Once you've prepared your speech, be sure to rehearse it over and over. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or rehearse it in front of trusted friends or family members. Practicing helps you visualize standing in front of an audience. It also helps you identify areas you may need more work on. The great thing about practicing is that it will help you find your speaking style and voice.

Tip: Aim to practice your speech at least five times before the actual presentation and make sure you practice out-loud (even if you are talking to yourself).

3. Know Your Audience

Most speakers know who they are presenting to, such as their bosses, their classmates or even their customers. But if you don't know the audience, then do your best to learn the professional demographic. For example, are they corporate professionals, students, athletes, business owners, etc. If possible and applicable, try to subsegment the audience - i.e. marketing professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. The point of knowing your audience is to tailor the message, theme and tone to them. In other words, you are speaking their language, which will give you more confidence on presenting the topic and will also leave the audience satisfied with the talk.

Tip: If possible, meet a few audience members beforehand. Familiar faces in the crowd can make you feel more at ease.

4. Embrace The Pause

Last week, I wrote about the importance of "pausing" when talking. I can tell you firsthand, pausing is one of the most important techniques you can use to overcome anxiety when giving a public presentation. Too often, when speakers are nervous, they tend to rush through the talk, which results in incoherent sentences, filler words, stuttering and mumbling. Pauses can give you a moment to collect your thoughts, slow down and breathe. Pauses also makes you appear more composed and confident.

Tip: Practice pausing when you rehearse the presentation to get comfortable with silence.

5. Breathe Baby, Breathe!

Similar to pausing, breathing can help you regain composure, slow your heartrate down and help you feel in control. In fact, breathing is one of the most common and consistent pieces of advice from almost every medical professional to help reduce anxiety and nervousness.  There are various breathing techniques out there, but I just go with the simple inhale for 5 seconds and exhale for 5 seconds. If I'm on stage, I'll drop it down to 2 or 3 seconds.

Tip: Incorporate deep breathing exercises into your daily routine to reduce overall anxiety levels.

6. Positive Thinking

Believe it or not, positive thinking works. How we think is how we feel. Therefore, if you consistently think that you are going to bomb on stage, that's how you are going to feel. Telling yourself "I got this", "I'm confident and ready", and "I belong on stage" repeatedly will help reduce your nervousness, and subconsciously improve your confidence.

Tip: Write down your positive affirmations and two weeks before your presentation, say them ten times every few hours throughout the day.

Parting Words

Remember, overcoming public speaking anxiety is a journey, not a destination. I've been speaking professionally for almost 12 years and I am still working on my craft. Believe it or not, I will have moments of stage fright and anxiety, but it's my experience with the above techniques that help me get back on track real quickly. If you incorporate these techniques into your routine, you'll gradually build confidence and transform your fear into a powerful, engaging presence. You've got this!

Feel free to reach out if you need more personalized guidance. I'm here to help you every step of the way.

If you are interested in improving your speaking, communication skills and confidence, schedule a call with me or learn more about communication coaching here.

Thought Of The Week

A weekly thought to meditate, ruminate, and/or ponder on:

Growth Only Happens Outside Of Your Comfort Zone.